Country music star Kenny Rogers performs in Jakarta
Country music star Kenny Rogers performs in Jakarta
By Gus Kairupan [10pt ML]
JAKARTA (JP): The Gambler was a mini series that had
television audiences here glued to their sets a couple of months
ago.
Small wonder. It was one of the lamentably few shows that
deserved the description of "excellent" on all points: design,
camera, action, acting, costumes, make-up. In short,it was well
done within the entire gamut of aspects involved in making a
movie.
What really made the movie, though, was the central figure
portrayed by actor Kenny Rogers. Actor? Certainly.
But that is only one of several areas in which this multi-
talented personality, who is scheduled to perform at the Jakarta
Hilton Convention Center next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., has carved
out a name and fame inside as much as outside of his country.
Photography is another are in which he excels. He has three
published volumes to his name and is working on another.
Then there's his hands-on involvement in the "Kenny Rogers
American Wear Collection" line of clothing.
As an entrepreneur he is involved in a shopping and
entertainment complex, a theme park and a 1,000-seat showboat.
And finally, there is his partnership with John Y. Brown in a
chain of wood-roasted chicken restaurants, called "Kenny Rogers
Roasters."
But the one field that has his abiding love is music, coun
try music, to be precise.
Music has been the single major factor in the life of this
native of Texas ever since he formed a group with a couple of
high school buddies toward the end of the 1950s.
This love continued into college where he was a member of a
jazz trio, The Bobby Doyle Trio, and sang in a barber-shop
quartet called The Lively Ones.
He joined the New Christy Minstrels in the mid-1960s. Not long
after that he and Mickey Newbury formed what was later known as
Kenny Rogers and The First Edition.
From the very beginning the group scored successes with, among
others, Just Dropped In, Ruby and Reuben James. These
successes reverberated around the world and turned them into
international stars.
In 1972 Rogers left the group and began a solo career that has
proved no less successful until today. But it isn't only solo
work in which this outstanding performer has made his mark.
Other country music stars with whom he has cut records include
Kim Carnes, James Ingram, Sheena Easton and Dolly Parton with
whom he cut an album of Christmas songs.
It is Kenny Rogers the musician whom audiences, especially his
fans, will have a chance to enjoy in person. Sponsored by the
Tempo Group, the charity event in aid of the Indonesian Red Cross
is jointly promoted by Indomugi Pratama Sunvic Promotion and
American Express Cards among others. Reservations for the
tickets which cost Rp 1 million, Rp 750,000, Rp 500,000 and Rp
350,000 may be made at the Secretariat (330924 or 330940) or with
Ibu Dibyo (331178 or 3100386).
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