Kenny Rogers
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Kenny Rogers, one of country music's legendary icon, is also a songwriter, record producer, actor, photographer and a businessman. He has received numerous accolades which includes American Music Awards, Country Music Association awards, Academy of Country Music awards and Grammy awards. Aside from making music, he also starred in different movies. Kenny Rogers is still active in music, recently released his album Water & Bridges where the single Calling Me, a duet with Don Henley, was nominated for a Grammy.
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[edit] About
Born Kenneth Donald Rogers on August 21, 1938 in Houston, Texas. He grew up in the poorest section of Houston and out of the eight siblings, he was the first one to graduate from secondary education in Jefferson Davis High School. He tool interest in music during his high school years and joined a doo-wop group called, The Scholars. After releasing three singles, including Kangewah, they disbanded. Kenny Rogers however managed to move on, releasing two singles after he graduated from high school under an independent label, Carlton. The B-side of the single, That Crazy Feeling became a hit that landed him a spot on American Bandstand.
He joined a couple of bands before he became a successful solo artist namely, The Bobby Doyle Trio as a jazz player, Kirby Stone Four, New Christy Minstrels and The First Edition (renamed as Kenny Rogers and The First Edition). The group had a couple of hits including, Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town, , Tell It All Brother, Something's Burning, Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) and Reuben James. The group disbanded in mid-70's and Kenny Rogers decided to make it big as a solo artist.
He released string of country hits including, Don't Fall In Love With a Dreamer, Lucille, We've Got Tonight, Through the Years, Lady and Islands in the Stream. He also took part in recording the hit song We Are The World in support for the victims of famine in Africa.
In late 1970s, he has earned more than a hundred million worth of records but the 80s didn't end up the way the previous year did. He chartered a bit lower than his previous singles and decided to take a time off his singing career and concentrated on acting. He starred in a TV-movie The Gambler (from his 1979 hit song The Gambler) which led to 4 sequels that are as equally successful. In addition, he also starred in Six Pack, Coward of the Country and Christmas in America. He also published three books about photography and even opened his own fast-food chain, the Kenny Rogers Roasters.
He has released albums alost every year but was unsucessful in breaking in to the charts. In 2006, he released his latest album, Water and Bridges where its single, I Can't Unlove You peaked at the 17th spot. His latest single, Calling Me, a duet with Don Henley was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2007.
[edit] Awards & Certifications
Awards Won
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award | |
| 1985 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Album for "Eyes That See in the Dark" |
| 1985 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Male Artist |
| 1985 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Single for "Islands in the Stream" shared with Dolly Parton |
| 1984 | Academy of Country Music Award | Vocal Duet of the Year shared with Dolly Parton |
| 1984 | Academy of Country Music Award | Single Record of the Year for "Islands in the Stream" shared with Dolly Parton |
| 1984 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Single for "Islands in the Stream" shared with Dolly Parton |
| 1983 | Award of Merit | |
| 1983 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Male Artist |
| 1983 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Single for "Love Will Turn You Around" |
| 1982 | American Music Award | Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist |
| 1982 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Album for Greatest Hits |
| 1982 | American Music Award | Favorite Pop/Rock Album for Greatest Hits |
| 1981 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Single for "Coward of the County" |
