Academy of Country music honor

Comeback award for Kenny Rogers planned

Rogers says he's had "all the success anyone deserves"

By Shanon Cook
CNN

(CNN) -- Kenny Rogers will be officially recognized for his professional comeback when the Academy of Country Music hosts its 36th annual awards ceremony next month, becoming only the fourth entertainer to receive the honor.

Already the recipient of eight CMA awards, Rogers will get the academy's Career Achievement Award, which commends an artist for making a significant return to the music stage. Rogers, 62, will be given the award May 9 in Los Angeles, California.

Rogers made a return to radio last year with his chart-topping country single "Buy Me a Rose," which has been nominated in the Vocal Event of the Year category at next month's ceremony. It was his first song to reach No. 1 in 13 years.

"Last year was such a wonderful gift to me from radio because I've had all the success anyone deserves," Rogers told CNN in a recent interview. "What it does is, it changes the audience's perception of me. But more importantly, it changes my perception of myself."

AUDIO Rogers describes his personal goals 332K WAV sound Rogers performs "The Greatest" at the South by Southwest Music Conference in Austin, Texas 348K WAV sound

The Texan-born musician has 22 No. 1 singles to his name, from "Lucille" in 1977 to "Make No Mistake, She's Mine," a 1987 duet with Ronnie Milsap. He also has four Grammys, 11 People's Choice Awards and 18 American Music Awards.

Singer Glen Campbell will present the award to Rogers, who joins Johnny Paycheck, Carl Perkins and John Anderson as comeback winners.

"Kenny has been one of the most consistent and resilient voices in country music for the past quarter century," said Fran Boyd, the Hollywood academy's executive director. "His list of achievements in the industry are overwhelming, and we are pleased to present him this much deserved Career Achievement Award."

The awards will broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. EDT.

Kenny Rogers, gambling again
October 7, 1999

See related sites about MUSIC

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.