Dionne Warwick & Dolly Parton Talk Decades-Long Relationship Without Actually Meeting

Dolly Parton and Dionne Warwick are lauding their long-lasting connection!

For longer than anyone can remember, Warwick and Parton have teased the world with their near-perfect friendship, even though it took them over a decade to meet physically. Now, the powerful duo has opened up about what they thought when they realized they had never met. The update comes shortly after they confirmed that they are working on a Gospel song, "Peace Like a River." 

Warwick and Parton have talked over the phone and FaceTime for decades, but it was not until they had to shoot the music video for their upcoming song that the pair shared a real-life embrace. The musical duo met in Nashville, Tennessee, to shoot the video produced and co-directed by Warwick's son, Damon Elliott.

During an exclusive conversation with ET, the "Jolene" singer recounted the excitement she felt in the car as she made her way to her decades-long friend. She admitted to being a fan of Warwick's music since she was a young girl. In the words of the "Coat of Many Colors" hitmaker:

"I was so excited this morning because when I was riding with you, somebody asked how long have you known Dionne. I said, 'I don't know her, except through her music, and I love her music." 

She continued saying, "She [Warwick] was always one of my favorites. I had all her records, but I don't think I ever met her. I would've remembered had I met her, but this morning, it was like two little young-ins like, 'Hey! Hey! Hey!'"

Parton added that she knew she would not be "disappointed" upon meeting Warwick because even though they had communicated through FaceTime and calls, "I knew that I would love her because I just felt that voice."

The "I Will Always Love You" singer explained that her friend's voice was "kind of inside me," giving her a "vibration" that people felt when they heard others sing. "So I knew I'd love her. And it wasn't like I met a stranger. We just walked up to each other like we've always known each other," she concluded.

Parton's candid view of their time together prompted the "Walk On By" singer to chime in, "Dear old friends." It is worth noting that Parton's plans to work on this gospel duet had taken years to form, as she admitted to first writing the song "in the late '80s."

And as it turned out, "it's a song that stands the test of time" and was "very dear" to Warwick's heart. The song's music video is expected to premiere this Friday, with more than enough church vibes for their combined fanbase.

The Blast observed last month that Warwick had gushed about her and Parton's gospel project. The 82-year-old had taken to Twitter to post a clip that showcased her in a pair of trendy dark glasses, a black matching graphic t-shirt, a matching beanie hat, and a cross necklace. 

The mother-of-two kicked off the video by informing viewers that she was a "little tired but okay" as she had just returned from Los Angeles, where she went to do her bit for "Peace Like A River."

"We're very excited that I'll have a date for release very, very soon. So, keep your eyes and ears open. Me and Dolly are just over the moon about it," the "That's What Friends Are For" hitmaker updated.

As expected, the announcement allowed fans to show their support for the duet. "Miss Dionne and Dolly Parton in a duet?? Hurray!! That's something that I absolutely must listen to! Talk about a dream team!" one fan joyfully exclaimed.

A second fan gushed, "OMG!!! 2 of my favorite people together on a duet is everything I need for 2023!" while a third simply posted a meme of Tyler Perry's "Madea" character saying, "H*ll to the yeah."

A fourth person declared that Warwick is "adorable," adding, "Consider yourself hugged. Both of you, actually." A fifth Twitter user gushed about the "Let There Be Light" star being a "warm glow," with an "excited" feeling about and anticipation for the duet.