It’s now officially been more than three weeks since Dolly Parton’s passing, and as expected, the Queen of Country is finally getting a televised tribute of her own.
The legendary singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur, and philanthropist— whose resume could easily take up an entire page— shook the world on Tuesday, August 25, when news of her death broke across social media and beyond. It was one of those rare moments many of us will probably always remember exactly where we were when we first heard the news.
In the days that followed, seemingly everyone from fellow artists and celebrities to public figures and major media outlets paid tribute to the “9 to 5” singer. Even The New York Times placed Parton’s obituary prominently above the fold on its front page, further illustrating the enormous cultural impact she left behind. Which makes sense, considering Dolly was just about the only person Americans can unanimously vote to support and adore.
Now adding to the list of growing remembrances, the Country Music Association has announced its very own Dolly extravaganza, celebrating her legacy with a two-hour television program: “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration Of Dolly Parton.” The special will air live next month on Wednesday, October 21, from 9 to 11 p.m. EDT on both ABC and Disney+. Interestingly, it also comes just about a month before the CMA Awards, where many are also expecting Dolly to be honored in some capacity.
Fans will also be able to stream the heartfelt special the following day on Hulu. According to CMA, the show itself will be a conglomeration of performances, archival footage, and personal stories that all showcase Dolly’s unmatchable legacy and kind-hearted persona.
Filmed live at Belmont University’s Fischer Center for the Performing Arts, the production is truly an extension of Dolly’s growing relationship with the Tennessee-based university that premiered her original musical just last year. Executive producer Robert Deaton shared, “Dolly gave Country Music its heart, and giving some of that heart back to her is an incredible honor. My hope is simply that we do right by her story, her music, and the people who love her, so that this evening feels like the tribute my friend deserves.”
Current CMA CEO also extended her admiration, “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.” Adding, “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.”
Both CMA and Belmont University will donate a portion of the proceeds from the special and its accompanying premiere to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, helping continue her mission of providing millions of children with free books each month and inspiring a lifelong love of reading. Disney will also make a donation to the organization in Dolly’s honor.
For those local to the Nashville area who want to experience the premiere live on October 21, tickets will be available soon, but fans can sign up for updates via this link. In addition, CMA will continue to roll out news about the special, including who will be performing and additional partners over the next few weeks.