Country music is coming together for a special night honoring the life and legacy of Dolly Parton.
The Country Music Association has announced “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,” a two-hour live television special dedicated to the country music icon, who passed away August 25 at the age of 80.
The special will air Wednesday, October 21, from 8 to 10 p.m. Central on ABC and Disney+, with streaming available the following day on Hulu.
Filmed live from the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University in Nashville, the tribute will celebrate Dolly through live performances, archival footage and personal stories highlighting her remarkable career as a singer, songwriter, entertainer, entrepreneur and humanitarian.
“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 announcing the special.
Longtime CMA television producer Robert Deaton will serve as executive producer.
The location also has a special connection to Dolly. Belmont hosted the 2025 world premiere of “DOLLY: A True Original Musical” and partnered with her on DOLLY U, an educational program giving students hands-on experience in the entertainment and creative industries.
The celebration will continue Dolly’s legacy of giving back. CMA and Belmont University will make a donation from proceeds from the special to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the book-gifting program Dolly founded in 1995. Disney will also support the program.
As for who will take the stage to honor Dolly, we’ll have to wait a little longer. Performers, ticket information and additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.
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