Kenny Rogers still going strong

2008-08-27 12:06

Nashville - Kenny Rogers is proud of his 50-year career, but he can't help but hope that the best is yet to come.

"For me, the whole goal is to stay relevant as long as I can," said Rogers, whose career retrospective, Kenny Rogers: 50 Years, was released on Tuesday exclusively through Cracker Barrel restaurants.

While the 12-track CD includes hits such as Lucille and The Gambler, it also features three new songs.

"It's one thing to still be doing it, but to still have your records played on the radio and to have contemporary success, that's what's exciting," he said on Tuesday.

Rogers, 70, became a superstar in the 1970s and '80s. His career cooled in the '90s, but he continues to have hits.

New album

His 2006 album, Water & Bridges, charted three songs, including the No 14 I Can't Unlove You.

He's now working on material for a new album.

"Radio has said to me in so many words: If you do great work, we'll play it. But if it's average, you'll have to stand in line," he said.

"I've always been a country singer with a lot of influences," said Rogers, who played jazz, folk and rock before hitting his stride with a country-pop sound, "and I think that's helped me because I can do a variety of songs."

- AP