The 2026 Emmy Awards include a tribute to country music icon Dolly Parton, led on stage by Sally Field and Reba McEntire following Parton’s death on Aug. 25 after a cancer battle. Parton, who had previously won an Emmy in 2021, is remembered during the ceremony with emotional remarks and musical performances.
Across outlets, the core elements of the segment are consistent: McEntire performs in Parton’s honor, and Field delivers a personal introduction. Variety and Billboard note that McEntire performs “Appalachian Memories,” a song Parton wrote and recorded for her 1983 album “Burlap & Satin.” Billboard also highlights Parton’s long television presence, including her first Primetime Emmy nomination in connection with a guest appearance on a Cher special.
Several reports underscore the tribute’s tone through quotations. The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, and NME cite Field’s remarks comparing Parton to an angel and emphasizing her impact, while Fox News similarly focuses on the emotional exchange and the tribute’s framing. The New York Post summarizes the event by pairing Field and McEntire as the leading figures of the remembrance.
