Dolly Parton Delivered a Poignant Rendition of “Sweet Music Man” In Honor of Kenny Rogers

In 2020, Dolly Parton was one of the many country icons who joined the CMT GIANTS Kenny Rogers: A Benefit For MusiCares with an at-home performance. The queen of country honored her collaborator and longtime friend with one of Rogers’ signature songs, “Sweet Music Man.”

Donning an all-white outfit, Parton was seated on a stool surrounded by a bunch of candles. She began strumming her acoustic guitar as she softly delivered a nostalgic, emotional rendition of Rogers’ 1977 country hit. As the song was about to end, Parton dropped her voice – almost whispering, “Sing your song, sweet music, man. I believe in you.”

One Of The Country Standard Rogers Left Us

Kenny Rogers wrote and recorded “Sweet Music Man” in 1977 for his album Daytime Friends, where it was released as the final single. While it only peaked at No. 9 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart in the United States, it ranked No. 1 in both Canadian country and adult contemporary charts.

That same year, Dolly Parton included “Sweet Music Man” on her Here You Come Again album. In her 2010 concert at Foxwoods Casino, she also performed the song as a duet with Alison Krauss. Other notable artists who recorded the song include Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, Dottie West, and Waylon Jennings.

Truly, Rogers – whose music career spanned six decades – goes down in history as one of the best musicians of all time. The Country Music Hall of Fame member died at the age of 81 peacefully at home from natural causes.

His life and musical legacy were remembered during the CMT GIANTS Kenny Rogers: A Benefit For MusiCares, wherein several artists performed some of his biggest hits from their homes. In addition to Parton, Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Jason Isbell, and more delivered remote performances.

You can watch Dolly Parton’s heartrending performance of “Sweet Music Man” in the video below.