Ronnie Milsap

The six-time Grammy-winning entertainer, 75, is joined by Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, George Strait, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town and more on Ronnie Milsap: The Duets (on sale Jan. 18). The collection features remakes of some of his classic hits, including “Stranger in My House.”

What’s a highlight of your long career? There are several, but I remember the rst No. 1 record. The head of promotion called and said, “‘Pure Love’ is going No. 1 on Billboard next week.” I’d cut that on Elvis’ birthday, January 8, 1974.

And you worked with Elvis Presley? I did. I was in a studio in 1969, and Elvis brought his producer to Memphis to record. I played on [his] record “Kentucky Rain.” Elvis always said, “More thunder on the piano, Milsap.” He was fun to be around.

With Bohemian Rhapsody and award-winning movies like Ray and Walk the Line, is there any thought of a Ronnie Milsap

biopic? I think so. I came from dirt. I came from nowhere. I’m thankful most of all for the chance to go to school at the Governor Morehead School for the Blind [in Raleigh, N.C.]. They really saved my life. They taught me Braille at 6, violin at 7 and piano at 8. They wanted me to go on to college and be something like a teacher or a lawyer. I said, “No, I want to be a musician.” They said, “No, no, no. We want you to do something better than that.” What advice did he get from the great Ray Charles? Go to Parad Parade.com/milsap to nd out.