CMA to Host Live Television Tribute to Dolly Parton: How to Watch
Dolly Parton’s voice and songwriting will take center stage once again this fall, this time in a two-hour live television tribute from the Country Music Association.
The CMA has announced CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, a special honoring the life, career and lasting influence of the country music icon. The program will air live on October 21, 2026, bringing together performances, archival footage and personal stories to remember Parton following her death on August 25 at age 80.
A Celebration of Dolly Parton’s Life and Legacy
The CMA describes the special as a joyful and emotional celebration of Parton as an artist, songwriter, entertainer, humanitarian and entrepreneur.
Her career stretched across nearly six decades, taking her from the mountains of East Tennessee to an international audience. Beyond her music, Parton became known for her philanthropy and entrepreneurial work, building a legacy that reached generations of fans.
Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80. She was later laid to rest following a private funeral service.
The CMA tribute will look back across the many sides of her career. Along with live performances, viewers will see archival footage and hear personal stories reflecting on her life, music and influence.
Who Will Perform?
The lineup of performers and other participants has not yet been announced.
Still, the CMA expects Music City to play a major role in the evening. The organization is producing the event in partnership with Belmont University, where the special will be filmed at the university’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville.
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said the organization views honoring Parton’s legacy as a responsibility to the artists, industry members and fans whose lives have been touched by her music.
Executive producer Robert Deaton will oversee the production. Deaton said the goal is to honor Parton’s story, music and the people who love her.
The Fisher Center has also previously been connected with Parton. Belmont University hosted the premiere of her Dolly musical in 2025.
The Tribute Will Support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
The event will also continue Parton’s long-standing commitment to childhood literacy.
A portion of the proceeds from the special will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the early childhood book-gifting program that serves as the flagship initiative of The Dollywood Foundation.
The charitable program is another part of Parton’s legacy that extends well beyond her music. The CMA tribute will therefore celebrate both the entertainer and the humanitarian whose work reached millions of people.
How to Watch the Dolly Parton Tribute
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton will air live on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- ABC: 8-10 p.m. Central Time
- Disney+: Live internationally
- Hulu: Available for streaming the following day
Belmont University lists the broadcast as 9-11 p.m. Eastern Time, which corresponds to the 8-10 p.m. Central Time window.
The two-hour event will give country music fans an opportunity to remember Parton through performances, stories and footage spanning her extraordinary career.
With the performer lineup still to come, more details about the tribute are expected to be announced ahead of the October 21 broadcast.