On August 21, 1938, Kenneth Ray Rogers was born in Houston, Texas. He was the fourth of eight children and his parents struggled to make ends meet. “We were on welfare most of my childhood,” he once shared. “If not welfare, some type of federally supported system. And we lived in a federal housing project ’til I was about 12 or 13.” His dad worked in the shipyards and his mom was a nurse’s assistant. By the age of three, a pint-sized Kenny was tagging along with his mom to work, where he’d sing to hospital patients and earn quarters for performing songs like “You Are My Sunshine.”
Over the years, his passion for music grew stronger and by high school, singing had gone from a cute hobby to a serious career. He formed a doo-wop group called the Scholars and his older brother—Lelan Rogers—helped the group sign with a local record label in Houston. Their song “Poor Little Doggie” became a local hit during his senior year, and after graduation, Kenny signed his first solo record deal.
It would be a long road ahead for the “Lady” singer, but he never gave up. He spent nearly 20 years bouncing between groups and genres—playing jazz in the Bobby Doyle Trio, singing folk with the New Christy Minstrels and eventually co-founding the rock band First Edition. “My mom told me when I was very young, ‘Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life,’ and that just sounded too good to be true,” he told NPR in 2012. “So I set out on this musical journey.”
But everything changed in 1977, when he released “Lucille” as a solo artist. The song hit No. 1 in twelve countries, sold over five million copies and even earned him a Grammy. One year later, he topped that with “The Gambler,” which won another Grammy and went on to become his signature song. Kenny’s music became the soundtrack to our lives as singles like “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” (his iconic duet with Dolly Parton) topped both the country and pop charts.
Over the course of his career, he sold over 120 million albums and released an astonishing 24 No. 1 hits. On March 20, 2020, he passed away at the age of 81, but his music and his wisdom will live on forever. And that’s why Kenny Rogers is today’s quote of the day.
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Quote of the Day by Kenny Rogers
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“Don’t be afraid to give up the good for the great.”
What makes these words so powerful is the fact that it’s so easy to stick to the status quo. Whether it’s a job or the city we live in, we often limit ourselves and don’t take chances because it’s easier to do the same thing because it feels safe and comfortable. And Kenny Rogers didn’t just speak these words; he lived them.
Related: 1981 Kenny Rogers Country Tearjerker Shared a Love Story That Never Ends
Deeper Meaning of Kenny Rogers’ Quote—Taking the Leap
When you look deeper into his life, you quickly realize that Rogers was fearless when it came to taking chances. Despite things going well in groups like the Scholars, the Bobby Doyle Trio and the New Christy Minstrels, he was okay with giving them up—because he believed in himself enough to know that he didn’t have to settle for good when he could be great.
And the great didn’t happen immediately. In fact, it took almost two decades. But he never gave up and never stopped taking chances—and it was all worth it. The Houston native didn’t just approach music this way; he pursued his interest in both acting and photography and that turned out great, too. Rogers starred in multiple movies and even released two photography books.
So whether you’ve been wanting to try a new hobby, apply for a new job, or even relocate to a new city, you should seriously consider taking the leap. As Kenny Rogers said, “Don’t be afraid to give up the good for the great.” Look how it worked out for him!
Related: Quote of the Day—Paul Newman Says Anything Is Possible
More Inspiring Quotes From Kenny Rogers
- “There is a trade off—as you grow older you gain wisdom but you lose spontaneity.”
- “Growing older is not upsetting; being perceived as old is.”
- “It won’t mean you’re weak if you turn the other cheek.”
- “I’ve always said music should make you laugh, make you cry or make you think.”
- “Youth is a frame of mind. If you get out there and enjoy it, you can have it at any time of your life.”
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