Two Country Legends, One Unforgettable Duet: Kenny Rogers & Ronnie Milsap Light Up the 1987 CMA Awards
On October 12, 1987, two of country music’s most respected voices—Kenny Rogers and Ronnie Milsap—shared the stage at the Country Music Association Awards for a powerful performance of Make No Mistake (She’s Mine). The moment quickly became one of the most memorable duets of that year’s show.
The song held special significance for both artists in 1987. It appeared on Rogers’ album I Prefer the Moonlight, his final release with RCA Records, while Milsap also included the duet on his album Heart & Soul. Their collaboration proved to be more than a studio success—it became a major hit across North America, reaching No. 1 on the country charts in both the United States and Canada.
Written by singer-songwriter Kim Carnes, the song carried an interesting history even before Rogers and Milsap recorded it. Carnes had previously performed it as a duet with Barbra Streisand in 1984 for Streisand’s album Emotion, where it became a Top 10 hit in the United States. However, the country version brought a new dramatic intensity, turning the song into a tense musical dialogue between two men claiming the same love.
The emotional power of the duet did not go unnoticed. At the 1988 Grammy Awards, Rogers and Milsap were honored with Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, confirming the song’s place among the standout country recordings of the decade.
Looking back, the 1987 CMA performance captured a rare moment when two powerhouse vocalists met on equal ground. With Rogers’ warm storytelling tone and Milsap’s soulful delivery, “Make No Mistake (She’s Mine)” became more than just a hit—it became a defining duet of 1980s country music.
Oldies Songs