Kenny Rogers driven by duets

Don’t mind making it a double anytime for Kenny Rogers.

“Duets are the highlight of my life and my career,” he said last month by phone in a casual, roundtable interview.

With an array of projects through the years with such stars as Dolly Parton, Kim Carnes, Sheena Easton, Lionel Richie, Ronnie Milsap, and the late Dottie West, Rogers has packaged some more pairings on his latest CD, “Once Again It’s Christmas,” released Sept. 25 by Warner Music Nashville/Warner Bros.

Rogers, who returns to play the Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach at 7 p.m. Saturday, said his work with West might rank among his favorite, especially having toured with her for about two years.

He still longs for her induction in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, in Nashville, Tenn., where he was honored with enshrinement in 2013.

Fans have heard Rogers share the microphone on various country and pop hits, including “We’ve Got Tonight” with Easton, “Islands in the Stream” with Parton – also the owner of “Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show” in Myrtle Beach – and “Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer” with Carnes.

He also sang background on “My Love” on Lionel Richie’s first solo album, after the then-Commodore lead singer penned “Lady,” one of Rogers’ many solo smashes, among others such as “Lucille,” “The Gambler,” “You Decorated My Life” and “She Believes in Me,” after Rogers’ tenures with the New Christy Minstrels and the First Edition. With the latter, the Houston native sang “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” and “Reuben James.”’

Rogers, who turned 77 in August, figured “a good chance” exists that an all-duets album could be in the offing, not just with fellow country artists, but in a “cross-genre” fashion.

“R&B and hip-hop artists do music with a message,” he said, declaring “I can’t do hip-hop,” but appreciating “songs that have social significance.”

He said he’d be eager to record with people whom fans “wouldn’t expect to hear me with.”

The 11 selections on “Once Again It’s Christmas” – Rogers’ sixth yuletide collection overall and his first since “Christmas from the Heart” in 1998 – include five guest artists.

They include “There’s A New Kid In Town” with Winfield’s Locket, “That Silent Night” with pianist Jim Brickman, “Here It Is Christmas”/”Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with Jennifer Nettles, whom Rogers said charmed him with such a “bubbly personality,” and “Some Children See Him,” with Alison Krauss,” whose “angelic voice” he called “perfect for that song.”

Rogers gave credit to his 11-year-old twin sons for a lead on Home Free, “a new a capella group” to join him in recording “Children, Go Where I Send Thee.” He said the boys learned of the country quintet – winners in December from the fourth season of NBC’s “The Sing-Off” – through their music teacher at school, so “I Googled” them, and he and they later met up to record.

“Collaborating has always been my strength,” Rogers said.

Check out the CD cover for a photo Rogers took in December 2003 in Washington state, titled “The Red Tree.” He’ll begin his annual “Christmas & Hits Tour” in mid-November, this year with Linda Davis – also known for her hit duet with Reba McEntire, “Does He Love You?” – going through Dec. 23 and as far as Newfoundland and Labrador, in northeast Canada.

Rogers, who announced last week he plans a final tour before retiring, also voiced his tradition of welcoming a local choir for every stop with Christmas concerts.

The new album wraps up with “The Light,” which will let each guest chorale shine on that tour. Rogers said he co-wrote that with two band mates, an endeavor begun about two years ago, composed with Christmastime, his favorite season, in mind.

“I sang it backstage and imagined a choir,” he said.

This story was originally published October 1, 2015 at 1:00 AM with the headline "Kenny Rogers driven by duets."