Music fans returned to Newport, RI last summer to celebrate Newport Folk Festival‘s 60th anniversary with performances from Phil Lesh, Trey Anastasio, Dolly Parton, Warren Haynes, Sheryl Crow, and many more. One of the notable “musicians” who also surprised fans with a performance at the event was none other than Kermit The Frog.
The famous muppet took the stage to perform his timeless inspirational folk ballad, “Rainbow Connection”, alongside a backing band which included former Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss. During the performance, Kermit also welcomed My Morning Jacket‘s Jim James to help sing the familiar lyrics to the Kenny Ascher– and Paul Hamilton Williams-penned song, which was made famous by The Muppet Movie.
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Kermit took his place atop a stool at the front of the stage while his backing band played behind him. The man-powered frog and his band made it through the first verse and chorus of the song before Kermit announced, “Please welcome my friend, Jim James!” James then appeared from behind stage left with a microphone in hand a dove right into the song’s next verse while making his way towards Kermit. The two continued to trade of lyrical duties side by side while parts of the audience could also be heard singing along to the childhood favorite.
Watch the duet from Kermit’s surprise performance via the pro-shot video below.
Kermit The Frog with Jim James – “Rainbow Connection” – Newport Folk Festival
[Video: Newport Folk Fest]
Hi-ho, #NewportFolkFest! Thanks for showing this frog some love and singing along with the sweet sound of “Rainbow Connection.” Someday we’ll find it. 🌈 pic.twitter.com/LIK6KpqrPS
— Kermit the Frog (@KermitTheFrog) July 29, 2019