Dolly Parton was posthumously honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Americana Honors & Awards on Wednesday night, with the late country music icon appearing in a pre-recorded acceptance speech played during the ceremony.
Parton, the legendary singer, songwriter and actress, died Aug. 25 following what was described as a brief battle with cancer. Her death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the entertainment industry, with fellow artists and longtime collaborators remembering her influence on music, film and popular culture.In the video message shown during the Americana ceremony, Parton expressed her gratitude for receiving the prestigious honor from the Americana Music Association.
“Well, hey, it’s Dolly, and I am so honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association,” Parton said in the recording.
The singer reflected on her deep connection to the musical traditions associated with Americana, explaining that roots music had been part of her life since her childhood in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.She recalled returning to the region in 1997 to write and record her album Hungry Again, a project she described as an important turning point in her career. The album marked a renewed focus on acoustic and roots-oriented music and ultimately helped lead Parton toward a series of bluegrass and acoustic recordings.
“And that project really opened the door to a series of bluegrass and acoustic albums that changed the course of my career in so many ways,” Parton said.
She also reflected on how those projects introduced her music to new audiences and connected her with a growing Americana community. According to Parton, the period represented a significant creative chapter in her career.
“Now, new fans discovered these albums, new Americana music communities embraced them, and now, looking back at it all, I see this era of my career as a musical renaissance of sorts,” she said.
Parton concluded her recorded acceptance speech by thanking the Americana Music Association for recognizing her career with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
“It’s a great honor, truly, and just know that I will always love you,” she said.
The ceremony also paid tribute to Parton through a live musical performance. Brandi Carlile and the group I’m With Her led a rendition of Parton’s beloved song “Coat of Many Colors,” one of the singer’s most personal and enduring compositions. Before the performance and the presentation of Parton’s acceptance message, Emmylou Harris introduced the tribute segment.
The Americana Honors & Awards recognition adds to the series of tributes that have followed Parton’s death. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in country and roots music, Parton built a career spanning decades and became known for her songwriting, distinctive voice and ability to move between country, bluegrass, pop and other musical traditions.
Her passing generated reactions from numerous major figures in entertainment. Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jane Fonda and Celine Dion were among the many artists and celebrities who paid tribute to Parton following her death.The tributes are continuing beyond the Americana ceremony. The Country Music Association announced Wednesday that it is preparing a two-hour live television special celebrating Parton’s life and legacy.
Titled CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton, the special is scheduled to air live on ABC and Disney+ internationally on Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 9 to 11 p.m. ET. It will also stream on Hulu the following day.
The Americana ceremony offered another opportunity for the music community to celebrate Parton’s lasting connection to roots music. Through her reflections on Hungry Again and her subsequent bluegrass and acoustic projects, her recorded acceptance speech highlighted a lesser-discussed but important chapter of a career that continued to evolve across generations.
Even after her death, Parton’s music and influence remain central to celebrations across the country and Americana communities, with artists continuing to honor the extensive body of work she left behind.
