Kenny Rogers has decided to fold ‘em.
After 57 years of regular touring, the legendary country singer has decided that it’s time for him to retire, but he isn’t walking away just yet.
In a September 25th interview on The Today Show, the 77 year-old musical icon announced his decision to retire following a farewell world tour, which he will embark on in 2016.
“It’s happily sad or sadly happy,” he said in the Today Show interview. “I’m going to do a big worldwide tour, and it’s going to be my last. I’m going to say goodbye at that point; I’ve done this long enough.”
A large part of Rogers decision stems from a desire to spend quality time with his family.
“I wrote in my book that there’s a fine line between being driven and being selfish, and I think I crossed that line when I was younger,” he explained. “And I really want to be there with my kids and my wife. They’re really very important to me, and I don’t see enough of them.”
Rogers appeared as a guest on The Today Show to promote his upcoming Christmas release, Once Again It’s Christmas, Taste of Country reported. Yet, while the album is new, the decision to retire has been on the horizon for a while, as life on the road has proven to be more physically challenging for him in recent years.
“I’m sure I will miss it. I swore that I would do this until I embarrassed myself,” he jokingly said in the interview with the Today Show. “I don’t walk around well, so I’ve found some new humor. My mobility is really driving me crazy.”
But, there is still plenty of time to see Rogers in concert, before his retirement. Beginning on November 11th, 2015, he is launching his annual Christmas tour that will crisscross the United States and Canada, before wrapping up on December 23rd. While this is an annual Christmas tour, the 2015 trek is notable because Rogers just released his sixth Christmas album, Once Again It’s Christmas, which is also the 76th album of Rogers’ career. This new album features guest appearances by several artists, including bluegrass singer/fiddler Alison Krauss, along with Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland.
The Country Music Hall of Famer announced that he will end his nearly six decade career with a final performance on The Today show, which will take place after the curtain falls on his farewell tour.
Please note that the details and a complete listing of dates for Rogers’ farewell tour have not, yet, been announced.
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