Dolly Parton to receive two-hour tribute special from Country Music Association after death
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dolly Parton will be honored with a two-hour tribute special following her death at 80 on August 25, with the Country Music Association announcing the project on Wednesday, September 16, as a celebration of her music, generosity and extraordinary legacy.
CMA tribute celebrates Dolly Parton’s lasting legacy
The Country Music Association will produce CMA Presents 'I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,' a two-hour special celebrating the life and career of the 'Jolene' hitmaker.
According to a press release, the programme will honour Parton as an artist, songwriter, entertainer, humanitarian and entrepreneur whose music and generosity took her from the mountains of East Tennessee into the hearts of generations worldwide.
The special will feature performances, archival footage and personal stories tracing Parton’s journey to becoming one of the most beloved entertainers and philanthropists in American history.
Performers had not yet been revealed at the time of the announcement.
“Dolly Parton belonged to the whole world, but she was born of this industry, and this industry owes her a debt of gratitude that words alone cannot repay,” CMA chief executive officer Sarah Trahern said in a statement.
She continued, “As the organization built to serve and celebrate Country Music, honoring her legacy is not just an opportunity, it is our responsibility.” Trahern also added that the special would serve as the CMA’s way of thanking Parton on behalf of artists, industry members and fans who found a piece of themselves in her music.
Dolly Parton tribute continues Belmont partnership
Executive producer Robert Deaton also described the project as an honour, saying Parton “gave Country Music its heart.”
He said his hope was to do justice to her story, music and the people who loved her, making the evening the tribute his friend deserved.
The project also continues a growing relationship between Belmont University and Parton. Their previous collaboration included the 2025 world premiere of 'DOLLY: A True Original Musical' at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts and the launch of DOLLY U.
Belmont University President Dr Greg Jones said Parton’s impact extended far beyond music, describing her as a symbol of creativity, generosity, entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to lifting others up.
He said those qualities had inspired generations and aligned deeply with Belmont’s mission
Jones added that Belmont was privileged to welcome artists, friends and fans from around the world to celebrate Parton’s life and legacy from its stage in Nashville, while honouring a woman whose love for Tennessee was woven into everything she did.
Alongside the special, the CMA and Belmont University will make a donation from proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Future details, including performers, ticket information and additional partners, will be announced in the coming weeks.