| 1981 | American Music Award | Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist |
| 1981 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Album for The Gambler |
| 1981 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Male Artist |
| 1980 | Grammy Award | Best Country Vocal Performance - Male for "The Gambler" |
| 1980 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Male Artist |
| 1980 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Album for The Gambler |
| 1979 | Academy of Country Music Award | Entertainer of the Year |
| 1979 | Academy of Country Music Award | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| 1979 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Album for Ten Years of Gold |
| 1979 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Male Artist |
| 1979 | Country Music Association Award | Vocal Duo of the Year shared with Dottie West |
| 1979 | Country Music Association Award | Album of the Year for The Gambler |
| 1979 | Country Music Association Award | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| 1978 | Country Music Association Award | Vocal Duo of the Year shared with Dottie West |
| 1978 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Single for "Lucille" |
| 1978 | Grammy Award | Best Country Vocal Performance - Male for "Lucille" |
| 1978 | Academy of Country Music Award | Album of the Year for Kenny Rogers |
| 1978 | Academy of Country Music Award | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| 1978 | Academy of Country Music Award | Single Record of the Year for "Lucille" |
| 1978 | Academy of Country Music Award | Song of the Year for "Lucille" |
| 1977 | Country Music Association Award | Single of the Year for "Lucille" |
Awards Nominated
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Grammy Award | Best Country Collaboration with Vocals for "Calling Me" shared with Don Henley |
| 2000 | Country Music Association Award | Single of the Year for "Buy Me a Rose" |
| 1990 | Academy of Country Music Award | Video of the Year for "Planet Texas" |
| 1988 | Grammy Award | Best Country Vocal Performance, Duet for "Make No Mistake, She's Mine" shared with Ronnie Milsap |
| 1987 | Golden Globe | Best Original Song - Motion Picture (from movie "Tough Guys" (1986)) for "They Don't Make Them Like They Used to" shared with Burt Bacharach; Carole Bayer Sager |
| 1986 | Country Music Association Award | Vocal Duo of the Year shared with Dolly Parton |
| 1986 | Grammy Award | Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "Real Love" shared with Dolly Parton |
| 1985 | Country Music Association Award | Vocal Duo of the Year shared with Dolly Parton |
| 1985 | Academy of Country Music Award | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| 1984 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Male Artist |
| 1984 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group shared with Dolly Parton |
| 1984 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "Islands in the Stream" shared with Dolly Parton |
| 1984 | Grammy Award | Best Country Vocal Performance - Male for "All My Life" |
| 1984 | Country Music Association Award | Single of the Year for "Islands in the Stream" shared with Dolly Parton |
| 1984 | Country Music Association Award | Vocal Duo of the Year shared with Dolly Parton |
| 1984 | Juno Award | International Single of the Year for "Islands in the Stream" shared with Dolly Parton |
| 1982 | Academy of Country Music Award | Album of the Year for "Love Will Turn You Around" |
| 1982 | Grammy Award | Best Country Vocal Performance - Male for "Love Will Turn You Around" |
| 1982 | Academy of Country Music Award | Entertainer of the Year |
| 1982 | Academy of Country Music Award | Single Record of the Year for "Love Will Turn You Around" |
| 1982 | Grammy Award | Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "What Are We Doing in Love" shared with Dottie West |
| 1982 | Academy of Country Music Award | Entertainer of the Year |
| 1982 | Academy of Country Music Award | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| 1981 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Album for "Ten Years of Gold" |
