THE COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION BRINGS TOGETHER BELMONT UNIVERSITY, THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY, AND NASHVILLE CONVENTION & VISITORS CORP ANNOUNCE COMBINED $1 MILLION DONATION TO DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY
“CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” Now Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu
Following last night’s star-studded tribute, “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton,” the Country Music Association (CMA), in collaboration with Belmont University, The Walt Disney Company and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC), revealed today that its previously announced commitment to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has resulted in a combined donation of $1 million.
While the television special celebrated the music and remarkable career that have touched generations of fans, the donation honors another defining part of Dolly’s life: her deeply personal commitment to inspiring a love of reading and encouraging children to dream big. Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly launched the Imagination Library in her home county in East Tennessee in 1995 with a simple dream: to inspire a love of reading in young children.
“Dolly has always brought people together, and we built last night’s event with that same intention,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA CEO. “Because of the artists who took that stage and the partners who stood beside us, a night full of her music resulted in a $1 million donation to Imagination Library, so that children for years to come can open a mailbox and find a book with their name on it.” Adds Brittany Schaffer, CMA Incoming CEO: “Through her music, her philanthropy and her heart, Dolly gave all of us a reason to come together. We are so proud that our community united for a magical evening that carries forward her legacy of love and literacy for generations of children around the world.”
“Dolly knew that a single book could change the course of a child’s life,” says Dr. Greg Jones, President of Belmont University. “As a university, we see every day how a love of learning opens doors and shapes who young people become. It was a joy to celebrate her life on our campus, and we’re grateful to play a part in putting more books into children’s hands.”
“Dolly meant so much to Nashville, not only because of her incredible music, but because of her generosity and the way she cared for others,” says Deana Ivey, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “She was one of Music City’s greatest ambassadors, introducing Nashville to fans around the world and inspiring so many to visit and experience the music and creativity that make our city special. We’re proud to join our partners in honoring her legacy by supporting a cause so close to her heart and helping more children discover the joy of reading.”
“Last night’s celebration was a beautiful reminder of how Dolly spent her life bringing joy to people through her music and encouraging them to believe in their dreams,” says Jeff Conyers, President & Vice Chair, The Dollywood Foundation. “The Imagination Library is rooted in that same spirit, inspiring children to love reading and imagine all the possibilities ahead of them. I couldn’t think of a more meaningful way to celebrate Dolly’s life than by investing in the dreams of future generations. We’re incredibly grateful to CMA, Belmont University, Disney, and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp for making this generous gift possible.”
“CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” is now available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu. See below for all performances:
- Vince Gill feat. Béla Fleck, Ricky Skaggs & Molly Tuttle – “A Few Old Memories”
- Lainey Wilson feat. Vince Gill, Béla Fleck, Ricky Skaggs & Molly Tuttle – “Train, Train”
- Ashley McBryde – “Coat of Many Colors”
- Ella Langley – “Jolene”
- Kelsea Ballerini – “Here You Come Again”
- Darius Rucker – “Two Doors Down”
- Carly Pearce and Kristin Chenoweth – “9 to 5”
- Lady A – “Islands in the Stream”
- Lukas Nelson with Lainey Wilson – “You Can’t Make Old Friends”
- Little Big Town – “Light of a Clear Blue Morning”
- Reba McEntire with Belmont Singers – “He’s Alive”
- Zac Brown (Vocal Duet with Dolly Parton) – “Butterfly”
- Brad Paisley feat. Sierra Hull – “When I Get Where I’m Going”
- Carrie Underwood with Full Cast – “I Will Always Love You”
About the Country Music Association
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. Music industry professionals and companies across the U.S. and around the globe are members of CMA. The organization serves as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advances the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a three-hour network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on ABC.
About Belmont University
Located near the heart of thriving Nashville, Tennessee, Belmont University consists of approximately 9,000 students who come from every state and 33 countries. The University is nationally recognized for its innovative approach as well as its commitment to undergraduate teaching (U.S. News & World Report). As a Christ-centered, student-focused community, Belmont’s mission is to develop diverse leaders of purpose, character and wisdom who possess a transformational mindset and are eager and equipped to make the world a better place. With more than 115 areas of undergraduate study, 41 master’s programs and eight doctoral degrees, Belmont University aims to be the leading Christ-centered university in the world, producing leaders who will radically champion the pursuit of life abundant for all people. For more information, visit http://www.belmont.edu.
About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Launched in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is the world’s leading early childhood book-gifting program and the flagship initiative of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since its founding, the program has gifted more than 300 million free books to children across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. Each month, the Imagination Library mails over 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes. Every enrolled child receives one book per month from birth to age five, at no cost to families.
Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write, Dolly created the Imagination Library in her hometown of Sevier County, Tennessee, to inspire a love of reading from the earliest years. In true Dolly fashion, she soon shared that dream with other communities that wanted to give their children the same opportunity to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More.
The program is led by The Dollywood Foundation, which invests in the partnerships, resources and systems that empower thousands of Local Program Partners. These local partners build awareness and provide the funding needed to cover the wholesale cost of the books and mailing for children in their communities. Together, this unique partnership helps place books into the homes—and hearts—of millions of children around the world.
For more information, visit imaginationlibrary.com.
“CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” is now available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu.
Photo Credit: John Shearer/Getty Images for CMA
L-R: Jeff Conyers (President & Vice Chair, The Dollywood Foundation), Brittany Schaffer (Incoming CEO, CMA), Dr. Greg Jones (President, Belmont University) and Sarah Trahern (CEO, CMA) attend “CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton” at Belmont University’s Fisher Center on Oct. 21.
Photo Credit: Kayla Schoen/CMA
