Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers
John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Kenny Rogers
Caption	Kenny Rogers in 1997
Birth name	Kenneth Donald Rogers
Birth date	August 21, 1938
Birth place	Houston, Texas, United States
Death date	March 20, 2020
Death place	Collier County, Florida, United States
Genre	Country music, Pop music
Occupation	Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Record producer
Instrument	Vocals, Guitar, Bass guitar
Years active	1957-2020
Label	Cue Records, Carlton Records, Mercury Records, United Artists Records, Liberty Records, RCA Records

Kenny Rogers was a renowned American Singer, Songwriter, Actor, and Record producer known for his distinctive voice and versatility in multiple genres, including Country music and Pop music. Born in Houston, Texas, Rogers grew up in a low-income household with his parents, Edward Floyd Rogers and Lucille Rogers, and developed an interest in Music at an early age, influenced by artists such as Hank Williams, Roy Acuff, and Lefty Frizzell. He began his music career in the 1950s, performing with various bands, including The Scholars and The Bobby Doyle Three, and later became a member of the New Christy Minstrels and The First Edition.

Early Life and Career

Kenny Rogers was born on August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas, to Edward Floyd Rogers and Lucille Rogers. He grew up in a low-income household with seven siblings, including Lelan Rogers, who would later become his manager. Rogers developed an interest in Music at an early age, influenced by artists such as Hank Williams, Roy Acuff, and Lefty Frizzell. He attended Jefferson Davis High School and later enrolled in the University of Houston, where he studied Milton Friedman's Economics and English literature. Rogers began his music career in the 1950s, performing with various bands, including The Scholars and The Bobby Doyle Three, and later became a member of the New Christy Minstrels and The First Edition, which included Mike Settle, Terry Williams, and Marilyn McCoo.

Music Career

Kenny Rogers' music career spanned over six decades, during which he released numerous hit songs and albums, including The Gambler, Lady, and Islands in the Stream, a duet with Dolly Parton. He was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was awarded multiple Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, and Country Music Association Awards. Rogers' music was influenced by various artists, including Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings, and he collaborated with numerous musicians, such as Barbra Streisand, Sheena Easton, and Lionel Richie. His albums, including Kenny Rogers (album), Something Inside So Strong, and Back to the Well, were released under various labels, including RCA Records, Liberty Records, and Reprise Records.

Acting Career

In addition to his music career, Kenny Rogers also acted in various films and television shows, including The Gambler (film), Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues, and Touched by an Angel. He appeared in episodes of The Muppet Show, Saturday Night Live, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and had roles in films such as Six Pack (film), The Coward of County Upton, and Wild Horses (1998 film). Rogers' acting career was influenced by his friendships with actors such as John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, and Burt Reynolds, and he worked with directors like Dick Lowry and Jerry London.

Personal Life

Kenny Rogers was married five times, including to Janice Gordon, Jean Rogers, Margo Anderson, Sharon Farrell, and Wanda Miller. He had five children, including Carole Rogers, Kenneth Rogers Jr., Christopher Cody Rogers, Jordan Rogers, and Justin Charles Rogers. Rogers was a Golf enthusiast and participated in various celebrity golf tournaments, including the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. He was also involved in several charitable organizations, such as the Children's Miracle Network and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and supported causes like the American Red Cross and the United Service Organizations.

Discography

Kenny Rogers' discography includes over 60 studio albums, including Love Lifted Me, Kenny Rogers (album), The Gambler (album), Gideon (album), and She Rides Wild Horses. He released numerous compilation albums, such as Ten Years of Gold, The Kenny Rogers Singles Album, and 20 Great Years. Rogers' albums were released under various labels, including United Artists Records, Liberty Records, RCA Records, and Reprise Records. His music was influenced by various genres, including Country music, Pop music, and Folk music, and he collaborated with numerous musicians, such as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Alison Krauss.

Awards and Legacy

Kenny Rogers won numerous awards, including three American Music Awards, eight Country Music Association Awards, and two Grammy Awards. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Rogers' legacy extends beyond his music, with his influence seen in artists such as Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, and Keith Urban. He was named one of the 100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Country Music Association. Rogers' music and philanthropic efforts continue to inspire new generations of artists and fans, including those involved with the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Association, and the Academy of Country Music.