Watch Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson Sing ‘Pancho and Lefty’ at Haggard Tribute
Thursday night's Merle Haggard tribute concert featured a slew of incredible performances, but one especially poignant moment came when Willie Nelson teamed up with Kenny Chesney to perform "Pancho and Lefty."
Readers can press play on the video above to watch Nelson and Chesney's performance of "Pancho and Lefty." Nelson, of course, sang his part of the duet, while Chesney took the late Haggard's lines; at the end, Chesney could be seen nodding in approval, before the two shook hands onstage.
"Pancho and Lefty" is the title track of Haggard and Nelson's 1983 collaborative album. Written and originally recorded by Townes Van Zandt, "Pancho and Lefty" first appeared on Van Zandt's 1972 album The Late Great Townes Van Zandt. Upon its release, Haggard and Nelson's version went to No. 1 on the Billboard country charts, and became a Top 30 (No. 21) hit on the Adult Contemporary chart. Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle are also among those who have recorded the song.
Sing Me Back Home: The Music of Merle Haggard also included performances from Dierks Bentley, John Mellencamp, Keith Richards, Sheryl Crow, Loretta Lynn and many more. A portion of the proceeds from the event benefited the TJ Martell Foundation.
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