The Country Music Association and ABC have locked in the performer list for CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, a two-hour live tribute airing Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville. The special runs 9:00–11:00 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with next-day availability on Hulu.
Lineup announced October 5
CMA and ABC revealed the roster on Good Morning America on October 5, 2026. Performers span country, bluegrass, and Broadway, with a Belmont University student ensemble also on the bill as part of the school’s Dolly U programming.
Performers
- 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
- Zac Brown
Special guests: Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley. CMA also said additional surprise tributes from friends across entertainment will appear during the special.
Robert Deaton, longtime CMA Awards executive producer, is executive producer. The official event page is on the CMA site. The ABC announcement is in the network press release.
What the special covers
The broadcast honors Dolly Parton’s songwriting, performance career, business work, and philanthropy through live performances, archival footage, and personal stories. Parton died on August 25, 2026. The special was announced in September and is being filmed in front of a live Nashville audience.
In connection with the show, CMA and Belmont University will donate a portion of proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which sends free books to children each month. Disney is also supporting the program.
Belmont’s Fisher Center is a familiar Parton stage. In fall 2025 the venue hosted the pre-Broadway run of Dolly: A True Original Musical.
How to watch
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, October 21, 2026 |
| Time | 9:00–11:00 p.m. ET (8/7c) |
| Live | ABC and Disney+ (U.S. and international) |
| Next day | Hulu |
| Venue | Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Belmont University, Nashville |
| Cause | Donation to Imagination Library |
Audience tickets, priced around $95 in a nod to “9 to 5,” sold out quickly through Belmont. Fans who missed in-person seats can watch the live ABC/Disney+ broadcast.
Why this lineup matters
The bill pairs Hall of Fame peers with current country headliners and players from outside Nashville radio.
Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, and Ricky Skaggs sit alongside Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Kelsea Ballerini, Carly Pearce, and Ashley McBryde. Group and band slots go to Lady A, Little Big Town, and Zac Brown, with Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, and Lukas Nelson also performing.
Bluegrass is represented by Béla Fleck, Molly Tuttle, and Sierra Hull. Broadway and screen voices Kristen Bell and Kristin Chenoweth widen the cast beyond country. Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley appear as special guests rather than billed performers.
CMA has not released song assignments. Expect a mix of Parton standards and stories tied to her catalog, with surprise appearances still possible on air.
FAQ
When does the Dolly Parton tribute air?
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 9:00–11:00 p.m. ET, live on ABC and Disney+. It is available the next day on Hulu.
Who is performing?
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, plus a Belmont student ensemble. Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley are special guests.
Are tickets still available?
In-person tickets at the Fisher Center sold out. The way to see the show is the live ABC and Disney+ broadcast.
Where does the money go?
CMA and Belmont will donate from proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Disney is also supporting the program.
Is Dolly Parton appearing?
The special is a tribute following her death on August 25, 2026. It uses performances, archival footage, and stories rather than a new Parton set.
The Ticket News is an independent live-events guide and is not affiliated with CMA, ABC, Disney, Belmont University, or the artists on this special. Broadcast times can change; confirm with ABC or the CMA event page before air.
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