| 1981 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Single for "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" shared with Kim Carnes |
| 1981 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer" shared with Kim Carnes |
| 1981 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "Lady" |
| 1981 | Grammy Award | Record of the Year for "Lady" |
| 1981 | Country Music Association Award | Entertainer of the Year |
| 1981 | Country Music Association Award | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| 1981 | Juno Award | International Album of the Year for "Greatest Hits" |
| 1981 | Academy of Country Music Award | Vocal Duet of the Year shared with Kim Carnes |
| 1981 | Academy of Country Music Award | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| 1981 | Academy of Country Music Award | Entertainer of the Year |
| 1981 | Academy of Country Music Award | Album of the Year for "Greatest Hits" |
| 1980 | Academy of Country Music Award | Single Record of the Year for "Coward of the County" |
| 1980 | Academy of Country Music Award | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| 1980 | Academy of Country Music Award | Entertainer of the Year |
| 1980 | Academy of Country Music Award | Album of the Year for Kenny |
| 1980 | Academy of Country Music Award | Song of the Year for "She Believes in Me" |
| 1980 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group shared with Dottie West |
| 1980 | Country Music Association Award | Single of the Year for "Coward of the Country" |
| 1980 | Country Music Association Award | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| 1980 | Country Music Association Award | Album of the Year for Kenny |
| 1980 | Grammy Award | Album of the Year for The Gambler |
| 1980 | Grammy Award | Record of the Year for The Gambler |
| 1980 | Grammy Award | Best Country & Western Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "All I Ever Need Is You"
shared with Dottie West |
| 1980 | Grammy Award | Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male for "She Believes in Me" |
| 1980 | American Music Award | Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist |
| 1980 | Country Music Association Award | Entertainer of the Year |
| 1979 | Country Music Association Award | Single of the Year for "The Gambler" |
| 1979 | Country Music Association Award | Entertainer of the Year |
| 1979 | Academy of Country Music Award | Album of the Year for Everytime Two Fools Collide shared with Dottie West |
| 1979 | Academy of Country Music Award | Song of the Year for The Gambler |
| 1979 | Academy of Country Music Award | Vocal Group of the Year shared with Dottie West |
| 1979 | Grammy Award | Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight" shared with Dottie West |
| 1979 | Grammy Award | Best Country Vocal Performance - Male for "Love or Something Like It" |
| 1978 | Country Music Association Award | Entertainer of the Year |
| 1978 | Country Music Association Award | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| 1978 | American Music Award | Favorite Country Male Artist |
| 1978 | Academy of Country Music Award | Entertainer of the Year |
| 1977 | Country Music Association Award | Entertainer of the Year |
| 1977 | Country Music Association Award | Male Vocalist of the Year |
| 1977 | Country Music Association Award | Album of the Year for Kenny Rogers |
Certifications
| Year | Certification | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Gold | 42 Ultimate Hits |
| March 1999 | Diamond Award | Greatest Hits |
[edit] Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | Hot Country Songs | Billboard Hot 100 | Hot Country Singles & Tracks | Adult Contemporary | US Pop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Calling Me | 53 | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| 2006 | I Can't Unlove You | 17 | 93 | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| 2006 | The Last Ten Years (Superman) | 56 | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| 2003 | Handprints On The Wall | ~ | ~ | 40 | ~ | ~ |
| 2003 | I'm Missing You | ~ | ~ | 49 | ~ | ~ |
| 2002 | Harder Cards | ~ | ~ | 47 | ~ | ~ |
| 2001 | Beautiful (All The You Could Be) | ~ | ~ | 47 | ~ | ~ |
| 2001 | Homeland | ~ | ~ | 39 | ~ | ~ |
| 2001 | There You Go Again | ~ | ~ | 26 | ~ | ~ |
