Find Out More About Kenny Rogers’ Widow And Children
This article is from Do You Remember. Click the title to hop over there.
Sadly, Kenny Rogers recently passed away at the age of 81. He left behind his widow, Wanda, who was actually his fifth wife. He also had five children from his other marriages, including twin teenage boys with Wanda. The twin boys, Jordan and Justin, are currently fifteen years old.
Kenny and Wanda met in the ’90s while Wanda was working at a restaurant in Atlanta. Kenny was there to meet a blind date, but he ended up falling for Wanda! He called the restaurant and asked about her a few days later. Wanda actually thought her co-workers were playing a trick on her, but she reluctantly called him back. The rest is history.
Learn more about Kenny’s widow Wanda
The couple got married in 1997 and have been going strong ever since. From Kenny’s old photos on social media, it seems like he was a family man and loved to take his kids on tour with him. However, it wasn’t always so easy. When Wanda and Kenny first started dating, her parents were not happy.
RELATED: Breaking: Country Music Icon, Kenny Rogers, Dies At 81
There was a 28-year age gap between Kenny and Wanda. Wanda’s parents are actually a few years younger than Kenny was! So, at first, they were a little uneasy about the relationship, as any parents would be. He assured them how much he loved their daughter and as the years went on, things improved and Kenny said before he passed that they became best friends.
Kenny had four divorces in the past and that meant sometimes paying a pretty penny. For example, he paid his ex-wife Marianne Gordon $60 million! But, he admitted that she deserved every penny. He was with Marianne during the time he was a member of the band First Edition. When the band broke up, he was broke too. She stood by him during hard times.
We sat down with Kenny Rogers once and he revealed while he missed being on the road, he loved spending more time with his teen twin boys. He said, “They keep me very busy!” Kenny’s kids are Carole, 61; Kenny Jr., 55; Chris, 38; and 15-year-old twin sons Justin and Jordan. We bet his family misses him dearly. We sure do!
The post Find Out More About Kenny Rogers’ Widow And Children appeared first on DoYouRemember? – The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Lauren Novak
Joe Diffie’s Widow Shares The Last Photo They Took Together Before His Death
This article is from Do You Remember. Click the title to hop over there.
The world has been mourning country music hitmaker Joe Diffie, who suddenly passed away two days after being diagnosed with coronavirus. He seemed hopeful in a statement posted to the public on March 27th: “I am under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment after testing positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). My family and I are asking for privacy at this time. We want to remind the public and all my fans to be vigilant, cautious and careful during this pandemic.”
However, just two days later, his widow, Tara, shared the news of his passing. “It’s with a sad heart that I have to post this,” she writes on social media, confirming the news. Diffie was only 61 years old.
Tara reveals the last photo they took together
The two married in May 2018. Tara was asked to describe what it was like being married to Diffie, to which she responds, “It’s magical….it’s magical.” Tara admits that she actually grew up listening to her husband’s music and that her favorite song of his was “Better Off Gone” from his 1999 album A Night To Remember. She admits all this when the two appeared on the Bobby Bones Show in April of 2019.
RELATED: Country Singer Joe Diffie Dies At 61 From Coronavirus
“He honestly, he loves me more than anybody in the world,” she gushes about him. One thing she says many people may not know about him is that he was an excellent chef and he cooked for her every night. Following his sudden death, Tara took to social media to share the last photo of them that they took together. “Our last picture together. I love you so much @officialjoediffie You were the love of my life,” she writes in the caption.
We all continue to wish well for Tara and the rest of the family during this very difficult time. Take a look at the interview with Diffie and his wife from the Bobby Bones Show in 2019.
The post Joe Diffie’s Widow Shares The Last Photo They Took Together Before His Death appeared first on DoYouRemember? – The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Jane Kenney
Kenny Rogers’ Song “Goodbye” Released to Radio for the First Time
This article is from Do You Remember. Click the title to hop over there.
