Kenny Rogers - Country, Pop, Music, Movies and More

This week we shine the spotlight on Kenny Rogers.  Kenny reached a level of superstardom that few will ever know.  In 1986, he was so popular that he was named the best singer in America (out of all genres) by the readers of both USA Today and People Magazine.  In addition to his blockbuster crossover hits, he was a successful actor, author, photographer, businessman and even wrote a one act play that was performed off-Broadway and around the Country.

Kenny Rogers was a Country Music Icon that came to Nashville on a diverse musical journey that had him playing doo-wop with the Scholars, jazz with the Bobby Doyle Trio, Folk with the New Christy Minstrels and a mix of Country Rock and Pop with the First Edition.  In 1977, he successfully made the move to Country Music with his first #1 Country hit as a solo Nashville Recording Artist- ‘Lucille’.

From here, he would embark on a career of hits that would lead him to chart a song during every decade of his 7 decade career- something no other artist has been able to do.  

Kenny’s list of hits is massive with titles that are well known in all genres.  However, we suggest that you discover some of the deeper cuts like ‘Twenty Years Ago’ ‘The Greatest’ ‘Make No Mistake, She’s Mine’ (with Ronnie Milsap) ‘If I Ever Fall In Love Again’ (with Anne Murray) ‘The Factory’ ‘The Vows Go Unbroken’ ‘They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To’ ‘Sing Me Your Love Song’ ‘Write Your Name Across My Heart’ ‘You Can’t Make Old Friends’ ‘Slow Dance More’ ‘There You Go Again’ ‘Tomb Of The Unknown Love’ ‘I Can’t Unlove You’ and several other hidden gems.

Kenny not only had the million selling recordings, he had the command of a stage like a Las Vegas Showman. His live shows always treated fans to an interactive experience way beyond the music, making him one of the greatest live entertainers in show business- especially with his holiday productions that actually included a one act play ‘The Toy Shoppe’ as part of his holiday tours.

Beyond the stage, and the music, there was his familiar face on TV, movies and commercials.  Starting with the 5 ‘Gambler’ movies, came more made for TV projects like ’Coward of The County’ ‘A Christmas To Remember’ (with Dolly Parton) ’Christmas In America’ ‘MacShayne’ 'Big Dreams and Broken Hearts : The Dottie West Story' and ‘Rio Diablo’, the major motion picture release ‘Six Pack’, and appearances on TV shows like ‘Touched By An Angel’ and ‘Reno 911’.  Dole and Geico commercials, along with his own slot machines and Kenny Rogers’ Roasters Chicken Restaurants helped make him one of the most recognizable people on the planet. 

Kenny Rogers Fun Facts

• Islands In The Stream (with Dolly Parton) was written by the Bee Gees.
• Crazy (not to be confused with the Patsy Cline classic) was co-written by Kenny Rogers and Richard Marx.
• When ‘Buy Me A Rose’ hit Number One, Kenny Rogers made history as the oldest artist, at the age of 61, to top the Billboard Country Charts with a solo hit.
• His photography works, including the book ‘This Is My Country’, earned him an Honorary Masters of Photography from the Professional Photographers Association of America.
• Topped the New York Times Best Seller List with his book ‘Luck Or Something Like It’.
• The first Country Act to consistently sell out arenas.
• He ranks at #5 on the list of the artists who’ve charted the most Adult Contemporary (soft pop) hits on the Billboard charts. A total of 28.
• He sent the most Country Number Ones to the Top Spot on the Billboard Adult Contemporary (soft pop) Charts- 8 in all.
• Lionel Richie penned his crossover smash ‘Lady’, and his final release ‘Goodbye’.  In addition, produced the album ‘Share Your Love’ that gave us the hits ‘Blaze Of Glory’ and ‘Through The Years’.
• Kenny Rogers owned the Lion Share Recording Studio in Los Angeles, where the initial recording sessions for the charity single ‘We Are the World’ in 1985. This was the first session with Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder, focused on creating a vocal guide for the song before the full the group of stars gathered for the final recordings at A&M Studios.
• The first Country Artist to have a single reach Number One on four Billboard charts- Country, Hot 100, Adult Contemporary and The Soul Singles Chart. The song was 'Lady' written by Lionel Richie.

Next: Check Out Our Tribute To Bill Anderson & Kathy Mattea