Dolly Parton posthumously receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Dolly Parton was posthumously honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Americana Honors & Awards held at the Ryman Auditorium. The ceremony included a pre-recorded video message from Parton, recorded before her death, in which she expressed her gratitude to the Americana Music Association.

In her video address, Parton reflected on her musical roots in the Smoky Mountains and how returning to traditional sounds in 1997 with her album ‘Hungry Again’ sparked a musical renaissance in her career through bluegrass and acoustic projects. The event also featured a performance of her song ‘Coat of Many Colors’ led by Brandi Carlile and the group I’m with Her.

Parton’s legacy extends beyond music to include significant humanitarian efforts, such as the Imagination Library, the My People Fund, and her financial support for COVID-19 vaccine research.