Dolly Parton Honored Posthumously with Lifetime Achievement Award

The late Dolly Parton was honored posthumously with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Americana Honors & Awards in Nashville on Wednesday. A video message from the country music legend, recorded before her death, was played for the attendees.

In the clip, Parton expressed her gratitude for the recognition from the Americana Music Association. "Roots music, or what is now called Americana music, is what I grew up playing back in the Smoky Mountains," she said, reflecting on the genre's influence on her career. She noted how this music inspired her to return to East Tennessee in 1997 to write and record her album "Hungry Again," which she described as opening the door to a series of bluegrass and acoustic albums that significantly altered her career's trajectory.

Parton, dressed in a gold-embellished shirt and sporting a wavy updo, accepted the award surrounded by hydrangeas. She described the period following "Hungry Again" as a "musical renaissance," noting how new fans and Americana music communities embraced her work. "I want to thank everyone at the AMA for recognizing me with this award. It’s a great honor, truly, and just know that I will always love you," she concluded.

Her friend, singer-songwriter Emmylou Harris, delivered the opening remarks, praising Parton as "one of our all-time greatest songwriters." Harris also spoke of Parton's captivating stage presence and her ability to connect with audiences through both song and humor.

Following the video, Brandi Carlile and I'm With Her performed Parton's song "Coat of Many Colors."

Parton died on August 25 from cancer, following months of health issues that had led her to withdraw from public appearances. Representatives confirmed that she had faced a "brief battle with cancer" and passed away at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Her family stated that she had asked her nephew to record a video announcement of her death years prior. Her representatives also highlighted her extensive generosity, citing her Imagination Library book donation program and her funding of research for a vaccine. Despite her illness, Parton reportedly remained optimistic, drawing strength from her Christian faith.