Country superstar Kenny Rogers will perform in Ocean Grove and Atlantic City this weekend, just after publicly announcing his first Christmas album in 17 years. PHOTO COURTESY OF WEBSTER PUBLIC RELATIONS Kenny Rogers is celebrating Christmas in July. The famed country artist announced that he has been working on a new holiday album just days before he is set to perform at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove.
“Once Again It’s Christmas” will be Rogers’ first Christmas release since 1998’s “Christmas From The Heart” and his sixth Christmas release overall. Several special guest stars join include Alison Krauss, Jennifer Nettles, Home Free, Jim Brickman and Winfield’s Locket.
“Christmas is my favorite time of year. It’s a very important season for me, especially now that I have twin boys who just turned 11 years old. It’s reminded me of how you see it through different eyes when you’re a parent. It’s wonderful,” he said.
Although a release date has not been announced, the collection of old standards and new music is the first Christmas album Rogers will put out in 17 years
“It was fun. I enjoyed it. We had a lot of the same musicians we’ve used over the years,” he said.
Another fun experience will be returning to New Jersey for concerts in Ocean Grove and Atlantic City this weekend.
Although the 76-year-old has no personal connection to New Jersey, he said he has visited the state numerous times on his annual Christmas & Hits Tour, which continues this winter for the 34th straight year.
“I am excited about [this weekend]. I love that area up there so it’ll be fun to get out there. I’ve been there before; It’s always fun to go to places you’ve been and I’ve been to New Jersey so many times I feel like I know everybody,” he said.
It’s especially fun because Northeast residents have developed a better understanding of the genre since Rogers first began his career.
“I think there was a time they didn’t because I think country music was too country for New Jersey. Right or wrong, I think when I came in I started pop-country with ‘Through the Years, ‘She Believes in Me’ [and] ‘All My Life.’ I think people in New Jersey came to respect country music,” he said.
Rogers said there is a huge following worldwide as well. He noted that people in Korea have told him they have learned to speak English listening to his music. He was also requested to perform in South Africa after a 25-year hiatus – a delight because he was able to take his sons on a safari last month. “They cried when he left,” he said. “It was so special.” Rogers has sold more than 120 million records worldwide. He has charted a single in each of the last seven decades, including 21 Billboard No. 1 country hits. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, he has one diamond album, 19 platinum albums and 31 gold albums. He has earned three Grammys, six Country Music Association awards (including a 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award), eight Academy of Country Music awards (including Entertainer of the Year in 1978) and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
Rogers said he believes the attraction is because of the tell-it-like-it-is style of country lyrics.
“I think the great thing about country music is once you get in you don’t want to leave because there’s nothing else as honest as country music,” he said. “In country music when you say it hurts, it hurts. You don’t beat around the bush.
“I think I’ve been extremely lucky in finding songs that do one of two things. First of all, they say what every man would like to say and what every woman would like to hear. Or, I’ve found story songs that have social significance” such as “Reuben James” about a black man who raised a white child, “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town” about a Vietnam veteran who returns home to find his wife having an affair or “Coward of the County” about a gang rape.
“Do a song that’s not just a bunch of words together that sound cute. Say something. I think that’s the secret to part of my success,” he said.
As for his upcoming tour dates, Rogers said the fans seem to enjoy the ballads most, especially “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In),” which he first played in 1967.
His personal favorite, which he started singing live again recently, is “We’ve Got Tonight” with Sheena Easton.
He said he never gets tired of his hit songs either – including “The Gambler,” which has new-found fame from a Geico commercial.
The Through the Years World Tour will visit Caesars Atlantic City at 9 p.m. July 17, and the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove at 8 p.m. July 18.
For more information on Rogers and his tour dates, visit kennyrogers.com.