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10 Questions with ... Kenny Rogers
February 14, 2006
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NAME:Kenny RogersTITLE:Recording Artist
1. Tell us about your new single "I Can't Unlove You."
We wanted to try to come at a love song from an unusual angle. This is a song that to me is about a guy who was deeply committed to a relationship and is having a difficult time walking away. I think what makes it such a wonderful song is that the guy is not weak, he is vulnerable, and I think it's a whole different side to romance that you don't get to see very often.
2. Tell us about working with Dann Huff and how you arrived at this new sound.
Dann Huff is a kind of Rock & Roll producer. He comes from a totally different place in production. He doesn't like to use all studio musicians because his theory is that if you play together, you think together. He likes to bring in other players from outside the mix, which brings different dynamic. It's really interesting to watch him work because he will tell you, I have no plan, I get in there and whatever happens...happens. Then we build on that. If you listen to the songs that he has produced for other artists, it's totally different than what he did with me, but you can still see that it is Dann Huff. I think that is the mark of a great producer.
3. How did you decide what songs to put on the album?
Song selection is primarily done by myself, along with Jim Mazza, but Dann Huff did bring some of these songs to the table. We listen to thousands of songs. I have this thing about listening to songs I will sit down and listen to any song that someone has sent me. I listen as long as it holds my attention. I always felt I could pick a hit song and I think that has been my mainstay.
4. When people go in to buy the album what do you want them to walk away with? And what might they learn new about you?
I wanted to make an album that was significant. Music should do three things... make you laugh, make you cry, or make you think. At first, we were too heavy on the think side and the album got really dark...it was wonderful, but it was just dark. We found a couple of fun, upbeat songs to get some levity to it. I think what I really wanted to do was do something that I could be proud of in my body of work. I wanted to do something that every song on it had a place in my heart and these songs do. If you listen to these songs and take each one of them, there is something totally unique and special about each song.
5. Can you tell me a little about the title track "Water & Bridges"?
It's a great song. It's a little dark but it's a wonderful piece of music, written by Craig Wiseman. He writes from a place where I have never heard anyone write from. His songs are so pure, honest, deep in the thought process that I am just thrilled to have one of his songs to do. I think it's a wonderful retrospective about the way that things seem to have a quick remedy and you take that remedy but it's not always the best answer.
6. Tell us about how your new relationship with Capitol began and how does it feel to come back to the label where you have had so many hits?
I have a wonderful feeling about being back at Capitol because Mike Dungan called me personally and said; 'you know Kenny, you have been such an important part of our history that I would love to have you be a part of the future, and I think I know how to do that'. Mike didn't hear anything until we had finished the album and you feel good anytime anyone puts that kind of confidence in you.
7. Tell us about the amazing CMT Crossroads you did with Lionel Richie.
Crossroads may be the single most fun thing that I have done in twenty-five years. Lionel and I have been great friends for many years, and we have had so many great experiences together. To have that hour was amazing. It was suppose to be an hour show where we would sing a song, then stop, then do some controlled interviews, and we had so much fun between songs that they just let it roll. What you saw is what we did. We never stopped tape and it was just one of those magical moments.
8. Don Henley, one of the greatest voices in Rock & Roll and Kenny Rogers, one of the greatest voices in Country music, come together for a duet on a song called "Coming Home". How did this incredible duet partnership come about?
Don and I have been friends for years. He has made such a contribution to American music. I wouldn't feel comfortable approaching Don with a love song so I approached him with this song. He really loved it. It's really organic, about going home and things that mean something to you. Working with him was really interesting because his voice is so high that he has to really ramp himself up. He was in the studio for four hours, but I think the end result is great. I think we sound really wonderful together.
9. In all the years that you have made music, I am sure that you have had many interesting, funny, odd, heartwarming experiences. Can you share one with us?
I had a lady write me that she and her husband lived in the same house and had not spoken in seven years. She said he heard "Buy Me a Rose" and that day came home, and bought her a rose and he said 'I don't know where else to start'. From that letter, I learned that big problems can be solved my small gestures.
10. Is it true that it is your son stars in your brand new hit video for "I Can't Unlove You"?
Chris was my youngest son until the twin boys. He is twenty-four now and quit college to be an actor. I called him up to do this video. And I told him that we hooked him up with a hot co-star but to remember that during the love scenes, she's just acting. He's really a great kid. He is so happy and it makes me happy to see him happy.
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