Country Radio Broadcasters has named Dolly Parton the recipient of its 2027 Artist Humanitarian Award, an honor that will be presented posthumously at Country Radio Seminar, March 17–19 in Nashville.
The award recognizes Parton’s lifelong philanthropy and service. She was told of the selection before her death, and organizers said the presentation will stand as a tribute to her work in and beyond music.
Parton directed much of her giving toward children, families and communities, including education, healthcare, disaster relief and medical research. Her best-known effort is the Imagination Library, which she started in 1995 in her home county in East Tennessee. The program sends free books to children from birth through age five and has grown into a global literacy effort that has delivered millions of books. Through the Dollywood Foundation and her personal giving, she also backed disaster-affected communities, schools and healthcare programs.
The Artist Humanitarian Award, established in 1990, honors country artists whose charitable work has had a significant impact. Past recipients include Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood. Details of the presentation will be announced later.