Kenny Rogers to play Pavilion

Media General News Service
Published: April 9, 2008

He knows when to hold ’em and knows when to fold ’em. Now Kenny Rogers knows when he’ll make his first appearance at the Charlottesville Pavilion.

And when tickets go on sale 10 a.m. April 11, fans will know when to run.

Rogers will be performing decades of genre-spanning hits 7 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Pavilion.

Rogers is known for hits spanning the decades, including “The Gambler,’’ “Lucille,’’ “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,’’ “She Believes in Me,’’ “Daytime Friends,’’ “You Decorated My Life,’’ “Lady,’’ “Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer,’’ “The Greatest,’’ “Buy Me a Rose’’ and “Islands in the Stream.’’

A Houston native, Rogers joined his first band in 1956, while he was in high school. Since then, he has made a name for himself in multiple musical genres — first as a folk artist in the New Christy Minstrels, then as a country and pop act with the First Edition, later as a country superstar and a successful crossover artist. He also has played jazz and soul.

He has been a popular duet partner over the years, hitting the charts with collaborations with Dottie West, Dolly Parton, Kim Carnes, Sheena Easton, Ronnie Milsap and James Ingram.

Rogers also starred in two television movies based on his songs — “The Gambler’’ and “Coward of the County.’’

His appeal stretches around the world. To hear a National Public Radio piece about his popularity in Kenya, visit http://kenny rogers.biz/latest.html.

When his single “Buy Me a Rose’’ hit No. 1 in 2000, he became the oldest country artist to top the charts. (There’s another Charlottesville connection here. Willie Nelson, who will be returning to the Pavilion on July 29, broke Rogers’ record a few years later when, at 70, he and Toby Keith hit it big with “Beer for My Horses.’’)

Rogers also has found success as a businessman, lending his name to the Kenny Rogers Roasters chicken restaurant chain — as fans of “Seinfeld’’ already know from Kramer’s secret neon-sign-addled addiction.

He also has published several volumes of his photography.

Rogers has collected three Grammy Awards, 18 American Music Awards, 11 People’s Choice Awards, eight Academy of Country Music Awards and five Country Music Association Awards.

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.charlottesville pavilion.com or by phone at (877) CPAV-TIXX.

Prices will be announced later.