# Reba McEntire to sing for Dolly at the Emmys

> The 2026 Emmys will pause for Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire is the one carrying the song.
- Title: Reba McEntire to sing for Dolly at the Emmys | Shortify
- Summary: The 2026 Emmys will pause for Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire is the one carrying the song. The 2026 Emmys open a lane for country music, with Reba McEntire…
- Keywords: emmys, dolly parton, reba mcentire, television, country music, Reba, McEntire, sing, Dolly, The Hollywood Reporter
- Source: The Hollywood Reporter — https://hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/reba-mcentire-perform-tribute-dolly-parton-2026-emmys-1236700040
- Author: Carly Thomas
- Published: 2026-09-13T23:19:27+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: emmys, dolly parton, reba mcentire, television, country music
## Reba gets the tribute
Reba McEntire will perform a special tribute to Dolly Parton at the 2026 Emmy Awards on Monday night, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

> Reba McEntire has been tapped to perform a special tribute to the late Dolly Parton
## One of Dolly's own songs
McEntire is expected to sing a Parton song rather than something written for the occasion, letting the catalog do the honoring.
## Dolly died last month
Parton died at 80 after a short battle with cancer, which makes this the first Emmys since country music lost its biggest name.

> the Queen of Country Music, who died last month at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer
## A Knick shows up early
Jalen Brunson, the New York Knicks point guard, is expected to appear in a pre-taped segment that opens the telecast.
## Why Brunson fits
Host Mariska Hargitay is a well known Knicks fan, regularly seen courtside at Madison Square Garden, so the cameo lands as a personal joke.
## Hargitay stays quiet
Asked about Brunson before the ceremony, Hargitay would not confirm the appearance, keeping the opening bit a surprise.

> she wouldn't confirm whether Brunson would make a special appearance
## Key takeaway

The 2026 Emmys open a lane for country music, with Reba McEntire honoring Dolly Parton weeks after her death.