Dollywood entertainer James Rogers performs at the theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., as a salute to military personnel and veterans on May 12, 2012. /AP File Photo/The Mountain Press, Gail CrutchfieldEntertainer James Rogers will be signing copies of his book, "The Story of a Song: Fly Eagle Fly," 1-3 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Park Place Restaurant in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, his hometown.
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Rogers spent his early career singing around Chattanooga before taking his talents on the road. He eventually settled in the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, area, and performed for many years at Dollywood and its predecessor, Silver Dollar City.
During his career he has performed with Dolly Parton, Lee Greenwood and The Oak Ridge Boys, among others. He was named Entertainer of the Year in the Pigeon Forge area several times.
The book, he said, is a story about his life and how music can bring the whole world together and offer peace in troubled times. It also talks about his relationship with the National Guard and the American Eagle Foundation.
"It's really about the things I've seen and done and the people I've met," he said.
The book discusses how he was "shaped by his past, how he learned to develop his talent for music and how it all tied together to that moment [I] saw the eagle flying," he said.
Later this year, Rogers will present a free show at the Colonnade in Ringgold, Georgia, that will be a celebration of his five decades in show business.
"I'm so thankful for all of the people who have helped me and supported me, I just couldn't see charging admission. I will be taking donations, if people want to contribute, for some of the charities I've worked with. Places like St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, the American Eagle Foundation, the Alzheimer's Association and maybe more. I don't have everybody at this time."
He said the June 18 concert will take place 50 years to the day that he started singing at the Light Fantastic on Brainerd Road.
"That's where it all started. Then of course the place was burned, and I was forced to find another place to play and stumbled into the Chattanooga Choo Choo Station House. And then it all happened."
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Follow him on Twitter @BarryJC.