Dolly Parton Won Posthumous GMA Dove Award
The late music icon received the Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year award for her final co-written track, Broken Angels.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Religious
Dolly Parton was honored with the Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year at the 57th GMA Dove Awards. The accolade recognized Broken Angels, the final song she co-wrote before passing away on Aug. 25, 2026.
Why it matters
The award celebrates Parton's enduring influence on gospel music and serves as a formal recognition of her final creative contribution. Her work continues to resonate within the genre, honoring her legacy long after her passing.
Parton previously secured a Dove Award in 2020 for Short Form Video of the Year. The 57th annual ceremony honored her posthumously for her work alongside Jamie Johnson on Broken Angels.
The players
Dolly Parton
She was a legendary singer-songwriter and musician who died on Aug. 25, 2026.
Jamie Johnson
He is a musician who co-wrote the award-winning song Broken Angels with Parton.
The Grascals
They are a bluegrass band that previously maintained a professional partnership with Parton.
Sonya Isaacs
She is a performer who delivered a tribute to Parton during the awards ceremony.
The details
Jamie Johnson accepted the award on behalf of Parton and The Grascals during the ceremony. The song was featured during the event in a performance by Sonya Isaacs, who utilized Parton's original recorded vocal tracks.
Timeline
Dolly Parton passed away on Aug. 25, 2026.
The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards ceremony took place on Oct. 6, 2026.
The main broadcast of the event aired on Oct. 9, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This award highlights how the gospel music industry honors legacy artists following their passing. It reinforces the ongoing effort by institutions like the GMA to memorialize stars who bridged the gap between mainstream country and sacred music.
Fans can hear the award-winning track and see the tribute performance via the TBN and TBN+ platforms. The broadcast provides the primary means for the public to engage with the ceremony's honoring of Parton's final work.
The takeaway
The recognition of Broken Angels serves as a poignant closing chapter for a prolific songwriting career that spanned decades. Listeners can revisit Parton's gospel contributions to understand how she infused traditional religious themes with her unique bluegrass sensibilities.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the gospel music community at the Religious section.
