The event was held Oct. 21 at Belmont University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts.
Dolly Parton performs on stage at Rod Laver Arena on Feb. 11, 2014 in Melbourne, Australia. Graham Denholm / Getty Images
Several artists joined forces for CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 21 to pay homage to the late Country Music Hall of Famer (and Dollywood’s Dreamer in Chief) Dolly Parton, who passed away in August.
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The star-studded event featured performances from artists including Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley, Ella Langley, Darius Rucker, Lady A and Zac Brown, delivered 4.74 million total viewers on ABC and Disney+.
According to a press release, the presentation ranked No. 1 in total viewers from 9 to 11 p.m. with 4.74 million. The music special also earned ABC its best Wednesday 9-11 p.m. performance in 2026, based on entertainment programming.
The event was held at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville. Following the special’s airing, the CMA, in collaboration with Belmont University, The Walt Disney Company and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp revealed that a previously announced commitment to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library resulted in a combined donation of $1 million.
As artists celebrated the life and career of Parton, the event featured performances such as McEntire’s rendition of “He’s Alive” and Carrie Underwood’s rendition of “I Will Always Love You.” Meanwhile, videos and photos from Parton’s life filled the screens as stories from her life and career unfolded during the evening, and the stage was filled with flowers and decorations with Parton’s signature butterfly imagery.
CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton is currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.