Do you remember New Christy Minstrels? If no, try to visit their page in this blog. One of the past members was Kenny Rogers.

     He was born in Houston (Texas, US) in August 21, 1938. His full name is Kenneth Donald Rogers. He grown up as the fourth child of the seven siblings in the poorest town district.
     As very young boy he started in music band Scholars. In 1958 they recorded pop hit That Crazy Feeling. He didn’t finish to sing neither meanwhile studying on Houston University, also during his next job (he worked as member of advertising dept. of recording company).

     Real music career began with his membership in jazz trio of Bobby Doyle (The Bobby Doyle Three), where he played on bass. After his membership in vocal quartet Kirby Stone Four, he joined in music band New Christy Minstrels. In 1967, when the group finished its activity, established band First Edition (with few past members of New Christy Minstrels as Mike Settle, Terry Williams, Thelma Lou Camacho, Terry Jones). In the next years he recorded more albums as Just Dropped in (To See What Condition My Condition Was In – 1968), very famous song Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town (about soldier’s returning from Korea war – 1969. This song had been till Top 10. This is the first Kenny Rogers’s song which I had been listened.), Reuben James – 1969, Something’s Burning – 1970 or Heed The Call – 1970. In the end of 1972, the band had TV show, but popularity went already down. That’s why they stopped activity.
     It was that moment, when Kenny decided to set himself on self feet and started his solo career. He signed exclusive contract with company United Artist (1975). In the moment then he recorded his first country album You Lifted Me. It was his debut album and in the beginning of 1976 it became number one in hit parade. But he started to famous with the single Lucille from 1977. This album was on the top of country and also pop hit parade (number one in Hot Country, number five in Pop). They sold about five million copies. This recording got award Album of the Year and brought to Kenny the first Grammy. He was also vote award The Favourite Singer of All Time.
     From this moment Kenny started to bring one hit after another and also other interesting awards in many different categories (he has received many awards for his music and charity work, included Grammys, AMAs, ACMs, CMAs). He freely traversed interim style, he showed that country star can have success also in pop scene.
     He had some famous duets with famous singers as Kim Carnes (I don’t Fall in Love With a Dreamer), Sheena Easton (We’ve Got Tonight), Dottie West (Every Time Two Fools Collide, AnyoneWho Isn’t Me Tonight, What Are We Doin’ in Love), etc.. He came to TV shows, acted in few movies (Six Pack, The Gambler, Christms in America, Covard of the County, …).
     In the end of 1983 he finished cooperation with United Artist and signed new contract with RCA company. From this time I can reflect song Islands In The Stream with Dolly Parton (song was composed by Bee Gees originally for Diana Ross and immediately became hit), Real Love, Crazy, Morning Mesire, …..
     In 1989 he choose recording company again, now it is Reprise Records, where he recorded his the most famous hit Love Is Strange (again duet with Dolly Parton).
     In the end of 80-teen and in the beginning of 90-teen he was busy by charity work, concerts and his own restaurants with fast food Kenny Rogers’s Roasters. Also he wrote two books (Kenny Roger’s America, Kenny Rogers: Your Friends and mine).
     He established recording studio Dreamcatcher in 1998 and produced Christmas album Christmas From The Heart.
In the last time, his succes was album The Greatest.
     In the 21st century, Kenny is back with new single.(Buy Me a Rose). He doesn’t record any album, but he has success with greatest hit packages. He income to American Country Charts.

     From his private live: Kenny has been married five times. Now his current wife is Wande Miller. He has one daughter and four sons.

