The Country Music Association is bringing Dolly Parton’s life and legacy to television with a new two-hour live tribute special following the country music icon’s death at age 80.
Titled “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,” the special will air Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 9 p.m. on ABC.
The program will also stream internationally on Disney+ and will become available on Hulu the following day.
The CMA says the special will celebrate Parton’s extraordinary career through live performances, archival footage and personal stories, tracing her journey from East Tennessee to international fame.
CMA Announces Live Dolly Parton Celebration
The two-hour special is being organized by the Country Music Association as a tribute to Parton’s life, music and lasting influence.
The program will highlight Parton not only as an artist and songwriter, but also as an entertainer, humanitarian and entrepreneur.
According to the CMA, the special will explore the reach of Parton’s music and generosity across generations and around the world.
It will also focus on her philanthropic legacy, alongside the career that made her one of country music’s most recognizable figures.
The program will be filmed live in Nashville, Tennessee, at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.
Dolly Parton Tribute Will Include Performances and Archival Footage
The CMA has not yet revealed the performers who will appear in the special.
The program is expected to combine live musical performances, archival material and personal stories, creating a broad look at Parton’s career and impact.
Details about performers, tickets and additional partners are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
CMA Calls Honoring Parton a Responsibility
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern described Parton as someone who belonged to the whole world while also being deeply connected to the country music industry.
Trahern said the industry owes Parton a debt of gratitude and that honoring her legacy is a responsibility for the CMA.
She described the special as a way to say thank you on behalf of the artists, industry members and fans who have found meaning in Parton’s music.
Robert Deaton to Executive Produce the Special
Robert Deaton will serve as executive producer of the tribute.
Deaton described the project as an honor and said his goal is to do justice to Parton’s story, music and the people who love her.
He also referred to Parton as his friend.
Belmont University Has a Long Connection With Dolly Parton
The Nashville special also continues a relationship between the CMA and Belmont University, which are working together through an ongoing strategic partnership.
Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones said Parton’s influence extends well beyond music, pointing to her creativity, generosity, entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to helping others.
The university previously partnered with Parton on the 2025 world premiere of “Dolly: A True Original Musical” at the Fisher Center.
Belmont and Parton also launched Dolly U, an educational partnership designed to connect students with hands-on opportunities in entertainment, media and other creative industries.
Part of the Proceeds Will Support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
The tribute will also support one of Parton’s best-known philanthropic initiatives.
The CMA and Belmont University will donate a portion of proceeds from the special to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, an early-childhood book-gifting program and the flagship initiative of The Dollywood Foundation.
The program provides millions of children with a free book each month.
Disney is also supporting the Imagination Library as part of efforts to further its mission of encouraging children to imagine their possibilities.
The charitable component means the Nashville celebration will connect Parton’s entertainment legacy with the children’s literacy work that became an important part of her public life.
Dolly Parton Died at 80
The tribute announcement follows Dolly Parton’s death in August 2026 at age 80, according to Variety.
Variety reported that her representatives described her death as following a “brief battle” with cancer.
The tribute announcement itself focuses on celebrating Parton’s career, music, philanthropy and influence rather than providing additional details about her death.
When and Where to Watch the Dolly Parton Tribute
Title: “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton”
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Time: 9 p.m.
U.S. broadcaster: ABC
International streaming: Disney+
Hulu: Available the following day
Location: Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee
The CMA has yet to announce the performers and ticket information. More details are expected in the coming weeks.
