Forgotten '80s Album: The Gambler by Kenny Rogers

Maybe not forgotten this week with the passing of Kenny Rogers over the weekend, but a classic nonetheless.

And I know it debuted in 1978, so not technically an 80's album.

The Gambler is the sixth studio album by Kenny Rogers, released by United Artists in December 1978. One of his most popular, it has established Rogers' status as one of the most successful artists of the 1970s and 1980s. The album reached many markets around the world, such as the Far East and Jamaica, with Rogers later commenting "When I go to Korea or Hong Kong people say 'Ah, the gambler!'" (as per the sleeve notes to the 1998 released box set "Through the Years" on Capitol Records). The album has sold over 35 million copies.

The title track "The Gambler" was written by Don Schlitz, who was the first to record it. It was also covered by several other artists, but it was Kenny Rogers' adaptation of the tale that went on to top the country charts and win a Song of the Year Grammy, later becoming Rogers' signature song. Although Johnny Cash recorded the song first, Kenny Rogers's version was released first. Both this song and "She Believes in Me" became pop music hits, helping Rogers become well-known beyond country music circles. Although largely compiled from songs by some of the music business's top songwriters, such as Alex Harvey, Mickey Newbury, and Steve Gibb, Rogers continued to show his own talent for songwriting with "Morgana Jones". The album was produced by Larry Butler.

Tracks:

1.    "The Gambler"    Don Schlitz    3:34
2.    "I Wish That I Could Hurt That Way Again"    Rafe Van Hoy, Don Cook, Curly Putman    2:55
3.    "King of Oak Street"    Alex Harvey    4:55
4.    "Makin' Music for Money"    Alex Harvey    3:10
5.    "Hoodooin' of Miss Fannie Deberry"    Alex Harvey    4:44
Side two
No.    Title    Writer(s)    Length
1.    "She Believes in Me"    Steve Gibb    4:18
2.    "Tennessee Bottle"    Jim Ritchey    3:59
3.    "Sleep Tight, Goodnight Man"    Sam Lorber, Jeff Silbar    2:52
4.    "Little More Like Me (The Crucifixion)"    Sonny Throckmorton    2:47
5.    "San Francisco Mabel Joy"    Mickey Newbury    3:36
6.    "Morgana Jones"

https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-gambler-mw0000197524

Millions Will Miss Kenny Rogers

Best known for The Gambler, but so much more..

Current Questions in the Cam Newton Saga

I'm not sure where we stand right now in the investigation, but this morning we find out the FBI is now involved, more and more people are starting to talk, some media members are asking for Auburn to sit Newton, and the NCAA appears to be moving now at warp speed.

Here are some questions I have, and if any can be answered, I think we are getting closer to some decision.

1.  Why is the FBI now involved?  Former Mississippi St. player and a source for some of this info, John Bond said he's scheduled to meet with the FBI next Tuesday and plans to turn over phone records and anything else the FBI asks for at that point. He said the FBI reached out to his attorney earlier this week wanting to talk with him about the Newton situation, in particular if kids were being shopped out to colleges with price tags on their head.

2.  What did Kenny Rogers have to say?  Yesterday, Rogers appeared on a Dallas, TX radio station and said in the interview that Cecil Newton told him that it would take “Anywhere between $100,000 and $180,000″ for his son to sign with Mississippi State.  The other quote he mentioned and I think this is a telling quote, he said Cecil Newton told him, "It's not gonna be free this time."

3.  Where did the Cecil Newton, Cam Newton's father get the money to fix his church?  And who fixed his church?  Cecil Newton kept getting extensions to bring his church,  the Holy Zion Center of Deliverance up to code.  Newton claimed the church would be brought to code “within six months” after being classified as a “new construction”.  NBCSports.com asks this question, “Is there a link between Cecil’s recent ability to upgrade his church to the accusations that money was involved with Cam’s college selection?”  For a church that had no money, how were they able to complete the renovations so quickly and under the radar?  Also, even though this work on the church was a large undertaking, it was reported that an unnamed contractor did the necessary work to the church Pro Bono.  Pro Bono, what?  Construction Permits had to have been filed, there has to be a paper trail.  NBCSports.com also mentioned that Cecil Newton may now own part of a construction company.  Make your own determination at this point.

4.  When will this wrap up?  So we all hope.

5.  Should Newton be held out of games at this point?  Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution thinks so, and others may be soon saying the same thing.  Bradley thinks since it’s an NCAA violation for anyone to seek money or benefits on behalf of a prospect, and there’s now at least the suspicion that Cecil Newton did, he should be held out of action.

6.  Are any of the reported phone conversations taped?  That is a big question, and we may soon get an answer.