The late Dolly Parton was honored with a spirit-stirring tribute at the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards on Oct. 6, led by two of Contemporary Christian Music's most beloved voices.
Amy Grantand Natalie Grant came together for a heartfelt moment, which took place in Nashville's Bridgestone Arena as part of Christian and gospel music’s biggest night. Parton spoke frequently and passionately about her faith throughout her career, and often collaborated with artists from the Christian music community. She passed away after a battle with cancer on Aug. 25, a loss felt by many in attendance.
"She felt like she belonged to all of us and her music crossed generations and genres and boundaries of all kinds," said Amy Grant, as the crowd rose in somber remembrance
to hear the message. "Faith was woven into who she was, how she lived, and the music she made... She was creatively generous and she was not afraid to stand up and be the person she was made to be. Dolly, we've never known the world without you in it, and I will miss your everything."
With the stage bathed in twinkling pink glitter, the musical segment began with a clip from early in Parton's career. Her blonde hair was piled high atop her head as the young Tennessean began to sing an a cappella version of the hymn "How Great Thou Art."
Wearing a blush-pink gown and standing opposite her tribute partner, Natalie Grant then took over to add her powerful vocals to a string section and piano. The hymn swelled in conviction as crowd members joined in, and the two Grants came forward, joining each other at center stage.
Video clips from throughout Parton's illustrious career flashed behind the iconic artists before "How Great Thou Art" ended. Parton was given the final word on her Dove Awards tribute. She had already won the award for bluegrass song of the year with her collaborators The Grascals on "Broken Angels," and seemed to have a message to share with her fellow believers: a quiet few lines from her classic song "I Will Always Love You."
Preorder Dolly: Her Life, Her Music, Her Legacy here.
Tauren Wells hosted the event for the fourth consecutive year. Major winners at the 2026 Dove Awards included Phil Wickham, who took home three prizes including the artist of the year honor. View the list of winners here.
Other performers included Anne Wilson, Chosen Road, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, TobyMac, Hulvey, and Tye Tribbett, among others. The late Richard Smallwood was also honored with a tribute performance led by Jonathan McReynolds and Kierra Sheard.
The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards aired exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app on Oct. 9, simulcast on SiriusXM The Message. An encore presentation will air on TBN and the TBN+ app Oct. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dolly Parton honored at 2026 Dove Awards by Amy Grant, Natalie Grant
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