“Mic drop” – It’s a phrase repeatedly used on social media to describe someone making such a confident and valid point that no one can top them. But “Mic drop” can also refer to the literal act of a musician letting go of a microphone (much like smashing a guitar) to declare one’s true “rock star” status. And if you’re Kenny Rogers, a “mic drop” is the only way to officially retire from the music business after a stellar 60 year career. Aided by longtime best friend, duet (and now “mic drop”) partner Dolly Parton, Rogers bid farewell to the stage during the ALL IN FOR THE GAMBLER: KENNY ROGERS’ FAREWELL CONCERT CELEBRATION at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on October 25. But not before Parton and Rogers’ last performance of “Islands in the Stream”, and definitely not before a 2-1/2 hour concert with some of Rogers’ closest musical friends singing his biggest hits.
Nashville’s Charles “Chip” Esten took time off from playing Deacon Claybourne to assume his other known role around town — host — on this history making, iconic night. A night that kicked off when The Oak Ridge Boys told us about “Love or Something Like It” and Elle King gave us that saucy “Tulsa Turnaround.” Rogers sat side stage with wife Wanda, soaking in the company of friends on stage like Travis Tritt, Billy Dean, Lee Greenwood, T.G. Sheppard, T. Graham Brown, and Crystal Gayle who all came together to go out in a “Blaze of Glory.” One of Rogers’ first crossover successes, “Lucille”, was met with a standing ovation after Justin Moore gave a strong, traditional country performance (complete with a white cowboy hat).
In between numbers came the stories and sweet family moments, starting with mother/daughter powerhouse, Linda Davis and Hillary Scott. Scott, who grew up around Rogers thanks to her mother touring with him over the years, had a good laugh as she reminded the 2013 Hall of Fame inductee about the time he thought she wrecked one of his golf carts as a teenager. Davis and Scott delivered a beautiful and fitting rendition of “20 Years Ago” for their dear family friend. Another famous country daughter paid homage to Rogers with “Turn the Light On” before bringing her mama on stage, which she introduced as “My Queen.” Naomi Judd told the audience with Wynonna by her side, “I got to do one of the Gambler movies with Kenny. He’s one of the funniest people on the planet.”
After Esten credited Rogers with having “the words every man wants to say and every woman wants to hear”, Billy Currington backed up that claim with a soultry rendition of “Morning Desire.” Country rocker Aaron Lewis paid homage to Rogers’ with one of his most controversial recordings, “Coward of the County.” Reba McEntire ran across the stage to give her old pal a big hug before singing “Reuben James,” exclaiming it was a “big ol’ family reunion backstage!” A reunion indeed! The band that started it all for Rogers’ 60 year career, The First Edition, made an appearance to honor their former member, and was even given a piece of the spotlight when Jamey Johnson ended the first half with “I Just Dropped In (To see what Condition my Condition Was In”). But it was Johnson’s mesmerizing and emotional version of “Sweet Music Man” that brought the audience to silence, and then to their feet. Johnson bowed and said, “you already signed my guitar or else I’d be over there with a sharpie right now.”
The second half of the tribute proved to be just as explosive as the first beginning with a special announcement! Reps from Mayor Megan Barry’s office and local government officials officially declared October 25 “Kenny Rogers Day” in honor of his many contributions as both a musical pioneer and humanitarian. Soft purple stage lights and a collage of pictures taken thru the years helped set the tone for the angelic voice of Alison Krauss as she shared “Love the World Away”. Longtime bud Kris Kristofferson had the audience singing to every word of “Me and Bobby McGee”, which was written by Kristofferson and Fred Foster and recorded by many notable acts over the years, including Kenny Rogers and The First Edition. In 1979, one of Rogers’ biggest crossover hits, “She Believes in Me”, shot to the top of the charts, and on his special night, it shot straight to fans’ hearts when it was redone by none other than Lady Antebellum.
“You allowed us to open up for you-our first show in 2009 in Switzerland—you inspired us to continue to travel the world with our music.” Hillary Scott told Rogers. Scott then tenderly labeled him a “trailblazer for all of us in country music.”
Another musical “trailblazer” then hit the stage in the form of Don Henley, when his timeless masterpiece, “Desperado” left everyone in the audience speechless. And as if that wasn’t enough, Broadway songstress Idina Menzel’s sparkly blue attire was upstaged only by her two performances–“You Decorated My Life,” and “We’ve Got Tonight,” a duet shared with Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley. Talk about hitting some incredibly difficult high notes and making it sound effortless! The special guests continued when Lionel Richie took the stage with “Lady”, a song that topped the charts and helped fuel both Riche and Rogers’ solo careers in the 80s. Richie walked over to Rogers and his wife and hugged him twice after singing “You’re my Lady” directly to Rogers.
As with all good things, even the best of shows must come to an end. But not before the one song that not only produced a run of successful movies, but that gave Rogers his beloved nickname of “The Gambler.” And perhaps the only other musical genius who covered it better than Rogers himself, was Chris Stapleton that very night.
And then there’s Dolly. Rogers’ best friend sparkled right beside him centerstage, prancing around in her shimmery, white dress. They joked and reminisced about plastic surgeries, duet partners, dressing rooms, and days spent in the studio and on the road. After they sang “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” Parton kidded that even though a lot of her may be artificial on the outside, her heart is real. She added by saying, “there’s a spot for you that’s never gonna be touched by anybody else!” Parton followed that sentiment with another heart wrenching sentiment when she dedicated “I Will Always Love You” to her pal.
But nothing says a Kenny Rogers tribute finale like “Islands in the Stream”, for supposedly this is the last time Parton and Rogers will sing their Barry Gibb dubbed hit on stage. And the crowd went wild as they should, especially when that now famous “mic drop” happened.
Kenny Rogers has had quite the illustrious career that most artists and aspiring artists can only dream of. And even though he seems to know that now is the ‘time to fold em’, his fans and musical compadres will always ‘hold em’ because ‘The Gambler’ will be around for decades and generations to come.
“Oh, nobody sings a love song quite like you do. Oh, and nobody else can make me sing along. . . .
sing your song sweet music man, I believe in you.” (Sweet Music Man)