A Thought for Kenny Rogers

I awoke to the news that country music legend Kenny Rogers passed away last night at the age of 81.

In a world already devastated by the Coronavirus, the death of Rogers is that much more sorrowful. Rogers is one of those rare country music artists who transcended his genre. One could put the late Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell into that category as well as Dolly Parton, a frequent collaborator of Rogers. Even if one didn't listen to country music, one certainly knew Kenny Rogers especially for "The Gambler". You've got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em. Know when to walk away. Know when to run.

So strongly associated with country music, it shocks some people when they learn Rogers cut his musical teeth in folk music with The New Christy Minstrels and psychedelia with the First Edition. Like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, Rogers was not a songwriter but phrasing made the songs his sang all his own. Rogers' signature sound did not become silent even when he retired from performing in 2017.

I'll leave you with the First Edition's rendition of the Mac Davis penned "Something's Burning". Somehow it seems appropriate for these times. R.I.P.