Time to close the shop down and head into the weekend.
Unfortunately, it also seems country singer Kenny Rogers is closing shop next year for good, saying he will be retiring from music. While we have heard this "song and dance" from musicians before, who later return for "comeback tours", 78-year old Rogers is probably sincere about it.
But he has had a good career and left a strong musical legacy behind.
His recording career dates back to the 1950's, although he didn't see any success until after he left The New Christy Minstrels with several others and formed The First Edition, which later became Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. Their first hit came in 1967 with Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In), but their best song was the more memorable Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town from 1969:
The First Edition broke up in 1974, and it took Rogers a few years to find his footing. Then he got his first gold record with 1977's Lucille:
Lucille was almost a stereotypical country song, yet Rogers made it feel sympathetic, which was the strong suit he had for his biggest hits.
He had along string of hits after that, including Coward of the County, Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer (with Kim Carnes), and Love Will Turn You Around. But he had his biggest hit in 1983, with the Dolly Parton duet Islands in the Stream:
But my personal favorite from Kenny Rogers was his nugget of wisdom called The Gambler, from 1978:
I guess the "dealing's done" for Kenny?
To the rest of you, enjoy your weekend. Try not to count your money yet. because I will return Monday with more.
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