# CMA to honor Dolly Parton with two-hour live TV special

> The Country Music Association will celebrate the late icon's life and career on ABC and Disney+ in October.
- Title: CMA to honor Dolly Parton with two-hour live TV special
- Summary: The Country Music Association will celebrate the late icon's life and career on ABC and Disney+ in October. The CMA will honor Dolly Parton's legacy with a…
- Keywords: dolly parton, country music association, cma, abc, disney+, nashville, belmont university, imagination library, tribute special, sarah trahern, robert deaton, news
- Source: ABC7 Los Angeles — https://abc7.com/post/country-music-association-will-honor-dolly-parton-hour-live-tv-event-abc-disney/19836886
- Published: 2026-09-16T12:35:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dolly parton, country music association, cma, abc, disney+, nashville, belmont university, imagination library, tribute special, sarah trahern, robert deaton, news
## Dolly Parton passes away
The country music legend died August 25 after a brief battle with cancer. The CMA announced a special tribute event in her honor.
## Two-hour live celebration
The special will air October 21 on ABC and Disney+. It will feature performances, archival footage, and personal stories from Nashville.
## A debt of gratitude
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern says honoring Parton's legacy is the organization's responsibility. Words alone cannot repay what country music owes her.

> 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.
## Proceeds support literacy
The CMA and Belmont University will donate event proceeds to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Disney is also supporting the charity's mission.
## Belmont's special connection
The university previously partnered with Parton on DOLLY U and her musical's premiere. Her love for Tennessee was woven into everything she did.
## Key takeaway

The CMA will honor Dolly Parton's legacy with a live two-hour tribute special on October 21, with proceeds benefiting her Imagination Library.