96-602: Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer and songwriter. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted more than 120 hit singles across various genres, topping the country and pop album charts for more than 200 individual weeks in the United States alone. He sold more than 100 million records worldwide during his lifetime, making him one of
192-641: A "Kenny Rogers" section on their menu. Despite the chain's end in the United States, Kenny Rogers Roasters continues to flourish in Asia under the ownership of Berjaya Group. An article published by Time.com in 2011 reported that Kenny Rogers Roasters had grown to almost 140 restaurants across Asia, with continued expansion in Malaysia, the Philippines, and more recently southern China. In Malaysia,
288-452: A 1995 TNN interview: "She, more than anybody else I ever worked with, sang with such emotion that you actually believed what she sang. A lot of people sing words, Dottie West sang emotions." In a 1978 press release for their album "Every Time Two Fools Collide", Rogers credited West with further establishing and cementing his career with Country Music audiences. In the same release, West credited him with taking her career to new audiences. Rogers
384-458: A 2013 duet single " You Can't Make Old Friends ". Despite the success of "Islands in the Stream", however, RCA Records insisted on releasing Eyes ' title track as the first UK single, and the song stalled at a disappointing No. 61 there, although it did stay in the top 100 for several weeks. (When it was eventually released in the United States, it was more successful, charting high on
480-509: A Dreamer ", became a hit. Earlier that year, he sang a duet of "You and Me" with Lynda Carter in her television music special Lynda Carter Special (Rogers originally recorded this with Dottie West for the Every Time Two Fools Collide album). Later in 1980 came his partnership with Lionel Richie , who wrote and produced Rogers's No. 1 hit " Lady ". Richie went on to produce Rogers's 1981 album Share Your Love,
576-527: A Gambler chassis to win the unofficial 1987 World Sprintcar Championship at the Claremont Speedway in Perth, Western Australia . In October 2012, Rogers released the book Luck or Something Like it: A Memoir about his ups and downs in his musical career. In 2014, Rogers appeared as himself in a GEICO commercial, singing part of his song " The Gambler " a cappella while acting as the dealer in
672-718: A card game. At Beaver Dam Farms, a former estate in Colbert, Georgia , Rogers kept a pet goat named Smitty. He originally acquired the animal from a friend in 2008. According to Rogers, the goat was "(his) center", providing a calming influence after long and stressful touring schedules. Rogers was married five times and had five children. His first marriage was to Janice Gordon on May 15, 1958; they divorced in April 1960 with one child, Carole Lynne. He married his second wife, Jean, in October 1960 and divorced her in 1963. His third marriage
768-473: A chart topper and commercial favorite featuring hits such as " I Don't Need You " (Pop No. 3), " Through the Years " (Pop No. 13), and " Share Your Love with Me " (Pop No. 14). His first Christmas album was also released that same year. Rogers would return the favor by singing backing vocals on Richie's top 5 hit " My Love ". In 1982, Rogers released the album Love Will Turn You Around . The album's
864-721: A company which is owned by Berjaya Group of Malaysia. The last Kenny Rogers Roasters operating in North America was located in the Ontario Mills mall in Ontario, California and closed on December 31, 2011. The 2008 purchase agreement allowed for Nathan's Famous and Miami Subs to continue selling Kenny Rogers Roasters items in their restaurants. Nathan's continues to serve Kenny Rogers Roasters items in select locations, such as its flagship location on Coney Island . Miami Subs (since sold off by Nathan's) no longer has
960-531: A country-pop crossover artist of the 1970s and 1980s. He had a minor solo hit in 1957 called "That Crazy Feeling". After sales slowed down, Rogers joined a jazz group called the Bobby Doyle Three , who were frequently hired by clubs due to their fan following. The group recorded for Columbia Records . They disbanded in 1965, and a 1966 jazzy rock single Rogers recorded for Mercury Records , called " Here's That Rainy Day ", failed. Rogers also worked as
1056-572: A couple of years, he continued to have success in many countries with more greatest hits packages. In 2004 42 Ultimate Hits , which was the first hits collection to span his days with the First Edition to the present, reached Number 6 on the American country charts and went gold. It also featured two new songs, "My World Is Over" with Whitney Duncan and "We Are the Same". "My World Is Over"
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#17327829493851152-678: A diagnosis of bladder cancer . On March 20, 2020, Rogers died at the age of 81, while under hospice care at his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia . He was interred in Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta . Episode: "Security for Kenny Rogers" (S 2:EP 8) The following is a list of record labels to which Rogers signed: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee ,
