Dolly Parton’s legacy will be celebrated by some of country music’s biggest names as the Country Music Association (CMA) has unveiled the star-studded lineup for its upcoming tribute special, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton.
The two-hour live television special will feature performances from Ashley McBryde, Béla Fleck, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Ella Langley, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Sierra Hull, Vince Gill and Zac Brown.
Actors and musicians Kristen Bell and Kristin Chenoweth will also perform, while Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley will appear as special guests. A Belmont University student ensemble is also scheduled to take part in a performance celebrating Parton’s influence and legacy.
The special is scheduled to take place at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville and will air live on Wednesday, October 21, from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. It will be available on Hulu the following day.
The CMA has also teased additional surprise tributes from friends and artists across the entertainment world, adding another layer of anticipation to the celebration.
The event will celebrate Parton’s career through live performances, archival footage and personal stories spanning her work as a singer, songwriter, entertainer, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80. The tribute special follows several other public celebrations of her legacy, including tributes at the 2026 Emmy Awards and the Grand Ole Opry.
Beyond celebrating her music, the special will also continue Parton’s philanthropic legacy. The CMA and Belmont University will make a donation from proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the children’s literacy initiative that has distributed millions of books to children. Disney is also supporting the program.
With performers representing multiple generations and corners of country, bluegrass, pop and Broadway, the special is set to revisit some of Parton’s most enduring songs while highlighting the influence she has had across the entertainment industry.
