Music City is set to honor the legacy of Dolly Parton with a special live concert airing on ABC this Wednesday at 8 p.m. The tribute, titled “I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,” takes place at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on the Belmont University campus in Nashville. Parton, the beloved Tennessee native and music icon who passed away on August 25 at age 80 after a brief battle with cancer, is remembered through this gathering of country music’s brightest stars. The event is produced by the Country Music Association, known for organizing major genre events like the CMA Awards and CMA Fest, and proceeds from the ticketed concert will support Parton’s Imagination Library charitable program.

The tribute features a stacked lineup of performers who reflect Dolly’s impact on country, bluegrass, and beyond. Among those performing are Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, and Vince Gill, alongside emerging artists like Kacey Musgrave and Ella Langley. The show also includes contributions from Ashley McBryde, Béla Fleck, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Ricky Skaggs, Sierra Hull, and Zac Brown. Additionally, singer-songwriter Amy Grant and actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley will make appearances, underscoring the diverse range of talent paying homage to Parton.

The special will be accessible not only on ABC’s primetime schedule but also through digital platforms, streaming live on Disney+ and available to watch later on Hulu starting Thursday. This multi-platform approach ensures fans across the country and around the world can join in celebrating Dolly Parton’s contributions to music and philanthropy. The venue, Belmont University, holds special significance as Dolly had previously announced an educational partnership there that showcased her autobiographical Broadway musical, DOLLY: A True Original Musical.

This tribute exemplifies the enduring influence of Dolly Parton, both as a pioneering female artist with a vast songwriting legacy and as a philanthropist supporting literacy and education. The concert’s proceeds funnel into the Imagination Library, part of Parton’s ongoing efforts to promote childhood reading. As fans tune in to watch legendary and contemporary country performers honor her, the event also highlights Dolly’s continued cultural and charitable impact years after her passing.