Tennessee Football Retired Dolly Parton Anthem

The Volunteers stopped playing My Tennessee Mountain Home during the fourth quarter at Neyland Stadium.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Country

Tennessee Football Retired Dolly Parton Anthem

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Tennessee football fans at Neyland Stadium noted the absence of My Tennessee Mountain Home as a fourth-quarter anthem during the team's game against Texas. The song had been introduced following the death of Dolly Parton in August 2026.

Why it matters

The change marks a shift in the game-day atmosphere for the university, as the team transitions away from the memorial anthem adopted after the singer's passing. It coincides with a period of adjustment for the team following a 20-17 loss to Texas.

During the September 26, 2026 game, the marching band played Rocky Top, while the team fell to a 3-1 season record and a 0-1 SEC record. The stadium previously hosted two Morgan Wallen concerts in 2024.

The players

Dolly Parton

She was a legendary country music singer and philanthropist whose death in August 2026 prompted tributes across the state.

Johnny Knoxville

He is a performer and actor who served as the guest picker for the ESPN College GameDay broadcast during the Tennessee-Texas game.

Morgan Wallen

He is a country music artist who held two concerts at Neyland Stadium in 2024.

The details

Rather than playing the recorded anthem, the university shifted to a live performance of Rocky Top by the marching band and led fans in a V-O-L-S chant. Earlier in the 2026 season, players had honored Dolly Parton with butterfly stickers on their helmets following her death.

Dolly Parton died in August 2026.
Dolly Day was celebrated on September 25, 2026.
Tennessee lost to Texas on September 26, 2026.
Tennessee hosts Auburn on October 3, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

The change follows the precedent set in 2024 when the program replaced Friends in Low Places with Morgan Wallen's The Way I Talk. These frequent adjustments highlight the university's strategy of aligning stadium production with current cultural trends.

Fans attending games at Neyland Stadium will experience a different fourth-quarter atmosphere than they have throughout the early 2026 season. The transition to the V-O-L-S chant and live band music changes how supporters engage with the final moments of the game.

The takeaway

Game-day traditions often evolve quickly to match the current cultural landscape of the fan base and the team. Supporters should expect continued shifts in production as the university navigates its musical identity throughout the season.