Country Superstar Kenny Rogers Admitted to Hospital
It’s hard to watch the famous faces that have followed you through the years start to age. As a child in eastern Kentucky, I grew up listening to all sorts of county music artists.
We enjoyed The Judds, Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis and Kenny Rogers. In fact, Rogers became a family favorite, and when he opened a chain of rotisserie chicken restaurants, we found ourselves eating there regularly.
So it came as something of a gut punch when he announced his retirement in 2017. And today, I found myself shocked to learn that the 80-year-old singer has been hospitalized in Georgia.
I’m sure many fans felt a tinge of fright when they heard the news about Rogers’ hospitalization. After all, Fox News had reported that his decision to retire had come when he felt he couldn’t continue to sing onstage.
“Every day is not a holiday,” he said. “You get out there, [and] it’s hard, hard work. I can’t do it like I used to do it. And I swore that I’d do this until I started embarrassing myself.”
On Oct. 25, 2017, he performed an emotional final show with long-time collaboration partner Dolly Parton. According to Country Living, Parton wasn’t the only one to perform.
More than 20 performers took the stage to celebrate Rogers, but Parton’s tribute had to be the most sincere.
“I know I’m artificial, but I like to think my heart’s real, and it may be the only thing real about me,”Parton said. “In my heart, I have a spot for you that’s never ever going to be touched by anybody else.”
Many of us feel as though Rogers filled a performing space unrivaled by anyone else. So when news of his hospitalization hit, fans assumed the worst.
It’s not his first scare, according to Fox News. In April 2018, he had to pull out of his farewell tour due to an undisclosed health issue.
This time, though, Rogers let everyone know what was going on with him to forestall any media-fueled gossiping.
Due to recent wild misinformation and speculation from several media outlets, we are issuing the following statement on behalf of Kenny Rogers: pic.twitter.com/hUhCKgZQdY
— Kenny Rogers (@_KennyRogers) May 31, 2019
“Due to recent wild misinformation and speculation from several media outlets, we are issuing the following statement on behalf of Kenny Rogers,” a statement on his Twitter account read.
“Kenny was recently admitted to a local Georgia hospital due to dehydration.”
Though Rogers plans to remain in the hospital for some time to regain his strength, his illness hardly seems like a debilitating condition.
“He appreciates the concern and well wishes he has received from his fans and can assure everyone he plans on sticking around through the years to come,” the statement concluded.
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