Luck or Something Like It

A Memoir

By: Kenny Rogers

Narrated by: Taber Burns

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

A remarkable story of a boy who couldn't stop singing, and a man who knew how to hold 'em.

For more than half a century, Kenny Rogers has been recording some of the most revered and beloved music in America and around the world. In that time, he has become a living legend by combining everything from R&B to country and gospel to folk in his unique voice to create a sound that's both wholly original and instantly recognizable.

Now, in his first-ever memoir, Kenny details his lifelong journey to becoming one of American music's elder statesmen - a rare talent who's created hit records for decades while staying true to his values as a performer and a person. Exploring the struggles of his long road, his story begins simply: growing up in Depression-era Texas, living in the projects, surviving in poverty, and listening to his mother, who always had just the right piece of wisdom.

Recounting his early years, first as a jazz bassist and later as a member of the pioneering folk group the New Christy Minstrels, Kenny charts how he came into his own as an artist with the First Edition, only to have the band's breakup in the 1970s raise questions about his musical future. Yet, as Kenny explains, it was precisely this soul-searching that led him to a new direction on his own in Nashville. Telling the stories that have become legends in a town that's seen many of them, he recalls the making of his career in country music and his most memorable songs, including "Lucille", "The Gambler", "Lady", and "Islands in the Stream". Along the way, he shares the friendships, both big and small, that have meant the most to him, describing the good times he's had with Dottie West, Lionel Richie, and, of course, Dolly Parton, and how through it all he continues to make music with the passion that has defined him from the start.

Staring across the decades, Kenny writes a story seemingly straight from one of his songs. The end result is a rollicking ride through fifty years of music history, which offers a heartwarming testament to a time when country music wasn't just a brand but a way of life.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2012 Kenny Rogers (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Enjoyed the book

it was well performed in Kenny's own voice and get to hear what he felt was his high points and his low points.

Enjoyable

It was fun to hear about Kenny's life. I wish I had been able to go to some of his concerts. I had a houseful of kids so couldn't afford to go but bought all his records. Wish they would come out with dvds of his concerts. That way we who enjoy his work so much can relive it.

I loved it!

It’s interesting when you were a big fan of someone’s you’re kind of think you know who they are. But then, when you listen to this, you realize you hardly knew them at all. This was entertaining, and lightning, and surprising at times.

Kenny will always be my hero. And I know he’s missed by many.

Luck or Something Like It

This was a wonderful book. I have been a Kenny Rogers fan for over forty years and I learned something new about him. I loved it.

I've always loved Kenny Rogers. love jim even more

so many great stories of a great man. great stories and so much I didn't know about him.

Fun to listen to.

I have been a huge fan of Kenny Rogers most of my life. When I was born he was just getting into the country scene and already in the middle if his career. That kind of gives you my age. When I say I am a fan my friends look at me like I am crazy. Most of them don't even know who Kenny Rogers is until I say "The Gambler " and even then some still don't know.

With that said I missed the early years of Kenny and even some of the height of his career so listening to his story was really fun. I felt as though I was getting to know an old friend even better. The narrator has an incredible likeness to Kenny that it felt even more personal.

Kenny Rogers has a lot of friends. He talks about their relationships and how important they are to him and his career that without them we may not have ever known the name Kenny Rogers.

I really enjoyed listening to this story. If you are a fan of Kenny Rogers or just a fan of music you will enjoy this audiobook. I would recommend this book to everyone who has an appreciation for the underdog and loves a "Rags to Riches" story.


I loved it! But I also love Kenny Rogers very much so I may be a bit bias. :-)

Lovely

If you could sum up Luck or Something Like It in three words, what would they be?

Grounded, driven, and nice!

What did you like best about this story?

This is the lovely story of a very lovely man. I was never into country music, but after listening to Kenny Rogers's life story, I am intrigued enough to try and find out. He comes through as a very down-to-earth, hardworking, but extremely driven person who doesn't take himself too seriously.

What about Taber Burns’s performance did you like?

His voice has none of the annoying nasality of some of the other narrators, and he does a good job conveying the emotion as well as the content of the story.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Definitely. I wish more memoirs were this fun and frank.

miss you Kenny

A great story start to finish. The narrator sounds just like Kenny,too which is a bonus.

A great story.

What a great story to read. The story was interesting, and really told the story in a very easy to listen understandable way. I am 71 years old and Kenny Rogers has musically been a part of my whole life, love this book!

Loved it!

I loved it!! Once I started it was hard to put it down. I learned a lot of things that I've never heard about Kenny Rogers. Some of the stories were laugh out loud humorous. The narrator was fantastic! His voice was perfect to read this book.