"The Gambler" passed away on March 20, 2020, but the rich musical legacy of Kenny Rogers lives on through the continuing tour of his band. 

That tour comes to McMinnville's historic Park Theater Friday night with The Original Kenny Rogers Band featuring Don Gatlin. Gatlin steps into the legendary shoes of Kenny Rogers as he sings along with members of the band  which toured with Rogers for over 40 years. 

The show features many of Rogers' biggest hits, and first-hand stories told from those who spent countless hours on the road with the  Country Music Hall of Famer.

Gatlin brings an impressive country music pedigree of his own, having formed a successful country music duo, "The Ellis Brothers," with his brother Darryl Ellis Gatlin. Their hit single, "No Sir" hit No. 58 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1992. Gatlin also contributing songs to Blake Shelton's firs two albums and he went on to form the band Savannah Jack. Gatlin brings his own unique connection to Rogers to the current tour.

"I grew up a huge Kenny Rogers fan and wondered if I'd ever meet him someday. Though I got to open for almost every major country star, Kenny played nothing but arenas with opening acts like the great Dottie West," Gatlin said. 

"But my brother and I got signed to Sony Epic Records in 1990 and that was the first time I got to be on stage with Kenny. I would go on to write two songs for him. To hear that voice sing your songs was one of my greatest thrills and gave me confidence as a songwriter that if this great voice picked my songs then I must be doing something right. 

"That led to Kenny asking me and my band Savannah Jack to go on the road as his opening act. It was a dream come true for me. We did 66 shows all over the world which was a big boost for us and helped us develop our own following,"  Gatlin said.

That experience was the seed which bore fruit years later when Kenny's band decided to launch a tour with Gatlin.

"Watching Kenny perform with his amazing band every night was inspirational. That led to the idea of why don’t we keep this great artist's legacy going. It was a natural fit the first time we got together. There’s a true labor of love doing the show that I think everyone in the audience will be able to tell within the first three minutes of the show," Gatlin said.

The show will be opened by special guest Taylon Hope, a rising country star who has appeared on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium. She lists her influences as ranging from Johnny Cash to Carrie Underwood.

The concert is the second in the Park Theater's Signature Series for 2024-2025 sponsored by Ben Lomand Connect and Security Federal Savings Bank. Doors open at approximately 6:30 p.m. Friday night and the show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are still availble at the Park box office, at the door and mcminnvilleparktheater.com. Tickets start at $30 plus tax.

In addition to the Kenny Rogers Show, Park Theater management today announced its winter and spring schedules which include Signature Series shows: Ultimate Oldies, Jan. 11; Are You Ready For It - A Taylor Experience, Feb. 7; Ken Block and Drew Copeland of Sister Hazel, Feb. 14; Forever Abbey Road - A Tribute to The Beatles, Feb. 15; and Kings of Queen - A Tribute to Queen, April 12. 

For more information on these shows and the full schedule of shows coming to the Park, visit mcminnvilleparktheater.com.