Kenny Rogers is retiring.
Everybody knows “The Gambler,” (1978) which was huge worldwide and almost everybody knows “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town” or “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was in)” by The First Edition, but most people don’t know that before he was big in Pop and Country, Rogers was in top-of-the line folk group The New Christy Minstrels.
In late October, the Nashville music community honored him with a “Farewell Concert Celebration” with big name performers: Chris Stapleton, Alison Krauss, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Little Big Town, Lady Antebellum and, of course, his duet partner Dolly Parton and his good friend Lionel Richie, author of “Lady,” which ranks in Billboard’s “All Time Top 100” hits.
Rogers has been around a long-time, still performing, but in smaller venues, and the “hits” have stopped, but remember how famous and immensely popular he was, and how diverse his work?
Kenny Rogers was dealt a good hand: talent, good looks, charm, and he played it very, very well.
Kenny Rogers had a great ride, no question.
Seeing him on his ‘Farewell Tour’ a few months back, it was clear from his first note and unsteady appearance on stage that it is time to fold ‘em.
Calling it quits is difficult for we performers but especially when it’s a few strokes of the clock past time, it really is time.
Thank you for your music and presence in our lives and bless you, Kenny Rogers …