1248-520: A group with the jazz singer Bobby Doyle . In 1966, he became a member of the folk ensemble the New Christy Minstrels , playing double bass and bass guitar as well as singing. In 1967, he and several members of the New Christy Minstrels left to found the group the First Edition , with whom he scored his first major hit, " Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) ", a psychedelic rock song which peaked at number five on
1344-459: A hat store for $ 9 a week. He later attended the University of Houston . In 1986, on The Phil Donahue Show , Rogers told the audience that he was the first person in his family "as far back as we know" to graduate from high school. "We were broke. We lived in a federal housing project. I think the most money my father ever made was $ 75 a week. There were times as a child that, I don't think I
1440-488: A mural, The Sources of Country Music , by Thomas Hart Benton . It was Benton's final work; as he died in his studio while completing it. For a professional in the country music field, membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame , is the highest honor the genre can bestow. An invitation can be extended to performers, songwriters, broadcasters, musicians, and executives in recognition of their contributions to
1536-494: A new, 140,000-square-foot (13,000 m ) facility in the heart of downtown Nashville 's arts and entertainment district in May 2001. In 2014, the museum unveiled a $ 100 million expansion, doubling its size to 350,000 square feet of galleries, archival storage, education classrooms, retail stores, and special event space. In the museum's core exhibition, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music, visitors are immersed in
1632-543: A nurse's assistant, and Edward Floyd Rogers (1904–1975), a carpenter. Rogers was said to be of Irish and Native American ancestry. Rogers attended Wharton Elementary School , George Washington Junior High School, and graduated from Jefferson Davis High School (now Northside High School ) in 1956. In 1949, Rogers won a talent show at the Texan Theatre. He served as a busboy at the Rice Hotel and swept floors at
1728-560: A passion. He authored the photo books Kenny Rogers' America (1986) and Your Friends and Mine (1987). 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, which is similar to Boston Market , featured in an episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld called " The Chicken Roaster ". Season four of
1824-497: A producer, writer and session musician for other performers, including country artists Mickey Gilley and Eddy Arnold . In 1966, he joined the New Christy Minstrels as a singer and double bass player. Feeling that the Minstrels were not offering the success they wanted, Rogers and fellow members Mike Settle, Terry Williams, and Thelma Camacho left the group. They formed the First Edition in 1967 (later renamed "Kenny Rogers and
1920-567: A race-car driver, took in more than $ 20 million at the United States box office, while made-for-TV movies such as The Gambler series, Christmas in America , and Coward of the County (based on hit songs of his) topped ratings lists. He also served as host and narrator for the A&;E historical series The Real West . Rogers said that photography was once his obsession, before it morphed into
2016-574: A roasted chicken line of products called Rotisserie Gold to compete with Roasters and Boston Chicken. In December 1992, Clucker's, a minor player in the roasted chicken market, sued Kenny Rogers Roasters, claiming the chain had copied its recipes and menus. The lawsuit continued until Kenny Rogers Roasters purchased a majority stake in Cluckers in August 1994. Brown expanded the company to a chain of more than 425 restaurants before selling his interest in
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#17327829493852112-399: A series of ownership changes, Kenny Rogers Roasters operates principally in Asia as part of Malaysian conglomerate Berjaya Corporation Berhad . The Kenny Rogers Roasters brand is owned by Kenny Rogers Roasters International Corporation, a subsidiary of Roasters Asia Pacific (Cayman) Limited which itself is owned by Berjaya Corporation Berhad. John Y. Brown Jr. , a business entrepreneur from
2208-565: A small library was begun in a loft above one of the museum's galleries. Early in the 1970s, the basement of the museum building was partially complete, and library expansion began, embracing not only recordings, but also books and periodicals, sheet music and songbooks, photographs, business documents, and other materials. At the outset, CMA staff had run the museum, but by 1972, the museum (already governed by its own independent board of directors) acquired its own small staff. Building expansion took place in 1974, 1977, and 1984 to store and display
2304-679: A songwriting partnership with Lionel Richie . His signature song, 1978's " The Gambler ", was a crossover hit that won him a Grammy Award in 1980 and was selected in 2018 for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress . He developed the Gambler persona into a character for a successful series of television films starting with 1980's Emmy -nominated Kenny Rogers as The Gambler . Rogers's albums The Gambler and Kenny were featured in
2400-405: A special appearance by long-time friend Dolly Parton , who serenaded Rogers with her signature " I Will Always Love You " and performed " You Can't Make Old Friends " and " Islands in the Stream " with Rogers for the final time. Although Rogers used many session musicians to play instruments on his recordings, he was backed on tours by the group Bloodline since 1976. The group originally started as
