My all
time favorite singer is gone. The distinctive voice of Kenny Rogers
caught my attention back when he was with The First Edition. But I
fell in love with him at a concert in 1978 when he sang Sweet
Music Man, She Believes In Me and I Wish That I Could
Hurt That Way Again.
So
many memories made with his music. I spent the night on a sidewalk
outside TicketMaster to score front row seats on several occasions.
We never sat further back than the 6th row, at all his
Nashville area concerts.
Kenny
used to toss signed tambourines to the audience and I'm lucky enough
to have several. I knocked over a good friend to catch my first...I gave her the next one I caught the following year.
My
favorite memory is a Christmas concert at the Grand Ole Opry House.
He asked for volunteers from the audience and I popped up like a red headed jack-in-the-box. We were to help him sing The Twelve Days of
Christmas. And I do not sing well at all.
Being first, I had
partridge in a pear tree, so I got to sing with him twelve times. On
the Opry stage. With his arm around me! My feet didn't touch the ground for days.
He had
much better luck with some of his duet partners: Dottie West, Dolly
Parton, Ronnie Milsap, Lionel Richie, Gladys Knight, Sheena Easton,
and Kim Carnes.
His
music is timeless in several genres: jazz,
folk, pop, rock, and country. He kept his signature style but tried
new ideas over his six decade career. I
love his many hits but the album cuts are some of his best. If I
had to choose my top five, they are Lady, Through The Years,
Anyone Who Isn't Me Tonight, Crazy, and
Sweet Music Man.
I will
truly miss this wonderful, talented man. He always made me feel like
he was singing just for me, even at a packed concert. I have photos,
memories, and music to heal my broken heart.
"Nobody sings a love song quite like you do"
