60th CMA Awards Announces Special Tribute Honoring Late Country Music Icon Dolly Parton

The Country Music Association announced that the upcoming 60th CMA Awards will feature a dedicated tribute to late legend Dolly Parton, who died on August 25 at age 80.

The global icon passed away after a battle with cancer.

Now, the country music community is preparing to celebrate her life, catalog, and cultural impact on one of music's biggest nights.

Parton was an esteemed member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Her unmatched career helped define modern country music across six decades.

The tribute segment will stand as a central emotional highlight of the milestone anniversary telecast.

A MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY IN NASHVILLE

The 60th annual CMA Awards will air live on Wednesday, November 18.

The ceremony takes place inside Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.

Viewers can watch the live broadcast from 8 to 11 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC.

The show will also stream live simultaneously on Disney+.

Subscribers will be able to watch the complete telecast on demand the next day on Hulu.

This year represents a major historical milestone for the Country Music Association.

The show will celebrate six decades of country music history, honors, and legendary performances.

In an official press release, the CMA noted that the evening's roster "brings together genre icons and the artists shaping its future."

LAINEY WILSON RETURNS TO THE PODIUM

Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson is set to host the star-studded ceremony.

This marks Wilson's third consecutive year serving as host of the CMA Awards.

It is also her second straight year handling the broadcast as a solo host.

Wilson first made her CMA hosting debut back in 2024.

During that initial hosting gig, she shared the stage with co-hosts Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning.

Wilson enters the 60th annual ceremony after taking home major hardware at last year's event.

During that previous telecast, Wilson captured the CMA Album of the Year award for Whirlwind.

INITIAL PERFORMERS REVEALED FOR THE STAGE

The Country Music Association and ABC revealed the first group of artists scheduled to perform live.

The initial lineup blends newly minted Hall of Fame inductees with the genre's newest hitmakers.

Newly minted Country Music Hall of Fame member Tim McGraw is officially slated to take the stage.

McGraw was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame just last month.

The veteran superstar enters the ceremony amid a busy period in his celebrated career.

McGraw recently discussed the strength and longevity of his 30-year marriage to fellow superstar Faith Hill.

He has also been in the spotlight for his final 2026 residency show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Looking further ahead on his schedule, McGraw is set to lead the lineup for PEI's 2027 Cavendish Beach Music Festival alongside Riley Green and Sam Barber.

Reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Cody Johnson will also perform during the 60th awards broadcast.

Johnson is nominated for four CMA trophies this year.

His nominations include Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year.

Johnson is also in contention for Single of the Year and Music Video of the Year.

MIRANDA LAMBERT CONTINUES HISTORIC RUN

Superstar Miranda Lambert will also perform live at Bridgestone Arena.

Lambert enters the 60th annual show with seven nominations across several major categories.

Her nods this year include two separate entries for Single of the Year.

She picked up an Album of the Year nomination as a producer.

Lambert also secured two nominations for Musical Event of the Year.

Additionally, Lambert received a nod for Song of the Year as a songwriter.

The night also brings Lambert her 19th career nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year.

With 70 career nominations, Lambert holds the record for the most CMA Awards nominations by a female artist.

ELLA LANGLEY LEADS THE PACK

Rising star Ella Langley enters the 60th CMA Awards as the most-nominated artist of the night.

Langley leads the 2026 field with nine nominations.

Her single "Choosin' Texas" has dominated the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart this year.

Langley is officially confirmed to perform during the live broadcast.

Her nine nominations include a bid for the evening's premier honor, Entertainer of the Year.

She earned an Album of the Year nomination for Dandelion.

Langley is also nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, and Music Video of the Year.

She secured two nominations each in the Single of the Year and Song of the Year categories.

Langley's dominant year follows a major showing at the prior ceremony.

Last year, Langley earned three CMA Awards.

Those honors included both Song of the Year and Single of the Year for "You Look Like You Love Me," her collaboration with Riley Green.

MORE NOMINEES AND CONTENDERS

Multiple Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves will also take the stage as a performer.

Musgraves is up for five CMA Awards this year.

Her acclaimed release Middle of Nowhere is nominated for Album of the Year.