2496-537: A three-piece. In The Journey (a 2006 documentary about his career) Rogers said he did not understand singers who changed their touring band every year, and that he stuck with Bloodline as they already "know the songs". Members of Bloodline have included Steve Glassmeyer, Chuck Jacobs, Randy Dorman, Gene Golden, Bobby Daniels, Rick Harper, Edgar Struble, Lynn Hammann, Warren Hartman, Gene Sisk, Brian Franklin, Mike Zimmerman and Amber Randall. Rogers also had success as an actor. His 1982 movie Six Pack , in which he played
2592-696: Is a chain of chicken-based restaurants founded in 1991 by country musician Kenny Rogers and former KFC CEO John Y. Brown Jr. , who was a former governor of the U.S. state of Kentucky . Brown had been an early investor in Kentucky Fried Chicken from 1964 to 1971. During his successful music career, Rogers had appeared in several commercials for the Dole Food Company before founding this restaurant chain. The menu of Kenny Rogers Roasters originally featured wood-fired rotisserie chicken. After closing all of its U.S. operations and
2688-616: Is also found on the Rotunda's walls. The large steel beams supporting the Conservatory's glass ceiling and walls conjure up images of rural railroad bridges. In another transportation metaphor, the cascading water along the Grand Staircase calls to mind the mighty rivers that have inspired so much of our nation's music and have physically connected musicians in various regions of the nations. Musical symbolism continues within
2784-536: Is designed to celebrate Rogers's 50th year in the music business. In 2007, the England national rugby union team adopted Rogers song "The Gambler" as their unofficial 2007 Rugby World Cup anthem, after hearing prop Matt Stevens playing it in the team hotel. Before the semi-final against France and the final against South Africa, Rogers sent video messages of support to the team in light of them choosing his song. In 2008, Rogers toured with his Christmas Show. He split
2880-524: Is one of the world's largest museums and research centers dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American vernacular music . Chartered in 1964, the museum has amassed one of the world's most extensive musical collections. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is the world's largest repository of country music artifacts. Early in the 1960s, as the Country Music Association 's (CMA) campaign to publicize country music
2976-498: The Billboard charts. As Rogers took an increased leadership role in the First Edition following the success of 1969's " Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town ", the band gradually changed styles to a more country feel. The band broke up in 1975–76, and Rogers embarked on a long and successful solo career, which included several successful collaborations, including duets with singers Dottie West , Dolly Parton , and Sheena Easton , and
Kenny Rogers - Misplaced Pages Continue
3072-554: The About.com poll of "The 200 Most Influential Country Albums Ever". He was voted the "Favorite Singer of All Time" in a 1986 poll by readers of both USA Today and People . He received numerous awards, such as the AMAs , Grammys , ACMs , and CMAs , as well as a lifetime achievement award for a career spanning six decades in 2003. Later success included the 2006 album release Water & Bridges , an across-the-board hit that entered
3168-615: The Bridgestone Arena where he was joined by an array of guest artists including Linda Davis , Elle King , Little Big Town , Lionel Richie , Billy Currington , Lee Greenwood , The Flaming Lips , The Oak Ridge Boys , Justin Moore , Travis Tritt , the Judds , Kris Kristofferson , Alison Krauss , Chris Stapleton , Lady Antebellum , Idina Menzel , Crystal Gayle , Reba McEntire and Jamey Johnson . The concert also included
3264-566: The best-selling music artists of all time . His fame and career spanned multiple genres: jazz , folk , pop, rock, and country. He remade his career and was one of the most successful cross-over artists of all time. In the late 1950s, Rogers began his recording career with the Houston-based group the Scholars, who first released "The Poor Little Doggie". After some solo releases, including 1958's " That Crazy Feeling ", Rogers then joined
3360-603: The Adult Contemporary chart and making the country top 30.) "Islands in the Stream" was issued as a follow-up single in Britain and sold well, making No. 7. The album itself reached No. 1 on the country charts on both sides of the Atlantic and enjoyed multi-million sales. "Buried Treasure", "This Woman" and "Evening Star"/"Midsummer Nights" were also all successful singles from the album. Shortly after came
3456-701: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization and does not participate in the election. Bas-relief portraits (similar to that in the Baseball Hall of Fame in New York) cast in bronze honoring each Hall of Fame member were originally displayed at the Tennessee State Museum in downtown Nashville until the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened its own building in April 1967; in this barn-roofed facility at
3552-451: The Dark , featuring the title track and yet another No. 1 hit " Islands in the Stream ", a duet with Dolly Parton . Gibb, along with his brothers, Robin and Maurice, originally wrote the song for Diana Ross in an R&B style, only later to change it for Rogers's album. "Islands in the Stream", Rogers's duet with Dolly Parton, was the first single to be released from Eyes That See in
