Lady A Channels Kenny & Dolly With Playful Rendition Of “Islands In The Stream”
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CMA Remembers The Legacy Of Dolly Parton
A star-studded group of musicians and entertainers came together on Wednesday, Oct. 21, to celebrate Dolly Parton in a television special honoring the country music legend.
The Country Music Association (CMA) and ABC first announced the lineup for CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton on Oct. 2. The two-hour live tribute featured performers representing a wide range of musical backgrounds, bringing together some of the biggest names in country music, bluegrass and Broadway.
Among those that took the stage were Country Music Hall of Fame members Reba McEntire, Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs. Bluegrass artists Béla Fleck, Sierra Hull and Molly Tuttle also participated on the show, along with Broadway stars Kristin Chenoweth and Kristen Bell.
The tribute took place at Belmont University’s Fisher Center for the Performing Arts in Nashville, continuing the ongoing partnership between the university and the Country Music Association (CMA).
Proceeds from the event will benefit Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the country star’s book-gifting program that provides free books to young children. The initiative is a program of The Dollywood Foundation and has grown into the world’s leading early childhood book-gifting program.
“Dolly Parton belonged to the whole world, but she was born of this industry, and this industry owes her a debt of gratitude that words alone cannot repay,” Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO, said of the event. “As the organization built to serve and celebrate Country Music, honoring her legacy is not just an opportunity, it is our responsibility. This special is our way of saying thank you, on behalf of every artist, industry member and fan who found a piece of themselves in her music.”
Lady A Honors Dolly Parton With Touching Performance
During the special, longtime country trio Lady A took the stage to honor the late Dolly Parton.
Singing Dolly and Kenny Roger’s 1983 hit, “Islands in the Stream.” Amongst their many collaborations, this became known as the duo’s signature song. Lady A brought the playful spirit that the song embodies to the stage, and we know Kenny and Dolly would be proud.
Watch a clip from Lady A’s performance on CMA’s Dolly Parton tribute special below!
