Kenny Rogers in Concert

Late Kenny Rogers Continues To Delight Fans With Posthumous Album Set For Release

Home / Music / Late Kenny Rogers Continues To Delight Fans With Posthumous Album Set For Release

By Afouda Bamidele on April 18, 2023 at 4:00 AM EDT

Country Music icon Kenny Rogers' memory lives on!

Fans of the beloved singer-songwriter have so much to look forward to as his posthumous album has been announced for release soon. The musical project will be filled with previously unreleased gems and rare tracks, including a collaboration with singer Dolly Parton. This would be the first album released on Rogers' behalf since he passed away at 81. 

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A New Kenny Rogers Album To Be Posthumously Released In June

Over three years after Rogers peacefully passed away in his home, fans have begun getting ready for the bittersweet release of "Life Is Like A Song." Described as "a stunning and emotional song cycle that tells the story of the love, life, loss, and faith between Rogers and his family," the June 2 project would feature eight songs.

The songs, pulled from his archives and curated by his wife, Wanda Rogers, were recorded between 2008 and 2011. Some of the tracks include a rendition of Lionel Richie's "Goodbye," Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight," and the highly-anticipated collab with Parton, "Tell Me What You Love."

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Kenny Rogers photographed in London, England on June 9th 2010
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The project also includes the cover of the Temptations' 1968 single, "I Wish It Would Rain," and "Love Is a Drug," which is a "hard-driving, fist-pumping country-rock anthem" written by the American Music Awards winner and longtime collaborator Kim Carnes.

Although several supporters took to social media to express their joy at the upcoming album after PEOPLE broke the news, a look at Twitter revealed that a handful of fans had Rogers on their minds every day.

For example, this netizen uploaded a clip of the "The Real West" narrator performing on-stage in a big-collared white shirt and maroon suit, writing, "Kenny Rogers has the most satisfying voice in music."

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A second fan shared a link to "The Gambler," the single he released in 1979 as part of his "The Best Country Album In The World...Ever!" project, adding, "Soooo many memories with this song ??." A third fan queried:

"What happens after you finish listening to The Gambler by Kenny Rogers? You press 'replay.'"

"Someone called Kenny Rogers average and now my poor soul needs a bandaid. How very dare," a fourth person tweeted. A fifth Twitter user claimed, "Kenny Rogers is always a 10. RIP Kenny." 

It is worth noting that the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame inductee's death was announced by his family announced in a statement that read:

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"The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away last night at 10:25 p.m. at the age of 81. Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family."

Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers at "All In For The Gambler'" Farewell Celebration held at Bridgestone Arena
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The statement added that his family was planning a "small private service" due to the restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. His family later invited fans to visit the ACM Awards nominee's final resting place at the Oakland Cemetery.

The Country Music Association Awards Winner Was Honored By Parton In March 2020

While most of the world felt the loss of Rogers through his music, others, like his longtime friend, Parton, felt it on every level. The "Jolene" hitmaker opened up about how deep their bond was in the tribute she dedicated to the "You Decorated My Life" singer on Instagram shortly after his death. In the two-part clip, she uploaded on March 21, 2020, the "Joyful Noise" actress is heard saying:

"I know that we all know Kenny's in a better place than we are today, but I'm sure he's going to be talking to God some time today, if he ain't already, and he's gonna be asking Him to spread some light onto this darkness going on here. I loved Kenny with all my heart, and my heart's broken."

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Parton held up a framed image of her and her beloved friend at some point, tearfully telling him to "fly high." The Blast further noted that the "Coat of Many Colors" singer praised Rogers for being a "wonderful man and a true friend" in the accompanying caption.

The post, which has accrued over 600k likes, saw thousands of viewers flooding the "A Smoky Mountain Christmas" actress with supportive comments. While one person claimed that the "Coward of the County" actor was looking over her, another asked her not to cry.

Several others recounted feeling on top of the world while listening to Rogers' songs and appreciated him for his talent.

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