A Statewide Musical Tribute
Tennessee radio stations will unify on Thursday, August 27, 2026, to broadcast a simultaneous tribute to country music icon Dolly Parton. At 8 a.m. Central time, stations across the state will air her hit song, "I Will Always Love You." The initiative, spearheaded by the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, aims to provide a shared moment of recognition for the singer's deep impact on the state. Listeners are being encouraged to turn on their headlights while traveling to work as a public show of respect.
Broadcaster Coordination and Participation
Many radio outlets have signed on to participate in the event. Notable stations include 650 AM WSM, WKOM, WKRM, 1450 WLAF, and The Mighty 990. These broadcasters coordinated this effort to mark a moment of community connection. TAB President Chris Baker noted in a statement that Parton served as a uniting force across generations, music genres, and humanitarian causes. The decision to air the song together emerged from discussions among station leadership about how to best honor the artist.
The Lasting Influence of Dolly Parton
Parton remains a figure of significant cultural weight in Tennessee, recognized both for her musical catalog and her philanthropic work. Her career includes massive hits such as "Jolene" and "9 to 5," along with her long-standing commitment to the Imagination Library, which provides books to children at no cost. This tribute follows ongoing public expressions of appreciation for her life throughout the state, including displays at Nashville International Airport and legislative discussions regarding future commemorations of her work. The coordinated broadcast serves as a singular, state-level acknowledgement of her role in Tennessee’s cultural identity. Residents across Middle Tennessee have spent the week engaging in various memorial activities as the state reflects on her career accomplishments.