The Country Music Association has announced the performers who will come together to celebrate the life, music and legacy of Dolly Parton during the upcoming television special, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton.
The two-hour live event will feature an all-star lineup spanning generations of country music, including Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Kelsea Ballerini, Darius Rucker, Lady A, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Ricky Skaggs, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, Béla Fleck and Zac Brown. Kristen Bell and Kristin Chenoweth are also scheduled to take part, with Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley appearing as special guests.
The tribute will be broadcast live from Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville and will include performances, archival footage and personal stories celebrating Parton’s extraordinary career and influence. A Belmont University student ensemble will also participate, and CMA says additional surprise tributes from Parton’s friends across the entertainment world are planned.
The special comes following Parton’s death on August 25 at the age of 80. CMA CEO Sarah Trahern previously described the event as the country music community’s opportunity to say “thank you” to an artist whose impact extended far beyond her music.
In keeping with Parton’s longtime commitment to childhood literacy, CMA and Belmont University will make a donation from proceeds from the event to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Disney is also supporting the organization and its mission.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton airs live Wednesday, October 21, from 8–10 p.m. Central on ABC and Disney+. It will be available to stream the following day on Hulu.
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