Kenny Rogers has been making music since the early 1960s. He began singing professionally with The New Christy Minstrels, which later evolved into the famous pop/folk group The First Edition. Since going solo in the '70s, Kenny has become one of the most successful artists in Country music history. Now 65-years-old, he shows no signs of slowing down.
Kenny Rogers spent the past year-and-a-half working on his latest album, Back To The Well. Two singles from the CD charted prior to its release. One was the timely track "'m Missing You, which deals with a young soldier's feelings while away from home in a foreign land. Many Country radio stations added it to their playlists early in the war on Iraq.
Back To The Well is a diverse collection of songs written by Mark Knopfler of the rock band Dire Straits, Country stars Steve Wariner and Phil Vassar, and many of Nashville's other respected songwriters. And, Kenny invited a few of his friends to make guest appearances on the album. They include award-winning bluegrass performer Alison Krauss, Tim McGraw, who joins him on a track that pays tribute to Country pioneers Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams, Marty Robbins and Waylon Jennings; and Dolly Parton, who duets with Kenny on Undercover, a song she wrote especially for the album.
It's been 20 years since Kenny and Dolly recorded their Number One pop and Country hit, Islands In The Stream. The song became one of the best-selling Country singles ever. When they decided to reunite on Kenny's latest album, several composers, including the Eagles' Don Henley, offered songs. But, Kenny says, "Right from the start, I knew it had to be a song that Dolly would write, because no one could write better for us than she can."
During the past four decades, Kenny has earned numerous industry honors. He recently added two more to the list. In September, he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and the International Entertainment Buyers Association recognized him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 40 years of touring with the New Christy Minstrels, the First Edition and as a solo artist.
Kenny recently returned from a trip to China, where he took pictures for his upcoming photography book, Faces and Places. He's currently promoting his new album with concerts throughout the United States. On November 28, he'll kick off his 6th annual "Christmas From The Heart" tour. The 24-city event features life-size toys and a full cast of children. Local choirs from each city audition for a chance to join Kenny on stage.
The new single from Back To The Well expresses the emotions of parents while watching their children grow up.
