Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight to Feature Kenny Rogers

Join me loyal country classic fans, Easter Sunday Morning April 16^th for the music and life of Kenny Rogers on the Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight at 11 am. You can find us at 98.1 FM Minnesota’s New Country, online or live on your phone by downloading our new app.

Born August 21, 1938 in Houston, Texas, his full name is Kenneth Donald Rogers. We know him as Kenny Rogers -- award-winning singer, songwriter, actor, author and entrepreneur.

Rogers recorded a series of duets with country legend Dottie West, “Every Time Two Fools Collide,” “What Are We Doin’ in Love” and “All I Ever Need is You.” He scored big with Dolly Parton with the smash hit in 1983 “Islands in the Stream.,” written by the Bee Gees, Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

As a solo artist, he had hits with “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” “Lucille,” “The Gambler,” “Coward of the Country” and so many more.

In 1991, he started a restaurant chain, “Kenny Rogers Roasters” a chicken and ribs chain. He sold the venture in 1998.

In 2004, he and his wife Wanda welcomed twin boys -- Jordan and Justin -- in July, just a month before his 66^th birthday. He has five children from four of his five marriages. He is of Irish and Native American ancestry.

In 2015, Rogers announced his farewell tour on the NBC Today show. Tour dates are scheduled until at least August this year.