BITTERSWEET, Ky. — In case you hadn’t noticed, I spend as much time in this column talking about country music stars from the past as much as I do the most current crop of performers.

I make no apologies for that because the older performers have certainly set the stage for all those newcomers and served as their inspirations in many instances. I say that to tell you this; one of the most recognized performers of the last 50 years is about to retire, but he has left a legacy that few will repeat.

Kenny Rogers has accomplished more as a performer than just about anyone I can recall. I remember the first time I saw him, way back in the early 1970s when he was part of the rock group The First Edition and already a seasoned veteran of the music business. Even then, Rogers had a country side to him as evident in the band’s smash hits, Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town and Reuben James.

In fact, I think it will be his contributions to country music that he will be remembered for the most. In 1976, his solo career began, and he would become one of the most popular and recognized singers on the planet.

His crossover hits brought many new fans to country music and the incredible string of duet hits with artists such as Dottie West and Dolly Parton produced some of the most popular songs of his career, including one of my favorites, Islands in the Stream.

But Rogers will also be remembered for his Christmas hits and the annual Christmas Tour he undertook. Last September he released one more Christmas collection titled, Once Again it’s Christmas.

Rogers again, has included many top performers in this release including Alison Krauss, Sugarland singer Jennifer Nettles and pianist Jim Brickman, to name a few.

It is a lovely collection of great Christmas songs, and you know how much I love Christmas songs.

Rogers will receive a Christmas gift himself in early December. Country Music Television (CMT) is honoring him with a CMT Artist of a Lifetime award; a well-deserved honor, I might add.

In announcing his retirement, Rogers posted a video on his website and told his fans he wanted to spend more time with his family and that not many people get to see the end of the rainbow. But he thinks he did through the beauty of his career and the beauty of getting to know the fans.

Kenny gets the big A+ for bringing us so much great music for so long and leaving us all with one more great gift.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.