KENNY ROGERS #1 TRIBUTE

Marty Edwards has entertained fans since the 1970s as a lead vocalist and guitarist for a popular Canadian based band. In 1998 Marty debuted his tribute to Kenny Rogers as a one-time only performance at the first "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" benefit concert aiding abused children that he produces. Marty's debut of "Kinda Kenny" was a huge success. Marty's critically acclaimed tribute to Kenny Rogers continues to delight audiences overseas and across North America. He has appeared on Oprah, Jay Leno, CNN, CHBC and numerous radio and tv shows world-wide. Marty has got the look, the sound, and the mannerisms of Kenny Rogers. Kenny Rogers himself has remarked on the likeness and told Marty “Don't go getting me into any trouble.” Hear Marty sing all the hits: Islands In The Stream, The Gambler, Coward Of the County, Ruby, Lady, Ruben James and more!

Will The Real Kenny Rogers Please Stand Up!

There are “look-alikes” and there are “sound-alikes” but the luckiest kind of impersonator or tribute artist is the one who has both, the “sound and the looks”.

As Marty Edwards walks out of a Vancouver theatrical make-up store he hears “Kenny!”, “Kenny!”. He looks back and there is a guy with a video camera yelling” Kenny, look this way!” “Kenny, over here!”…

Needless to say there is some fellow out there that believes he has seen and video taped Kenny Rogers in Vancouver.

In Billings, Montana while attending a Kenny Rogers concert, Marty is approached by a girl who asks if she could have his autograph and a picture taken with him. Marty asks, “Do you know who I am?” “Of course”, she replied, “You’re Kenny Rogers”. This girl was Brandi Bjoklund, Miss Montana 2000.

At another Kenny Rogers concert, Diamond Rio lead singer, Marty Roe stops his song and says to the audience. “You know, there ought to be a law against people impersonating a “Super Star” like Kenny Rogers, as he laughs and points out Marty in the front row.

Following Diamond Rio's acknowledgment of Marty, Kenny Rogers comes out to perform his set and also requests that Marty stand up, turn to face the audience and Kenny proceeds to comment on the likeness of Marty to himself. When he asked Marty his name, Marty replied “why I'm Kenny Rogers and what is your name sir?”

Marty Edwards has always been used to people approaching him on the street and asking if he is Kenny Rogers. Another regular comment from those who tell him that he looks like Kenny Rogers,is...but do you sing too? The definitive answer is yes. Marty performs as “Kinda Kenny” internationally and he is so good that he was voted the #1 Kenny Rogers tribute artist by his peers.

Marty used to be embarrassed when people mistook him for Kenny Rogers but now he takes it all in stride, along with his success as an artist performing a tribute to the great Country Legend. These amusing events occur on such a regular basis that Marty can't imagine how many of these interesting stories about fans that the real Kenny must have.

Marty's repeated performances have excited audiences at the largest festivals that draw crowds of 100,000 plus and includes the Calgary Stampede, the PNE, Funtastic Sports Festival, the International Wing Ding Rallies and Regional HOG (Harley Owner's Group) rally. He has performed at world known venues like the Imperial Palace in Las Vegas, Crowne Princess in Malaysia and the Tropicana in Atlantic City along with regular performances at hundreds of other Festivals, Casinos, organization fundraisers and corporate events. From shows as unexpected as a Budhist conference in Asia to a private function for a prestigious lawyers conference in New York City and from regular gigs in Mexico, Ireland, England and Australia, Marty has enjoyed his craft more than he thought possible.

Admitting that he gets enormous rewards from 'portraying' a famous country legend like Kenny Rogers, Marty in return puts aside a time each year to give back by organizing the "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" benefit concert and performing at other fundraisers.

 It was in 1998, when Marty produced the first "Put A Little Love In Your Heart" (PALLIYH) benefit concert, his one goal to raise money to aid abused children. He, himself was not an abused child, but reading an article in the Reader's Digest brought to light the high rate of abuse that goes on in almost every neighborhood, every day. He wanted to help.

The first benefit concert was a variety show that included several local groups and entertainers with big hearts, willing to give their time for free. He was one act short and decided that he would try a Kenny Rogers tribute along with his own Marty Edwards set. Noted producer James Bowers, who had worked with Marty before “Kinda Kenny" was conceived, had suggested that Marty had the looks and the voice for impersonating Kenny Rogers. So, Marty did his first show as Kenny Rogers, the closing act of the 1998 PALLIYH benefit concert. The audience loved him and he has been performing for audiences ever since.

Marty takes his “Rogers” role to heart. As a serious musician in the 1970s he learned the importance of hard work, regular rehearsals and a lot of disipline. He spent hours listening and singing along to Rogers' albums. He watched videos of Rogers performing and attended his concerts to learn the singer's mannerisms, such as holding his right hand up to his heart or closing his eyes in mid-song. He changed his appearance very little for the act. A slight adjustment in his beard trimming was all that was necessary.

The more he performed the more his shows got the attention of the agents and buyers and the more work he got. Marty hit the road performing at festivals, corporate, and casino events and for a time with tribute shows such as “Legends of Rock n’Roll”, “Country Legends” and “Legends Alive” . His shows performing with a “Dolly Parton” from Las Vegas are mostly 'sold out' shows. People love the magic that the two celebrities brought to the stage back in the 1980's.

It's hard to pin down a favorite with great hits like “Islands In the Stream”, “You Got To Know When To Hold Them”, “Lady”, “Ruby James” and “Don't Take Your Love To Town”.