The Oak Ridge Boys, whose career was jumpstarted by a Rogers tour, kicked off the night with “Love or Something Like It,” and Justin Moore – a young artist deeply influenced by Rogers – turned in “Lucille. Their performances of his hits underscored the magnitude of his impact. In a career that’s spanned 60 years, Rogers has made countless friends in the industry, and an astonishing array accepted the invitation to pay tribute to the icon. It was a perfect finish to an evening that would have been unforgettable even without its topper. With arms outstretched, both ceremoniously dropped their mics with a loud thud, turned and walked upstage into the darkened lights.
“Absolutely,” Rogers obeyed, and he counted, “One, two three …” Soaking in the cheers and applause as they closed, Parton looked at Rogers and beckoned: “Kenny, how about we go out like rock stars?” Inevitably, what everyone had most waited for arrived – a final performance of the classic “Islands in the Stream” – though by then no one wanted the night to end. “I’m not sure that embarrassed me,” Rogers teased. McEntire was given the honor of singing Me and Bobby McGee, and she delivered one show-stopper of a performance. “Anyway, you’ve been accused of it all through the years, but you are retiring … you want to hold ’em now?” she asked, gesturing to her ample endowment. The play on “The Gambler” lyrics soon turned into something else as Parton couldn’t resist poking fun at the years of tabloid rumors. KRIS KRISTOFFERSON: Texas singer-songwriter Kristofferson wrote some of the most recognizable songs in country music, from ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ to ‘For the Good Times’. 43 'Obie from Senatobie,' 43, 145 n.80 'Okie from Muskogee, 43 McEntire, Reba, 32 Me and Bobby McGee,' 121 Me and Paul,' 122 Mellons, Ken, 9 'Memphis. “Kenny, I just wanted to say that I’m really, really proud of you, and I just hope many, many years from now when I’m older” – she paused to laugh at herself – “I’ll know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em.”
“We’ve been so excited about this because he says, of course, he’s retiring,” Parton, 71, began playfully. One of the strongest lineups ever assembled in Nashville – including Reba McEntire, Lionel Richie, Lady Antebellum, Don Henley, Alison Krauss and Chris Stapleton – hit the stage Wednesday night for Kenny Rogers’ farewell tribute concert, but they all turned out to be mere warmup acts for the showstopping main event: the final performance of one of country’s most beloved duos, Rogers and Dolly Parton.
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