Dolly Parton's final message plays during posthumous Lifetime Achievement honor

Dolly Parton posthumously receives the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Americana Honors & Awards.

The Queen of country, who passed away after a brief battle with cancer at the age of 80 on August 25, recorded a message before her death played after Parton’s friend Emmylou Harris delivered opening remarks about Parton’s legacy.

The late musician said in the message, “Well, hey, it’s Dolly. I’m honored to be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association.”

Parton continued, “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 in 1997 to write and record my album, Hungry Again. And 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.”

The legendary country singer further added, “Now, 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."

“I want to thank everyone at the AMA for recognizing me with this award. It’s a great honor truly, and just know that I will always love you," Parton concluded.

The tribute then concluded with a performance of Parton song Coat of Many Colors by band I’m with Her, and Brandi Carlile.