John Mayer Honors Dolly Parton with ‘I Will Always Love You’ Cover as He Notes Country Icon ‘Left an Incredible Testament to Love’

John Mayer reflected on the late Parton’s ability to unite people during a private SiriusXM show in the Hamptons on Wednesday, Aug. 26. “Dolly would be really happy to see that ... the world came together in a way that it hadn’t in a very long time to celebrate someone,” the guitarist said.

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John Mayer performed Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” during a private SiriusXM show in the Hamptons

Mayer reflected on Parton’s ability to unite people, calling her life a “testament to love”

“Dolly would be really happy to see that ... the world came together in a way that it hadn’t in a very long time to celebrate someone,” the guitarist said

John Mayer has paid tribute to Dolly Parton through his guitar.

The musician was playing a private SiriusXM show Wednesday evening at Stephen Talkhouse in the Hamptons when — despite shouted requests from the packed crowd for “Jolene” — Mayer instead opted for Parton’s hit “I Will Always Love You,” soloing on the guitar before transitioning into an encore performance of “Gravity” to close his set.

Mayer, 48, was originally introduced to the late country icon in Nashville in October 2010, shaking hands with Parton at All for the Hall, a benefit concert often hosted by their mutual friend Keith Urban. Parton died on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at age 80, her family announced, following a “brief battle with cancer.”

Ahead of Mayer’s performance, which featured his full band for the first time in nearly a year, the singer-songwriter sat down with close pal and fellow SiriusXM host Andy Cohen for a chat.

The two discussed the “huge loss” of Parton the day prior, with Mayer musing that “Dolly would be really happy to see that ... the world came together in a way that it hadn’t in a very long time to celebrate someone. While the world is paying tribute to one person and one soul, which feels good on its own, we’re all connected while that’s happening. I haven’t felt connected like that for a long time.”

He continued, “Here’s a human being who carried herself through every decade of her life perfectly. I don’t know that there are many people in this world left that can galvanize a very fractured world to come together and share love for one person. This is one human being who’s left this incredible testament to love throughout their whole life and you can feel it. This is what a life well-lived looks like, feels like, sounds like.”

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Shortly after the interview, Cohen, 58, introduced Mayer to the intimate crowd — which included Paul McCartney and daughter Stella, Brooke Shields, Neil Patrick Harris and husband David Burtka, Christie Brinkley and daughter Sailor and Michael J. Fox — and the concert began. The Grammy winner played a career-spanning set and even shouted out show sponsor Uber, revealing that his minimum tip on the Uber Eats app is $40, whether his “lazy ass” is ordering a single cup of coffee or Nobu sushi.

After noting that he has not released an album since 2021’s Sob Rock, Mayer thanked the crowd for their “enthusiasm to see me play” and teased that new music — which he’s been working on at Cohen’s Hamptons beach home — is on the way. “We’ll sing new songs again very soon,” he promised.

Mayer’s full interview with Cohen will air on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy on Friday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m., while the John Mayer live at Stephen Talkhouse concert will air on Saturday, Aug. 29 at 8 p.m. ET on SiriusXM’s Life with John Mayer and will be available on the SiriusXM app.