Dolly Parton dead at 80, months after battling unknown health issue I Live Updates from Fox News Digital

Tributes for Dolly Parton continue to pour in from various country music stars, including Jason Aldean and Kelsea Ballerini.

Aldean shared a black-and-white photo of Parton, writing he is “sad to hear of the passing of @dollyparton today.”

“The term ‘legend’ gets thrown around a lot these days but she really was. An icon to the entire entertainment industry, especially the Country Music family,” he wrote. “I had the privilege being around her a few times over the years and she was truly a bright light that shined just a little brighter than anyone else in the room. It’s always sad when one of our heroes passes away, but the beauty in music is that her art will live on forever. Rest easy Dolly and thank you for the contributions you made and the doors you kicked down for all of us that came after you.”

Ballerini shared a series of photos of her and Parton either singing together or posing alongside each other on the red carpet, calling her “my east tennessee angel.”

“Thank you for every ounce of magic and butterflies, acceptance and joy, heart and music you brought to this world. we will always love you dolly,” she wrote adding a broken heart emoji.

Another Instagram story featured she and Parton posing together with Ballerini writing, “this was my first time meeting dolly. i was new in my career and couldn’t wait to talk to her about growing up in knoxville going to dollywood and seeing her at the christmas parade.”

She continued: “she was so tickled by my stories, so present…like she didn’t single handedly influence every woman in the music scene since she started. the true definition of a legend. still can’t believe she’s gone. but she ever will be.”

Billy Ray Cyrus
took to Instagram to share multiple photos of him and Parton over the years, including with his daughter Miley, who was Parton’s godchild.

“I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton,” he wrote. “She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms.”

He added: “In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, “Honey, this trash sells records!”

Cyrus then shared that Parton recently told him that “she loved me with her whole heart,” adding that he “will always love her in the same way.”

Other country stars, such as Maren Morris also paid tribute, sharing a video of Parton singing with her backstage, writing, “there will never be another. @dollyparton was who we could all agree on. she was and is such a light.”

Blake Shelton shared a photo of the two of them from her time on “The Voice,” saying that without a doubt in his mind he knows, “we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today.”

“I only got to spend any real time with Dolly when Gwen and I got to work with her on The Voice,” he wrote. “I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is. It was like being with the funnest, most loving, most caring and closest member of your family. Truly a loss for the entire world. We love you Dolly.”

Gretchen Wilson shared a black-and-white photo of Parton, writing, “you built a legacy in country music when few women had a way into the business… I am forever grateful to have watched and learned from you. Rest in peace. ”

Shania Twain also paid tribute, sharing a video of her and Parton singing together on stage, writing, “Dolly was pure light sent from heaven. My mentor is gone. My songwriting teacher and hero of grace and humility. There is a hole in my heart but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live. I will cherish this moment performing Coat Of Many Colors with Dolly forever. Goodbye Dolly. Rest in peace, beautiful angel.” 

Fox News Digital’s Lori Bashian contributed to this report.