Dolly Parton’s Faith-Filled Legacy Brings Amy Grant And Natalie Grant To Tears In A Heartbreaking Dove Awards Tribute. As Amy fought back tears while remembering Dolly’s unwavering faith, Natalie joined her for a moving rendition of “How Great Thou Art.” The audience rose to its feet, many lifting their hands in worship, before the two singers closed with Dolly’s beloved “I Will Always Love You.” Dolly may be gone, but her music, faith and extraordinary legacy continue to touch hearts in the most powerful way.

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Dolly Parton’s Faith Takes Center Stage in Emotional Tribute at the 2026 GMA Dove Awards

Dolly Parton’s influence reached far beyond country music, and an emotional tribute at the 2026 GMA Dove Awards offered a powerful reminder of the faith that shaped her life and career. As Amy Grant and Natalie Grant joined their voices in her honor, the audience witnessed a moving celebration of a beloved artist whose music had touched generations.

Natalie Grant and Amy Grant honor Dolly

Dolly Parton Honored at Nashville’s Dove Awards

The 2026 GMA Dove Awards took place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday, October 6, with the ceremony broadcast on Friday. The annual event celebrates outstanding achievements in gospel and Christian music.

Parton, who died on August 25, 2026, received a posthumous award for Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year. The honor recognized “Broken Angels,” a song she co-wrote with Jamie Johnson, lead singer of The Grascals. Addressing the subject of addiction, the track became the final song Parton co-wrote before her death.

During the pre-telecast, Sonya Isaacs joined The Grascals to perform the award-winning song in Parton’s absence.

Amy Grant and Natalie Grant Deliver a Moving Tribute

Dove Awards Put Dolly Parton's Faith Front And Center Of Emotional Tribute Performance

One of the evening’s most emotional moments came when multi-Dove Award winners Amy Grant and Natalie Grant paid tribute to Parton through a combination of personal reflections and music.

Amy Grant spoke about the central role faith played in Parton’s life and work, explaining that it was woven into everything she did. Fighting back tears, she also reflected on the sense of closeness people felt toward the singer, describing how Dolly seemed to belong to everyone.

As Amy finished speaking, footage of Parton performing the Christian hymn “How Great Thou Art” began to play. Natalie then took over for the second verse and chorus before Amy joined her, bringing their voices together to complete the song.

The performance prompted the audience to rise to its feet, with many attendees lifting their hands in worship. The tribute concluded with the two singers performing one of Parton’s most enduring songs, “I Will Always Love You,” adding another emotional moment to an already heartfelt celebration.

A Legacy of Faith and Christian Music

Parton’s latest honor marked her fourth GMA Dove Award. Her previous wins reflected her continuing connection to gospel and Christian music.

In 2020, she and For King & Country won Short Form Video of the Year for their collaboration “God Only Knows.” She later received the Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recording Song of the Year award in 2022 for “In The Sweet By and By,” followed by another win in 2024 for “Lookin’ For You,” her collaboration with Zach Williams.

Her relationship with the Dove Awards stretches back decades. In 1990, Parton delivered one of the ceremony’s memorable performances, joining the Christ Church Choir for “He’s Alive,” a powerful song celebrating the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The 2026 tribute brought that history into focus once again. Through her music, her faith and the songs she helped bring into the world, Parton’s legacy continues to resonate across country, gospel and Christian music.