Entertainment · Music · 1 hr ago
CMA tribute to Dolly Parton to air live from Nashville
The Country Music Association will honor Dolly Parton in a two-hour tribute airing live on Oct.
21.
Parton, a country music icon and philanthropist, died in Nashville on Aug.
25, aged 80, after a brief battle with cancer.
The special will be broadcast from Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville.
Country stars including Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood will perform, alongside other artists, archival footage and personal stories about Parton’s career.
The program will air on ABC and Disney+ and be available on demand the following day on Hulu and Disney+.
A portion of the proceeds will support Parton’s Imagination Library, which she founded in 1995 to give books to children.
The Country Music Association’s tribute to Dolly Parton will air live from Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville.
The two-hour special, “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,” is scheduled for Oct. 21, 2026, on ABC and Disney+.
Performers include Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Kelsea Ballerini, Lainey Wilson and Vince Gill.
The broadcast will include archival footage and personal stories about Parton’s life and career.
Parton died in Nashville on Aug. 25, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer, according to her representatives.
- Who
- The Country Music Association is presenting the tribute to Dolly Parton, with performances by country and other entertainment artists.
- What
- A live, two-hour television special will celebrate Parton’s life and legacy.
- When
- Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET.
- Where
- Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville.
- Why
- To honor Parton’s life and legacy after her death.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Parton could not attend the announcement of a new Dollywood attraction because of health issues.
Her health concerns led to the postponement of her planned Las Vegas residency until 2026.
Parton posted a video captioned “I ain't dead yet!” and told fans she was continuing to work on projects.
Parton died in Nashville after a brief battle with cancer.
The CMA tribute is scheduled to air live from Nashville.
- Air date
- Oct. 21, 2026
- Broadcast time
- 9 p.m. ET
- Venue
- Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Nashville
- Broadcasters
- ABC and Disney+
- Parton’s death
- Aug. 25, 2026, in Nashville
- Cause of death
- Brief battle with cancer; type not disclosed
4 sources
Carrie Underwood & Katy Perry Join Forces at ABC’s Dolly Parton Tribute Concert: See More Stars in Attendance
Dolly Parton honored with TV tribute. The health issues that presaged her death
Dolly Parton Tribute Special: How to Watch the CMA’s Celebration Live Online
PHOTOS: Country music's biggest stars rehearse ahead of Dolly Parton tribute in Nashville
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