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Dolly Parton shared a sweet photo with her late husband, Carl Dean, as she debuted a heartfelt new single on Friday morning (March 7). Parton released “If You Hadn’t Been There” in Dean’s honor days after confirming his passing in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 82.
Parton, 79, said as she introduced her newest ballad, “I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”
“I wouldn’t be here/ If you hadn’t been there/ Holding my hand/ Showing you care/ You made me dream/ More than I dared/ And I wouldn’t be here/ If you hadn’t been there”
The legendary “I Will Always Love You” singer met her husband on her first day living in Nashville, where she moved from her East Tennessee hometown to pursue her career in music. Parton shared in recent months that she thought “the last thing” she wanted was a boyfriend when she moved to Music City (in fact, the singer-songwriter left behind “two boyfriends back home that had wanted to marry me”). But she met Dean right away outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat, and they remained together ever since. They got married in a “simple” and “private” Georgia wedding on May 30, 1966. Parton said Dean, who opted to remain out of the spotlight throughout his decades-long marriage with the globally-beloved country star, was “hilarious.” She said they always respected one another and had “a lot of fun,” during a recent podcast interview.
Parton announced the loss of her husband on Monday evening (March 3). She said at that time that her husband would be laid to rest in a private ceremony with only immediate family in attendance. Parton said that “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
Parton received an outpouring of condolences and support after sharing her statement on March 3, including Tanya Tucker, Lee Brice, Lainey Wilson, Martina McBride, Lauren Alaina, Lainey Wilson, the family of late legend Loretta Lynn, and many more.
“This is a love note to family, friends, and fans,” Parton said Thursday (March 6). “Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers that you’ve sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl. I can’t reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me. He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you.”