Dolly Parton tragically passed away on August 25, 2026, after a brief battle with cancer. Although Parton chose to not have a public memorial service, the country music icon is still being remembered with CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton. Keep reading to find out everything to know about the star-studded special.
When Will ‘I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton’ Air
I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton will air live on Wednesday, October 21 at 9:00 PM ET / 8:00 PM CT on both ABC and Disney+. The show will stream the next day on Hulu. The event is sold out, and in-person tickets are no longer available.
Where Will ‘I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton’ Be Held
I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton will be held at the Fisher Center, located at Belmont University in Nashville.
Who Is Performing at ‘I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton’
The list of performers for I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton was just announced, with several of country music’s biggest stars performing in tribute to Parton. Ashley McBryde, Carrie Underwood, Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire and Vince Gill are among the list of artists slated to take the stage. Performers for the show are listed below.
Ashley McBryde
Béla Fleck
Brad Paisley
Carly Pearce
Carrie Underwood
Darius Rucker
Ella Langley
Lady A
Lukas Nelson
Kelsea Ballerini
Kristen Bell
Kristin Chenoweth
Lainey Wilson
Little Big Town
Molly Tuttle
Reba McEntire
Ricky Skaggs
Vince Gill
Sierra Hull
Zac Brown will perform with Amy Grant, and Kimberly Williams-Paisley will join as a special guest.
Why Is the Country Music Association (CMA) Hosting ‘I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton’
The Country Music Association’s CEO, Sarah Trahern, explains why the CMA is choosing to honor Parton.
“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,” Trahern says. “As the organization built to serve and celebrate Country Music, honoring her legacy is not just an opportunity, it is our responsibility. 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.”
Proceeds from I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton will benefit Parton’s Imagination Library.
How Dolly Parton Was Remembered After She Passed Away
Parton lived her entire adult life in the public eye. Per her wishes, she had a very small burial, with only some of her family members in attendance.
“She wanted to keep it very quiet. The word keeps getting brought up, ‘funeral,’ and I don’t believe that was really the case in this situation. It was a burial, to be buried beside her husband,” Parton’s cousin, Richie Owens, reveals on the Today Show, referring to Carl Dean, who passed away in 2025.
“And she wanted it very small, and a few family members were there,” he continues. “Other people that I’m sure would’ve liked to have been there were either out doing other things and stuff. It was very quiet, very quickly done, and not for any bad reasons whatsoever. It’s just that’s what she wanted. She wanted to keep it very, very private.”