“I would drive a golf cart out, right into those sprinklers, and it was great fun.”
- #wikipedia
- #quote
- #trusted-source
- #www.bbc.co.uk

Figure timeline
Kenneth Donald Ray Rogers was an American country music singer-songwriter. 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 the best-sel…
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
entertainment · American country singer (1938–2020) · singer · actor · singer-songwriter · record producer · guitarist · pianist · also Kenny Rogers, Kenneth Donald Rogers, Kenneth Ray Rogers, Kenny Ray Rogers, Rogers
Born 21 August 1938 · Died 20 March 2020 · Q217160
180 published statements · 0 followers
See & hear
4 photos
Media from Wikimedia Commons, hotlinked at the source under its own licence — see each file for author and terms.
Live now
Pulling headlines from trusted outlets — this usually takes a few seconds
Checking the wires…
Feed scan
These are live links, not archived citations — they only join the timeline once a collect run verifies and archives them.
Live pulse
Most recent outstanding titles, awards, and quotes
“I would drive a golf cart out, right into those sprinklers, and it was great fun.”
American Songwriter: “They’ll Shut Me off Again”: Kenny Rogers Wanted To Change His Sound, but Feared Country Radio Would Reject Him
American Songwriter: Kenny Rogers Was Once a Psychedelic Hippie, But Did He Really Live the Lifestyle?
Yahoo: Kenny Rogers Songs: 16 of His Top Solo Tracks, Ranked
Yahoo: Kenny Rogers’ twin sons graduate from high school, and fans see the resemblance
Released album “Life Is Like a Song”.
CBS News: 'Kenny Rogers: All In For The Gambler' Comes To CBS September 23rd: 'He Will Remain Forever In Our Hearts'
The Cheat Sheet: The Reason Kenny Rogers Shortened His Name
YourTango: 30 Kenny Rogers Quotes About Life, Fame & Country Music
Snopes rated the claim “Musician Kenny Rogers donated half his estate to U.S. President Donald Trump's reelection campaign.” Labeled Satire.
Shown as reported and rated by a fact checker, not as an established fact.
Died 2020-03-20.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rogers died at the age of 81, while under hospice care at his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Though, Rogers canceled his remaining tour as advised by doctors due to a series of health problems
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Heed the Call”.
At 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
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rogers announced his farewell tour, titled The Gambler's Last Deal
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“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 the tour, Rogers indicated at the time that his final tour appearance would be on NBC”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Once Again It’s Christmas”.
Rogers appeared as himself in a GEICO commercial, singing part of his song "The Gambler" a cappella while acting as the dealer in a card game
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “You Can’t Make Old Friends”.
Awarded Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award (2013).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rogers recorded a new album with the name You Can't Make Old Friends
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Amazing Grace”.
Rogers appeared on stage with the musical group Phish to perform his hit song "The Gambler" at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rogers re-recorded the hit song "Lady", a duet with its songwriter Lionel Richie, on Richie's album Tuskegee
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “The Love of God”.
A TV special was taped, Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “She Believes in Me”.
Rogers embarked on his 50th Anniversary Tour
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rogers released 50 Years exclusively at Cracker Barrel stores
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rogers toured with his Christmas Show
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The 1977 Kenny Rogers album was reissued as a double CD, also featuring the 1979 Kenny album and this once again put Rogers's name into the sales charts worldwide
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Romance”.
Released album “Water & Bridges”.
The Very Best of Kenny Rogers, a double album, sold well in Europe
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Back to the Well”.
Released album “Christmas with Kenny”.
Released album “Calico Silver”.
Released album “There You Go Again”.
(and at age 61), Rogers was back at number one for the first time in more than a decade with the single "Buy Me a Rose"
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “She Rides Wild Horses”.
Released album “After Dark”.
Rogers scored with the single "The Greatest", a song about life from a child's point of view (looked at through a baseball game)
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rogers produced a song, "We've Got It All", specifically for the series finale of the ABC show Home Improvement
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Songs of Love”.
Released album “Christmas From the Heart”.
Released album “Across My Heart”.
Released album “Vote for Love 2”.
Released album “Vote for Love”.
Rogers released an album Vote for Love, where the public requested their favorite love songs and Rogers performed the songs
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “The Gift”.
Released album “With Love”.
Released album “The Best of Kenny Rogers”.
Released album “Legends: Volume 2”.
“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.”
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Starred as himself, alongside Michele Lee as West, in the CBS biographical film Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Christmas Wishes From Kenny Rogers”.
Released album “Simply the Best: His Greatest Hits”.
Released album “2 CD Set Deluxe”.
Released album “Kenny Rogers”.
Released album “The Essential Collection”.
Released album “The Hit Albums”.
Released album “Gold”.
Released album “Lady And More Favorite Love Songs”.
Released album “Duets”.
Released album “Timepiece”.
Rogers released his "dream" album titled Timepiece on Atlantic Records
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Daytime Friends: The Very Best of Kenny Rogers”.
Released album “Super Best”.
Released album “Country Classics”.
Released album “Country Greatest”.
