Kenny Rogers' Strange Appeal

I can't wait for the day when Kenny Rogers is inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. It's going to happen. Maybe in 10 or 20 years. The reason I can't wait is to see the look of horror on the faces of Country purists. Rogers is a thorn in the side of those that hate the Pop sound on a Country hit. But I've liked Rogers' stuff since "Lucille" and think his stuff holds up as well as Alabama's chart hits. In fact, Rogers' ballads are better than Alabama's. Although he is vilified as the Michael Bolton of Country music by the historians, Rogers' amiable personality is light years beyond the sullen Bolton. He's got a new album out, but like all of Rogers' albums (save The Gambler and Share Your Love With Me), it's full of filler. But he's got a great single on it, "I Can't Unlove You", so good that he landed Top 40 with it. And he's got another compilation on the market, 21 Greatest Hits, that proves that he holds up. There's a strange appeal about him. I hope Rogers is around when his name is called for the Hall. A true music industry pro, Rogers knows how the industry can chart you one year and discard you the next. So, I'm betting he'll be there when the inevitable happens.