Dolly Parton has revealed her brother Randy has died after a battle with cancer.
The musician, who duetted with his sister on her track Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You, was a familiar presence at her theme park Dollywood in Tennessee, where he headlined his own show.
Parton, 75, wrote on Facebook: “My brother Randy has lost his battle with cancer. The family and I are grieving his loss but we know he is in a better place than we are at this time.
“We are a family of faith and we believe that he is safe with God and that he is joined by members of the family that have gone on before and have welcomed him with joy and open arms.
My brother Randy has lost his battle with cancer. The family and I are grieving his loss but we know he is in a better…
Posted by Dolly Parton on Thursday, January 21, 2021
“Randy was a great singer, writer, and entertainer. He sang, played guitar and bass in my band for many years.
“He headed his own show at Dollywood since it opened in 1986.
“He’s had several chart records of his own, but his duet with me on Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You will always be a highlight in my own career.
“You Are My Christmas, our duet on my latest Christmas album, joined with his daughter Heidi, will always be a favourite.
“It was his last musical recording and he shined on it just like he’s shining in heaven now.
“He is survived by his wife Deb, his daughter Heidi, son Sabyn, grandsons Huston and Trent.
“We will always love him and he will always be in our hearts.”
According to the Dollywood website, Randy appeared in the show My People, My Music along with several other family members “who share songs of the family’s strong faith, their deep love for the Smoky Mountains and their steadfast belief in their sister Dolly”.