Kenny Rogers Discography:
1967 The First Edition
1969 Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town…
1970 Fools
1970 Something’s Burning
1971 Tell It All Brother
1971 Transition
1971 Kenny Rogers and the First Edition Greatest.
1972 Backroads Jolly Roger
1972 Planet Texas
1972 The Ballad of Calico
1973 Monument – Jolly Rogers
1973 Star Collection WEA
1974 Rollin Jolly Rogers
1976 Love Lifted Me EMI America
1977 Daytime Friends EMI America
1977 Kenny Rogers United Artists
1978 Love or Something Like It United Artists
1978 The Gambler EMI America
1978 Every Time Two Fools Collide United Artists
1978 Ten Years of Gold EMI Ameri
1979 Kenny Razor & Tieca
1979 Singles Album United Artists
1979 Classics United Artists
1979 Classics EMI
1980 Greatest Hits Evergreen
1980 Greatest Hits EMI America
1980 Greatest Hits SND
1980 Gideon United Artists
1980 Shine Out Radar
1981 Christmas EMI America
1981 Lady Liberty
1981 Ruby MFP
1981 Share Your Love Razor & Tie
1982 Love Will Turn You Around EMI America
1983 We’ve Got Tonight Razor & Tie
1983 Eyes That See in the Dark RCA
1983 20 Greatest Hits [EMI America] EMI America
1984 The Best of Kenny Rogers Breakaway
1984 Duets Capitol
1984 What About Me RCA
1984 Once upon a Christmas RCA
1985 Heart of the Matter RCA
1985 Love Is What We Make It Liberty
1986 Short Stories Liberty
1986 They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To RCA
1986 15 Greatest Hits MCA
1987 25 Greatest Hits EMI America
1987 I Prefer the Moonlight RCA
1989 Christmas in America Reprise
1989 Something Inside So Strong Reprise
1989 Kenny Rogers with Kim Carnes Capitol
1989 Breakout Pair
1989 Lucille & Other Classic Pair
1989 All Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 Universal
1990 Greatest Hits RCA
1990 Featuring the Songs of Kenny Rogers & First… Universal
1990 20 Great Years Reprise
1990 Greatest Country Hits Curb
1990 At Their Best Hollywood
1990 Love Is Strange Reprise
1991 Some Prisons Don’t Have Warner
1991 Back Home Again Reprise
1991 The Best of Kenny Rogers & the First Edition… Huub
1991 The Very Best Quicksilver
1991 Love Songs Universal
1992 The Best of Kenny Rogers CEMA
1992 All Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 Universal
1992 Lucille Special Music
1992 Heart to Heart RCA
1993 If Only My Heart Had a Voice Warner
1993 Every Time Two Fools Collide: The Best of… EMI-Capitol
1994 20 Greatest Hits Big Country
1994 Early Years Essex
1994 Timepiece 143/Atlantic
1995 Ultimate Bransounds
1995 Christmas Wishes Cema Special
1995 Greatest Hits Prime Cuts
1995 Anthology Alex
1995 The Best of Kenny Rogers Capitol
1996 Kenny Rogers Eclipse Music
1996 Golden Hits Intercontinent
1996 Greatest Hits Hip-O
1996 The Gift Magnatone
1997 Across My Heart Magnatone
1997 Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 Public Music
1997 Decade of Hits Warner
1997 20 Golden Hits Galaxy
1997 Songs You Know By Heart Beacon
1997 Revue Collection Revue
1997 King of Country Javelin
1997 For the Good Times [SMS] Planet
1998 Original Hits Master Tone
1998 Good Time Liberator Mastertone
1998 With Love Madacy
1998 Original Gold Disky x
1998 Original Gold Disc One Disky
1998 Original Gold Disc Two Disky
1998 Through the Years [Disc #1] BX
1998 Through the Years [Disc #2] BX
1998 Through the Years [Disc #3] BX
1998 The Love Collection [Excelsior] Excelsior
1998 20 Great Love Songs Disky
1998 Branson City Limits [live] Unison
1998 Christmas from the Heart Dreamcatcher
1999 She Rides Wild Horses Dream Catcher
1999 For the Good Times Pegasus
1999 Through the Years: A Retrospective Capitol x
1999 A&E Biography [live] Capitol
1999 Love Collection Madacy
1999 Kenny Rogers [Classic World] Liberty
1999 Classic Love Songs Crimson
1999 Through the Years Golden Sounds x
1999 Islands in the Stream: The Greatest Hits… Music Club
1999 Love Songs [Madacy Box] Madacy x
1999 All the Hits & All New Love EMI
1999 Endless Love Empire Music
1999 Simply the Best Disky
1999 Love Songs [Madacy Box Disc 3] Madacy
1999 Love Songs [Madacy Box Disc 2] Madacy
1999 Love Songs [Madacy Box Disc 1] Madacy
2000 First Hits Legacy
2000 Solid Gold Cleopatra
2000 Forever Gold St. Clair
2000 Always in Love Madacy
2000 Hearts on Fire Madacy
2000 Heart to Heart Madacy
2000 Kenny Rogers & Friends Madacy
2000 Classics from the Heart Madacy
2000 Collector’s Edition [Two Disc] Madacy
2000 Collector’s Edition [Single Disc] Madacy
2000 Always & Forever Madacy
2000 The Gold Collection Fine Tune
2000 The Best of Love [Box] Madacy x
2000 Classic Country Direct Source
2000 Dueling Country Direct Source
2000 Platinum Series D-3
2000 Good Old Country St. Clair
2000 With Love [2000] Madacy
2000 The Best of Kenny Rogers and the First… Edeltone
2000 Superstar Dressed to
2000 Love Songs, Vol. 2 Capitol
2000 The Love Collection [2000 Madacy Box] Madacy x
2000 Christmas Greetings Capitol
2000 Christmas Wishes from Kenny Rogers Delta
2000 There You Go Again Dream Catcher
2001 The Way It Used to Be Direct Source
2001 A&E Live by Request Dreamcatcher
2001 Sing You a Sad Song TKO Magnum
2001 Greatest Country Hits, Vol. 2 Curb
2001 Greatest Country Hits, Vol. 3 Curb
2001 For the Good Times Direct Source
2001 Signature Series Direct Source
2001 Best Inspirational Songs Curb
2001 The Best of Kenny Rogers Madacy
2001 Kenny Rogers LaserLight
2001 Songs of Love Madacy
2001 Ten Years of Gold Madacy
2001 The Gambler Dreamcatcher
2001 Always Leaving Starburst
2001 Love Songs Capitol
2001 Love Songs Madacy
2001 Collection Madacy x
2002 For the Good Times Town Sound
2002 The Gambler Originals
2002 The Heart of a Legend Madacy
2002 Kenny Rogers Columbia River
2002 Country Classics
2002 Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town. Prestige Elite
2002 Calico Silver
2003 Heart of the Matter Castle
2003 Back to the Well Import
HBO Presents Kenny Rogers Liberty
One Night Reprise
The Best of Kenny Rogers Collectables
Greatest Hits Reprise
The Best of Kenny Rogers & the First Edition… K-Tel
20 Great Hits Hollywood
Gift Set EMI America
The Best of Kenny Rogers & First Edition,… Satellite
Hits & Pieces MCA
60’s Revisited MCA
Sweet Music Man CEMA

Kenny Rogers and the First Edition – Ruby

Lucille

Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton – Islands in the stream

Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton We’ve Got Tonight