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Toasting (And Roasting) Kenny
“Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years” will feature music and comedy from some of Rogers’ most famous friends including Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Alison Kraus, Wynonna and The Oak Ridge Boys.
The show, which will be taped for broadcast on a yet-to-be-named network sometime this year, is set to take place April 10 at MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Mashantucket and is open to the public, with tickets available beginning Feb. 11 through MGMAtFoxwoods.com or at the venue box office.
“When this was first proposed to me as a 50-year celebration, something about that sounded so final, and I didn’t want that, so I suggested we call it ‘The First 50 Years,’” Rogers said. “I will tell you this, the first 50 years TV show is gonna be awesome – the next 50 years TV show is gonna be a bitch.”
Over the course of his career, the singer has sold more than 125 million albums, has had a hit single in each of the last six decades, starred in one of the highest rated TV movies ever (“The Gambler”), scored the No. 1 duet of all time (“Islands in the Stream” with Dolly Parton) and earned three Grammy Awards, five Country Music Association Awards, 18 American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music Award and 11 People’s Choice Awards.