CMA Announces Two-hour Tribute Special for Dolly Parton

WHO:

Deadline - The Country Music Association (CMA) is involved in the tribute.

Variety - Dolly Parton is the country music legend being honored.

WHAT:

Billboard - The tribute special is set to air on Oct. 21, nearly a month before the CMA Awards.

Deadline - The event is titled "CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton."

Variety - The tribute is a live, two-hour special dedicated to honoring Dolly Parton.

WHERE:

Deadline - The special will be filmed live at Belmont.

WHEN:

Deadline - The tribute special is set to air on Oct. 21 at 9 pm.

Variety - The special will be available on Disney+ internationally and on Hulu the next day.

WHY:

Variety - The tribute follows the death of Dolly Parton last month.

HOW:

Deadline - The special is produced by the Country Music Association.

(UPDATED September 16, 2026 14:00 UTC)

A tribute special is scheduled to air on October 21, just shy of a month before the CMA Awards. This event promises to honor some of the biggest names in country music. Fans can look forward to a heartfelt celebration of the genre’s rich history and its influential artists.

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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 13:06 UTC)

The Country Music Association is set to honor country music legend Dolly Parton with a live, two-hour tribute special titled "CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton." This event will be filmed live at Belmont and is scheduled to air on October 21 at 9 PM, with the special becoming available internationally on Disney+ and on Hulu the following day. The tribute comes in the wake of Dolly Parton's passing last month and is produced by the Country Music Association.