People in and beyond the professional music world still cannot say and do enough to honor the late Dolly Parton. She died on Tuesday, August 25 after a short battle with cancer. Parton was 80 years old. She touched the lives of so many fellow artists who deeply admired her talent, abundant charm, and bountiful generosity. To pay tribute to the star, the Country Music Association (CMA) is planning a glittering show featuring some of the biggest names in the genre. The lineup was announced on Monday, October 5. It's very impressive.
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The show is titled "CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration Of Dolly Parton." It will air on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 9 to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC and Disney+. You can also see it the following day on Hulu. Per the CMA web site, the gala tribute to the "Jolene" singer "will be filmed before a live audience at Belmont University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville."
Country Music Icons Galore Will Be on Hand
Many luminaries are scheduled to perform at the CMA's Dolly Parton tribute. The list of greats scheduled to grace the stage reads like a Who's Who of the country music business. According to the CMA's announcement, they include "Ashley McBryde, Béla Fleck, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Ella Langley, Kelsea Ballerini, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Sierra Hull, Vince Gill, Zac Brown, Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley."
Parton's Imagination Library Will Get Donations From the CMA and Belmont University
As you know by now, Dolly Parton was a truly philanthropically-minded person. She used her legendary music industry stature and vast resources to help others less fortunate whenever she could. One cause close to Parton's heart was her Imagination Library. Begun in 1995, this initiative was designed to provide kids from newborns to five-year-olds with books they love at no cost. Youngsters in Australia, America, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Canada have benefited. So far, over 343 million books have found their way into the waiting hands and eager minds of children in those countries.
Per the CMA, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library will get donations from both the CMA and Belmont University. Furthermore, Disney is also lending its support. Maybe all that is the best tribute of all.
