Kenny Rogers

:Alternate meaning: Kenny Rogers (baseball player)

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Kenneth Donald Rogers (born August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas) is a prolific American country music singer, photographer, producer, songwriter and actor.

Related Topics:
August 21 - 1938 - Houston, Texas - American - Country music - Singer - Photographer - Producer - Songwriter - Actor

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His career began in the mid-1950s, when he recorded a number with a doo-wop group. This was followed by several years of slow-selling records & playing clubs--including a brief 1966 stint with the New Christy Minstrels--until the formation of The First Edition in 1967 (later renamed "Kenny Rogers and The First Edition). They chalked up a string of hits on both the pop and country charts, including "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town", "Reuben James" and "Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)." The group split, and Rogers launched his solo career in 1976. Rogers continued to be successful performing for both pop and country audiences; to date, he has charted more than 60 hit singles (including upwards of 20 #1's) and no fewer than 40 hit albums.

Related Topics:
Doo-wop - 1966 - New Christy Minstrels - The First Edition - 1967 - 1976

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Although in the 1990s with the emergence of Garth Brooks, it was noted that this new talent was selling records like noone else had ever in country music, Rogers was nonetheless a dominant force in mainstream music and at his height, was charting singles (and albums) which were literally racing up the top 40 on the pop charts around the world, songs like Lucille, Coward Of The County, The Gambler and Lady became favourites among many music lovers and have remained such, making Rogers one of the most popular entertainers on the touring circuit.

Related Topics:
1990s - Garth Brooks - Lucille - Coward Of The County - The Gambler - Lady

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Like many other successful singers, such as Elvis Presley, he also had success as an actor. His 1982 movie "Six Pack" (in which he played a race-car driver) took more than $20 million at the US box office, while made-for-TV movies such as "The Gambler," "Christmas in America" and "Coward of the County" (based on hit songs of his) topped ratings lists. As an entrepreneur, he collaborated with former Kentucky Fried Chicken CEO John Y. Brown, Jr. in 1991 to start up the restaurant chain, Kenny Rogers Roasters. The chicken and ribs chain was famously featured in an episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld, when Kramer tried to have the restaurant put out of business due to its annoying red neon light. Kenny Rogers and his restaurant were subjects of comedy from MADtv.

Related Topics:
Elvis Presley - Six Pack - Kentucky Fried Chicken - John Y. Brown, Jr. - 1991 - Restaurant - Chicken - Ribs - NBC - Sitcom - Seinfeld - Kramer - Neon - MADtv

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His success is worldwide. For example, he has played many well-attended concerts in Europe and the Far East, where he has charted numerous singles and albums from the 1970s through to the present day. His 1985 greatest-hits package, "The Kenny Rogers Story," reached #1 on the British country chart -- and four years later (in 1989), was still at #2. He also charted internationally during that time with a series of studio albums.

Related Topics:
1985 - 1989

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He has been married five times. His fourth wife was the actress Marianne Gordon Rogers. His current wife is the former Wanda Miller. He has a daughter and four sons.

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In the 21st century, he had a #1 country hit with "Buy Me A Rose" and released the critically acclaimed album "Back To The Well."

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