Willie Nelson Teams Up With Kacey Musgraves For 2019 CMA Awards Performance Of “Rainbow Connection”

A dream came true for Kacey Musgraves on November 13, 2019, when she shared the stage with her dear friend and mentor, Willie Nelson. The pair teamed up to sing “Rainbow Connection,” a song from 1979’s The Muppet Movie.

The song may seem like an unlikely choice for a country music awards show, but Willie Nelson actually titled his 49th studio album after the Muppet tune in 2001.

The collaboration was a “Willie full circle” moment for Musgraves, who first performed the song at age nine. Footage of that performance was shared on Good Morning America a few days before the CMA Awards.

Nelson came alongside Musgraves early in her career, even taking her on tour in 2017. The two Texan natives collaborated on “Are You Sure” for Musgraves’ 2015 sophomore album Pageant Material.

In the years since, Musgraves has made numerous appearances with Nelson. But what makes the duo’s CMA Awards show appearance even more special is the fact that it’s the first time since 2012 that Willie Nelson has performed at the event.

This wasn’t the last time that Kacey covered a Willie Nelson song.

In 2021, they both took part in the “We’re Texas” benefit concert following the devastating winter storms in their home state. Hosted by Matthew McConaughey, the night also featured performances by Post Malone, Don Henley, Gary Clark Jr., Khalid, Kelly Clarkson, Willie Nelson, and Kacey Musgraves.

Nelson performed “Beautiful Texas,” a song he included on his 1968 album Texas in My Soul. while Musgraves covered Nelson’s song “On The Road Again.”

Before her performance, Musgraves detailed how she got involved with the tribute.

“The other night I got a phone call when it was kind of getting late, and I don’t answer unknown numbers but, for some reason, I did. And it was Matthew, and he was like, ‘Hey Kacey, want to be part of this thing I’m doing? It’s gonna be really cool!’ Obviously it was a, ‘Hell yes,’ from me.” She added, “Anything I can do to support and lend a hand to my wonderful fellow Texans, I’m there for it and I’m all about it.”

Watch Willie Nelson and Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow Connection” performance from the 2019 CMA Awards below.