The Country Music Association (CMA) and ABC are teaming up for a live, two‑hour television special to honor the late Dolly Parton. Titled CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, the program will be filmed on Oct. 21 at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Parton, who passed away on Aug. 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, was celebrated not only for her iconic songs but also for her philanthropy and entrepreneurship. The special will showcase an all‑star lineup of country music’s biggest names performing her classics, with surprise guest appearances by Amy Grant and actress Kimberly Williams‑Paisley.
Local Community Involvement
Belmont University will contribute a student ensemble to the broadcast, highlighting the institution’s strong ties to Nashville’s music scene. The Fisher Center, which also hosted the premiere of Parton’s Broadway‑style musical Dolly in 2025, provides a fitting backdrop for the tribute.
Supporting the Imagination Library
In addition to celebrating Parton’s musical legacy, the CMA and Belmont University will donate a portion of the special’s proceeds to the Imagination Library, the book‑gifting program founded by Parton that has distributed nearly 308 million books to children since 1995. The initiative aligns with the community’s commitment to literacy and family values.
“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,” said CMA CEO Sarah Trahern. “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.”
The broadcast will air live on ABC and Disney+ from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Oct. 21, with a streaming replay available the following day on Hulu. The Walt Disney Company, parent of ABC, Disney+, and Hulu, is handling distribution.
Fans across the nation can tune in to celebrate Parton’s enduring influence on country music, philanthropy, and American culture, while supporting a cause that reflects her lifelong dedication to families and children.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
