'Home for the Holidays' - James Rogers presents annual concert at Colonnade - Dec. 19

James Rogers

James Rogers

Thursday, December 19, 2013

photo James Rogers

IF YOU GO¦ What: James Rogers, "Home for the Holidays."¦ When: 7 p.m. today, Dec. 19.¦ Where: Catoosa County Colonnade,264 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, Ga.¦ Admission: $20.50 adults, $18.50seniors, $11.50 children and groups.¦ Phone: 706-935-9000.¦ Website: www.colonnadecenter.org.

Already this month, James Rogers has presented his Christmas show in Morristown, Tenn., Marion, Va., and Ocean City, Md., but only his show in Ringgold, Ga., will be called "Home for the Holidays." The performance is scheduled tonight, Dec. 19, at the Colonnade.

The entertainer has ties to both sides of the Tennessee/Georgia state line. He was born in Chattanooga and started school at East Lake Elementary. Later, the family moved to Fort Oglethorpe, and Rogers graduated from Lakeview High School (now Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe). He received his associate's degree from Dalton Junior College (now Dalton State) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

He crisscrossed state lines multiple times starting his music career. Locals will remember his time at the club Light Fantastic and later at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Station House.

From 1975 to 1983, he spent most of his time traveling, performing with some of the biggest names in show business, including Alabama, Suzy Bogguss, Roy Clark, Steve Martin, Ricky Skaggs and Dolly Parton. In 1983, out of 2,000 contestants, he won the National Mountain Music Festival at Silver Dollar City in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Eventually, he would partner with the Dollywood Co. to headline at the Music Mansion in Pigeon Forge. The 2,000-seat theater won numerous awards and set attendance records among venues in the Smokies.