As the world mourns Dolly Parton two months after her death, the music industry is celebrating her life and legacy.
On Wednesday, CMA hosted the live taping of I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, where proceeds from the event benefitted Parton’s Imagination Library.
Airing live Wednesday at 9/8c on ABC and Disney+, the two-hour special featured performances from Reba McEntire, Ella Langley, Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Brad Paisley, Kristin Chenoweth, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Zac Brown, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town and more.
Parton’s family announced that she died at age 80 in Nashville on Aug. 25, following a brief sickness with cancer. Although she remained busy until her final days, the “I Will Always Love You” artist had dealt with health issues over the past year.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton — Arrivals
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Reba McEntire attends CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton — Arrivals
Image Credit: Tibrina Hobson/PMC
Kristin Chenoweth attends CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton — Arrivals
Image Credit: Tibrina Hobson/PMC
Katy Perry attends CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton — Arrivals
Image Credit: Tibrina Hobson/PMC
Carrie Underwood attends CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton — Arrivals
Image Credit: Tibrina Hobson/PMC
Darius Rucker of Hootie & the Blowfish attends CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton — Arrivals
Image Credit: Tibrina Hobson/PMC
Kelsea Ballerini attends CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton — Arrivals
Image Credit: Tibrina Hobson/PMC
Ella Langley attends CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton — Arrivals
Image Credit: Tibrina Hobson/PMC
Kimberly Williams-Paisley attends CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton — Arrivals
Image Credit: Tibrina Hobson/PMC
Brad Paisley attends CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton — Arrivals
Image Credit: Tibrina Hobson/PMC
Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley attend CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton — Arrivals
Image Credit: Tibrina Hobson/PMC
Lainey Wilson attends CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton — Arrivals
Image Credit: Tibrina Hobson/PMC
Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley of Lady A attend CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.