(AUDIO) JAY DeMARCUS OF RASCAL FLATTS REMEMBERS KENNY ROGERS

Rascal Flatts – Jay DeMarcus Kenny Rogers  :53

Jay DeMarcus – “This is Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, and I was devastated to hear about the loss of Kenny Rogers.  We had several chances to meet Kenny over the last 20 years, and every time you were in that man’s presence, you knew you were in the presence of a living legend, and he was so kind and gracious.  And I never will forget the first time I saw him play live, he was giving twenty dollars to anybody who could call out the name of one of his songs, and then he would sing a little piece of it.  And I just thought that was so amazing, and I thought, my God, this guy has so many hit songs, he’s gonna be out of money before the night’s over.  It was truly amazing to watch.  What a wonderful, consummate pro, wonderful entertainer, and a voice that will live on through the ages.  So sad, but I’m so honored that I got to know him and call him a friend.  God bless you, Kenny.  Rest in peace.”

(AUDIO) MIKE ELI OF ELI YOUNG BAND REMEMBERS KENNY ROGERS

Eli Young Band – Mike Eli Kenny Rogers  1:04

“This is Mike Eli from the Eli Young Band.  I remember meeting Kenny, it was a long time ago.  We had just signed our record deal and we were walking into Universal’s office and I guess Kenny rogers happened to be recording there in the building that day.  And we had mentioned it and we were, you know, obviously star struck.  He is the iconic Kenny Rogers, and we had mentioned it to one of the folks there at Universal, and they said, ‘You know, we know him.  We can bring you in there if you’d like to meet him.  And, I tell you what, Kenny Rogers was one of the most humble and kind people in that situation.  I think that he could have easily shrugged us off in that situation, being in the recording studio, and he didn’t.  And he was incredibly kind, and it was really such a huge treat to be able to take a picture with him and meet him and tell him how much we loved his music.  Kenny Rogers is obviously, I think, one of the most iconic artists out there, in every sense of the word – from the songs to his voice to that person and that personality.  He will be missed.”

My heart is aching with the country music community over the loss of a legend, Kenny Rogers. His music impacted and shaped so many of our lives. Country music will never be the same 💔

— Carly Pearce (@carlypearce) March 21, 2020

One of the greatest honors of my career. RIP Gambler. One of a kind artist. https://t.co/kHfoW9HMd

— Justin Moore (@JustinColeMoore) March 21, 2020