CMA Presents 'I Will Always Love You': Everything You Need To Know About The Two-Hour Live Dolly Parton Tribute
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CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton
When: Oct. 21, 2026, 8 p.m. EST.
Where: Belmont University, Nashville, TN.
Where To Watch: ABC and Disney+, available next day on Hulu.
Performers:
- Ella Langley
- Carrie Underwood
- Lainey Wilson
- Reba McEntire
- Darius Rucker
- Lady A
- Little Big Town
- Ashley McBryde
- Bela Fleck
- Belmont Singers
- Brad Paisley
- Carly Pearce
- Amy Grant
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Kimberly Williams-Paisley
- Kristen Bell
- Kristin Chenoweth
- Lukas Nelson
- Molly Tuttle
- Ricky Skaggs
- Sierra Hull
- Vince Gill
- Zac Brown
The live television broadcast, in honor of the late Dolly Parton, will air at the Belmont University Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, a Christian-based university Parton had close ties to, as they had previously hosted the 2025 worldwide premiere of Dolly: A True Original Musical.
The event is set to be a tribute special honoring Dolly's work as a philanthropist, humanitarian, and of course, one of the biggest country music stars the world has ever seen. From music to memories to lasting impacts, the CMA hosts as well as performing country stars will honor Parton by recalling the best bits of the 'Jolene' crooner's life and legacy.
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern previously commented on the importance of the event, as well as the sentiment behind tributing performers. "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."
The show, organized by multiple leaders and producers at both Belmont University and CMA, will be pulling out all the stops. Featuring an impressive performance lineup, these 21st century artists will have the opportunity to pay homage to the 'Islands In The Stream' songstress, as many of them were dear friends of Parton, such as Reba McEntire, many look to her as a North Star for women in the industry, such as Ella Langley, and many simply appreciate her for the country legend she was.
Tickets for CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton are now on sale, with the event being open for fan-viewing as well as at home streaming on Oct. 21.