3648-565: The Dark in the United States, and it quickly went to No. 1 in the Billboard Hot 100 (it would prove to be the last country single to reach No. 1 on that chart until " Amazed " by Lonestar did so in 2000), as well as topping Billboard ' s country and adult contemporary singles charts; it was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipping two million copies in
3744-529: The Feeling's Good", were minor hits. The song "Runaway Girl" was featured in the film Trackdown (1976). Later in 1976, Rogers issued his second album, the self-titled Kenny Rogers , whose first single, " Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got) ", was another solo hit. The single " Lucille " (1977) was a major hit, reaching number one on the pop charts in 12 countries, selling over five million copies, and firmly establishing Rogers's post-First Edition career. On
3840-441: The First Edition disbanded in 1976, Rogers launched his solo career. He soon developed a more middle-of-the-road sound that sold to both pop and country audiences. He charted more than 60 top 40 hit singles (including two number ones—"Lady" and "Islands in the Stream"). His music has been featured in top-selling movie soundtracks, such as Convoy , Urban Cowboy , and The Big Lebowski . The First Edition broke up in 1975, which
3936-569: The First Edition"). They were later joined by Kin Vassy. They chalked up a string of hits on both the pop and country charts, including " Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) " (Rogers doing lead vocals and bass—and famously used in the dream sequence of the Coen brothers ' The Big Lebowski ), " But You Know I Love You ", " Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town ", "Tell It All, Brother", "Reuben James", and " Something's Burning ". When
Kenny Rogers - Misplaced Pages Continue
4032-478: The Food Central sector of the mall. Kenny Rogers Roasters is the center of an episode of Seinfeld , " The Chicken Roaster ". After a branch opens in the neighborhood, Kramer cannot sleep due to its neon sign shining through his window, so he hangs up a banner to drive it out of business. The branch shuts down at the end of the episode when Jerry unintentionally sabotages it with a soaked rat hat. The story
4128-514: The Frist Library and Archives, located on museum's third floor. The collection includes: The downtown building was designed by Nashville's Tuck-Hinton Architectural Firm with Seab Tuck as the project architect. When viewed from the air, the building forms a massive bass clef . The point on the sweeping arch of the building suggests the tailfin of a 1959 Cadillac sedan. The building's front windows resemble piano keys. The tower on top of
4224-621: The Kenny Rogers Roasters brand, managing menu items, and acting as a central procurement agent for Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurants across Malaysia. As a brand, Kenny Rogers Roasters advocates healthy eating as reflected in its brand tag line "less fat...less salt...less calories". -- compared to fried chicken. In its 2012 Annual Report, Berjaya Corporation Berhad reported that as of April 30, 2012, Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurants numbered 74 in Malaysia and 8 in Indonesia. It
4320-563: The Kenny Rogers Roasters chain of restaurants is developed and operated by Berjaya Roasters (M) Sdn Bhd. Under a corporate exercise by Berjaya Corporation Berhad in 2011, Berjaya Roasters (M) Sdn Bhd became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berjaya Food Berhad. In March 2011, Berjaya Food Berhad listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia . Effectively, Berjaya Food Berhad is responsible for establishing, operating, and expanding Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurants in Malaysia. This includes developing
4416-577: The MacShayne series for The NBC Mystery Movie , and the 1982 feature film Six Pack . He was a co-founder of the restaurant chain Kenny Rogers Roasters in collaboration with former KFC CEO John Y. Brown Jr. Although the stores closed in the United States, they are still a fixture in Asia. Kenneth Ray Rogers was born the fourth of eight children on August 21, 1938, at St Joseph's Infirmary in Houston , Texas. His parents were Lucille Lois Rogers,
4512-650: The Mid-South—wood, concrete, steel, and stone—were used in the building's construction as a reminder of the music's strong roots in the lives of working Americans. Georgia yellow pine adorns the floors of the Conservatory and is also found in the Hall of Fame Rotunda the Ford Theater. Crab Orchard Stone from the East Tennessee mountains lend a homey, rustic touch to the Conservatory's "front porch" atmosphere and
4608-424: The Rotunda that extends down the Hall of Fame is a replica of the distinctive diamond-shaped WSM radio tower, which was originally built in 1932 just south of Nashville and is still in operation. The Rotunda itself is replete with symbolic architectural elements. For example, the exterior of this cylindrical structure can be viewed variously as a drum kit, a rural water tower, or grain silo. The four disc tiers of
