Country music’s biggest names are gathering to honor Dolly Parton, and the tribute is coming with a twist: a portion of the proceeds will go to her beloved charity book-gifting program.
The “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” special brings together an all-star lineup of singers and musicians to perform her iconic songs and celebrate her legacy. The Oct. 21 program will also include special guests Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley, and it will be filmed at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. The venue also hosted the premiere of Parton’s “Dolly” musical in 2025, and Belmont University students will join for a performance.
The Lineup
The all-star cast includes Luke Bryan, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Carly Pearce, Brandi Carlile, and Tanya Tucker. Each performer will take turns singing Parton’s songs. The full set list has not been announced.
A Tribute With Purpose
Parton died on Aug. 25 at the age of 80 following what her family said was a “brief” battle with cancer. Along with the special, the CMA and Belmont will donate a portion of the proceeds to benefit Parton’s Imagination Library, a book-gifting program that has given away nearly 308 million books to children since 1995 to encourage reading.
The program has become one of her signature legacies, reaching generations of young readers across the country.
The donation is a direct link between the entertainment and the cause. Fans watching the special will know that their attention is doing double duty: honoring her memory while supporting the work she cared about most.
Sarah Trahern on Why the Industry Owes Her Gratitude
The CMA’s CEO, Sarah Trahern, put the tribute in stark terms. “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,” she said. “This special is our way of saying thank you, on behalf of every artist, industry member and fan who found a piece of themselves in her music.”
Trahern’s statement frames the show as a collective obligation rather than a marketing stunt. She argues that the entire industry owes Parton a debt, and the special is the CMA’s attempt to repay it.
The tribute recognizes her philanthropy and entrepreneurship, which made her a global figure far beyond the country charts.
How to Watch
The special airs live on Wednesday, Oct. 21 between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. It will also be available to stream the following day on Hulu.
The Walt Disney Co. is the parent company of ABC News, Disney+, and Hulu, which means the three platforms are all owned by the same corporate entity. That arrangement explains why the special lands on both broadcast and streaming channels.
| Platform | Time | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| ABC | Live, Oct. 21, 9-11 p.m. ET | Live broadcast |
| Disney+ | Live, Oct. 21, 9-11 p.m. ET | Live stream |
| Hulu | Day after Oct. 21 | On-demand |
The live broadcast on ABC reaches a wide audience, while the stream on Hulu offers a second chance for viewers who missed the premiere.
A Farewell Worth Watching
The tribute brings together some of country music’s biggest stars to sing her songs and celebrate her legacy, and it does so with a purpose that honors her life’s work.
The decision to donate a portion of the proceeds to her Imagination Library adds weight to the evening. It transforms a standard tribute into a practical act of support for the cause she championed throughout her career.
The lineup represents decades of country music history, from Luke Bryan to Willie Nelson. Their combined presence draws attention to the evening.
The special is a tribute, a fundraiser, and a reminder of what made Parton so beloved. It honors her music, her philanthropy, and her legacy, and it does so with an all-star lineup that reflects the breadth of her influence.
It is a fitting farewell to a beloved figure.
Source material: “Dolly Parton special will feature country music's top stars,” ABC13 Houston.
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