CRB To Honor Dolly Parton Posthumously With 2027 Artist Humanitarian Award

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Country Radio Broadcasters has named Dolly Parton the recipient of the 2027 Artist Humanitarian Award. The honor recognizes her lifelong commitment to philanthropy and service and will be presented posthumously during Country Radio Seminar 2027, set for March 17–19 in Nashville.

Parton was informed of the honor before her passing, making the recognition a tribute to the lasting impact of her work both in and beyond music.

Throughout her career, Parton used her success to support children, families and communities in need. Her philanthropic work included education, healthcare, disaster relief and medical research, with many of her efforts focused on creating opportunities for others.

One of her most well-known initiatives is the Imagination Library, which she launched in 1995 in her home county in East Tennessee. The program provides free books to children from birth through age five and has since grown into a global literacy effort, delivering millions of books to families.

Through the Dollywood Foundation and her personal giving, Parton also supported communities affected by natural disasters, educational programs, healthcare initiatives and other causes. Her philanthropy often reflected her belief in using her success to help others.

“The word ‘humanitarian’ is nearly synonymous with Dolly Parton,” says CRS Executive Director RJ Curtis. “Her decades of generosity and philanthropy speak for themselves, and CRB was honored when Dolly agreed to accept this recognition earlier this year. Though she won’t be with us in person at CRS, her extraordinary spirit and enduring commitment to making the world a better place will continue to inspire us all.”

Established in 1990, the Artist Humanitarian Award honors country artists whose charitable work has made a significant impact. Past recipients include Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood.

Parton’s recognition highlights a lifetime of giving that reached millions of people and communities around the world. Additional details about the award presentation will be announced at a later date.

Madison Hahnen
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