A Fresh-Faced Willie Nelson Joins Forces With Kenny Rogers For ‘Blue Skies’ Duet

Larry Brown / YouTube

Doesn’t get more country than this! Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers teamed up for a performance of Nelson’s “Blue Skies” as part of an NBC special.

“One of my favorite albums that you ever recorded, and obviously one of theirs as well, is the Stardust album,” Rogers told Nelson prior to the performance. “You did a song called ‘Blue Skies’ which happens to be one of my favorite songs.”

Their performance went on to win a prime time Emmy for “Outstanding Sound Mixing in a Variety or Music Series.” The television special, “Something Inside So Strong,” also featured Dolly Parton.

“Blue skies smiling at me/ Nothing but blue skies/ Do I see bluebirds singing together,” sings Nelson while Rogers plays the upright bass. “Singing a song/ Nothing but bluebirds all day long.”

“Blue Skies” was originally composed by Irving Berlin in 1926, taken on by Nelson over five decades later in 1978. The song was a massive success on an international scale, charting in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, as well as topping Billboard’s Hot Country Songs.

You can watch the duet below.

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