Released album “If Only My Heart Had a Voice”.
Released album “Heart to Heart”.
Released album “Favourites”.
Released album “His Greatest Hits”.
Released album “20 Great Years”.
To start up the restaurant chain Kenny Rogers Roasters
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Back Home Again”.
Released album “All-Time Favorite Hits”.
Released album “Christmas Wishes”.
Released album “The Very Best of Kenny Rogers”.
Released album “Kenny Rogers Greatest Country Hits”.
Awarded People's Choice Award for Favorite Country Artist (1990).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Love Songs”.
Released album “Anthology”.
Released album “Love Is Strange”.
Released album “Het beste van Kenny Rogers”.
Released album “Something Inside So Strong”.
Released album “16 Great Songs”.
Released album “20 Great Hits”.
Released album “Lucille and Other Classics”.
Released album “Christmas In America”.
Released album “Greatest Hits”.
Released album “Masters of Pop Music”.
Rogers won a Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals with Ronnie Milsap—"Make No Mistake, She's Mine"
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town”.
Awarded People's Choice Award for Favorite Country Artist (1987).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals (1987).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “The Very Best of Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton”.
Released album “I Prefer the Moonlight”.
Awarded People's Choice Award for Favorite Country Artist (1986).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To”.
Released album “Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton”.
Awarded People's Choice Award for Favorite Country Artist (1985).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded Favorite Country Male Artist (1985).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded American Music Award for Favorite Country Album for Eyes That See in the Dark (1985).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded Favorite Country Single for Islands in the Stream (1985).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rogers was one of the 45 artists who recorded the worldwide charity song "We Are the World" to support hunger victims in Africa
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Love Is What We Make It”.
Released album “The Hit Singles Collection”.
Released album “The Heart of the Matter”.
Released album “Sunshine”.
Released album “The Kenny Rogers Story: 20 Golden Greats”.
Released album “Once Upon a Christmas”.
Awarded People's Choice Award for Favorite Country Artist (1984).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Sixteen Greatest Hits”.
Released album “What About Me?”.
For a holiday album, Once Upon a Christmas, and the TV special Kenny and 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 toppe
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Eyes That See in the Dark”.
Awarded American Music Award of Merit (1983).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded Favorite Country Single for Love Will Turn You Around (1983).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded People's Choice Award for Favorite Country Artist (1983).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded Favorite Country Male Artist (1983).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Twenty Greatest Hits”.
Released album “We’ve Got Tonight”.
Recording the smash Top 10 hit Bob Seger cover "We've Got Tonight", a duet with Sheena Easton
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album for Kenny Rogers - Greatest Hits (1980) (1982).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded People's Choice Award for Favorite Country Artist (1982).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded American Music Award for Favorite Country Album for Kenny Rogers - Greatest Hits (1980) (1982).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist (1982).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rogers released the album Love Will Turn You Around
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Love Will Turn You Around”.
Released album “The Most Beautiful Country Songs”.
Released album “Christmas”.
Released album “Share Your Love”.
Awarded Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist (1981).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded Favorite Country Male Artist (1981).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded American Music Award for Favorite Country Album for The Gambler (1981).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded Favorite Country Single for Coward of the County (1981).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Lady”.
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
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “The Best of Kenny Rogers, Vol. 2”.
Awarded Favorite Country Male Artist (1980).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded American Music Award for Favorite Country Album for The Gambler (1980).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Came his partnership with Lionel Richie, who wrote and produced Rogers's number-one hit "Lady"
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Kenny Rogers’ Greatest Hits”.
And was selected in 2018 for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Gideon”.
A selection he recorded as a duet with Kim Carnes, "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer", became a hit
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The Rogers/Butler partnership came to an end, though they occasionally reunited, in 1987 on the album I Prefer the Moonlight and again in 1993 on the album If Only My Heart Had a Voice
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Kenny”.
Awarded American Music Award for Favorite Country Album for Ten Years of Gold (1979).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance (1979).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Awarded Favorite Country Male Artist (1979).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Classics”.
Released album “Love or Something Like It”.
Awarded Favorite Country Single for Lucille (1978).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Every Time Two Fools Collide”.
Released album “The Kenny Rogers Singles Album”.
Released album “The Gambler”.
And they divorced in 1993, with one son, Christopher
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Daytime Friends”.
Awarded Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance (1977).
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Ten Years of Gold”.
Rogers launched his solo career
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “Love Lifted Me”.
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
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rogers 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
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Released album “69”.
(later renamed "Kenny Rogers and the First Edition")
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Several members of the New Christy Minstrels and he 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 so
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Became a member of the folk ensemble the New Christy Minstrels, playing double bass and bass guitar, as well as singing
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Joined the New Christy Minstrels as a singer and double bass player
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
And a 1966 jazzy rock single Rogers recorded for Mercury Records, called "Here's That Rainy Day", failed
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Rogers won a talent show at the Texan Theatre
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Born 1938-08-21.
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
At St Joseph's Infirmary in Houston, Texas
Text from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Connections