Kenny Rogers Band Featuring Don Gatlin to Celebrate the Legend at KU March 12

By Susan L. Peña

KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kenny Rogers, who passed away five years ago at the age of 81, was much more than a country music star. His ability to connect with audiences and tell stories that resonated with everyone – chart-topping hits like “The Gambler” and “Lucille” and so many more – made him one of the best-selling musical artists of all time (100 million records worldwide).

In addition to singing and songwriting, Rogers acted in movies and television. His recording career, starting in the 1950s, began in rock ‘n’ roll and psychedelic rock, then moved on to jazz and a stint with the New Christy Minstrels in the ‘60s. This background made him the perfect artist, once he moved into country music, to connect with a huge audience of pop and country fans who remain loyal to this day.

Those fans, as well as people who never got to see Rogers during his lifetime, can experience the magic when the renowned Kenny Rogers Band visits Kutztown University’s Schaeffer Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12, as part of the KU Presents series. “Through the Years,” which has been touring the country, features singer/songwriter Don Gatlin as the lead vocalist, in a multi-media retrospective of Rogers’ songs.

Tickets for “Through the Years” are $48; $43 for students and seniors and can be purchased at www.KutztownPresents.org or by calling the KU Presents box office 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, at 610-683-4092. Established to be the center of cultural life at Kutztown University, KU Presents serves the campus and community by bringing world-class live arts that entertain, educate and enrich.

The band will be comprised of bassist Chuck Jacobs, who performed with Rogers for more than 40 years; guitarist Randy Dorman, with Rogers since 1977; keyboardists Gene Sisk (20-plus years) and Steve Glassmeyer (43 years); drummer Mike Zimmerman; and guest lead guitarist Evan Hull, who performs with T.G. Sheppard and Lee Greenwood.

Gatlin’s relationship with Rogers began early in his life and lasted until 2020. “I started out as a gigantic fan,” he said. “When my brother and I were kids, every time Kenny would put a new song out, I would learn it and we’d do it in our show.”

Gatlin and his brother Darryl, who grew up in Beaver Falls, Pa., began singing early, and when Don was 12, they started a performing career as Darryl and Don Ellis. Their first big show was with Hank Williams Jr. in 1979, and they began touring as an opening act for other stars throughout Ohio and Virginia. Later they recorded two albums: “No Sir” (1992) and “Day in the Sun” (1993).

Gatlin’s dream was to meet his idol, Rogers, someday. “The first time I saw him was in a recording studio, and he was with Brett Myers, one of his producers. . . and I ran the other way,” he said, laughing. “I chickened out!”

But as he began writing songs for others, including Blake Shelton, and started to accrue record deals and awards, he overcame his hesitancy and finally met Rogers onstage.

This was in 1991, when singer Reba McEntire lost most of her band in a plane crash and organized a benefit concert for their families. Gatlin, who had become friends with McEntire, was invited to help sing in the final number, “Lean on Me,” with the band Exile and other artists, including Rogers, the headliner.

In 2000, Rogers recorded one of Gatlin’s songs, “I Won’t Forget,” on his “There You Go Again” album; and in 2007, for Rogers’ “50 Years,” greatest-hits compilation, one of two new songs added to the playlist was Gatlin’s. At that time, Rogers also invited Gatlin and his band, Savannah Jack (formed in 2004), to tour with him as the opener for 66 performances.

“They made us feel a part of the family,” Gatlin said. “Kenny and the band treated us really good. I was so blessed to be with so many acts – Waylon, Willie, everyone – but Kenny was the nicest one ever. He would talk to everyone with the same respect, from a gas station cashier on up.”

In 2019, after Rogers had retired, Gatlin floated the idea of reuniting the band to perform Rogers’ songs. Everyone agreed, and when they presented the idea to Rogers, “he gave us his complete blessing,” Gatlin said. “It was one of the best moments of my life.” Rogers also provided them with plenty of film footage from past performances, and Rogers’ original sound engineer, Frank Farrell, has worked his magic on the show to make it sound as fine as ever.

“It’s a labor of love for us,” Gatlin said. “I’m singing songs by my hero, with the actual band. It’s 100 percent authentic. And it’s not an impersonation; I just use my own voice.”

Gatlin, whose musical roots also include his cousins, The Gatlin Brothers, said he will be releasing a gospel album in the near future, which features Vince Gill and the Kenny Rogers Band, and two songs he wrote, one with Dorman and one with Glassmeyer.

He also noted that Jacobs has written a book, “40 Years with the Legend – Kenny Rogers,” which is “selling like hotcakes” on the tour. He hopes to have copies left for the Kutztown fans, but if not, it can be purchased online.