“CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration Of Dolly Parton” Reveals Star-Studded Lineup
Disney has announced details on an upcoming special presentation, “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,” which is a two-hour live television tribute to the late Dolly Parton and it will air on ABC and stream on Disney+.
The special event will feature performances by Ashley McBryde, Béla Fleck, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, Darius Rucker, Ella Langley, Kelsea Ballerini, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs, Sierra Hull, Vince Gill and Zac Brown, with Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley joining as special guests.
A Belmont University student ensemble will also perform, reflecting the university’s ongoing “Dolly U” programming that seeks to engage students in learning from Parton’s career, artistry, and entrepreneurial legacy. The special will also feature additional surprise tributes from friends across the entertainment world.
Spanning multiple generations and genres — from some of Parton’s fellow Country Music Hall of Fame members to country’s biggest current stars and acclaimed voices from bluegrass, Broadway and beyond — the lineup reflects Parton’s incredible influence while tracing the full arc of her career. Robert Deaton serves as the project’s executive producer.
The special airs Wednesday, 21st October 2026 at 9:00-11:00 p.m. EDT on ABC and Disney+ in the United States and internationally. It will also be available the next day on Hulu, and will be filmed before a live audience at Belmont University’s Fisher Centre for the Performing Arts in Nashville.
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