NASHVILLE—The Country Music Association (CMA) announced today that it is producing “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,” a two-hour television event in tribute to Dolly Parton, airing live Wednesday, Oct. 21 (9:00-11:00 PM/EDT) on ABC and Disney+ in the U.S. and internationally, available next day on Hulu. Following her passing on Aug. 25, the special will be a joyful, emotional celebration of the artist, songwriter, entertainer, humanitarian and entrepreneur whose music and generosity carried her from the mountains of east Tennessee into the hearts of generations around the world, told through performances, archival footage and personal stories that trace her extraordinary journey to becoming one of the most beloved entertainers and philanthropists in American history.
Robert Deaton serves as the project’s executive producer. The special reflects a strategic partnership between CMA and Belmont University, where it will be filmed live at the 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,” says 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 continues a growing relationship between Belmont University and Parton that included the 2025 world premiere of “DOLLY: A True Original Musical” at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts and the launch of DOLLY U, an immersive educational partnership designed to connect students with hands-on opportunities in entertainment, media and creative industries. Through that collaboration, students worked alongside professional artists, producers and industry leaders while helping bring Parton’s vision to life.
“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,” says 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.”
In conjunction with the special, CMA and Belmont University will make a donation from proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, continuing a legacy that gives millions of children the gift of a free book each month and inspires a lifelong love of reading. In addition, Disney is supporting Imagination Library to further its mission of inspiring children to imagine their possibilities.
Additional details about the special, including performers, tickets and additional partners, will be announced in the coming weeks. Sign up for ticketing updates HERE.
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