JUST IN: CMA To Produce Two-Hour Live TV Special Honoring Dolly Parton

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Dolly Parton.

The Country Music Association will honor Dolly Parton with a two-hour television special, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton. The event will air live on ABC and Disney+ internationally on Oct. 21 from 8-10 p.m. CST. It will also be available the following day on Hulu.

The special will celebrate Parton’s life and career through live performances, archival footage and personal stories. It will highlight her work as a singer, songwriter, entertainer, humanitarian and entrepreneur, as well as her lasting impact on generations of fans.

Robert Deaton is executive producer of the project. The special is being produced through a partnership between CMA and Belmont University and will be filmed live at Belmont’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.

“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,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO. “As the organization built to serve and celebrate country music, honoring her legacy is not just an opportunity, it is our responsibility. This special is our way of saying thank you, on behalf of every artist, industry member and fan who found a piece of themselves in her music.” 

“Dolly gave Country Music its heart, and giving some of that heart back to her is an incredible honor,” adds Deaton. “My hope is simply that we do right by her story, her music and the people who love her, so that this evening feels like the tribute my friend deserves.”  

The tribute is part of Belmont University’s ongoing work with Parton. Their partnership previously included the 2025 premiere of DOLLY: A True Original Musical at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, along with the creation of DOLLY U. The educational program gave students opportunities to gain real-world experience in entertainment, media and other creative fields while working with professional artists, producers and industry leaders.

“Dolly Parton’s impact extends far beyond music. She represents creativity, generosity, entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to lifting others up, qualities that have inspired generations and resonate deeply with Belmont’s mission,” shares Dr. Greg Jones, President of Belmont University. “It was an honor for Belmont to partner with Dolly through the launch of DOLLY U and the world premiere of her musical at the Fisher Center. Now, it is a privilege to welcome artists, friends and fans from around the world to celebrate her extraordinary life and legacy from this stage in Nashville, honoring a woman whose love for Tennessee was woven into everything she did.” 

CMA and Belmont University will donate a portion of the proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The program provides children with a free book each month in an effort to encourage a love of reading from an early age. Disney will also support the Imagination Library.

More information about the special, including the performers, ticket details and additional partners, will be shared in the coming weeks. Sign up for ticketing updates here.

Madison Hahnen
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