CMA to Produce Live TV Special Celebrating the Legacy of Dolly Parton

Dolly gave Country Music its heart, and giving some of that heart back to her is an incredible honor, executive producer Robert Deaton said as the Country Music Association announced plans for a television tribute. The organization is producing CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, a two-hour live television event honoring the late music icon.

ABC Broadcasts Tribute Special from Nashville

The tribute special airs live on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. ET. ABC will broadcast the program, while Disney+ will stream it internationally, with next-day availability on Hulu. The broadcast lands nearly a month before the 60th annual CMA Awards, which are scheduled for Nov. 18.

Production takes place live at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University in Nashville. Robert Deaton serves as executive producer for the television event. 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, Deaton stated.

Dolly Parton Broke Records at CMA Awards

Dolly Parton passed away on Aug. 25 at the age of 80. The upcoming special highlights a deep historical connection between the artist and the Country Music Association. In 1978, Parton became only the second woman, following Loretta Lynn, to win entertainer of the year at the CMA Awards. She later made history in 1988 as the first woman to solo-host the telecast, and in 2016, she became the first woman to win the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

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, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said in a statement. Trahern emphasized that honoring Parton’s legacy serves as a responsibility for the organization built to serve and celebrate Country Music.

Educational Partnerships and Charitable Impact

The production builds on a growing relationship between Belmont University and Parton. That collaboration previously included the 2025 world premiere of DOLLY: A True Original Musical at the Fisher Center and the launch of DOLLY U, an immersive educational partnership connecting students with entertainment, media and creative industries.

In conjunction with the television special, the CMA and Belmont University will make a donation from proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Disney is also supporting the program, which provides free monthly books to millions of children.

Upcoming Awards Season Tributes

The television special follows recent industry recognitions. On Sept. 14, the Primetime Emmy Awards featured a tribute where Parton’s Steel Magnolias co-star Sally Field shared memories, and Reba McEntire performed Parton’s song Appalacian Memories.

The Country Music Association stated that additional details regarding performers, tickets, and partners will be announced in the coming weeks.