ABC and the Country Music Association have unveiled a 20-performer lineup for a live television tribute to the late country icon Dolly Parton.
The two-hour special, titled "CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton," is scheduled to air October 21 from Belmont University's Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville.
The lineup includes Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Reba McEntire, Kelsea Ballerini, Darius Rucker, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, and Little Big Town.
Additional performers are Ashley McBryde, Béla Fleck, Carly Pearce, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Lady A, Lukas Nelson, Molly Tuttle, Sierra Hull, and Zac Brown.
Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley will make special guest appearances.
Belmont Students and Genre-Spanning Tribute
A student ensemble from Belmont University will also join the stage, highlighting the institution's ongoing "Dolly U" educational program centered on Parton's career and entrepreneurial legacy.
Executive producer Robert Deaton is helming the project, which will showcase tribute performances spanning country, bluegrass, and Broadway genres.
The televised event comes six weeks after Parton passed away on August 25 at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
Proceeds from the live broadcast and ticket sales will benefit Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, an early childhood book-gifting program that mails free books to children monthly.
Disney will also provide financial support to the charity in conjunction with the special.
The concert will broadcast live on ABC and stream on Disney+ at 9:00 PM Eastern Time on October 21, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.
