A devoted Villages fan base turned out at Savannah Center on Sunday night to get a glimpse of one of the all-time country music legends, Kenny Rogers. Rogers pulled out all of the stops during the performance, which featured an extravagant set, special lighting, and a setlist of his most popular ballads, including “Through the Years” and “Lady.” Fans swooned over the country icon and there was no shortage of shouts and exclamations.Â
“Would you believe I had to come to the Villages to see him!” said Linda Wiernasz, a Villager and lifelong fan of Rogers. Wiernasz said she has waited 35 years to see the man in action. Now, free of having to raise children and in the midst of her retirement, Wiernasz was ecstatic to see him live for the first time. “What a great venue! You’re right there,” said Wiernasz of the Savannah Center’s optimal seating arrangements.
In addition to his signature tunes, Rogers made sure to dazzle the crowd with a few jokes, and even some money – he threw ten dollar bills into the first row at a man that he suggested was dragged there by his wife. Rogers tossed a ten dollar bill at the man for each hit he could name. “I’m not above buying fans!” said Rogers.
“It doesn’t bother me that Larry will walk out of here with 130, 140 dollars of my money. What does bother me is that he’s going to wake up tomorrow morning loving country music, and he is going to go out and buy a Garth Brooks album using my money!” joked Rogers.
Not all in attendance, however, were unfamiliar with the singers hits. Many sang along, and cheers boomed throughout the auditorium every time the singer began another signature tune. A woman near the front of auditorium stopped Rogers during a speech to hand him a single pink rose. “I forgot what I was saying. Thank you, I really appreciate that,” said Rogers of the gift.
