Dolly Parton became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on January 4, 1969. She remained an Opry member for 57 years until her death on August 25, 2026.
To celebrate Dolly’s extraordinary life, career, and lasting legacy, the Grand Ole Opry will dedicate an upcoming show to the country music legend. The special tribute will take place Saturday, August 29, at 7 p.m. CT.
An Opry representative told Country Rebel that the show was originally scheduled as a regular Saturday night performance. Following Dolly’s passing, however, the evening will now be dedicated to her memory. Several artists are expected to perform tributes to Dolly, with the Opry also promising “special moments happening throughout” the show.
The lineup for the evening has now been announced. Opry members Carly Pearce, Kathy Mattea, and T. Graham Brown will perform at the Opry House. Carly Pearce, who Dolly personally invited to become an Opry member in 2021, will be among those honoring her legacy.
The performers will also include Molly Tuttle, Channing Wilson, Dan Tyminski, and Belle Frantz, who will be making her Opry debut. The Opry Square Dancers are also scheduled to appear.
Tickets are currently available through the Opry for those who would like to attend the tribute in person. But fans who cannot make it to Nashville on August 29 will still have several ways to watch or listen from home.
The show will be livestreamed through the Opry’s Facebook and YouTube channels, as well as through its digital streaming partners, Circle Country and RFD-TV.
Fans can also listen to the performance on WSM Radio (650 AM) and on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse channel.
For additional information about the tribute show and viewing options, fans can visit the Grand Ole Opry’s official website.
The Dolly Parton Tribute Will Also Support A Cause Close To Her Heart
The Grand Ole Opry has also announced that a portion of the ticket proceeds from the tribute show will benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, an organization that was especially meaningful to the singer.
Dolly founded the Imagination Library in 1995. Since then, the program has provided more than 300 million free books to children around the world.
Her inspiration for creating the organization came in part from her father, Robert “Lee” Parton, who had never learned to read or write. Dolly often spoke about how proud he was of what the Imagination Library accomplished.
Dolly once recalled that her father told her the organization was “probably the most important thing I had ever done.”
She also shared with NPR that her father loved hearing children refer to her as “The Book Lady.” Knowing that he had played a part in something so meaningful was especially important to him.
Following Dolly’s death, her family made a heartfelt request to her fans. Rather than sending flowers, they asked supporters to consider making a donation to the Imagination Library in her memory.
Those who would like to support the organization can visit the official Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library website.
Dolly Parton may no longer be with us, but her music, generosity, and lifelong commitment to helping others continue to make an impact. Through the Grand Ole Opry tribute and the ongoing work of the Imagination Library, her remarkable legacy will continue to live on.
Rest in peace, Dolly Parton.
