Dolly Parton is getting a full night of tribute, and the lineup reads like a who’s who of country music. The Country Music Association has announced “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,” a two-hour special set to air live on ABC and Disney+ Oct. 21. The show brings together 20 performers across genres, from country superstars to bluegrass legends.
The event is set to air from Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, and tickets for attending it in person are currently available for purchase.
The Main Acts
The headline performers booked to perform include:
- Ella Langley
- Lainey Wilson
- Reba McEntire
- Carrie Underwood
- Vince Gill
- Kristen Bell
- Molly Tuttle
- Carly Pearce
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Brad Paisley
- Zac Brown
- Ashley McBryde
- Bela Fleck
- Kristin Chenoweth
- Lady A
- Ricky Skaggs
- Sierra Hull
- Little Big Town
- Lukas Nelson
- Darius Rucker
Non-performing guests on the lineup include Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley.
A Venue With Dolly History
Parton has a history with Belmont University’s Fisher Center. Back in the fall of 2025, her “Dolly” musical got its one pre-Broadway run there, and she personally took part in promotion and behind-the-scenes work while the show was being tried out in town.
The program will last two hours and will stream live on ABC and Disney+. Hulu will carry it beginning the day after.
The Imagination Library Pledge
Belmont and the Country Music Association have committed to giving money from the show’s earnings to Parton’s Imagination Library.
A Busy Posthumous Year
Dolly’s presence has grown considerably in Nashville lately. A hotel named SongTeller, along with a museum standing beside it, have both recently opened downtown.
Robert Deaton’s Role
Longtime CMA Awards director Robert Deaton is also set to take on executive producer duties for this production.
The Guest Breakdown
Several guest artists represent decades of country music history. The list below highlights some of the notable names on the roster.
- Reba McEntire
- Carrie Underwood
- Vince Gill
- Bela Fleck
- Ricky Skaggs
A mix of well-known performers and up-and-coming artists makes the show attract a wide audience. Viewers who prefer watching live shows by Parton’s friends will discover many good reasons to watch it.
The Bottom Line
The group assembled for “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” features names from across time and style, gathered to pay tribute to a musician whose work has defined American culture for decades.
Those who wish to see the event in person can purchase tickets right away. It streams live on Oct. 21 across ABC and Disney+, with a Hulu version arriving the next day.
A living legend is being celebrated here, and the assembled talent is impressive.
Source material: “CMA’s ‘Celebration of Dolly Parton’ Special Slates 20 Performers, Including Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, Molly Tuttle and Reba McEntire,” Variety.
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