KENNY ROGERS AND HOME FREE TEAM UP WITH BILLBOARD.COM FOR THE EXCLUSIVE WORLD PREMIERE OF “CHILDREN, GO WHERE I SEND THEE” MUSIC
Kenny Rogers and country vocal sensation Home Free have partnered with Billboard.com for the exclusive worldwide video premiere of “Children, Go Where I Send Thee” today (11/16). This recording of the traditional gospel song featured on Rogers’ new Christmas album ONCE AGAIN IT'S CHRISTMAS produced by Kyle Lehning and Warren Hartman (Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville), highlights the music icon’s unmistakable baritone with Home Free’s trademark, seamless harmonies.
The singers met for the first time at Lehning’s recording studio The Compound in Nashville, TN to record the track this past summer. Later they reconnected to shoot the music video, directed by FifGen Films, at Music City’s historic Houston Station. The collaboration was an unexpected dream come true for Home Free.
“What an honor to share the microphone with Kenny Rogers! Apart from having one of the most iconic voices of all time, Kenny is an absolute class act,” enthused Home Free’s bass, Tim Foust. “Our producer, Darren Rust, crafted a brilliant arrangement of ‘Children, Go Where I Send Thee’ and the result is something special.”
When asked about how the collaboration came together, Kenny Rogers said, "My son’s choir director at school told me I needed to check Home Free out so I went home and Googled them and saw them sing ‘Ring Of Fire.’ They were incredible, and I thought, ‘I must do something with them,’” shared Rogers. “They were just perfect on ‘Children, Go Where I Send Thee,’ and we had a great time in the studio and filming the video together. They were so nice to work with musically and exceptionally well-driven. It really speaks volumes for their talent and professionalism. I’m so happy we were able to collaborate on this song."
This past Wednesday (11/11), Rogers launched his 34th annual Christmas & Hits Tour, ONCE AGAIN IT’S CHRISTMAS, featuring Linda Davis, in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The 32-date run supports his first Christmas album release in 17 years; the 11-track ONCE AGAIN IT'S CHRISTMAS (Warner Bros./Warner Music Nashville) is now available in stores nationwide and everywhere digital music is sold. As announced in September on NBC’S TODAY, Rogers will embark on his final world tour in 2016 prior to his retirement from touring.
Meanwhile, Home Free wrapped up their 47-date fall tour on Sunday (11/15) and is now prepping for the kickoff of the HOME FREE FOR THE HOLIDAYS Tour December 1 in Duluth, MN. The 17-city nationwide trek will feature fan favorites and holiday jingles. Celebrating the New Year, the band will make their European debut in January with an appearance at the star-studded annual LONDON A CAPPELLA FESTIVAL and just-announced dates in Birmingham, England; St. Andrews, Scotland and Dublin, Ireland.
About Kenny Rogers
Rogers has sold more than 120 million albums worldwide. He has charted a record within each of the last seven decades. The first country artist to consistently sell out arenas, Rogers quickly became a pop superstar as well — his 28 Billboard Adult Contemporary Top 10’s rank him fourth-best of all time among men, trailing only Elton John, Neil Diamond, and Elvis Presley. Rogers has recorded 24 No. 1 hits, 12 No. 1 albums, 25 Top 10 country albums and is the RIAA’s eighth best-selling male solo artist of all time. He has received three GRAMMY® Awards, 11 People’s Choice Awards, 19 American Music Awards, eight Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards and six Country Music Association (CMA) Awards.
About Home Free
Since being crowned NBC’s “The Sing-Off” victors, Home Free has made their mark on the music scene selling more than 150,000 copies combined of their popular albums, CRAZY LIFE and FULL OF CHEER, embarking on two major national tours and amassing over 47 million YouTube views. The five-man band from Minnesota, comprised of Austin Brown (high tenor), Tim Foust (bass), Rob Lundquist (tenor), Adam Rupp (vocal percussion/beat boxer) and Chris Rupp (baritone), dropped their debut album CRAZY LIFE in 2014, which hit No. 1 on iTunes Country chart and No. 4 overall. The release of their third studio album, COUNTRY EVOLUTION has elevated the band “from auxiliary entertainment to headlining attraction” (Times Leader) and hit No. 4 on the Billboard Country Album chart. Produced by longtime collaborator Darren Rust, the deluxe version includes five originals and nine new renditions of hit songs that showcase the band’s extraordinary talents, tight harmonies and intelligent arrangements that are uniquely their own. Founded by brothers Chris and Adam Rupp during their college years, Home Free has been perfecting their live show for nearly a decade performing together for packed crowds at major fairs, colleges and theatres. Their experiences on the road helped carry them to the Sing-Off victory, build a loyal fan base and bring their homegrown country style into the national spotlight.
For tour dates and more information on Kenny Rogers, visit www.kennyrogers.com
ONCE AGAIN IT’S CHRISTMAS is available here
For tour dates and more information on Home Free, visit www.homefreemusic.com
COUNTRY EVOLUTION is available here