The music world is in mourning, and radio is proving it with an unparalleled wave of affection. The departure of Dolly Parton on August 25, 2026 has sparked a massive response from stations across the United States, turning their frequencies into a permanent tribute to the artist. According to data from Mediabase compiled by Billboard (in an article by Russ Penuell published on August 28), the impact is historic.
An Unprecedented Radio Phenomenon
In the seven days through August 27, Dolly Parton's songs were played more than 13,300 times on monitored radio stations, compared to just 620 plays in the previous period. This represents a 2,000% increase. The number of stations programming her music also skyrocketed: from about 135 to over 930, with 790 stations adding or returning to her repertoire in just one week.
Most-Played Songs (Week of August 27)
| Song | Plays | Stations |
|---|---|---|
| 9 to 5 | 799 | 135 |
| Jolene | 725 | 134 |
| I Will Always Love You | 665 | 133 |
Tributes That Transcend Music
The response wasn't limited to the charts. WSIX Nashville, iHeartMedia's iconic station, dedicated 62 consecutive songs to the artist and adopted a special format in her honor. Additionally, they launched the #GoodDeedsForDolly campaign, inspired by the singer's well-known generosity. In Portland, Oregon, station KUPL played her tracks twice an hour (then once), including gems like “Two Doors Down,” “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That,” “Here You Come Again,” and “Coat of Many Colors.”
The Audacy group expanded their playlists and dedicated special segments on shows like Katie & Company and The Rob & Holly Show. In Nashville, WSM-FM offered a tribute with stories about Parton's kindness, while SiriusXM launched a tribute channel (105) exclusively dedicated to her music.
A Legacy That Breaks Records
Dolly Parton's influence on the music charts is unmatched. Since 1967, she achieved 113 entries on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, with 25 reaching No. 1, an absolute record for a female artist. On Country Airplay (which began in 1990), she added 28 entries, with two No. 1s: “Rockin’ Years” (with Ricky Van Shelton, in 1991) and “When I Get Where I’m Going” (with Brad Paisley, in 2006).
Whitney Houston's version of “I Will Always Love You” also saw a notable surge: from about 590 to over 730 plays (+24%), and the stations playing it grew from 180 to over 240.
Variety and Reach
The tribute included 66 different Parton titles, some with just a single play, like “Me and Little Andy,” “Baby I’m Burnin’,” or “The Lord Is My Shepherd.” The phenomenon spread across all formats: adult alternative went from about 15 to over 600 plays; adult contemporary hovered around 600; pop surpassed 375; and classic hits also reached 375.
Coverage was especially intense in the Southern United States and the Appalachian region, where Parton is considered a local hero. Dolly Parton's music isn't just surviving—it's being reborn with more force than ever, proving that her art and generous spirit will continue to inspire future generations.