AMUGHAL: Best of Kenny Rogers [Songs and Interviews]

By now, Kenny Rogers has become such an icon that it's easy to forget how he got there. The songs on 42 Ultimate Hits, bringing together the top songs of his career from the late 60s First Edition years up to his current return to the charts, offers a crash-course reminder that Rogers is a star because he excels at his craft. Just look at the titles: "Lady," "Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town," "The Gambler," "She Believes in Me," "Islands in the Stream," "We've Got Tonight," "Buy Me A Rose." Not a ditty among them. Then listen. The sweetly raspy vocals are instantly identifiable as Kenny Rogers - he sounds like nobody else. More importantly, he inhabits each song, making it vivid and tangible. For more than five decades, Rogers has delivered memorable songs, drawing fans among rock, pop, soul and country audiences. When one singer makes such an indelible mark, that's not mere luck or even simple talent. "I really, really love what I'm doing," Rogers says. "People survive longer if they love what they're doing. Because you just don't quit." Houston-born Rogers formed his first band while in high school in 1956 and never quit making music from that point on. The rockabilly group, called The Scholars, got a record deal and released two singles that had local success, and led to a performance spot on American Bandstand. Soon afterward, Rogers joined the Bobby Doyle Trio, playing stand-up bass in the jazz band, and appearing on their album. In 1966 he became a member of the New Christy Minstrels, the popular folk group, leaving a year later to form The First Edition with other members of the troupe. REFERENCE: http://kennyrogers.musiccitynetworks.com/index.htm

The Night Goes On by Kenny Rogers - Album: What About Me? - Year: 1984

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7BPvEi3SmY

Dream Dancing by Kenny Rogers - Album: What About Me? - Year: 1984

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VrHb_R6qZA

What About Me by Kenny Rogers With Kim Carnes and James Ingram - Album: What About Me? - Year: 1984

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9PuMp4GBTE&feature=related

Crazy by Kenny Rogers - Album: What About Me? - Year: 1984

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDNbsDdVz5E&feature=related

I don't want to have to worry by Kenny Rogers

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-02kSWSlIZo

The Stranger by Kenny Rogers - Album: What About Me? - Year: 1984

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x__wqmutTqY

Kenny Rogers Interview with Jimmy Carter

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJfNJ8T2ECw

Bearded, amiable American singer/actor Kenny Rogers launched his professional career as a member of the New Christy Minstrels, then first rose to fame as a member of the country-pop group the First Edition. After several years of hits like "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" (as well as popular syndicated TV series Rollin' on the River), the First Edition broke up in 1974. Rogers had some lean years immediately after the split, at one point making ends meet by promoting a correspondence school guitar course. The outlook became brighter in 1976 when Rogers recorded his first solo hit, "Love Lifted Me," which he followed up with the even more popular ballad "Lucille." He regained his following with a dozen TV specials and several duets with equally renowned female country artists. In 1980, Rogers made his TV-movie debut with The Gambler (1980), an agreeable Western based on one of his more successful songs ("You gotta know when to hold 'em/know when to fold 'em...etc."). The Gambler scored an immediate ratings coup, inspiring sequels over the next decade, the best of which was The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (1991), which had the added drawing card of guest appearances by several popular TV cowboy stars of days gone by. Rogers also pleased the crowd with the made-for-TV Coward of the County (1981), a dramatized elaboration of another of his top-selling songs. Less successful was Kenny Rogers' starring theatrical feature, Six Pack (1982), which proves that having six cute kids onscreen doesn't make you a Disney-quality hit. REFERENCE: Kenny Rogers Full Biography - ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi http://movies.nytimes.com/person/61111/Kenny-Rogers/biography

Kenny Rogers Interview with Charlie Rose 1/3

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IMGubAyvLc

Country music singer Kenny Rogers talking about his successful Roasters chicken franchise, his musical career, and his album 'Time Piece' with showmaster Charlie Rose. This interview was recorded on Wednesday, September 28, 1994.

Kenny Rogers Interview with Charlie Rose 2/3