Luck or Something Like It by Kenny Rogers

Another Houston native makes it good but as luck would have it and this was not an easy ride to fame which will surprise no one.  However, for once an entertainer who tells a truth (several of them) about his road to what he says is happiness.

He was one of eight children born into the poorest of conditions and lived in the projects, which lends one to believe that one’s birth environment does not guarantee limited career options.   He was definitely not held hostage by his poor beginnings, established good work ethics, and assisted the family financially.  In fact, he said that being poor did not mean hopelessness.

Kenny Rogers definitely believes in marriage.  He has had five.  To his credit he does admit that the first three were 85% his fault, with the fourth marriage they just slowly moved into different directions and his fifth (current wife) is over 20 years his junior

I did find some humor in two of the marriages.

The first trip to the altar for Kenny Rogers was to another Texan with whom he became more than a little “familiar” and as was typical of that time, resulted in a marriage.  I found in comical that the girl’s mother called to demand that he show up on a specific Saturday to marry her pregnant daughter.  His response was a simple “Okay”.  After the baby was born, things did not go well; the parents moved her back to their home.  When Kenny called her to talk about trying to make their marriage work, the girl (his wife) asked her mother about it and her response was “My mom said no.”  Yes, youth is wasted on the young.

During the second or third marriage, the wife was more concerned about Kenny throwing her mink coat out the door to her as she was running beside the car shortly before his automobile accident.  No, he did not throw the coat to her.  He made something humorous about something distressing.  This reminds me of a line in one of his most famous songs, “You have to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em”.   He lived the line before making it famous.

He said that the only time he felt uncertain about his life was when the group by the name of The First Edition called it quits. He felt lost and for the first time was absolutely alone.   He had no job skills and dropped out of college before obtaining a degree in engineering. His ambition kept him moving beyond all else.  He had learned harmony from his sister and learned something from every experience: from singing alone to learning how to walk and sing at the same time to playing bass to the realization the country music was his answer to his music career.  He was ambition driven and headed out to Nashville with little cash and fewer connections.

His career encompasses real friendships with Dottie West, Lionel Richie and yes one of his biggest fans is Dolly Parton.  He received some great advice early on which he kept front and center: 1) your career is a business and treat it accordingly, 2) have a few real friends, 3) get a hobby, 4) have a backup plan for your life. 5) One cannot have success without sharing.  As a result, he has raised millions for charity at his annual tournament held on his property.  He has two published to his credit.  He sold one of his homes for twice what he paid and IN CASH.  He also said that the key to success is “to keep going” and he definitely had a life in motion. 

Now for some really interesting notes:  Sue Reed (friend at BPW) and his family grew up in the same area. She was friends with them and one of his sisters in particular.  My mom worked with the woman who lived next to door to his mom when she lived in Crockett. At my 45^th high school reunion I found out that one of my friends older siblings was a best friend with one his sisters. 
It is small world …. Or is it?