Kenny Rogers Talks New Music and New Focus

Kenny Rogers is busy recording a new album, but he's not too concerned with how well it sells. The living legend says he's reached a new mindset in his career.

"I have a friend who's a psychologist," Rogers tells The Epoch Times, "and we had dinner one night. And I told him that it really bothered me that success was no longer important to me. He said an interesting thing happens to men as you get older -- you stop striving for success, and you start striving for significance . . . So I think that's what's happening to me. I'm not as concerned about hit songs, as much as songs that have something important to say."

Rogers is taking that epiphany to heart on his new CD, which he says includes songs with meaningful messages. It also includes a tune written by an old friend.

"Lionel [Richie] wrote a song that I'm doing on my new album called 'It's not Easy to Say Goodbye.' And it's about when his mom died. He said it took him five years to address that. But it's just a wonderful piece of music."

Rogers' and Richie's friendship dates back to the early 70s. Richie penned the No. 1 hit, 'Lady,' for Rogers and has writing and producing credits on the country singer's 1981 album, 'Share Your Love.'