Dolly Parton posthumously accepts award in video recorded just before her death
Dolly Parton accepted an Americana Lifetime Achievement Award in a video message recorded before her death on August 25.
The Jolene singer donned a full face of make-up, one of her famous wigs and rhinestones in the clip, as she secretly battled cancer.
Dolly Parton has accepted an Americana Lifetime Achievement Award in a video message, recorded before her death on August 25. YouTube/Ryman Auditorium
The recording of the country music icon was played during the 2026 Americana Honours and Awards event at the famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
“Well, hey, it’s Dolly,” the singer who needs no introduction told the audience.
“I’m honoured to be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association.
“I mean, roots music – or what is now called Americana music – is what I grew up playing back in the Smoky Mountains.
“It’s that same music that drew me back to East Tennessee in 1997 to write and record my album, Hungry Again. 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 returning to her roots opened her up to a new legion of fans.
Parton said returning to her roots opened her up to a new legion of fans. Getty Images
“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.
“I want to thank everyone at the AMA for recognising me with this award. It’s a great honour truly, and just know that I will always love you.”
The telling sign-off suggested Parton knew she was in the advanced stages of her illness when she recorded the acceptance speech.
Good friend, and fellow country music legend, Emmylou Harris took to the stage to introduce the award and clip. Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Americana Music Association
Good friend and fellow country music legend Emmylou Harris took to the stage to introduce the award and clip, thanking the 9 to 5 singer for everything she did for not only the music industry but in her philanthropy as well.
“Through her songs and her own example, she showed so many musicians, artists and everyday folks exactly how to do that,” Harris said.
Introducing Parton’s video, Harris said she recorded it “with the same warmth, joy, and sparkle she so generously shared with us throughout her life”.
Brandi Carlile (right) and trio I’m with Her performed Parton’s hit Coat of Many Colours in tribute to the late singer. Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images for Americana Music Association
Following the clip, Brandi Carlile performed Parton’s hit Coat of Many Colours, joined by trio I’m with Her.
Parton died at the age of 80, following a brief battle with cancer that the singer was so determined to keep under wraps that only a few family members knew about it.
“Dolly could not bear negative things and she would not have wanted her fans worried about it,” sister Stella Parton told Gayle King in an interview with CBS Mornings after Dolly’s death.
Stella Parton was at sister Dolly Parton’s side in her final moments. Getty/Terry Wyatt
“Some of us knew, the ones of us that were closer, but not every relative. Dolly did not want people sad, and she did not want people worried.
“She’d be really happy and delighted that people have shown her so much love because she knew that that would make us feel better as her family.”
News of her death was announced by her nephew Bryan Seaver in a video posted on Parton’s social media, keeping a promise he said he made his aunt years earlier.
