Did Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers Have a Christmas Special?
Country legends Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers shared a close friendship and an iconic hit with “Islands in the Stream” in 1983. Fans were treated to a holiday-themed collaboration between the two music stars soon after their famous song was recorded.
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers had several duets
Parton and Rogers had run into each other when they were both starting out in the music industry. When Parton had her own variety show in the 70s and needed a top name to bring in viewers, Rogers was happy to make an appearance.
“Kenny was a big star, and I couldn’t get any people on my show,” Parton told the Associated Press in 1990, as reported by the Washington Post. “Kenny said ‘I’ll do it,’ and I’ll never forget it. He’s always been there for me as a friend.”
When Parton was recruited to join Rogers for “Islands in the Stream”, fans couldn’t get enough of the dynamic duo. “The song was never the same,” Rogers said of Parton’s contribution to the hit. “It took on a personality of its own.”
They teamed up again in 1985 for “Real Love” and 1990 for “Love is Strange”. Rogers took on Parton’s solo-written “Undercover” in 2003, and the two harmonized in 2014 for “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” which was nominated for a Grammy in the country duo/group performance category.
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‘Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember’ aired in 1984
The success of Parton and Rogers’ collaboration on “Islands in the Stream” snowballed into a Christmas album and special in 1984. “Once Upon a Christmas” was released in October 1984 and included holiday classics and new songs from popular pair. The play list included “I Believe in Santa Claus”, “Hard Candy Christmas”, and “The Greatest Gift of All”.
The hit album was parlayed into a Christmas special, Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember, airing in December of that year on CBS. The Grammy-winning artists performed in an array of singing segments and even took on the roles of Santa and Mrs. Claus. The holiday special brought in massive ratings.
“We didn’t plan it,” Parton said in 1986 of their continued partnership, according to the Washington Post. “People just put us together because they liked us together. We did that one song and out of that came years of concerts and friendship.”
Dolly Parton paid tribute to Kenny Rogers in March 2020
Rogers died at the age of 81 in March 2020 as the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic prompted a nationwide lockdown. Parton was quick to honor his memory with a heartfelt message on social media.
“Well, I couldn’t believe it this morning when I got up,” Parton said in a video. “They told me that my friend and singing partner Kenny Rogers had passed away. I know that we all know that Kenny’s in a better place than we are today but I’m for sure he’s going to be talking to God some time today if he’s ain’t already, and going to be asking him to spread some light onto this darkness going on here.”
Parton fought back tears as she paid tribute to her friend and singing partner. “I loved Kenny with all my heart and my heart’s broken and a big ole chunk has gone with him today,” she shared. “So I know you’re sad as I am but God bless you, Kenny. Fly high straight to the arms of God and to the rest of you, keep the faith.”
In conclusion of her post, Parton referenced one of her legendary songs in the caption as a special note to Rogers. “So you be safe with God and just know that I will always love you, dolly.”
