Nashville is preparing to say "I will always love you" to Dolly Parton in a way only Music City could-through a major live concert filled with music, memories and a few closely guarded surprises.
The Country Music Association has announced CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, a two-hour tribute honoring the extraordinary life and career of the country music legend. The special will air live on ABC from Belmont University in Nashville on October 21 at 9 p.m. ET.
Fans will also have an opportunity to attend the concert in person, although ticket details have not yet been released. Purchases will be limited to four tickets per customer, suggesting organizers may be preparing for enormous demand. Fans can register for official ticket updates here.
The biggest mystery is who will take the stage. No performers, presenters or celebrity guests were named in the initial announcement, leaving country fans to speculate about which of Parton's famous friends and admirers will participate.
Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley and Tim McGraw are among the stars who have publicly honored Parton. However, none has been confirmed for the upcoming television special, and viewers may have to wait for the CMA to reveal the official lineup.
Given Parton's enormous influence beyond country music, the tribute could also draw artists from gospel, pop, rock and Hollywood. Her sisters, nieces and other family members could be involved as well, potentially creating some of the night's most emotional moments.
Parton died at age 80 on August 25, 2025. Her family later revealed that she had been privately battling cancer, reportedly choosing not to disclose the seriousness of her condition because she did not want to worry her fans.
Her death sparked an international wave of mourning. Tributes appeared outside her Nashville home, while musicians revisited classics such as "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You." The last of those songs will now provide the title for Nashville's official celebration of her legacy.
The special is expected to recognize more than Parton's hit records. Organizers say it will celebrate her work as an artist, entertainer, entrepreneur and humanitarian, acknowledging a career that stretched from the mountains of East Tennessee to the world's largest stages.
Parton's Christian faith will undoubtedly remain an important part of that story. She frequently spoke about prayer, Scripture and the spiritual foundation she received from her family while growing up in rural Tennessee. Gospel music remained woven through her career, from traditional hymns and church songs to projects such as Precious Memories, For God and Country and I Believe in You.
Her generosity also gave practical expression to that faith. Through the Dollywood Foundation and its Imagination Library, Parton helped provide books to children around the world. She also supported education, disaster relief, medical research and families affected by tragedy, often giving without turning the moment into a publicity spectacle.
The October concert now faces the almost impossible challenge of fitting that sprawling legacy into two hours. Parton was not merely one of country music's most recognizable voices; she was a songwriter, actress, businesswoman, philanthropist and cultural figure whose appeal crossed political, generational and musical boundaries.
The secrecy surrounding the lineup will only increase curiosity. Nashville has no shortage of superstars who owe something to Parton's example, and her reach extended far beyond the country community. With the event airing live, viewers should probably expect unexpected collaborations, emotional stories and at least one performance capable of bringing the room to tears.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton will air live October 21 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC from Belmont University in Nashville.
