Kacey Musgraves to lead Dolly Parton tribute at 2026 VMAs
14 sourcesUpdated Sep 23, 2026
Kacey Musgraves will perform a Dolly Parton tribute at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, CBS and MTV announced on Sept. 23. Parton died Aug. 25 at age 80. The set is Musgraves' first VMAs appearance in five years after her 2021 Star-Crossed performance; she is nominated for Best Country for Dry Spell and has won three VMAs. Musgraves honored Parton at an Aug. 28 Boston concert with Rainbow and a cover of Here You Come Again. She joined a 2016 CMA Awards Parton tribute, performing Here You Come Again and helping present the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, and performed with Parton in a 2019 Grammys tribute medley. She also sang Here You Come Again with Katy Perry on CMT Crossroads in 2014 and at the 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year gala. Snoop Dogg hosts. The show will feature a George Michael tribute by Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims with Adam Blackstone as music director, and Madonna opening after 23 years. It airs in the U.S. on CBS, MTV and Paramount+. No contested claims found.
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No right coverage yet — a bubble gap.
Her first VMA spot in five years should draw attention if they cover the right Parton hits.
Kacey Musgraves fits well for a Dolly tribute given how their voices and songwriting styles connect.
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