Find Out Why Kenny Rogers Covers "There's a New Kid in Town" for Christmas

By Timothy Yap Dec 20, 2015 05:01 PM EST

Kenny Rogers has just released his brand new Christmas album Once Again It's Christmas. This is Rogers' first Christmas album in a decade. Initially, he wanted to just record original songs for the season, but he couldn't resist covering Keith Whitley's "There's a New Kid in Town."

"There's a New Kid in Town" is a modern re-telling of the story of the Christ child set in a modern contemporary context. Besides Whitley, this song has invited covers from Trisha Yearwood, Point of Grace, Alan Jackson, Blake Shelton with Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire, Kathy Mattea, George Strait, and many others.

Rogers tells Taste of Country why he chose this song: "He had this magic, wonderful voice," recalling the late country singer. "When I started putting this album together, I remembered that moment I heard him sing this." "There's a New Kid In Town" is one of 12 songs on Once Again It's Christmas. For years, Rogers has avoided this song because Whitley's version was so good.

In our review of the album, this is what we said: "After all these years, what is still the drawing card of any Kenny Rogers album is his ear for songs with melodies that transcend time. This album is no different. Rogers showcases his mettle for a great song with the title cut "Once Again It's Christmas." Sounding like it's made for the soundtrack of a Disney movie, "Once Again It's Christmas" is a beautiful song awash with gorgeous strings and saxophone as Rogers croons his way through the nostalgia of the season. The same amorous feeling is conveyed with the medley "Here It is Christmas" and "Baby It's Cold Outside." Rogers' duet with country songbird Jennifer Nettles is stunning. Even the oft familiar "Winter Wonderland" sounds exquisitely romantic with Rogers' grainy wasp. Pianist Jim Brickman brings his signature touches to "That Silent Night," another glow by the fire mistletoe hanging romantic escapee ready for repeated listenings."

The late Keith Whitley was born in Ashland, Kentucky. Whitley began his career there in 1970, performing in Ralph Stanley's band. Establishing himself as a lead singer in bluegrass music, Whitley moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1983 and began his recording career there. His first Top 20 Country Hit single, "Miami, My Amy", was released in 1986.

While touring for his album L.A. to Miami, he married country singer Lorrie Morgan. In 1988, his first three singles from his studio album Don't Close Your Eyes, the title song, "When You Say Nothing at All" and "I'm No Stranger to the Rain" were number-one hits. Several years of alcoholism severely deteriorated his health and he died in 1989 at the age of 33. His later two singles, "I Wonder Do You Think of Me" and "It Ain't Nothin'", were released after his death.