Dolly Parton is set to be celebrated in a major way.
The Country Music Association has announced a live, two-hour television special honoring the late legend and her towering legacy.
Full story below…
Titled ‘CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,’ the special will air October 21 on ABC and Disney+, before streaming on Hulu the following day.
According to its official logline, the evening will serve as a “joyful, emotional celebration” of Parton’s life and career, told through performances, archival footage, and personal stories.
The event will trace the Country icon’s journey from East Tennessee to becoming one of the most celebrated entertainers of all time.
Parton died in August at age 80 following what her team described as a “brief battle” with cancer.
Explaining the motivation behind the tribute, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said:
“Dolly Parton belonged to the whole world, but she was born of this industry, and this industry owes her a debt of gratitude that words alone cannot repay. This special is our way of saying thank you.”
Producer and director Robert Deaton, who will executive produce the special, added:
“My hope is simply that we do right by her story, her music and the people who love her, so that this evening feels like the tribute my friend deserves.”
The live event will be staged at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville.
CMA and Belmont will also donate a portion of the proceeds to Parton’s Imagination Library.
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