Kenny Rogers to play Poplar Bluff Friday

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Kenny Rogers loves to sing and take photos as he travels throughout the United States on his "50 Years in Music Tour."

The award-winning country music artist, who has recorded 24 No. 1 country and pop hits, will perform after Billy Dean opens the concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Black River Coliseum.

"I'm excited about coming up there. I have been going into towns I have not been in before," Rogers said during a brief interview while he was in Nashville, Tenn., recording his new gospel album, "For the Love of God."

One of the timeless classics Rogers plans to sing in Poplar Bluff is "The Gambler," one of the 200 most influential country albums ever. This vivid story song became a television movie, starring Rogers in the title role. The movie spawned four follow-ups, making it the longest running miniseries franchise on television.

Rogers also mentioned "Lucille," named Country Music Association's Single of the Year and certified Gold; "Coward of the County," and "Islands in the Stream." Other classics include "Lady," "Through The Years," "She Believes In Me," "You Decorated My Life," and "We've Got Tonight."

"I plan to be there for an hour and half or so, but if they like what I'm doing, I just keep going," said Rogers, who has recorded more than 65 albums which have sold more than 120 million records worldwide.

Rogers, who celebrated his 72nd birthday in August, is still averaging 120 shows a year and plans to perform in Australia in January.

"I really, really love what I'm doing," Rogers said. "People survive longer if they love what they're doing. Because you just don't quit."

His song, "Buy Me a Rose," was a No. 1 hit in 2000, making Rogers (at age 61 then) the oldest artist in chart history to have a No. 1 solo record in any format.

Rogers also enjoys his photography hobby and is working on his fourth photography book which will include scenes from across America.

"I will be looking for photos in the Poplar Bluff area," Rogers said. "I just returned from the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone national parks."

The Houston, Texas native formed his first band in 1956 while he was still in high school. The Scholars performed on American Bandstand. He was with the Bobby Doyle Trio and The New Christy Minstrels before forming The First Edition which scored their first hit with "I Just Dropped In."

Rogers is not a stranger to Southeast Missouri, having performed several times in Sikeston.

"I was working with The First Edition when I was the featured performer at the Jaycees rodeo in 1977," Rogers said. "I donated an Arabian horse for their auction and it brought in $90,000."

This is when Rogers became impressed with the services for special needs children being offered at the United Cerebral Palsy Center in Sikeston. He also participated in benefit concerts for the center in 1978 and 1979.

"I try to come into Sikeston every three or four years," Rogers said.

The United Cerebral Palsy Center was renamed the Kenny Rogers Chlldren's Center in 2000. Hundreds of special needs children in Southeast Missouri have benefited from services received at the center.

In 2000, the Recording Industry Association of America awarded Rogers the prestigious Diamond Award, celebrating sales of more than 10 million albums for his "Greatest Hits" album. It has now sold more than 24 million copies worldwide.

Rogers is currently the eighth best selling male artist of all time, according to the RIAA. He has 19 platinum albums and 31 gold albums.

He also is working on a new duets album called "Killer Combinations," featuring some newer artists like Jamie O'Neal.

Since 1999, Rogers has had his own record company, Dreamcatcher Entertainment.

Rogers has received hundreds of awards for his music and charity work, including three Grammys, 11 People's Choice Awards, 18 American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music awards and five Country Music Association awards.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster online or by calling 800-745-3000. The box office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Advance purchase is encouraged to avoid lines the night of the show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.