Kenny Rogers TV special performers announced

Smokey Robinson, Tim McGraw, Chris Isaak, Darius Rucker, Billy Currington & Sheena Easton have all now signed on to perform on the television special Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years, joining previously announced guests Dolly Parton, Lionel Richie, Alison Krauss, Wynonna Judd and The Oak Ridge Boys. The array of all-star artists will perform, along with Kenny, and a few will host different segments of the show travelling through his six decades of hits at the special taping on April 10th at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Ledyard, CT.

Parton, Richie, Krauss, Robinson, Isaak, Judd, The Oak Ridge Boys, Easton, original members of The First Edition and Rogers will perform live at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods. McGraw, Rucker and Currington will be performing for the show from remote locations.

Far more than just a music special, Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years, will celebrate the career of a beloved, universally known icon of American entertainment and 50 years of making music. The event will be as star studded as any award show, filled with music and comedy from some of the biggest stars in the entertainment world performing, appearing and sharing stories about Kenny Rogers and his music.

Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years will be produced by Dreamcatcher Artist Management and Locomotive Entertainment Group. Shot in pristine hi-definition, this multi-camera, up-close-and-personal special will find the viewer “visually surrounded and fully immersed" in the concert. Mark Lucas, who recently directed the concert films for Dave Matthews and Kings of Leon, will direct, and Monty Powell, 2009 SESAC Songwriter of the Year and producer, will serve as Musical Director.

Tickets are on sale now online at www.mgmatfoxwoods.com, by calling the MGM Grand at Foxwoods Box Office at 1-866-646-0609, by calling Ticketmaster, or in person at the MGM Grand Box Office.

“When this was first proposed to me as a 50-year celebration, something about that sounded 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.”

The red carpet for this event will certainly have to roll for a long way, as there are so many superstars from music, movies, and sports that Kenny has touched over the course of his 50 years in entertainment. It will certainly be an unforgettable night for everyone involved.

Kenny is one of a handful of artists to sell over 125 million albums. He also holds the very rare distinction of having a hit single in each of the last six decades. His television movie “The Gambler” is one of the highest rated TV movies of all time. His duet with Dolly Parton, “Islands In The Stream,” is the #1-selling duet of all time. His extensive history of success also includes 20 platinum, 27 gold records and a Diamond-certified Greatest Hits album that has sold more than 24 million copies worldwide. He has won three Grammy Awards, five Country Music Association Awards, 18 American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music Awards and 11 People’s Choice Awards. He has recorded 65 albums and is ranked #8 on the R.I.A.A.’s list of Top Selling Male Artists of all time.

With his unique storytelling ability and soulful voice, Kenny has continued his amazing run into the 21st century with a critically acclaimed album (Water and Bridges) and a recent gold certification (21 Number Ones). Whether it’s his classic or current hits, or his recent appearance on “American Idol,” his relevance in the world of music and pop culture has never been stronger.

Kenny Rogers is the singer, the photographer, the producer, the actor, the songwriter, and of course… the Gambler.

Details on the network airing the special, even more guest stars and other surprises will be announced leading up to the event.

For all of the latest news, please visit Kenny Rogers’ official website: www.kennyrogers.com