South Shore Music

Kenny Rogers opens South Shore Music Circus season

Kenny Rogers will probably perform some cuts from his latest CD, a gospel album titled “The Love of God,” when he opens the season at Cohasset’s South Shore Music Circus on Friday. But the singer promises his set list will still be heavy with the hits that made him a legend.

“Ray Charles is, was, and always will be my all-time musical hero. I loved him very much. I saw him in concert years ago, however, and he didn’t do ‘Georgia on My Mind.’ It made me very mad, because I felt I didn’t get my money’s worth,” Rogers said by telephone from his Atlanta home last week. “Each song is like a weapon in your arsenal. I am very fortunate, because I’ve had something like 30 to 35 hits. You have to have tools in your tool box to do your job. And those songs are my tools. I’ll put songs from a new album in my show, for sure, but I will always do my hits, too, because I know they are what people have come to hear.” With more than 120 million records sold and 65 albums, Rogers – and hits like “I Just Dropped In,” “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” “The Gambler,” “You Decorated My Life, “Lady,” and, of course, “Lucille” – Rogers has been giving fans of several musical genres what they want for more than 50 years.

“I started performing in high school. I learned very early on that the guys in the groups got all the girls and I wasn’t about to miss my chance. I’ve always been interested in all different kinds of music. At home, growing up, all I heard was Hank Williams and other great country singers. By high school, I was listening to doo-wop. One of my own early musical experiences was as a vocalist and upright bass player in a jazz group called the Bobby Doyle Trio. It was in that group, singing and performing jazz, that I learned most of what I know about different vocal styles.”

The Houston-born Rogers wasted little time putting that knowledge to work.

“I sang and played double bass with the New Christy Minstrels, which was a folk group. Then I helped form the First Edition, and we had more of a pop/rock sound. When I went out on my own in 1976, I focused more on pop and country music.”

Perhaps because of his early group success, Rogers, 72, said he has always enjoyed working with other artists. And he has had considerable success, too, scoring several country hits with his old friend, the late Dottie West, and climbing the pop charts with Kim Carnes on “Don’t Fall in Love With a Dreamer,” Sheena Easton on “We’ve Got Tonight,” and Dolly Parton on “Islands in the Stream.” “I think I am at my best when I do duets,” said the three-time Grammy winner. “The secret is that you start with a great song first. Then, once you have the song, you think, ‘Who will I sing this well with?’ I started working on a new duets album about a year ago and I’ve got a couple of songs in the can, but it isn’t always easy to find just the right music. I have a concept album in mind, too, called ‘Killer Combinations’ in which I would record with people like my good friend Wyclef Jean and other people outside my genre.

Soul Circus Cowboys Return to SSMF for Round II! | South Shore ...

We are excited to announce that the Soul Circus Cowboys are geared up and ready to rock SSMF II! They brought the house down last year so be prepared for another high energy show!

About SCC:

After years of being a local crowd-pleasing favorite, Soul Circus Cowboys are offering their flavor of bold southern rock to audiences everywhere.

Lead singer and songwriter Billy McKnight is no stranger to the music industry, having had national success as an independent artist. In search of a new project, he teamed up with producer Henry Paul, best known for his roles in southern rock bands Blackhawk and The Outlaws. McKnight made frequent trips to Nashville from his home in the Tampa Bay area for songwriting sessions with Paul.

Armed with new material from these sessions, McKnight brought together the best musicians Florida had to offer: guitarists Johnny Chromatic and Ron Hutson, keyboardist Dan Swartwood, bassist Jason Gaines, and drummer Jason Alfano. “I love the camaraderie I’ve got working with this band,” McKnight says. Their varied influences and years of experience create a sound and energy all their own.

The band’s debut single, “Love’s Like A Rodeo,” is a larger-than-life country-rock anthem that demonstrates the band’s energy perfectly. But SCC also connects with their audience on a deeper level. “We are a musical band with real stories,” McKnight states. Those experiences are reflected in every lyric, from their up-tempo songs to deeply personal ballads.

Soul Circus Cowboys will be releasing their debut album, produced by Henry Paul and Dale Oliver, later this year. In the meantime, they have a jam-packed summer tour schedule. McKnight and the band look forward to bringing their music to fans all over the country. “What I’m most excited about is knowing SCC will bring the masses together,” says McKnight. Their electrifying performances and onstage charisma and are sure to do just that.

To learn more about the Soul Circus Cowboys go to www.soulcircuscowboys.com .

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