4704-622: The Rotunda's roof evoke the evolution of recording technology—the 78, the vinyl LP, the 45, and the CD. Stone bars on the Rotunda's outside wall symbolize the notes of the Carter Family's classic song " Will the Circle Be Unbroken ", while the title of the song rings the interior of the structure. The Hall of Fame member's plaques housed within the Rotunda are reminiscent of notes on a musical staff. Solid, earthy materials native to
4800-635: The TV series Fresh Off the Boat depicts the chain as owning a share of Louis Huang's Cattleman's Ranch restaurant and then filing for bankruptcy. Rogers is shown from the back but played by Jeff Pomerantz in the episode " Let Me Go, Bro ". Rogers put his name to the Gambler Chassis Co., a sprint car racing manufacturer started by C. K. Spurlock in Hendersonville, Tennessee . The company used
4896-671: The Top 30 on the British charts. In 1981, Rogers bought the old ABC Dunhill building and built one of the most popular and state-of-the-art recording studios in Los Angeles, which he named Lion Share Studios . The song " We Are the World " was recorded there and at A&M Studios . Rogers went on to work with Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees who produced his 1983 hit album Eyes That See in
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#17327829493854992-420: The United States. Rogers would reunite with Parton in 1984 for a holiday album, Once Upon a Christmas , and the TV special Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember (which resulted in a popular video of "Christmas Without You"), as well as a 1985 duet " Real Love ", which also topped the U.S. country singles chart. The two would continue to collaborate on occasional projects through subsequent years, including
5088-528: The album What About Me? , a hit whose title track —a trio performance with James Ingram and Kim Carnes —was nominated for a Grammy Award ; the single " Crazy " (not to be confused with the Willie Nelson -penned Patsy Cline hit), co-written with Richard Marx , topped the country charts. David Foster was to work again with Rogers in his 1985 album The Heart of the Matter, although this time Foster
5184-1036: The album I Prefer the Moonlight and again in 1993 on the album If Only My Heart Had a Voice . In the late 1970s, Rogers teamed up with close friend and Country Music legend Dottie West for a series of albums and duets. Together the duo won two gold records (one of which later went platinum), two CMA Awards, an ACM nomination, two Grammy nominations and 1 Music City News Award for their two hit albums Every Time Two Fools Collide (No. 1) and Classics (No. 3), selling out stadiums and arenas while on tour for several years, as well as appearing on several network television specials which showcased them. Their hits together " Every Time Two Fools Collide " (No. 1), "Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight" (No. 2), " What Are We Doin' in Love " (No. 1), "All I Ever Need Is You" (No. 1) and "Till I Can Make It On My Own" (No. 3) all became Country standards. Of West, Rogers stated in
5280-507: The annual exhibition, American Currents: State of Music , which chronicles country music's most recent past. In addition to the galleries, the museum has the 776-seat CMA Theater, the Taylor Swift Education Center, and multi-purpose event rental spaces. Other historic properties of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum include one of the country's oldest letterpress print shop Hatch Show Print (located inside
5376-572: The commonwealth of Kentucky had worked with the restaurant chains KFC and Lum's . After having served as governor of Kentucky from 1979 to 1983, Brown decided to return to the restaurant business. He chose to start a chicken restaurant in Coral Springs, Florida , in 1991, forming a partnership with country music singer Kenny Rogers who had previously released his own cook book. The first store opened in September 1991, and Rogers himself
5472-478: The country charts, after spending over 6 months on the hit list, more than 50 years after he formed his first group and 38 years after his first major hit as leader of the First Edition; the song remains in recurrent airplay on some radio stations today. "I Can't Unlove You" was followed up with the second single from the album, "The Last Ten Years (Superman)", in September 2006. The third single, "Calling Me", which features Don Henley , became popular in early 2007, and
5568-489: The development of country music. The hall of fame honor was created in 1961 by the Country Music Association (CMA); the first inductees were Hank Williams , Jimmie Rodgers , and Fred Rose . Roy Acuff , the first living artist to join the Hall of Fame, was elected in 1962. The most recent inductees (class of 2024) are John Anderson , James Burton , and Toby Keith . Over the Hall of Fame's history,
5664-441: The effort of CMA Executive Director Jo Walker-Meador to build the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which opened on April 1, 1967. The original building was a barn-shaped structure located at the head of Music Row , erected on the site of a small Nashville city park. This hall of fame was modeled after the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York . At this point, artifacts began to be displayed and
5760-455: The first time in more than a decade with the 2000 single " Buy Me a Rose ". In doing so, he broke a 26-year-old record held by Hank Snow (who, in April 1974, was aged 59 when he scored with " Hello Love "). Rogers held the record until 2003, when then 70-year-old Willie Nelson became the oldest artist to have a No. 1 on the country charts with his duet with Toby Keith , " Beer for My Horses ". Although Rogers did not record new albums for
