For Kenny Rogers, six years ago life got a whole lot more interesting. And that’s saying something for an iconic musician with 65 albums selling more than 120 million copies to his credit. But when a 72-year-old country crooner and his wife have identical twin boys, well, that’s something.
In between daddy-duty, pursuing a career as a fine art photographer and recording a couple of new albums, Rogers is back on the road and checking into Massey Hall tonight for a rare concert appearance that features holiday classics and hits from his more than 50 years in show business.
Younger fans will be surprised to learn the 72-year-old singer’s travels to Toronto extends back to the late-’60s and a variety show Rogers, then a member of the group First Edition, hosted from the city.
"I was there two months every year for three or four years, so I’ve always had a thing for the Canadian people," says Rogers, of the show Rollin’ on the River. "It was a variety show, the only one on the air at that time, similar to the Ed Sullivan Show. Everyone in the business at that time was on it."
Guests on the show included such luminaries as Ike and Tina Turner, Bo Diddley and Ronnie Hawkins.
Following the show’s cancellation, and the First Edition’s faltering efforts, Rogers left the group to pursue a solo career, won a Grammy out of the gate as Best Male Country Vocal Performance for the landmark song "Lucille," and the rest is history as the charming country performer went on to become one of the most recognizable and beloved country artists of the last 25 years.
Currently, Rogers has two recording projects underway including a new gospel-tinged album, For The Love of God, as well as a duets album tentatively entitled Killer Combinations.
"I’ve always loved duets," says Rogers, who works on the songs for the album first, then matches them up to artists he wants to work with. "Wyclef Jean is one person, we’re pretty close friends and we’re going to find a song that works for both of us." Other artists pegged for the record include such stars as Lionel Ritchie and Rogers’s long-time collaborator, and fellow island in the stream, Dolly Parton.
"She’s been the main stay of my career, we are such good friends," says Rogers. "If she calls in need, I’m there and it is the same with her."
On to the kids.
"You think you’re shocked!" says Rogers, laughing. "I just love it. It changes your life, to say the least. There are some projects as a photographer I choose not to do anymore just because I don’t want to be away from the boys that long."
Tonight’s Massey Hall crowd can expect to hear some of Rogers own favourites that include "Love the World Away," "Lady," and, of course, "The Gambler."
"They are all very important to me," says Rogers. "And they are great weapons to have when you’re doing a show."
