Kenny Rogers
A collaborative partner on the 1984 holiday album Once Upon a Christmas and the hit single "Islands in the Stream".
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton first collaborated in 1976 when Rogers appeared as a guest on Parton's syndicated variety series, Dolly. They reunited for the 1983 number-one hit single "Islands in the Stream." In late 1983, Rogers reached out to Parton to propose a Christmas album. Recording occurred in August 1984 due to their busy schedules and was completed by late September. Released on October 29, 1984, by RCA Records, Once Upon a Christmas marked Rogers' second holiday effort following 1981's Christmas and Parton's first. Produced by Rogers with David Foster, the album was accompanied by a CBS television special titled Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember.
Quick Facts
- Birth Name
- Kenneth Donald Ray Rogers
- Birth Date
- 1938-08-21
- Birth Place
- Houston, Texas, U.S.
- Death Date
- 2020-03-20
- Death Place
- Sandy Springs, Georgia, U.S.
- Genre
- Country · pop · soft rock
- Occupations
- Singer · songwriter · record producer · actor · entrepreneur
- Instrument
- Vocals · guitar
- Discography
- Kenny Rogers discography
- Years Active
- 1956–2017
- Label
- Cue · Carlton · Mercury · United Artists · Giant · Reprise · Atlantic · Liberty · Curb · RCA · Dreamcatcher · Capitol · WEA · Warner Bros.
- Past Member Of
- The New Christy Minstrels · Kenny Rogers and The First Edition
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The partnership began with Rogers as a guest on Parton's variety show in 1976, leading to their 1983 reunion on "Islands in the Stream," which became a number one hit. When Rogers contacted Parton in late 1983 about a Christmas album, she jumped at the idea, noting that while it was her first holiday project, they loved singing together. According to Billboard, recording took place in August 1984 and mixing was finished by late September. Rogers described their collaboration as "the whole being even greater than the sum of its parts," citing his Baptist upbringing and how Christmas brings families together. Parton praised Rogers' "real Santa Claus spirit" and noted that their vocal blend created a real electricity on record.
Reader's Guide
Kenny Rogers produced Once Upon a Christmas with David Foster for RCA Records, releasing it on October 29, 1984. The album was certified Gold and Platinum by the RIAA on December 3, 1984, eventually reaching 2× Platinum in 1989. In Canada, it achieved 5× Platinum status by April 13, 1988, for shipments of 500,000 copies. The album peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 31 on the Billboard 200. Billboard praised the record as "devoid of schmaltz" and full of warmth. A 1997 reissue on the BMG Special Products label rearranged tracks, omitting Rogers' solos but adding Parton's 1982 recording of "Hard Candy Christmas."
Did You Know?
- Kenny Rogers contacted Dolly Parton in late 1983 to propose a Christmas album after their success with "Islands in the Stream."
- The CBS television special Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember was viewed by 30 million people.
- Dolly Parton's solo medley on the album did not chart upon release but peaked at number 70 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in January 1999.
- The album received 2× Platinum certification from the RIAA for shipments of 2 million copies by October 25, 1989.
- Rogers described their collaboration as a case where "the whole being even greater than the sum of its parts."
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