5856-474: The franchise to the Malaysia -based Berjaya Group in 1996. In 1994, two restaurants were opened in Athens , Greece. However both were closed only a couple of years later In 1996, the chain announced plans to open in the United Kingdom and purchased locations in various cities. At this point, annual sales topped $ 300 million. However, the planned restaurants in Britain never materialized. The company entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 1998 and
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#17327829493855952-458: The head of Music Row, the bronze plaques formed a special exhibit. Through a licensing agreement with the CMA, the Museum exhibits the bronze plaques commemorating membership in a space and fashion befitting the honor. The museum's collections document country music from its folk roots through today. Artifacts and archival materials not on exhibit are housed in the museum's 46,000 square foot secure, climate-controlled collections storage rooms and in
6048-422: The history and sounds of country music. The story is revealed through artifacts, photographs, text panels, recorded sound, vintage video, and interactive touchscreens. Sing Me Back Home is enhanced by rotating limited-engagement exhibits. The ACM Gallery and the Dinah and Fred Gretsch Family Gallery features artifacts from today's country stars and a series of technology-enhanced activities. The ACM Gallery houses
6144-449: The museum galleries. Hardwood floors, curtain-like exhibit-case fronts, and low hanging lights suspended by cables create the backstage atmosphere of the Third Floor. Similarly, modular exhibit stations and vinyl floors evoke a recording studio environment on the Second Floor. 36°09′30″N 86°46′34″W / 36.15833°N 86.77611°W / 36.15833; -86.77611 Kenny Rogers Roasters Kenny Rogers Roasters
6240-438: The museum offers an aggressive schedule of educational and family programs. The museum also operates CMF Records, a Grammy -winning re-issue label ( The Complete Hank Williams and Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues, 1945–1970) ; and CMF Press, a publishing imprint that has released books in cooperation with Vanderbilt University Press and other major trade publishing houses. The Hall of Fame Rotunda features
6336-424: The museum's growing collection of costumes, films, historic cars, musical instruments , and other artifacts. An education department was created to conduct ongoing programs with Middle Tennessee schools; an oral history program was begun; and a publications department was launched to handle books, as well as the Journal of Country Music. To become more accessible, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum moved to
6432-485: The museum) and Historic RCA Studio B (located on Music Row), Nashville's oldest surviving recording studio, where recordings by Country Music Hall of Fame members Elvis Presley , Dolly Parton , Waylon Jennings , and many others were made. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has developed multiple platforms to make its collection accessible to a wider audience. From weekly instrument demonstrations to its flagship songwriting program for schools, Words & Music ,
6528-485: The name from Rogers's hit song The Gambler . During the 1980s and 1990s, Gambler was one of the fastest and widely used Sprintcars, with such drivers as Steve Kinser , Sammy Swindell and Doug Wolfgang driving the cars to victory in the World of Outlaws and the famous Knoxville Nationals . Gambler sprintcars were also successful in Australia, with drivers such as Garry Rush and Steve Brazier using Gamblers to win multiple Australian Sprintcar Championships . Rush also used
6624-448: The number of new members inducted each year has varied from one to twelve (no nominee was inducted in 1963, no candidate having received sufficient votes). Election to the Country Music Hall of Fame is solely the prerogative of the CMA. New members, elected annually by a panel of industry executives chosen by the CMA, are inducted formally during the Medallion Ceremony, part of the annual reunion of Country Music Hall of Fame members hosted by
6720-439: The show up, making the first half his "best of" and the second half his Christmas songs. In 2009, Rogers embarked on his 50th Anniversary Tour. On April 10, 2010, a TV special was taped, Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years . Dolly Parton and Lionel Richie were among those set to perform with Rogers during a show celebrating his contribution to country, blues and pop music. It took place at the MGM Grand in Foxwoods. The TV special
6816-448: The song live at the 2012 ACM concert, "Lionel Richie & Friends". On April 10, 2013, the CMA announced that Rogers would be a 2013 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame , along with Cowboy Jack Clement and Bobby Bare . In June 2013, he performed at the Glastonbury Festival in England in the Sunday afternoon 'Legends' slot. In 2013, Rogers recorded a new album with the name You Can't Make Old Friends . This album included
6912-569: The strength of "Lucille", the album Kenny Rogers reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Album Chart . More success was to follow, including the multi-platinum selling album The Gambler and another international Number 1 single, " Coward of the County ", taken from the equally successful album, Kenny . In 1980, the Rogers/Butler partnership came to an end, though they would occasionally reunite: in 1987 on
