Childhood literacy, wildfire relief, and medical research are among the causes behind Dolly Parton’s selection for the 2027 Artist Humanitarian Award. Country Radio Broadcasters will present the honor posthumously at Country Radio Seminar in Nashville.
Parton was notified that she had been selected earlier this year. She died in August at 80.
The Artist Humanitarian Award was established in 1990 to recognize country artists whose philanthropic efforts have significantly improved the effectiveness and impact of the causes they support. Past recipients include Jelly Roll, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, and Carrie Underwood.
Parton’s Imagination Library began in 1995 in her home county in East Tennessee, providing free books to children from birth to age five. CRB said it grew into an international literacy program that has placed millions of books in the hands and homes of children and families.
Through the Dollywood Foundation and her personal giving, Parton also supported education, healthcare, disaster relief, medical research, and individuals and communities facing hardship, including those affected by wildfires in East Tennessee, CRB said.
Additional details about the presentation will be announced at a later date.
CRS Executive Director RJ Curtis remarked, “The word ‘humanitarian’ is nearly synonymous with Dolly Parton. Her decades of generosity and philanthropy speak for themselves, and CRB was honored when Dolly agreed to accept this recognition earlier this year. Though she won’t be with us in person at CRS, her extraordinary spirit and enduring commitment to making the world a better place will continue to inspire us all.”
