Airing Thursday night on CBS,Kenny Rogers: All In for the Gambleris gleaned from the epic tribute concert that was held on Oct. 25, 2017, in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on the cusp of the superstar’s retirement.He died, at age 81, from natural causes in March 2020.
For the first two-thirds of the show, an impressive array of stars —Reba McEntire,Lionel Richie,Chris Stapleton,Lady A,Little Big TownandIdina Menzel— each take a turn performing from Rogers' vast library of hits. But they’re really mere warmup acts for the must-see main event, the final public appearance of one of country’s most beloved duos, Rogers andDolly Parton.
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.Joshua Timmermans
The show’s producers offer a generous helping of their lengthy set, complete with Parton’s spicy humor and Rogers' deadpan retorts. And, of course, they do what the sellout crowd came for: They sing.
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.Invision/AP/Shutterstock
“How will I sing when you are gone?” Parton sings to Rogers. “‘Cause it won’t sound the same. Who’ll join in on those harmony parts when I call your name?”
She delivers the words with love and tenderness, perhaps sensing the speed that time slips away.
For most of the special, Rogers holds court stageside with his wife, Wanda, enjoying the parade of friends paying tribute to a career that earned him 24 No. 1 singles, six CMA Awards, three Grammys and induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Kenny and wife Wanda Miller Rogers.Joshua Timmermans
Chris Stapleton leads off the show, taking on the unenviable task of delivering Rogers’ signature, “The Gambler,” and he ably meets the challenge with a soulful rendering. Lady A creatively turns “She Believes in Me” into a dialogue between the lyrics' two characters. Little Big Town offers a celestial vocal blend to the romantic ballad, “Through the Years,” and Reba McEntire keeps it country for “Reuben James.”
Idina Menzel brings her Broadway chops — and multi-octave range — to “We’ve Got Tonight,” dueting with Lady A’sCharles Kelley. Their performance lifts the arena crowd to their feet, and they stay standing for Lionel Richie, who enters the stage to sing “Lady,” a song he wrote for Rogers. During the performance, Richie delivers another unforgettable moment when he tries to approximate Rogers' famous vibrato, drawing a hearty laugh from Rogers.
Lionel Richie.Invision/AP/Shutterstock
Kenny Rogers: All In for the Gamblerairs at 9 p.m. CDT/10 p.m. EDT Thursday on CBS.
source: people.com
