Is there anything better than the union of two American icons? During his Luck Reunion concert on Thursday (March 14), Willie Nelson performed “Rainbow Connection” with none other than Kermit the Frog.
With Kermit on banjo and Nelson on guitar, the pair delivered a tender, heartwarming cover of the classic song. The iconic Muppet has a storied history with the track, having originally released the song in 1979 for The Muppet Movie. Kermit’s rendition — performed by Jim Henson — reached No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned an Academy Award nomination for best original song. In addition to “Rainbow Connection,” the two icons also treated the crowd to a rousing gospel medley featuring selections such as “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “Hard to Be Humble.”
“Rainbow Connection” has been covered by a slew of artists, including Barbra Streisand, Kenny Loggins, Weezer and Hayley Williams, Johnny Mathis, The Chicks, The Carpenters and Nelson himself on his 2001 album that shares the song’s title. Nelson’s Rainbow Connection peaked at No. 52 on Top Country Albums, reaped a bid for best country album at the 44th Grammy Awards and opened with his cover of Kermit’s classic. More recently, Nelson joined forces with fellow country superstar Kacey Musgraves for a duet of “Rainbow Connection” at the 2019 CMA Awards.
The 2024 edition of Nelson’s annual Luck Reunion, which takes place on the country legend’s ranch in Spicewood, Texas, featured a star-studded lineup of performers, including Tyler Childers, Red Clay Strays, Durand Jones and Zella Day. On the same day as the concert, Nelson announced his forthcoming 75th solo studio album, The Border, which is slated for a May 31 release. Alongside that announcement, Nelson also unveiled the set’s lead single, “The Border,” a cover of Rodney Crowell and Allen Shamblin’s track from the former’s 2019 Texas LP.
Watch footage of Willie Nelson and Kermit the Frog’s “Rainbow Connection” duet below:
