The Country Music Association (CMA) and ABC have unveiled the performers for their Dolly Parton television tribute, scheduled for October 21. The special will also support Parton’s Imagination Library through a donation from proceeds.
Announced last month, “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” is a two-hour live television special. Its performance lineup was revealed on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
Performers and special guests
The announced performers are:
- 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
Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley will appear as special guests. The broadcast will also include surprise tributes from Parton’s friends across the entertainment industry.
The performers span generations and genres, including fellow Country Music Hall of Fame members and artists from country, bluegrass and Broadway. The program will cover the breadth of Parton’s career.
Broadcast and Nashville venue
The special will air Wednesday, October 21, from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on ABC and Disney+ in the United States and internationally. It will be available on Hulu the following day.
Filming will take place before a live audience at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville. Robert Deaton is the executive producer.
A Belmont University student ensemble will take part in a performance. Its participation connects with the university’s ongoing “Dolly U” programming, which engages students with Parton’s career, artistry and entrepreneurship.
Support for Imagination Library
CMA and Belmont University will donate from the special’s proceeds to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which provides millions of children with a free book each month to encourage lifelong reading.
Disney is also supporting Imagination Library’s mission to encourage children to imagine their possibilities.
