Kenny Rogers on Performing for the Last Time With Dolly Parton — “It’s Going to Be Very Emotional”

In the new issue of Closer Weekly, Kenny Rogers exclusively admits it will be hard to hold back the tears when Dolly Parton joins him onstage for their last performance together this fall. Kenny reveals that Dolly first suggested creating this special one-night-only event when she heard that he was retiring after his current 200-date tour.

“I told Dolly, ‘I am going to say goodbye and spend more time with my wife and kids,’” he confides to Closer. “So she replied, ‘It’s been 13 years since we sang on stage together. You cannot get out of town without us doing something.’”

“Working with Dolly is always emotional because we have so much history together,” Kenny tells Closer exclusively. The country superstar adds that his 30-year friendship with Dolly has always been close to his heart.

MORE: Dolly Parton Reveals She’d Never Leave Husband Carl Dean After 50 Years of Marriage

“Dolly is an old and dear friend,” confides Kenny, 78, who reveals the pair will perform their duets, including “Islands in the Stream” and “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” during All In for the Gambler: Kenny Rogers’ Farewell Concert Celebration, taking place in Nashville on Oct. 25. “You either have old friends or you don’t,” he notes, “and I have always had a friend in Dolly. We have always supported each other and have mutual respect.”

For more on Kenny and Dolly, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now — and be sure to sign up for our newsletter for exclusive news!