7008-560: The title claims (recorded between 1976 and the present day), this was not a complete collection of Rogers's No. 1 singles, omitting such singles as "Crazy in Love" and "What About Me?" Capitol followed 21 Number Ones with Rogers's new studio album, Water & Bridges , in March 2006 on the Capitol Nashville Records label. The first single from the album was " I Can't Unlove You ", which peaked at No. 17 on
7104-472: The title track reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the country and AC charts. It was the theme song of Rogers's 1982 film Six Pack . Shortly afterwards, he started working with producer David Foster in 1983, recording the smash Top 10 hit Bob Seger cover " We've Got Tonight ", a duet with Sheena Easton . Also a number 1 single on the Country charts in the United States, it reached
7200-401: The title track, a new duet with Dolly Parton , which was his first single released in six years. Rogers recorded 65 albums and sold over 165 million records. In 2015, Rogers announced his farewell tour, titled The Gambler's Last Deal . He stated his intention to retire from touring at its completion, although he was considering the possibility of recording another studio album. In announcing
7296-452: The top 40 of Billboard's Country singles chart and was a Country Music Television Number One video. It was on Rogers's album She Rides Wild Horses the following year (itself a top 10 success). Also in 1999, Rogers produced a song, "We've Got It All", specifically for the series finale of the ABC show Home Improvement . In the 21st century (and at age 61), Rogers was back at No. 1 for
7392-567: The top five in the Billboard Country Albums sales charts, also charting in the top 15 of the Billboard 200 . The first single from the album, " I Can't Unlove You ", was also a sizable chart hit. Remaining a popular entertainer around the world, he continued to tour regularly until his retirement in 2017. Rogers had acting roles in movies and television shows, including the title roles in Kenny Rogers as The Gambler ,
7488-524: The tour, Rogers indicated at the time that his final tour appearance would be on NBC's Today show. Concert dates were scheduled through 2018 and included visits to the United States, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, England, The Netherlands and Switzerland. On April 5, 2018, it was announced that Rogers canceled his remaining tour as advised by doctors due to a series of health challenges. Rogers's final concert in Nashville took place on October 25, 2017, at
7584-404: The type of music he had performed in his early days with the Bobby Doyle Three in Houston . In 1996, Rogers released an album Vote For Love where the public requested their favorite love songs and Rogers performed the songs. (Several of his own hits were in the final version.) The album was the first for the TV shopping channel QVC's record label, onQ Music. The album, sold exclusively by QVC ,
7680-482: Was Executive Produced by Gabriel Gornell and Colleen Seldin and aired on GAC in North America and BBC worldwide. On June 10, 2012, Rogers appeared on stage with the musical group Phish to perform his hit song "The Gambler" at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Also in 2012, Rogers re-recorded the hit song "Lady", a duet with its songwriter Lionel Richie, on Richie's album Tuskegee . The pair also performed
7776-462: Was a huge success and was later issued in stores under a variety of different titles. It reached No. 1 in the UK country charts under the title Love Songs (a title also used for various compilations) and also crossed over into the mainstream charts. In 1999, Rogers scored with the single "The Greatest", a song about life from a child's point of view (looked at through a baseball game) The song reached
7872-442: Was a rough time for the recently divorced Rogers. That year, he was the face of a national commercial advertising the "Quick Pickin' Fun Strummin' Home Guitar Course." But in 1976, Rogers signed a solo deal with United Artists . Producer Larry Butler and Rogers began a partnership that would last four years. Rogers's first outing for his new label was Love Lifted Me . The album charted and two singles, "Love Lifted Me" and "While
7968-449: Was accelerating, CMA leaders determined that a new organization was needed to operate a country music museum and related activities beyond CMA's scope as simply a trade organization. Toward this end, the nonprofit Country Music Foundation (CMF) was chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964 to collect, preserve, and publicize information and artifacts relating to the history of country music. Through CMF, industry leaders raised money with
8064-664: Was also mentioned that Roasters Asia Pacific (Hong Kong) Limited has operations in other countries including the United States, Malaysia , Singapore , Indonesia , China , and the Philippines . In addition, Roasters Asia Pacific has been undergoing expansion in other international territories including India and the Middle East. Kenny Rogers Roasters opened its first outlet in Brunei in January 2013. The second Brunei outlet