Just days after Kenny Rogers sadly passed away, the song “Goodbye” has resurfaced and is being released to radio stations. One week after his death, Capitol Nashville sent the song to country radio with a very meaningful message. “Those closest to Kenny wanted to make this track available to all of his fans,” the label says, according to Billboard.
The song was written by Lionel Richie, one of Rogers’ very good friends. It was one of the last songs Rogers recorded for Capitol Records. While it had not been released before, it was released on Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years.
“Goodbye” is a song about losing a loved one and trying to cope with it
Universal Music Group Nashville CEO Mike Dungan talks to Billboard about the song. He shares the backstory of the song “Goodbye” and how they were able to make it come to life on radio stations. He simply wanted to express condolences after Rogers’ death and reached out to his current manager, Ken Levitan. Levitan was the one who brought up the song and how it’s about losing a loved one and how to deal with it.
RELATED: Lionel Richie Wants To Bring Back “We Are The World” During Coronavirus Crisis
“He really says goodbye in that song, I don’t know what was going on in his head when he cut it,” Dungan says.
The lyrics hit hard for many
The lyrics definitely pull at the heartstrings of all Kenny Rogers fans…
“There’s peace in where you are, maybe all I need to know. And if I listen to my heart, I’ll hear your laughter once more. And so I have to say, I’m just glad you came my way. It’s not easy to say, goodbye.”
We all miss you, Kenny. Take a look at our video below, which showcases Kenny Rogers through the years!
The post Kenny Rogers’ Song “Goodbye” Released to Radio for the First Time appeared first on DoYouRemember? – The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Jane Kenney
Kenny Rogers’ Song “Goodbye” Resurfaces On Radio Stations After His Death
This article is from Do You Remember. Click the title to hop over there.
Just days after Kenny Rogers sadly passed away, the song “Goodbye” has resurfaced and is being released to radio stations. One week after his death, Capitol Nashville sent the song to country radio with a very meaningful message. “Those closest to Kenny wanted to make this track available to all of his fans,” the label says, according to Billboard.
The song was written by Lionel Richie, one of Rogers’ very good friends. It was one of the last songs Rogers recorded for Capitol Records. While it had not been released before, it was released on Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years.
“Goodbye” is a song about losing a loved one and trying to cope with it
Universal Music Group Nashville CEO Mike Dungan talks to Billboard about the song. He shares the backstory of the song “Goodbye” and how they were able to make it come to life on radio stations. He simply wanted to express condolences after Rogers’ death and reached out to his current manager, Ken Levitan. Levitan was the one who brought up the song and how it’s about losing a loved one and how to deal with it.
RELATED: Lionel Richie Wants To Bring Back “We Are The World” During Coronavirus Crisis
“He really says goodbye in that song, I don’t know what was going on in his head when he cut it,” Dungan says.
The lyrics hit hard for many
The lyrics definitely pull at the heartstrings of all Kenny Rogers fans…
“There’s peace in where you are, maybe all I need to know. And if I listen to my heart, I’ll hear your laughter once more. And so I have to say, I’m just glad you came my way. It’s not easy to say, goodbye.”
We all miss you, Kenny. Take a look at our video below, which showcases Kenny Rogers through the years!
The post Kenny Rogers’ Song “Goodbye” Resurfaces On Radio Stations After His Death appeared first on DoYouRemember? – The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Jane Kenney
Rita Wilson And Tom Hanks Celebrate Being ‘COVID-19 Survivors’
This article is from Do You Remember. Click the title to hop over there.
We previously reported that Rita Wilson and her husband Tom Hanks are back in Los Angeles! They have officially recovered after a diagnosis of coronavirus or COVID-19 while working in Australia. Now, Rita shared a post celebrating being a survivor, of coronavirus and other aspects of her life.
She shared three throwback photos with the post. The first photo is a picture of herself with actor Larry David, the second, a photo of Rita receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the third photo is of her newest album called “Halfway to Home.”
Rita shared a post counting her blessings after recovering from COVID-19
She wrote, “This date, March 29, represents a time of great happiness. I was on Broadway starring with Larry David in his play Fish In The Dark before finding out I had been diagnosed with breast cancer. March 29 also marks five years of being cancer-free after having had a bilateral mastectomy. I am so thankful for my health, for the doctors, nurses, friends, and family who got me through that time. You, online friends, also need to be thanked because your prayers and optimism were felt deeply.”
