Before her death at 80 in August, Dolly Parton recorded a special tribute to music teachers, and on Thursday (Oct. 8) the Country Music Association shared a clip of the moment introduced by Zac Brown in which the late country icon heaped praise on the instructors whose passion has inspired the next generation to pick up instruments.
“Not long before we lost her, Dolly recorded a special message for the teachers in this room,” said Brown during Wednesday’s (Oct. 7) ceremony for the Country Music Association Foundation’s 10th annual Music Teachers of Excellence event, held at Parton’s recently opened Nashville SongTeller Hotel. “She took the time to speak directly to you and I can’t think of a better way to begin this night.”
Parton, whose legacy includes an unparalleled catalog of classic country hits, was a lifelong advocate for literacy and education and Brown said her commitment to creating opportunities for others was part of the magic of her life.
“Well, hey there, it’s Dolly! And I am so happy to welcome you to Nashville as the CMA Foundation celebrates 10 years of Music Teachers of Excellence,” Parton said brightly in the clip. “I’ve always believed that music brings people together. But none of that happens without dedicated teachers who encourage, inspire and believe in the next generation. And that’s why we’re celebrating tonight. And to every music teacher of excellence, I want to thank you for your passion, patience and care that you give your students each day. Congratulations on this incredible milestone and keep making beautiful music together.”
Among Parton’s charitable efforts aimed at education was her Imagination Library, which has distributed more than 300 million books to children worldwide over the past 30 years.
Parton died on Aug. 25 following what was described as short battle with cancer and the CMA teacher’s award event marks the second posthumous video appearance from the beloved country legend. Last month, Parton made a surprise appearance at the 2026 Americana Awards and Honors at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in a message taped before her death accepting the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I’m honored to be receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association,” Parton said in the video. “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.”
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