Kenny Rogers

Kenny Rogers started out in a folk trio called The New Christy Minstrels before going solo in the early 1970s. He had a string of hits that became country standards, like 'Lucille' and 'Islands In The Stream,' the latter a duet with Dolly Parton. His voice had a plain, lived-in quality that suited story songs about gamblers and late-night conversations.

One of his most recognizable songs was 'We've Got Tonight,' written by Bob Seger. It wasn't a flashy production, just Rogers singing about a moment that might not last. That directness was part of his appeal. He worked with musicians like guitarist Steve Cropper and keyboardist Mike Lawler, but the focus usually stayed on the song itself.

He recorded more than 60 albums, which is a lot by any measure. The details of royalty disputes and personal life made news, but what stuck around were the songs. People kept listening to 'Crazy' or 'Sweet Music Man' not because they were groundbreaking, but because they felt familiar. Rogers had a way of making a lyric sound like something you'd already heard, even if you hadn't.