RELATED: Tom Hanks And Rita Wilson Are Back In Los Angeles After Having Coronavirus
So much to be thankful for
Rita continued, “And, so thankful for the blessings God has bestowed on me, then and now. One year ago on March 29, I was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a street, that as a child, I’d walk on an read all the names of the stars I admired, never believing one day my name would be on one of those stars. And one year ago today, I released my fourth album, “Halfway to Home.” Every day I get to make music is a gift. So much has happened musically in that one year. So much goodness. All of this would not be possible without good health.”
Lastly, she said, “So, today, March 29, I am celebrating the beauty of this life, the blessings God has given, and my continued good health, even now as a COVID-19 survivor. Please take a moment today to acknowledge the amazing creation your bodies are and to thank it for doing so much.”
We are so happy that Rita and Tom have recovered from coronavirus and are back home!
The post Rita Wilson And Tom Hanks Celebrate Being ‘COVID-19 Survivors’ appeared first on DoYouRemember? – The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Lauren Novak
AJ Croce Connects With His Famous Late Father Through Music
This article is from Do You Remember. Click the title to hop over there.
In late September 1973, radio sensation Jim Croce died in a plane crash. He was only 30 years of age. His son, at that time, was only two. As a result, AJ Croce did not get to know his father very well at all. But his life already paralleled that of his father, for worse and for better. Primarily, the younger Croce is familiar with the music industry and navigates it well. But he has also faced hardships like his father before him.
One of those hurdles greatly impacted how he connected with his father’s legacy and forged one of his own. After the elder Croce’s untimely passing, Ingrid Croce saw someone who ended up being abusive. His violence left AJ Croce temporarily blind. His first big introduction to music saw him learning while legally blind. Decades later, though, he has flourished and made a name for himself. But he does take time to look back, particularly through his Croce Plays Croce show.
AJ Croce formed his own fame
Life was not always kind to the younger Croce musician. After losing his father when he was barely two, the next male figure in his life ended up being abusive. Finally, that same abusive figure ended up blinding him. But the hardest tragedy came decades later, in 2018, when his wife died unexpectedly. At that time, AJ Croce himself was having health problems. His wife, who died of “a rare and sudden heart virus,” left behind two children.
RELATED: New Show ‘Photographs And Memories’ Explores The Life Of Jim And Ingrid Croce
“It is still very, very painful,” he admitted, now a single father of two. “I have lost a lot of people I love. … Life is difficult and unpredictable. In the end, I got to love them.” Though he does connect with his father’s legacy, which will be discussed further down below, it requires a careful balancing act. He only started playing his father’s tunes on a guitar when he reached his 30s after a lot of precarious introspection. “If I did it all the time, it would make me crazy,” he explained. “But eight or 10 times a year is just right. It’s a small point in my career.”
When the son does want to connect to the father, he has a fun way of doing it
At the Opperman Music Hall, son bonded with father through a Croce Plays Croce show. There, he engaged in some artistic and musical choices that made for some pretty fun parallels and nods to his late father’s work. All the while, AJ Croce also kept things fresh. “I think it’s a pretty energetic and fun show,” he said. He went on, “People don’t expect it. It’s not just my father’s music — but we hit all the big songs — but we also do stuff that was influential to him. I learned a lot about music from his record collection. … Each night the show stays fresh.”
Two summers ago, AJ Croce cut his father’s posthumous hit, “I Got a Name.” The elder Croce did not write this one, but it became popular quickly. Additionally, cutting it felt like a rite of passage. The son explained, “It was kind of a sweet idea and there are too many parallels to ignore it. So I did it. My father cut it in eight hours. I cut it in four. I did five versions. We played it live, too.”
The post AJ Croce Connects With His Famous Late Father Through Music appeared first on DoYouRemember? – The Home of Nostalgia. Author, Dana Daly