In 1989, Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers shared the same stage for a riveting performance of “Blue Skies.”
The song was actually written by composer-songwriter Irving Berlin as early as 1926. More than half a century later, Nelson brought “Blue Skies” to the top spot of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and was a massive success on an international scale – also entering the charts of New Zealand, Canada, and Australia. Nelson released his version off his album Stardust – which Rogers said was one of his favorite albums out of Nelson’s repertoire.
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“You did a song called ‘Blue Skies,’ which happens to be one of my favorite songs,” Rogers also told Nelson. And the two get it on with a performance that could take anyone’s breath away.
An Award-Winning Performance
The two Country Music Hall of Fame members delivered to the crowd a phenomenal performance, with Willie Nelson showing off his marvelous guitar-playing skills as he sang “Blue Skies.” Meanwhile, Kenny Rogers added depth with his upright bass. It definitely filled the entire place with a special kind of energy, especially with the crowd’s cheers and hollers.
Nelson and Rogers’ duet was part of the NBC TV special called Kenny, Dolly and Willie: Something Inside So Strong, which was filmed in Roger’s hometown of Houston, Texas, before an audience that was composed of NASA employees and their families.
The concert special was so spectacular that it was a rating winner for the broadcasting company. It also took home an Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety or Music Series.
Anyway, you can watch Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers’ once-in-a-lifetime duet of “Blue Skies” in the video below.
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kenny rogers, Willie Nelson