Dolly Parton posthumously accepts Americana Lifetime Achievement award

Thu, September 17, 2026 at 12:05 PM

Updated Thu, September 17, 2026 at 1:53 PM

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Dolly Parton was honored with the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday and posthumously accepted the award through a pre-recorded video.

Parton, alongside Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Robert Plant, were awarded for the impact their careers had on American roots music. Parton's acceptance video was recorded before her death in August and played during the ceremony.

Parton thanked the Americana Music Association for the Lifetime Achievement Award and reflected on her music career and how recording her album "Hungry Again" changed the course of her career. She added that she sees that era of her career as a "musical renaissance of sorts."

"Well hey, it's Dolly, and I am so honored to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association," Parton said in the video. "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 back in 1997 to write and record my album 'Hungry Again.' And that project really opened the door to a series of blue grass and acoustic albums that changed the course of my career in so many ways. Now new fans discovered these albums, new Americana music communities embrace them and now, looking back at it all, I see this era of my career as a musical renaissance of sorts. And I want to thank everybody at the AMA for recognizing me with this award. It's a great honor, truly. And just know that I will always love you."

Molly Tuttle took home Artist of the Year for the first time while Tyler Childers walked away with Album of the Year for his record "Snipe Hunter," which was produced by Rick Rubin and Nick Sanborn.

Brandi Carlile earned Song of the Year for "Returning to Myself," which she wrote for her new album, and Gillian Welch & David Rawlings were honored with Duo/Group of the Year for the second consecutive year.

Ken Pomeroy won Emerging Act of the Year following the success of her album "Cruel Joke," and Mandy Fer, known for touring with Allison Russell, was named Instrumentalist of the Year.

The ceremony featured standout performances by The Heartbreakers with guest Chris Stapleton, a moving tribute to the late Todd Snider by Hayes Carll and Elizabeth Cook and a lively finale packed with hits from The Mavericks, honoring the legacy of Raul Malo.

Buddy Miller led the Americana All-Star Band, keeping the night moving with a team of top players like Larry Campbell and Don Was.

Throughout the celebration, the stage filled up with more artists, including Boy Golden, Flatland Cavalry, Margo Price, Crowe Boys and S.G. Goodman, who all brought their own style to an unforgettable night.

"What an incredible way to celebrate the 25th annual Americana Honors & Awards," Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association and Foundation, summed it up by saying. "The breadth and depth of talent on stage this evening is beyond words. Celebrating The Heartbreakers' historic reunion with special guest Chris Stapleton, getting to honor the legendary Robert Plant and our beloved Dolly Parton made this show one of the most special ones I've been a part of. Congratulations to all the winners and honorees; we are so grateful to everyone who is a member of this Americana community."

The 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards is the hallmark event of AmericanaFest week, which continues through Saturday, Sept. 19. The award ceremony took place inside Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium.

Visit this link for more information on the honors, awards and AMERICANAFEST.