The Country Music Association is bringing country music’s biggest names together for a special night honoring the life and legacy of Dolly Parton.
Titled CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, the two-hour television special will air live on October 21, giving fans a chance to celebrate the beloved singer, songwriter, entertainer, and philanthropist.
The event comes less than two months after Dolly passed away on August 25 at the age of 80. After nearly six decades in country music, she left behind a legacy that reaches far beyond her songs, touching generations of fans through her kindness, humor, and generosity.
What to expect from the Dolly Parton tribute
The special will celebrate Dolly’s remarkable career through live performances, archival footage, and personal stories. It will also highlight her work as a songwriter, entertainer, businesswoman, and humanitarian.
While the full lineup of performers has not yet been announced, the CMA expects the event to bring together many familiar faces from Music City.
“As the organization built to serve and celebrate country music, honoring her legacy is not just an opportunity; it is our responsibility,” CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said in a statement. “This special is our way of saying thank you, on behalf of every artist, industry member and fan who found a piece of themselves in her music.”
The tribute will be filmed live at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts as part of a partnership between the CMA and the university. Robert Deaton will serve as executive producer.
“Dolly gave country music its heart, and giving some of that heart back to her is an incredible honor,” Deaton said. “My hope is simply that we do right by her story, her music, and the people who love her.”
A portion of the event’s proceeds will go to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the early childhood book-gifting program founded through The Dollywood Foundation.
The special will air live on ABC and Disney+ internationally on October 21 from 8 to 10 p.m. CST. It will also be available to stream on Hulu the following day.
With Dolly’s music and generosity at the center of the evening, the tribute promises to be a meaningful celebration of an artist whose influence continues to reach far beyond country music.