# CMA honors Dolly Parton with live two-hour TV special

> The tribute airs October 21 on ABC, celebrating the country icon who died in August at age 80.
- Title: CMA honors Dolly Parton with live two-hour TV special
- Summary: The tribute airs October 21 on ABC, celebrating the country icon who died in August at age 80. The CMA is producing a live two-hour tribute to Dolly Parton…
- Keywords: dolly parton, country music association, cma, abc, disney+, belmont university, robert deaton, sarah trahern, imagination library, tribute special, nashville, honors
- Source: Billboard — https://billboard.com/music/country/dolly-parton-salute-live-2-hour-tv-special-cma-producing-1236341363
- Author: Paul Grein
- Published: 2026-09-16T12:37:56+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dolly parton, country music association, cma, abc, disney+, belmont university, robert deaton, sarah trahern, imagination library, tribute special, nashville
## Live tribute special announced
The CMA is producing a two-hour TV event honoring Dolly Parton, who died August 25 at age 80. It airs live October 21 on ABC and Disney+.
## A joyful, emotional celebration
The special promises performances, archival footage, and personal stories celebrating Parton's journey from east Tennessee to global icon.
## Filmed at Belmont University
Robert Deaton will executive produce the special, filmed live at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University in Nashville.

> Dolly gave Country Music its heart, and giving some of that heart back to her is an incredible honor.
## Parton's CMA Awards history
In 1978, Parton became the second woman to win entertainer of the year. She was the first woman to solo-host the awards in 1988.
## Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement
In 2016, Parton became the first woman to win the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the CMA Awards.
## Student involvement at Belmont
The special continues Belmont's partnership with Parton, including DOLLY U, which connects students with hands-on opportunities in entertainment.
## Supporting Imagination Library
CMA and Belmont will donate proceeds to Parton's Imagination Library, which gives millions of children a free book each month.
## Key takeaway

The CMA is producing a live two-hour tribute to Dolly Parton airing October 21 on ABC, featuring performances and personal stories celebrating her legacy.