Dolly Parton Honored in CMA TV Tribute Special

The Country Music Association (CMA) is honoring the late Dolly Parton with a live television special, "I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton." The tribute is scheduled to air tonight, Oct. 21, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Filmed live at Belmont University in Nashville, the special will feature musicians from various generations and genres performing in tribute to the Country Music Hall of Famer. Among the scheduled performers are Reba McEntire, a close friend of Parton's, as well as Carrie Underwood, Ashley McBryde, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker, Ella Langley, Kelsea Ballerini, Lady A, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Ricky Skaggs, Sierra Hull, Vince Gill, and Zac Brown. Special guests Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley are also set to appear.

A student ensemble from Belmont University will participate in a performance, highlighting the university's "Dolly U" programming designed to engage students.

For those without cable, the special can be streamed live for free via a five-day trial of DIRECTV. The Choice plan from DIRECTV includes ABC and over 125 channels. Alternatively, ABC is available through DIRECTV’s MyEntertainment genre pack, which also offers Hulu streaming the day after the live broadcast.

Dolly Parton passed away on August 25 at the age of 80.