Direen (24) performed before an estimated 6000-strong crowd at Christchurch's Horncastle Arena before Rogers took the stage.
Although her musical talents have already earned her international success, particularly in Australia, the Rogers gig was one of the most exciting of her career, she said.
''Just purely for who Kenny is ... he's touched the hearts of so many people, all over the world, and he's touring the world at 76 years old. So just having the privilege and the opportunity to open his show, I just can't really describe. I was just smiling from ear to ear when I came off stage.''
Direen had briefly met Rogers when he was touring in Australia two years ago and befriended his band members who had since become her ''Nashville family'' on her visits to the United States.
Last year, she was asked by the promoters of Rogers' two New Zealand shows to be one of his opening acts, offering her a far more personal encounter with the ''absolute legend'' of country music.
''This time it was quite relaxed backstage and I actually got to spend quite a bit of time around him and with him and his wife Wanda, as well. She was beautiful, an absolutely lovely lady.
''They're the most down-to-earth, genuine, lovely people. It was a very inspiring experience.''
Direen also shared a memorable moment with Rogers as he came off stage.
''He took my hand, he looked me in the eye and he said, 'I really wish you the best of luck' and he thanked me ... and he held on to my hand for so long and it was such an amazing feeling. It was a really cool moment and I think I'll take that with me from here on in.''
Direen later joked with friends she hoped ''some of his wisdom seeped into me''.
But she did not spend her backstage time with the veteran performer pushing for tips on making it big in the United States, her ultimate goal.
''I know what I need to do to get to where I want to go. I think the most I can get out of it is just being around somebody like that and just drawing inspiration from him in other ways as opposed to digging for advice and information.''
While Rogers was an early influence in Direen's career, she had now developed a more ''mainstream'' pop/rock sound to complement her ''country roots'', she said.
Direen has previously sung for up to 25,000 people at the Big Night In concert in Dunedin, is scheduled to perform at next month's CMC Rocks Queensland concert in Brisbane, has been nominated for the 2015 CMC Best New Oz Artist of the year award and will release her second album on April 24.
