Dolly Parton had one final message for her fans just weeks after she passed away at the age of 80, following a brief cancer battle.
The country legend was honored at the Americana Awards on September 16 with the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of all she had given to the genre over her decades-long career.
Dolly’s final message
Americana and country icon Emmylou Harris led a moving tribute to Dolly, which culminated in a teary goodbye from the singer as she introduced her late friend on the screen.
“Well hey, it’s Dolly, and I am so honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association,” she began in the pre-recorded video, which was displayed on the big screen.
© NPR“I mean, Roots music, or what is now called Americana music, is what I grew up playing back in the Smoky Mountains,” Dolly continued. “It’s that same music that drew me back to East Tennessee, back in 1997, to write and record my album Hungry Again.”
“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,” she added.
See Reba McEntire’s sweet Emmys tribute to Dolly below…
“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.”
Dolly concluded by thanking the association for the award, before sharing a final message with fans. “Just know that I will always love you,” she said. The blonde beauty looked better than ever in black pants, an embroidered, fringed vest and a white button-up shirt, with her signature voluminous hairstyle and glamorous makeup on display.
Honoring her legacy
Dolly’s parting missive sparked a standing ovation from the audience at the awards show, many of whom could be seen wiping tears from their eyes. Dolly’s friend, country and rock singer Brandi Carlile, then sang a stunning rendition of the 1971 track “Coat of Many Colors” alongside the folk trio I’m With Her.
The Americana Music Association announced their intention to honor Dolly at the 2026 awards in a statement released just weeks before her death on August 25.
© NPR“We at the Americana Music Association have long admired Ms Parton’s work as a singer, songwriter, entertainer and one of the greatest ambassadors music has ever known,” said Jed Hilly, the executive director of the Americana Music Association.
“With all of her extraordinary accomplishments – from philanthropy to television, film and business – our desire is to honor Dolly for what has always been at the heart of her legacy: a definitive songwriter and artist whose songs have shaped generations.”
© WireImageIn the past, musicians like Emmylou Harris, Van Morrison and Willie Nelson were honored with the same award.
Dolly had been suffering from health issues ever since the death of her husband, Carl Dean, in March 2025. As a result, she was forced to cancel several shows and appearances and underwent treatment for her illness at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
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