This Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie collaboration produced a unique version of the hit song "The Gambler" ...watch the performance here....
This Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie collaboration produced a unique version of the hit song “The Gambler”. This song was a No. 1 country hit and also made its way to the pop charts at a time when country songs rarely achieved crossover success. “The Gambler” was released in November 1978 as the title track from Kenny’s album The Gambler which won him the Grammy award for “best male country vocal performance” in 1980.
The CMT Crossroads TV show demonstrates the far-reaching roots of country music by pairing country artists with musicians from other genres. Each episode feature a different set of stars playing together, swapping stories and sharing their common love of music. The Kenny Roger’s quintessential song “The Gambler” took on a whole new sound when he took the stage with Lionel Richie for this episode of CMT Crossroads that was filmed at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium.
Watch their performance of “The Gambler” and see more details below.
Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie became great friends and Lionel penned Kenny’s hit song “Lady”. Richie was at a transition point in his career when he met Rogers in 1980. He had written a new song titled “Lady” for his band at the time (the Commodores) who rejected the idea of recording another of his ballads. The band had already achieved hits with “Three Times a Lady,” “Sail On” and “Still.” Lionel was considering leaving the Commodores group and was encouraged by Kenny to begin a solo career. Kenny Rogers had achieved several country music hits including “Lucille,” “Daytime Friends,” “The Gambler,” and “She Believes in Me”. Kenny expressed interest in the “Lady” song and Richie finished writing and produced the Rogers’ recording. The result of their new friendship was a history-making song that reached No. 1 in country, adult contemporary and pop charts. The pair remained close friend until Kenny passed away in 2020.
Related Article: Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie perform “Lady”.
“The Gambler” is a song written by Don Schlitz and was made famous by the Kenny Roger’s version. Check out the lyrics to “The Gambler” song below.
On a warm summer’s evening
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler
We were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns a-starin’
Out the window at the darkness
The boredom overtook us
And he began to speak
He said, “Son, I’ve made a life
Out of readin’ people’s faces
Knowin’ what the cards were
By the way they held their eyes
So if you don’t mind my sayin’
I can see you’re out of aces
For a taste of your whiskey
I’ll give you some advice”
So I handed him my bottle
And he drank down my last swallow
Then he bummed a cigarette
And asked me for a light
And the night got deathly quiet
And his face lost all expression
Said, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy
You gotta learn to play it right
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done
Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
And knowin’ what to keep
‘Cause every hand’s a winner
And every hand’s a loser
And the best that you can hope for
Is to die in your sleep”
And when he’d finished speakin’
He turned back toward the window
Crushed out his cigarette
Faded off to sleep
And somewhere in the darkness
The gambler he broke even
But in his final words
I found an ace that I could keep<
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em (when to hold ’em)
Know when to fold ’em (when to fold ’em)
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done
You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run
You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done
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