Kenny Rogers tribute: Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Jason Isbell lead upcoming CMT special
Social distancing prevented artists and fans from celebrating the life of late country music legend Kenny Rogers in person — but CMT wants to do the next best thing.
The Nashville-based cable network announced Thursday plans to air "CMT Giants Kenny Rogers: A Benefit For MusiCares,” a program commemorating "The Gambler" star and raising funds for COVID-19 relief efforts.
The tribute features virtual interviews and performances from a slew of leading names in country, pop and classic rock music. It blends at-home performances with archival footage and clips from Rogers' career, a news release said.
The Country Music Hall of Fame member died March 20 at age 81.
More: Kenny Rogers, a charismatic and husky-voiced country music legend, dies at 81
Guests on the upcoming edition of "CMT Giants" include Dolly Parton, Gavin DeGraw, Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires, Jennifer Nettles, Lady Antebellum, Lionel Richie, Michael McDonald, Randy Houser, Rascal Flatts, Vince Gill and more.
More: ACM's 'Our Country': How a star-studded music special was made during the pandemic
The special airs Wednesday at 7 p.m. CST on CMT, rebroadcasting April 10 on MTV Live at 7 p.m. and again April 11 on CMT at 11 a.m.
During the broadcast, viewers can pledge donations to MusicCares' COVID-19 relief fund. A nonprofit wing of The Recording Academy, MusicCares' fund offers support to musicians and industry professionals impacted by the coronavirus.
Half of the funds raised plan to directly benefit impacted music professionals in Nashville, the release said. Find more information at musicares.org/kennyrogers.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dolly Parton leads Kenny Rogers tribute on CMT with Vince Gill, others
