Don't be content to stay there, always strive to be better, but be happy with wherever you are.
Words of wisdom from Kenny Rogers Mom - and boy is she spot on. He shared that today among the many stories he told. He grew up in the projects, but had no idea they were poor. They were happy, and everyone he knew had holes in the knees of their jeans too, so he didn't feel any different from anyone else. Until he went to school and found out not everyone lived that way. The 'rich kids' made fun of him.
That wasn't really what shaped his life, it was his love of singing that drove him to be a performer. He went to a Ray Charles concert with his sister when he was a young teenager - he said not only did everyone applaud every song he sang, but they clapped for everything he said. And he thought that kind of adoration from the fans was what he wanted.
He's never done drugs, never drank alcohol. He's lived a clean, sober, fulfilling life. And he still does. At 75 years old he has twin boys who are 10. He hopes to live long enough to instill his mothers' wisdom into his boys. He is charming, well-spoken and loves the audience.
I would have loved to hear him sing today, but he didn't do that. It was still great to sit and listen to the stories. From the Bobby Doyle Three, to the New Christy Minstrels, to The First Edition - which then changed to Kenny Rogers and the First Edition - to his many solo and duet records, he's got some great stories.
He is truly a gentleman and a performer and I count myself among the fortunate to have been able to see him today.
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