Luck or Something Like It (27 page)

And with a little luck or something like it, they will.

Acknowledgments

Alvin Toffler once wrote
a book called
Future Shock,
in which he laid out a theory that in every life there are what he called crisis moments. These are moments that happen to everyone, after which your life can never be the same.

Since this book was written more anecdotally than sequentially, I am sure there are people I have failed to mention who have certainly been important in the shaping of my life and career. No matter how well intentioned I am, or how hard I’ve tried, I am sure I have forgotten someone, and for that I am deeply apologetic.

Let me at least take a moment to mention some people who were there at career-turning points for me.

My mom and dad, who made me the person I am today. I will be forever grateful for the foundation you laid for me.

My brother Lelan, who always believed I had talent and helped me find my first outlet.

Jimmy Duncan and Larry Kane, who changed my name and recorded my first record, “For You Alone.”

Bobby Doyle, for giving me a great musical foundation and a belief that I could make a living in music.

Kirby Stone, who mentored me through the confusing times and taught me the business of music. I have to wonder, without him, where I might be today.

Terry Williams, Mike Settle, and Thelma Camacho, who allowed me to be a part of something really special—the First Edition—and get my first taste of success.

Jimmy Bowen, for giving me both the courage and the opportunity to record and produce music at a very high level.

Mike Post, for producing “Just Dropped In,” a truly career-changing piece of music.

Ken Kragen, who as my manager for thirty-three years took me to career heights I didn’t really deserve, none of which would have happened without his knowledge, caring, and guidance.

Larry Butler, who produced most of the biggest hits I have had in my career and did it in a six-year period. What a ride that was. I will be forever indebted to him.

Kelly Junkermann, for teaching me tennis and probably adding years to my life by making me exercise. I have always jokingly said that he was never afraid to gamble with my career, but he helped me transition from music to acting. Along with Ken Kragen, he has produced almost every piece of film I’ve been a part of.

Jim Mazza, who stepped into my life first as a friend and then as a manager for a total of some twenty years. Jim kept the boat afloat and encouraged country music to accept me. He represents so much in my life. I can never repay him for that and wouldn’t even know where to start.

Dick Lowry, who through five
Gambler
movies took this country boy and made him a cowboy. He actually made me feel like Brady Hawkes. I love the character, and I love how Dick made me look. I hope someday I can be more like Brady. Who wouldn’t want to be a cowboy?

Barry Gibb, for having the foresight and the brilliance not only to write “Islands in the Stream” but to suggest we bring in Dolly Parton to save us. This was definitely a crisis moment in my life.

Dolly Parton, for infusing me and my career with an energy I didn’t know I had, and teaching me how much fun friendship and music can be. Every note in every performance was a joy.

Lionel Richie, who with one song—“Lady”—gave me a connection with every woman in the world. He was, and still is, in every sense of the word, my soul brother.

Ken Levitan, for bringing new thought and new respect to an otherwise stagnant point in my life. I am more impressed with him every day.

About the Author

KENNY ROGERS
is one of the bestselling artists of all time with more than 120 million albums sold worldwide. He has endeared himself to music lovers around the world with hit songs like “Lady,” “The Gambler,” “Islands in the Stream,” and “Love or Something Like It.” He is a three-time Grammy Award winner, and has won eighteen American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music Awards, and five Country Music Association Awards.

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Credits

Cover photograph © by Kelly Junkermann

Copyright

The Permissions section serves as a continuation of the copyright page.

Personal correspondence from Mary Gwynne Davidson Ridout printed with her permission.

“Kenny Rogers, Local Boy, Is on the Way.” Copyright © 1958 Houston Chronicle Publishing Company. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

LUCK OR SOMETHING LIKE IT
. Copyright © 2012 by Kenny Rogers. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

FIRST EDITION

ISBN 978-0-06-207181-1
EPub Edition © OCTOBER 2012 ISBN: 9780062071606

12 13 14 15 16
OV/RRD
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Permissions

“Lucille,” written by Roger Bowling and Hal Bynum. Copyright © 1977 Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Andite Invasion, Figs. D Music o/b/o Missed Memories Music c/o The Bicycle Music Company in the United States, all print and sync rights on behalf of Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC and Andite Invasion administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. In Canada, all print and sync rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC; all other rights administered on behalf of Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC and Andite Invasion by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. In the remaining territories, all rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. 8 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“Momma’s Waiting.” Words and music by Kenny Rogers and Terry Williams TRO. Copyright © 1970 (Renewed) and 1978 Silverline Music, Inc. (BMI), Warner-Barham Music LLC (BMI), Devon Music, Inc. (BMI)—New York, NY and Flea Show Music Co. (BMI) All rights on behalf of Silverline Music, Inc.  Administered by Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp.—Los Angeles, CA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“Old Man in Our Town.” Words and music by Kenny Rogers TRO. Copyright © 1978 Devon Music, Inc., New York, NY. Used by permission.

