An all-star crew of musicians paid tribute to the late Kenny Rogers on a special episode ofCMT GiantsWednesday night, and also raised money in his name to fight the coronavirus,USA Todayreports. Host Rita Wilson said, “Kenny Rogers was both larger than life and down to earth, a man who always went out of his way to help people - people who needed it." The show featured words and music from the likes of Blake Shelton, Jennifer Nettles, Vince Gill and Lionel Richie, who performed his songs and reminisced about him in the wake of his death last month at the age of 81. "The guy had crossover hits but he was always one of ours," Shelton said. "He was a country artist... he was just one of the most famous people on the planet.” Randy Houser sang Rogers’ signature track “The Gambler,” while Lady Antebellum performed Rogers and Dolly Parton’s famous duet “Islands in the Stream." All the performances were done remotely as stars quarantined, including tributes from Gavin DeGraw (“We’ve Got Tonight”,") Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires (Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town”) and Rascal Flatts (“Through the Years.") Dolly Parton performed what she said was her favorite Rogers song, “Sweet Music Man," while Michael McDonald sang the Fifth Edition classic “Just Dropped In (To see What Condition My Condition was In).” All proceeds raised from the show will go to the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund.
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