8160-478: Was bought by Nathan's Famous, Inc. for $ 1.25 million (US$ 2 million in more recent terms) on April 1, 1999; as a result of restructuring, many locations closed. Rotisserie-roasted chicken had become commonplace in many food supermarkets. By 2000, the chain was down to 90 franchised restaurants, 40 of those in the U.S. Nathan's Famous divested itself of Kenny Rogers Roasters in 2008, selling it to their Asian franchisee, Roasters Asia Pacific (Cayman) Limited,
8256-416: Was ever really hungry – I always had food to eat – but there's no question that our family were nutritionally-deprived at times. We'd eat peanut butter sandwiches, cause that's all there was. Quite honestly, when you're a kid, you don't know any better, you think that's how everyone eats." In a recording career dating back to the 1950s, Rogers moved from teenage rock and roll through psychedelic rock to become
8352-512: Was inspired by a real-life confrontation between a New York City branch of Kenny Rogers Roasters and a neighboring law office. On the HBO show The Sopranos , Kenny Rogers Roasters is referenced as the restaurant where Janice Soprano served former NFL star Barry Sanders while working there as a waitress. On the FX show Archer , reference is made to a " Kenny Loggins Roasters" in an allusion to
8448-505: Was nominated for a Grammy Award at the 2007 Grammy Awards . Also in 2007, the 1977 Kenny Rogers album was re-issued as a double CD, also featuring the 1979 Kenny album and this once again put Rogers's name into the sales charts worldwide. The following year, another compilation album ( A Love Song Collection ) also charted. On August 26, 2008, Rogers released 50 Years exclusively at Cracker Barrel stores. The album included some of Rogers's greatest hits, plus three new songs. The release
8544-613: Was one of the 45 artists who recorded the worldwide charity song " We Are the World " to support hunger victims in Africa. The following year he played at Giants Stadium. In 1988, Rogers won a Grammy Award for "Best Country Collaboration with Vocals" with Ronnie Milsap —"Make No Mistake, She's Mine". In the 1990s, Rogers continued to chart with singles such as "The Factory" and "Crazy In Love", another selection that Kim Carnes provided him with, "If You Want To Find Love", and "The Greatest". His second Christmas album, titled Christmas in America,
8640-864: Was opened at Tanjung Bunut in June 2015. In December 2016, the first KRR opened in Thailand in the Laguna area of Phuket . There are currently plans to open other restaurants within Phuket and then into other parts of Thailand as well. In February 2023, Kenny Rogers Roasters opens its first flagship restaurant in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in the Salah Al Din locality. Later sometime in May-June 2023, Kenny Rogers Roasters expands to Deira City Centre specifically in
8736-474: Was playing backing music rather than producing, a role given to George Martin . This album was another success, going to No. 1, with the title track making to the top ten category in the singles charts. The next few years saw Rogers scoring several top country hits on a regular basis, including "Twenty Years Ago", "Morning Desire", "Tomb of the Unknown Love", among others. On January 28, 1985, Rogers
8832-644: Was present at the opening. Kenny Rogers Roasters was one of several restaurants to open in southern Florida that year, owing to the popularity of grilled chicken both in that particular market and nationwide. By 1995, the menu had expanded to include turkey, ribs, and various side dishes. The chain eventually grew to over 350 restaurants, including locations in Canada, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Kenny Rogers Roasters found itself in competition with Boston Chicken (later Boston Market ) and several smaller roasted chicken chains. Kentucky Fried Chicken also introduced
8928-577: Was released as a single and was a minor hit. In 2005, The Very Best of Kenny Rogers , a double album, sold well in Europe. It was the first new solo Rogers hits album to reach the United Kingdom for over a decade, despite many compilations there that were not true hits packages. Rogers also signed with Capitol Records and had more success with the TV advertised release 21 Number Ones in January 2006. Although this CD did contain 21 chart-toppers as
9024-460: Was released in 1989 for Reprise Records. From 1991 to 1994, Rogers hosted The Real West on A&E , and on The History Channel since 1995 (Reruns only on The History Channel). He visited Miller's during this time period. From 1992 to 1995, Rogers co-owned and headlined Branson, Missouri 's 4,000 seat Grand Palace Theatre. In 1994, Rogers released his "dream" album titled Timepiece on Atlantic Records. It consisted of 1930s/1940s jazz standards,
9120-427: Was to Margo Anderson in October 1963; they divorced in 1975, with one child. He married his fourth wife, actress Marianne Gordon , on October 1, 1977, and they divorced in 1993, with one son, Christopher. His fifth marriage was to Wanda Miller on June 1, 1997. They had twin sons and were married for 22 years until his death. Rogers's seven-decade career wound down in 2017, as he encountered health problems that included
9216-454: Was with West only hours before she died at age 58 after sustaining injuries in a 1991 car accident, as discussed in his 2012 biography "Luck Or Something Like It". In 1995 he starred as himself, alongside Michele Lee as West, in the CBS biographical film Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story . In 1980, a selection he recorded as a duet with Kim Carnes , " Don't Fall in Love with
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