Dolly Parton to Receive Americana Music Association's Lifetime Achievement Award

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 6, 2026) — The Americana Music Association is proud to announce that global music icon Dolly Parton will receive its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Americana Honors & Awards, recognizing a singular career that has profoundly shaped American music through extraordinary songwriting, artistry and an unwavering commitment to creative excellence.
Parton will accept the honor via video.

For more than six decades, Parton has stood among the most influential voices in American music. While celebrated worldwide as an entertainer, actress, author, entrepreneur and philanthropist, the Americana Music Association is honoring her for the foundation upon which her remarkable legacy was built: her enduring contributions as one of history’s greatest songwriters and recording artists.

Few artists have left a deeper imprint on the American musical and cultural landscape than Dolly Parton. Her songs have transcended genre, generation and geography, becoming an essential part of the country’s cultural fabric. With a body of work rooted in Appalachian traditions and enriched by country, folk, bluegrass, gospel and popular music, Parton’s songwriting embodies the very spirit of Americana—honest storytelling, emotional authenticity and timeless craftsmanship.

“We at the Americana Music Association have long admired Ms. Parton’s work as a singer, songwriter, entertainer and one of the greatest ambassador’s music has ever known,” said Jed Hilly, 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.”

From classics such as Coat of Many Colors, Jolene, I Will Always Love You, My Tennessee Mountain Home and countless others, Parton’s catalog continues to inspire artists across every genre. Her influence can be heard in the work of generations of songwriters and performers who have found inspiration in her honesty, wit, compassion and unmatched ability to tell deeply human stories through song.

The Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals whose careers have made an enduring impact on American roots music. Previous recipients include Buddy Guy, Emmylou Harris, Van Morrison, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson and many of the most revered artists in contemporary music. Dolly Parton’s inclusion among this distinguished group reflects both the breadth of her accomplishments and the lasting influence of her artistry on the Americana community and beyond.

The 2026 Americana Honors & Awards will be held at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium during AMERICANAFEST, celebrating the artists, musicians and visionaries who continue to shape the evolving landscape of American roots music.

About the Americana Music Association:
The Americana Music Association is a professional not-for-profit trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world. The Association produces events throughout the year, including AMERICANAFEST and the Americana Honors & Awards program.

Back to News

Dolly Parton to Receive Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award