Dolly Parton, more country singers pay tribute to Kenny Rogers

Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers certainly “relied on each other,” both is a personal and professional way. In fact, if you've ever seen those two on stage together performing their 1983 classic “Islands in the Stream” you’d be forgiven for thinking they were actually married and not just great friends. So naturally the world was watching when Dolly Parton posted a tribute on social media to her late friend the day after his passing on March 20.“I couldn't believe it when I got up this morning and turned on the TV, checking to see what the coronavirus was doing, and it told me that my friend and singing partner Kenny Rogers had passed away,” Parton, 74, said in an Instagram video. “And I know that we all know Kenny's in a better place than we are today, but I'm pretty sure he's gonna be talking to God sometime today if he ain't already, he's gonna be asking him to spread some light on bunch of this darkness going [on] here.”

 

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You never know how much you love somebody until they’re gone. I’ve had so many wonderful years and wonderful times with my friend Kenny, but above all the music and the success I loved him as a wonderful man and a true friend. So you be safe with God and just know that I will always love you, dolly.

A post shared by Dolly Parton (@dollyparton) on Mar 21, 2020 at 7:39am PDT

The last time Parton and Rogers performed together was 2017, when they sang their famous duet at Rogers’ farewell tour in Nashville. That tour was eventually cut short because of health reasons. “You never know how much you love somebody until they're gone. I've had so many wonderful years and wonderful times with my friend Kenny, but above all the music and the success I loved him as a wonderful man and a true friend. So you be safe with God and just know that I will always love you, dolly," Parton captioned her post.[video_embed id='1926444']RELATED: Kenny Rogers dead at 81[/video_embed]It didn’t take long for other country legends to join in with their own tributes and messages in the comments or on their own social media accounts. “Dolly he sure loved you. What a character. There never has been and never will be another one like him. Love you,” Reba McEntire wrote in the comments. “I can’t express on twitter the impact Kenny Rogers the artist and the man had on me.” Blake Shelton tweeted out. “He was always very kind and fun to be around Rest in Peace Gambler…”Billy Ray Cyrus, Jason Aldean, Zac Brown Band, Travis Tritt, Jake Owen and more country singers also came through with tributes for “The Gambler” when they heard that he was all out of aces.

Country music has lost one of its pillars...sing with the angels and talk to God, Kenny. Bless you for being a part of so many lives... pic.twitter.com/QSUGLnVutD

— Carrie Underwood (@carrieunderwood) March 21, 2020

l loved Kenny Rogers. My mom really loved Kenny…she took me outta school (7th grade or so) and dropped me at Monroe Civic Center to stand in line for tickets to his concert. I stood in line all day and got to the window just as last 2 tickets were sold.... pic.twitter.com/lU3HvEPktr

— Tim McGraw (@TheTimMcGraw) March 21, 2020

What a great man. You will he missed @_KennyRogers. This was from 2009 when @ladyantebellum got the opportunity to open up a show in Switzerland for Kenny. He really opened the door for us and touring internationally. pic.twitter.com/LNQsNFqeSt

— Charles Kelley (@charleskelleyla) March 22, 2020

 

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I woke up this morning to the news that Kenny Rogers passed away. The first concert I ever attended was his back in the early 80’s and it forever changed my life. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to him a few times over the years and I am so grateful to have spent a few moments with him. He was an icon that helped bring in a whole new audience to country music and he forever changed the game for all of us. He will always be missed and remembered..... R.I.P. Gambler

A post shared by Jason Aldean (@jasonaldean) on Mar 21, 2020 at 9:06am PDT

Kenny, there will never be another like you. Thank you for the music. ? Reid Long pic.twitter.com/7PmNwRvUeg

— Little Big Town (@littlebigtown) March 22, 2020

Low quality clip, high quality man. Your music will live on forever @_kennyrogers! #TheGambler #CMAfest @countrymusic pic.twitter.com/zIewWLJzwy

— Zac Brown Band (@zacbrownband) March 21, 2020

 

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No one bridged the gap between country and pop more often and better than Kenny Rogers. He will be missed, but his music and diverse style of story telling will live on forever.

A post shared by Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) on Mar 21, 2020 at 9:08am PDT

Rogers passed away at the age of 81 from natural causes at a hospice, surrounded by his family."My heart's broken and a big ol' chunk of it has gone with him today,” Parton also shared in her video. “And I think that I can speak for all his family, his friends and fans when I say that I will always love you. God bless you, Kenny, fly high. Straight to the arms of God and to the rest of you, keep the faith.”[video_embed id='1923299']BEFORE YOU GO: Harry Styles charms during Tiny Desk concert[/video_embed]