Luck or Something Like It: A Memoir

“I love Kenny Rogers . . .always have, always will. . . . I’ve always been a fan, since long before I met him, and I’m a bigger one now that I know him.” —Dolly Parton

For more than half a century, Kenny Rogers has been recording some of the most revered and beloved music in the world, 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. Recounting his early years, Kenny charts how he came into his own as an artist. 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 that have meant the most to him, describing the good times he's had with Dottie West, Lionel Richie, and, of course, Dolly Parton.

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

“Kenny Rogers is an exquisite storyteller. . . . His breezy, conversational tone comes across on the page.” —Entertainment Weekly

“A revealing looking into [Rogers’s] life and five-decade long musical career.” —Reuters

“Engagingly honest.” —Toronto Star