Dolly Parton Honored In CMA Tribute Special’s Emotional Trailer
By Jennifer Pernicano on Oct 15, 2026 at 8:10 am • Updated 8:59 am CDT Shortly after Dolly Parton passed away on August 25th, the Country Music Association announced a two-hour live television special to honor the country legend. CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration Of Dolly Parton is described as: “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.” The evening will be a celebration of Parton’s life and career through live performances from her peers, footage from her life, and personal stories from friends. Filmed at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library . The event will air live on ABC and Disney+ internationally on October 21st from 8-10 p.m. CST and be available for streaming the following day on Hulu. Who Is Performing At The Dolly Parton Tribute? On October 5, the CMA announced a star-studded lineup of performers and special guests, with some of country music’s biggest female stars set to take the stage. Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, and Kelsea Ballerini are among the powerhouse women bringing their talent to the show. Additional country stars include Ashley McBryde, Lady A, Darius Rucker, Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Molly Tuttle, Zac Brown, Sierra Hull , and Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson . Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley will also make appearances, as well as Gospel singer Amy Grant and singer/actresses Kristen Bell and Kristin Chenoweth . CMA Releases Trailer For Dolly Parton Tribute On Wednesday (October 14), ABC released the trailer for the upcoming tribute, offering a…
By Jennifer Pernicano
on Oct 15, 2026 at 8:10 am • Updated 8:59 am CDT
Shortly after Dolly Parton passed away on August 25th, the Country Music Association announced a two-hour live television special to honor the country legend.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration Of Dolly Parton is described as:
“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.”
The evening will be a celebration of Parton’s life and career through live performances from her peers, footage from her life, and personal stories from friends. Filmed at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library .
The event will air live on ABC and Disney+ internationally on October 21st from 8-10 p.m. CST and be available for streaming the following day on Hulu.
Who Is Performing At The Dolly Parton Tribute?
On October 5, the CMA announced a star-studded lineup of performers and special guests, with some of country music’s biggest female stars set to take the stage.
Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, and Kelsea Ballerini are among the powerhouse women bringing their talent to the show.
Additional country stars include Ashley McBryde, Lady A, Darius Rucker, Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Molly Tuttle, Zac Brown, Sierra Hull , and Willie Nelson’s son, Lukas Nelson .
Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley will also make appearances, as well as Gospel singer Amy Grant and singer/actresses Kristen Bell and Kristin Chenoweth .
CMA Releases Trailer For Dolly Parton Tribute
On Wednesday (October 14), ABC released the trailer for the upcoming tribute, offering a heartfelt glimpse into how the country music legend hoped to be remembered.
“You always wonder how you’ll be remembered. I’d like to think that I’ve been an inspiration, ” Dolly says in a voiceover.
The trailer features clips of Dolly throughout her legendary career, accompanied by her beautiful vocals singing “I Will Always Love You.”
“The fact that all these young stars say that I’ve inspired them, it makes me feel real good,” she continued.
An announcer then sets the stage for the special, saying, “Dolly’s friends come together and perform a heartfelt tribute to our legendary queen of country.”
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The trailer closes with Dolly expressing her gratitude in her signature sweet voice: “I’m just so grateful. I might’ve done something right along the way.”
Watch the trailer below.