Country music said goodbye to Dolly Parton on Wednesday night, and Carrie Underwood was the one who closed the show.
Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at age 80. Two months later, the Country Music Association honored her with CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, a two-hour special broadcast live from Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville. It aired on ABC and streamed on Disney+, with a lineup that included Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Lainey Wilson, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Zac Brown, Little Big Town and Ella Langley.
A Night of Song and Memory
The evening mixed Parton’s hits with personal stories from friends and fellow artists. Kelsea Ballerini brought a light touch with “Here You Come Again,” while Zac Brown honored a duet Parton once shared with his band. Little Big Town performed “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” and Brad Paisley and Sierra Hull gave a gentle take on “When I Get Where I’m Going.” Lainey Wilson also took part, joining Lukas Nelson for a tribute.
Part of the proceeds from the special will go to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, her program that gives free books to children.
The Final Song
Underwood was saved for last. She walked out in a sparkling gown in front of a projection of pink butterfly wings, a symbol closely tied to Parton, and began “I Will Always Love You,” the song Parton wrote and made famous.
Her powerful voice carried through the hall, but the emotion eventually caught up with her. Near the end she became visibly choked up and had trouble getting through a few lines. It made the moment feel real rather than rehearsed.
Then the other performers and guests came out and joined her. The song ended as a group singalong, with the whole room paying tribute together.
A Friendship Years in the Making
The emotion came from a long history. Underwood sang “Islands in the Stream” with Kenny Rogers in Parton’s honor at the 2006 Kennedy Center Honors. In 2009, Parton joined her on “I Will Always Love You” during Underwood’s holiday special. In 2019, Underwood co-hosted the CMA Awards with Parton and McEntire.
After Parton’s death, Underwood wrote that she was the picture of faith, grace, talent and humor, and that heaven had gained an angel.