Dolly Parton ProfileThe Country Music Association (CMA) is gearing up to celebrate a legend, Dolly Parton, this week. Good news for fans outside the US, including in Australia and New Zealand: the CMA-organised tribute concert will be available to watch via a global livestream on Disney+.
The tribute program, CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, marks the first CMA television property to receive a global simulcast on the streaming service.
Viewers in Australia and New Zealand can tune in on Thursday, 22 October, at 12 pm AEDT/2 pm NZDT. Those who miss out can stream the program on Disney+ after the simulcast.
Scheduled to be filmed in front of a live audience at Belmont University’s Fisher Centre for the Performing Arts in Nashville on Wednesday (21 October), the two-hour television tribute to Parton is expected to be an incredible affair.
The concert will feature some of the biggest names in American country music, Dolly’s peers and those influenced by her, including Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Zac Brown, Lainey Wilson, and more.
The event will also feature Béla Fleck, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Lukas Nelson, Lady A, Kristin Chenoweth, Ashley McBryde, Kelsea Ballerini, Ella Langley, Molly Tuttle, Carly Pearce, Kristen Bell, Ricky Skaggs, and Sierra Hull, while Amy Grant and Kimberly Williams-Paisley join the star-studded evening as special guests.
“Dolly Parton belonged to the whole world, but she was born of this industry, and this industry owes her a debt of gratitude that words alone cannot repay,” CMA chief executive officer Sarah Trahern said when the event was announced last month.
Trahern continued, “As the organisation built to serve and celebrate Country Music, honouring her legacy is not just an opportunity; it is our responsibility. This special is our way of saying thank you, on behalf of every artist, industry member and fan who found a piece of themselves in her music.”
Dolly Parton passed away in August at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer. Her loss has been felt by music lovers worldwide, not just country fans.
