Country music legend Kenny Rogers, 79, has cancelled the remaining dates of his current The Gambler’s Last Deal farewell tour due to health issues.
“Kenny Rogers has been working through a series of health challenges,” his manager shared in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “His doctors fully expect the outcome to be great, but they have advised him to cancel all performances through the end of the year to focus on recuperation.”
The Texan only had eight dates left to play, including appearances at Stagecoach later this month and the United Kingdom’s Livewire Festival in August.
“I didn’t want to take forever to retire,” Rogers shared on Wednesday. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to say farewell to the fans over the course of the past two years on ‘The Gambler’s Last Deal’ tour. I could never properly thank them for the encouragement and support they’ve given me throughout my career and the happiness I’ve experienced as a result of that.”
Take a look at the impacted tour stops below!
The Gambler’s Last Deal Schedule
Apr 28, 2018 Reno, NV Silver Legacy Casino
Apr 29, 2018 Indio, CA Stagecoach Festival
May 31, 2018 Wilkes-Barre, PA F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts
Jun 1, 2018 Lincoln, RI Twin River Casino
Jun 2, 2018 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Jun 3, 2018 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
Jun 30, 2018 Lake Charles, LA Golden Nugget Lake Charles
Aug 25, 2018 Blackpool, United Kingdom Livewire Festival
We wish Kenny the best as he addresses his health concerns and works toward recovery! Share this update with other country music fans and check out the official “The Gambler” music video below!
“The Gambler” Lyrics
On a warm summer’s evening
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with a 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
And 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 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 dealing’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 finished speakin’
He turned back toward the window
Crushed out his cigarette
And faded off to sleep
And somewhere in the darkness
The gambler he broke even
And in his final words
I found an ace that I could keep
You 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 dealing’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 dealing’s done
You 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 dealing’s done