“Green Green.” Words and music by Barry McGuire and Randy Sparks. Used by permission of New Christy Music and The New Christy Minstrels Foundation.

“Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town.” Words and music by Mel Tillis. Copyright © 1966, 1977 UNIVERSAL—CEDARWOOD PUBLISHING . Copyright renewed. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Reprinted by permission of Hal Leonard Corporation.

“Reuben James.” Words and music by Alex Harvey and Barry Etris. Copyright © 1969 (Renewed 1996, 1997) UNART MUSIC CORP. Rights assigned to EMI CATALOGUE PARTNERSHIP. All rights controlled and administered by EMI UNART CATALOG INC. (Publishing) and ALFRED MUSIC PUBLISHING CO., INC. (Print). All rights reserved.

“Something’s Burning.” Words and music by Mac Davis. Copyright © 1969 (Renewed 1997) SCREEN GEMS-EMI MUSIC INC. All rights reserved. International Copyright Secured. Used by permission.
Reprinted by permission of Hal Leonard Corporation.

“Tell It All Brother.” Words and Music by Alex Harvey. Copyright © 1970 by Alley Music Corporation and Trio Music Company. Copyright renewed. All rights for Trio Music Company administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC. International copyright secured. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“Sweet Music Man.” Words and music by Kenny Rogers. Copyright © 1977, renewed 2005 BMG Ruby Songs (ASCAP) and M-3 Music Co. (ASCAP). Worldwide rights for BMG Ruby Songs and M3 Music Co. administered by BMG Rights Management (US) LLC. International copyright secured. All rights reserved.
Reprinted by permission of Hal Leonard Corporation

“Every Time Two Fools Collide.” Words and music by Jan Dyer and Jeff Tweel. Copyright © 1975 EMI U CATALOG, INC. (ASCAP) and Careers-BMG Music Publishing, Inc. Careers-BMG administered by EMI UNART CATALOG, INC. (BMI). All rights reserved. International copyright secured. Used by permission.

“Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight.” Words and music by Julie Didier and Casey Kelly. Copyright © 1978 WB Gold Music Corp. (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“The Gambler.” Written by Don Schlitz
.
Copyright © 1978 Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. All rights administered by Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, 8 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“Lady” by Lionel Richie
.
Copyright © 1980 Brockman Music (ASCAP) & Brenda Richie Publishing (ASCAP)
.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“As God Is My Witness,” Written by Kenny Rogers, Steve Glassmeyer, Warren Hartman. Published by Lionsmate Music (ASCAP). Administered by Wixen Music Publishing, Inc./Golden Glass Music—Bluewater Music Corp. DBA Mighty Nice Music A/C Golden Glass Music, a division of Glassmeyer Ent., Inc. / Fat Lady Music (BMI). Used by permission.

“Heroes.” Written by Kenny Rogers, Steve Glassmeyer, Warren Hartman. Published by Lionsmate Music (ASCAP). Administered by Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.

“If Only I Had Your Heart.” Written by Kenny Rogers, Steve Glassmeyer, Warren Hartman. Published by Lionsmate Music (ASCAP). Administered by Wixen Music Publishing, Inc. Used by permission.

“The Greatest” by Don Schlitz. Copyright © 1999 New Hayes Music/ASCAP (Adm by Carol Vincent and Associates, LLC). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

“Buy Me A Rose” (Jim Funk/Erik Hickenlooper). Copyright © 1999 Rex Benson Music (BMI)/Blue Plate Music Publishing (BMI). All rights for Rex Benson Music administered worldwide by PEN Music Group, Inc. All rights for Blue Plate Music Publishing administered by BUG Music, Inc., a BMG Chrysalis company. Used by permission. All rights reserved.