KENNY ROGERS CHRISTMAS & HITS THE HOLIDAY TRADITION CONTINUES...  Music Icon Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Christmas & Hits Tour  NASHVILLE, TN (Sept. 22, 2011) – Grammy Award-winning music legend Kenny Rogers will celebrate the 30th Anniversary of his Christmas & Hits Tour in 2011 with a  festive show featuring live performances of holiday classics and his biggest hits.  The one-of-a-kind vocalist and entertainer will perform at venues across America, joined by special guest Billy Dean, beginning on November 25 in Columbus, Ohio and wrapping December 23 in Westbury, New York. Rogers is known for creating an inviting atmosphere with his critically acclaimed Christmas & Hits Tour, which has become a holiday tradition in its own right since its start 30 years ago.  He will deliver heartfelt performances of traditional and original holiday songs such as “White Christmas,” “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let it Snow!,” “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire),” “Joy To The World,” "O Holy Night," and “’Til The Season Comes ‘Round Again,” the way only he can, with the help of local choirs and children chosen to perform in each city of the tour.  Rogerswill also sing many of the classics from his overflowing catalog of hits (“The Gambler,” “Lady,” “She Believes In Me,” “Islands In The Stream,” “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town,” “Lucille,” “Through The Years” and many others). “Thirty years is a long time to do anything, but a Christmas show seems to get easier every year, especially when I get a chance to work with friends like Billy Dean,” says Rogers.  “He always brings a great energy and beautiful music to the event.  Have a Merry Christmas, and enjoy the show.” A beloved, universally known icon of American entertainment, Kenny Rogers, with his unique storytelling ability and soulful voice, has thrived as a singer, musician, and showman for over 50 years.  He has recorded more than 65 albums, which have sold more than 120 million units worldwide.  Rogers is the only artist to chart a record in each of the last six decades.  He has received countless honors, including three Grammy Awards, five Country Music Association Awards, eighteen American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music Awards and eleven People’s Choice Awards.  He’s ranked #8 on the R.I.A.A.’s list of Top Selling Male Artists of all time.  Rogers’ critically acclaimed new album The Love of God, was released in 2011 and became his 21st Top 10 Country album.  The timeless project is available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores &www.crackerbarrel.com.  Rogers has said of the record, “It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.” RAVE REVIEWS FOR KENNY ROGERS CHRISTMAS AND HITS: “Good-natured joking marked the evening, as audience and star interacted and fed off each other.  The evening was pleasant and comfortable, a humorous and feel-good gateway into the holiday season.”  - DAILY HERALD TRIBUNE “Blending sets of timeless hits and Christmas favourites, the man known as The Gambler...offered a memorable performance worthy to be wrapped and stashed under the tree until Christmas morn...Rogers is still as incisive and endearing as ever.” - EDMONTON JOURNAL “(Rogers) has to be one of the warmest and congenial entertainers to ever hit the stage.  He makes people feel like they’ve known him all their lives.” - PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN 2011 KENNY ROGERS CHRISTMAS AND HITS TOUR DATES: Nov. 25 – Columbus, OH – Veterans Memorial Auditorium – 8 p.m. Nov. 26 – Kalamazoo, MI – Miller Auditorium – Western Michigan University – 8 p.m. Nov. 27 – Milwaukee, WI – Riverside Theater – 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2 – Catoosa, OK – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – The Joint – 8 p.m. Dec. 3 – Bossier City, LA – Horseshoe Casino – Riverdome – 8 p.m. Dec. 7 – Fayetteville, AR – Walton Arts Center’s Baum Walker Hall – 7 p.m. Dec. 8 & 9 – Lake Charles, LA – L’Auberge du Lac Hotel & Casino – Event Center – 8 p.m. Dec. 10 – Choctaw, MS – The Arena at Golden Moon Hotel & Casino – 8 p.m. Dec. 14 – Bowling Green, OH – Bowling Green State University – Stroh Center – 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 – Easton, PA – State Theatre Center for the Arts – 8 p.m. Dec. 17 – Mashantucket, CT – MGM Grand at Foxwoods – MGM Grand Theater – 8 p.m. Dec. 19 – New Brunswick, NJ – State Theatre – 8 p.m. Dec. 20 – Verona, NY – Turning Stone Casino – Event Center – 8 p.m. Dec. 21 – Buffalo, NY – Kleinhans Music Hall – 8 p.m. Dec. 22 – Schenectady, NY – Proctors Theatre – 8 p.m. Dec. 23 – Westbury, NY – NYCB Theatre at Westbury – 8 p.m. For the latest news and tour updates, please visit Kenny Rogers’ official website:http://www.kennyrogers.com/