| 2000 | Buy Me a Rose US Pop #40, C&W #1 | ~ | ~ | 1 | ~ | 40 |
| 2000 | He Will, She Knows | ~ | ~ | 32 | ~ | ~ |
| 1999 | Slow Dance More | ~ | ~ | 67 | ~ | ~ |
| 1999 | The Greatest | ~ | ~ | 26 | ~ | ~ |
| 1997 | Mary, Did You Know | ~ | ~ | 55 | ~ | ~ |
| 1992 | If You Want To Find Love | ~ | ~ | 11 | ~ | ~ |
| 1991 | Lay My Body Down | ~ | ~ | 69 | ~ | ~ |
| 1990 | If I Knew Then What I Know Now | ~ | ~ | ~ | 10 | ~ |
| 1990 | Maybe | ~ | ~ | 25 | ~ | ~ |
| 1989 | Planet Texas | ~ | ~ | 25 | ~ | ~ |
| 1989 | The Vows Go Unbroken (Always True To You) | ~ | ~ | 8 | ~ | ~ |
| 1988 | The Factory | ~ | ~ | 6 | ~ | ~ |
| 1988 | When You Put Your Heart In It | ~ | ~ | 26 | 17 | ~ |
| 1987 | Make No Mistake, She's Mine | ~ | ~ | 1 | 42 | ~ |
| 1987 | I Prefer The Moonlight | ~ | ~ | 2 | ~ | ~ |
| 1987 | Twenty Years Ago | ~ | ~ | 2 | 15 | ~ |
| 1986 | Goodbye Marie | ~ | ~ | 47 | ~ | ~ |
| 1986 | Morning Desire | ~ | 72 | 1 | 8 | ~ |
| 1986 | The Pride Is Back | ~ | ~ | 46 | 30 | ~ |
| 1986 | They Don't Make Then Like They Used To | ~ | ~ | 53 | 10 | ~ |
| 1986 | Tomb Of The Unknown Love | ~ | ~ | 1 | ~ | ~ |
| 1985 | Crazy | ~ | 79 | 1 | 5 | ~ |
| 1985 | Love Is What We Make It | ~ | ~ | 37 | ~ | ~ |
| 1985 | The Greatest Gift Of All | ~ | 81 | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| 1985 | Twentieth Century Fool | ~ | ~ | 57 | ~ | ~ |
| 1984 | Buried Treasure | ~ | ~ | 3 | ~ | ~ |
| 1984 | Evening Star/Midsummer Nights | ~ | ~ | 11 | ~ | ~ |
| 1984 | Eyes That See In The Dark | ~ | 79 | 30 | 4 | ~ |
| 1984 | This Woman | ~ | 23 | ~ | 2 | ~ |
| 1984 | What About Me | ~ | ~ | 70 | ~ | ~ |
| 1984 | You Were A Good Friend | ~ | ~ | 20 | ~ | ~ |
| 1983 | We've Got Tonight | ~ | ~ | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 1983 | Islands in the Stream | ~ | ~ | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1983 | Scarlet Fever | ~ | ~ | 50 | ~ | ~ |
| 1983 | All My Life | ~ | ~ | ~ | 2 | 37 |
| 1982 | A Love Song | ~ | ~ | ~ | 10 | 47 |
| 1981 | Through the Years | ~ | ~ | 5 | 1 | 13 |
| 1981 | Blaze of Glory | ~ | ~ | ~ | 25 | 66 |
| 1980 | Don't Fall In Love With a Dreamer | ~ | ~ | ~ | 2 | 4 |
| 1980 | Lady | ~ | ~ | ~ | 1 | 1 |
| 1980 | Love the World Away | ~ | ~ | ~ | 8 | 14 |
| 1979 | Coward of the County | ~ | ~ | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| 1979 | You Decorated My Life | ~ | ~ | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 1979 | She Believes In Me | ~ | ~ | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 1978 | The Gambler | ~ | ~ | 1 | 3 | 16 |
| 1977 | Lucille | ~ | ~ | 1 | 5 | 10 |
| 1977 | Sweet Music Man | ~ | ~ | ~ | 8 | 44 |
| 1976 | Love Lifted Me | ~ | ~ | ~ | 97 | ~ |
| 1971 | Someone Who Cares | ~ | ~ | ~ | 4 | 51 |
| 1970 | Something's Burnin' | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | 11 |
| 1970 | Tell It All Brother | ~ | ~ | ~ | 8 | 17 |
| 1969 | But You Know I Love You | ~ | ~ | ~ | 18 | 19 |
| 1968 | Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) | ~ | ~ | ~ | ~ | 5 |
[edit] News
[edit] Tours & Concerts
04/07/07 Coquitlam , Canada Red Robinson Theatre
04/13/07 Bossier City, Louisiana Horseshoe Casino
04/19/07 Asheville North Carolina Asheville Civic Center
04/22/07 Newport News Virginia Ferguson Center for the Arts
05/ 04/07 Salem Virginia Salem Civic Center
05/ 05/07 Aiken South Carolina USC Aiken Convocation Center
05/ 10/07 Altoona Iowa Prairie Meadows
05/ 11-13/07 Omaha Nebraska Holland Performing Arts Center
05/ 25/07 Durant Oklahoma Ch10/aw Casino - Durant
06/ 08/07 Comstock Nebraska Comstock Windmill Festival
08/ 03/07 Asheville North Carolina Biltmore Estate
08/ 09/07 Toms River New Jersey Poland Spring Arena at the Ritacco Center
08/ 10/07 Westbury New York Westbury North Fork Theatre
08/ 11/07 Wallingford Connecticut Chevrolet Theatre
08/ 14/07 Indianapolis Indiana Indiana State Fair
08/ 19 & 20/07 Lancaster Pennsylvania American Music Theatre
08/ 21-23/07 Rama Ontario Canada Casino Rama Entertainment Centre
08/ 24/07 Niagara Falls New York Seneca Niagara Casino
08/ 29/07 Dallas Texas Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
09/ 13/07 Saint Tite , Canada Festival Western de St-Tite
09/ 22/07 L08/hlin Nevada Aquarius Casino Resort
09/ 28/07 Wendover Nevada Peppermill Wendover Casino
