Kenny Rogers—And What Makes Country Music Great—Has Died

Old School ^ | 3/21/20 | Patrick Rooney

[AppyPappy]

When I come up with a list of greats of country music, Kenny Rogers doesn’t appear on my list. He was more of a “pop” country singer. More Vegas than Nashville.

[PGalt]

: ) I call my son Kenny sometimes. He’s very good at poker. He knows when to fold ‘em.

[polymuser]

Hence post 15.

[odawg]

“...nobody better than the late Tom T Hall.”

Tom T Hall is not late, still alive and kicking.

[rebuildus]

I always thought his song “Coward of the County” really nailed that story theme. Especially the line “Everyone considered him, the Coward of the County”. For most of the song the context implies the prevailing thought around town about the subject’s character, but the last time it is sung the implication is that it’s the way people used to think of the song’s subject.

Crolis, so true! I love that song too, and you're on the money re last verse.

[rebuildus]

I like to play a game with people the best first line of a song. for example “busted flat in baton Rouge waiting for a train.” But I really like “in a bar in Toledo across from a Depot on a barstool she took off her ring”.

Who wrote/sung that first song? And yes, the beginning line of "Lucille" is classic upon classic!

[eastexsteve]

RIP Kenny Rogers. From early pop rock to country, here’s a guy whose life and career saw it and sung it all, and performed via every media and venue there is. May God give you rest, peace, and a never-ending sea of wanting fans.

[KierkegaardMAN]

I Love was a Tom T Hall I heard on am radio in the early 70s and now I sing it with my kids (although no more bourbon in a glass!). Kierkegaard was more of a literary genius than a systematic philosopher but had brilliant insights regarding the dangers of idealism. His Fear and Trembling is the go to book for
Newbies. Think what Nietzsche could have done had he been a Christian writer.

[OttawaFreeper]

My favourite was Gambler IV: Luck of the Draw which was with Reba McEntire and showcased all sorts of TV Western legends including ones like Claude Akins, Jack Kelly, Chuck Connors, Gene Barry, and David Carradine.

[KierkegaardMAN]

Janis Joplin me and Bobby McGee written by Kris Kristofferson who has impressive list of well written songs made famous by others. Try Johnny Cash’s Sunday morning coming down. Or for the Good times by Ray Price. Both written by Kristofferson.

[rebuildus]

I just added a link to Ruby in my post. Thanks, KMAN!

[rebuildus]

I just added a link to Coward of the County to my post. THanks, Crolis!

[Maris Crane]

He was more of a “pop” country singer. More Vegas than Nashville.

---

That was the wonderfulness of Kenny,...he was both.

[Vaquero]

RIP “The Gambler”. ‘He just stopped in to see what condition his condition was in’

[over3Owithabrain]

Great game! My favorite:

I went to a party last Saturday night
I didn’t get laid I got in a fight uh-huh
It ain’t no big thing

[KSCITYBOY]

btt

[Kirkwood]

We still have Willie.

[rebuildus]

I Love was a Tom T Hall I heard on am radio in the early 70s and now I sing it with my kids (although no more bourbon in a glass!). Kierkegaard was more of a literary genius than a systematic philosopher but had brilliant insights regarding the dangers of idealism. His Fear and Trembling is the go to book for Newbies. Think what Nietzsche could have done had he been a Christian writer.

Thanks, KMAN, you're educating me. Didn't know anything about Kierkegaard, or even that he was a Christian. You like Sozhenitsyn? I do!

[rebuildus]

When I come up with a list of greats of country music, Kenny Rogers doesn’t appear on my list. He was more of a “pop” country singer. More Vegas than Nashville.

I understand, AppyPappy, on the surface. But as I say, it's the STORIES he tells in his songs I love, not necessarily if they are considered country or pop.

[OKC Patriot]

Another story telling song with a twist is his “The Greatest”....