For over fifty years, Kenny Rogers has known when to hold ’em, when to fold ’em, and when to run. From his career-launching string of hits with The First Edition to his wildly successful partnership with Dolly Parton, to his continued success as a Country and Pop superstar, this singer, songwriter, musician, performer, producer, actor, entrepreneur and photographer has become one of the most accomplished and beloved entertainers, helping to shape music around the world over the course of his storied five-decade-long career.

Now for the first time, this living legend shares the story of his incredible rise to fame, including the highs, lows, and how he’s kept going through the most tumultuous times. Rogers shares the influencews that have shaped him, including his deep faith and his adherence to hard work. Here, too, are the artists who have enriched his life, from Elivs Presley to Dolly Parton to Ray Charles.

Rogers offers a candid and eye-opening look at the music world, showing how mainstream success led to crossover partnerships that pushed his musical boundaries, making him one of very few artists who have enjoyed successful careers across a variety of genres-jazz, folk, rock, country, and pop-but ultimately forcing him to go against the trends of the Nashville establishment.

With behind the scenes tales from the road, the secrets behind his biggest hits, and never-before-told personal vignettes, this moving memoir reveals how Rogers’s life defines an era in music history that is rapidly fading, a time when country music wasn’t just a brand but a way of life.