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

Larry Brown / YouTube

It 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 before the performance. “You did a song called ‘Blue Skies,’ which happens to be one of my favorite songs.”

CIRCA 1977: Country singer/songwriter Willie Nelson poses for a portrait in circa 1977. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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.https://classiccountrymusic.com/willie-nelson-teams-up-with-kacey-musgraves-for-2019-cma-awards-performance-of-rainbow-connection/ “Singing a song/ Nothing but bluebirds all day long.”

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

AUSTIN, TX – AUGUST 25: Musician Willie Nelson walks the red carpet for the new film Lawless at the Alamo Drafthouse on August 25, 2012 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/WireImage)

“Blue Skies” has been covered by countless artists, including Al Jolson in The Jazz Singer, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, Ella Fitzgerald, Alessandro Juliani, and more.

You can watch the duet below.

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About the Author

Jennifer Pernicano

Hi! I'm Jen, a Southern California-based country music fan. One of my favorite things to do is go to a country concert and experience the art of storytelling in person. There truly is nothing else like it!

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