Honoring a late legend with a cover of one of their songs can be hit-and-miss for many artists. But one thing is for certain- if it comes from the heart, you’ll know it.
The late, great artist cut from all creative cloths, Kenny Rogers, left an indestructible mark on his following.
The hall-of-famer was known across the artistic board as an actor, singer/songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur.
The man has hits across many genres and has sold over 100 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
And he’s got stars for fans.
He has hits with pop, jazz, rock, country, and folk making him a very successful crossover artist in his lifetime.
Enter Keith Urban.
This New Zealand-Australian singer, songwriter, and producer is well-known and beloved in country music.
In this video, Urban pays tribute to Kenny Rogers with his version of “The Gambler“. He’s no slouch either and being married to Nicole Kidman she says he’s quite the gentleman.
Keith’s YouTube channel and home played host to his acoustic rendition.
Performing in his home studio, Urban personifies “cool husband” here.
The song was written by Don Schlitz.
He wrote it back in August 1976 when he was 23. The song has many versions but it is Kenny Rogers’ that was a success.
Urban sits cool and casual.
He sits in his studio chair dressed in a blue shirt, jeans, and sneakers, his long dark blonde hair and tattoos as he holds his guitar.
He begins strumming and gets into it.
“On a warm summer’s eve
On a train bound for nowhere
I met up with the gambler
We were both too tired to sleep”
That unmistakable twang of a country singer.
It’s a delight to the ears and the best way to describe Urban’s intro. And who else joins him around the 24-second mark but his lovely wife, Nicole Kidman.
Nicole is every bit as beautiful as she was many years ago. She is Keith’s Queen and she supports him even with seemingly simple moments.
She bops her head and claps along with a smile as Keith carries on with his playing.
Kenny must be smiling in heaven.
Keith pours his heart into his playing and as he taps his foot along, it becomes obvious why this man is quite the star.
“Every gambler knows
That the secret to survivin’
Is knowin’ what to throw away
And knowin’ what to keep”
Nicole can’t help but smile.
She’s fully enamored while watching and listening to her husband play. Lucky woman! And Keith is a lucky man too.
The two exchange a few smiles and knowing glances every now and then without Urban pausing or making a mistake.
Keith is one of the rare artists who, when doing a rendition of someone else’s song, seems to make it even better.
That country touch of his never fails.
“You never count your money
When you’re sittin’ at the table
There’ll be time enough for countin’
When the dealin’s done”
Sounds like Kenny giving us advice through Keith’s voice. Awesome.
Hear Keith’s intimate and down-to-earth tribute to Kenny Rogers in the video below!
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Source: YouTube – Keith Urban, Keith Urban, YouTube – Kenny Rogers