09/ 29/07 Bend Oregon Les Schwab Amphitheater
09/ 30/07 Airway Heights Washington Northern Quest Casino
10/ 14/07 Beverly Massachusetts North Shore Music Theatre
10/ 21/07 Niceville Florida Boggy Bayou Mullett Festival
12/ 06/07 Fayetteville North Carolina Crown Theatre
12/ 07& 08/07 Atlantic City New Jersey Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort - Mark G. Etess Arena
12/ 14/07 Wheeling West Virginia WesBanco Arena
[edit] Announcements
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
 Released: 1976 Label: United Artists |
 Released: 1977 Label: United Artists |
 Released: 1978 Label: United Artists |
 Released: 1977 Label: United Artists |
 Released: 1979 Label: United Artists |
 Released: 1980 Label: Liberty |
 Released: 1981 Label: Liberty |
 Released: 1984 Label: RCA |
 Released: 1991 Label: Reprise |
 Released: Label: Liberty |
 Released: 2006 Label: Capitol Nashville |
[edit] Compilations & Live Releases
Kenny-Rogers-All-the-Hits-&-All-New-Love-Songs -After-Dark.jpg
|
Kenny-Rogers-Lady.jpg
1981 |
Kenny-Rogers-Kenny-Rogers-Greatest-Country-Hits.jpg
1990-08-20 |
Kenny-Rogers-Legends -Volume-2.jpg
1995 |
Kenny-Rogers-A-Decade-of-Hits.jpg
1997-03-25 |
Kenny-Rogers-For-the-Good-Times.jpg
1999-01-19 |
Kenny-Rogers-Love-Collection.jpg
1999-03-16 |
Kenny-Rogers-Always-&-Forever.jpg
2000-03-23 |
Kenny-Rogers-Greatest-Country-Hits,-Volume-3.jpg
2001-04-03 |
Kenny-Rogers-42-Ultimate-Hits.jpg
2004-06-01 |
[edit] Other artists
[edit] Similar artists
[edit] Influences
[edit] Contemporaries
[edit] Trivia
- In 1980 Kenny Rogers wanted to do a soul album and was hoping to get some famous R&B groups to back him up. One night between shows in Las Vegas, Bob Smith - the Riviera's stage manager - came to the dressing room and told me that Lionel Richie and The Commodores were downstairs and wanted to see Kenny. I brought them up and they told Kenny they were his biggest fans. Lionel had written a song for Kenny and wanted to play it for him. Kenny said he'd love to hear it and Lionel walked over to the upright piano. It was a magical moment. The song was "Lady" and the rest is history. "Lady" was on Kenny's Greatest Hits without having been on any other album. This set a precedent in country music which everyone has since copied. -- Garth Shaw
- He appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care" song "We Are The World."
- He appeared as himself in an episode of Reno 911 on Comedy Central
- Is a well-respected photographer; was invited to the White House to create a portrait of First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton for the 1993 CBS-TV special, A Day in the Life of Country Music in 1993.
- He has had hair transplants, and also appeared in testimonial advertising for them.
- He is the official spokesperson for Barona Casino and Resort, in San Diego, CA.
- Established the Athens Area Homeless Shelter in 1990 in Georgia.
- Named "Favorite Singer of All Time" in a 1986 "PM Magazine/USA Today" poll.
- Voted "Favorite Male Vocalist" in 1989 by "People" magazine readers.
- He is a fan of the Detroit Tigers.
- Was awarded the Recording Industry Association of America's prestigious Diamond Award, celebrating sales of more than 10 million albums for his "Greatest Hits" album.
- His high school vocal group's original song "That Crazy Feeling" landed them a spot on television's "Bandstand" in 1952.
- On a lark, he once performed as himself as part of the "Legends In Concert" impersonators show at the Imperial Palace Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. He sang the duet Islands In the Stream with the Dolly Parton impersonator. Several people from the audience interviewed after the show didn't realize that he was the real thing.
- Identical twin sons, Justin Charles (6 pounds, 10 ounces) and Jordan Edward (5 pounds, 8 ounces) were born July 6, 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia. His wife, Wanda, also has an identical twin, and twins also run in Kenny's family.
- Co-host, with Lorianne Crook, of an infomercial for "Superstars of Country" collection of country music in 2005
- His duet, Islands in the Stream, with fellow country singer Dolly Parton was ranked the #1 on CMT 100 greatest country duets of all time.
