The Gambler

On a warm summer’s evenin’, on a train bound for nowhere
I met up with a gambler, we were both too tired to sleep
So we took turns a-starin’, out the window at the darkness
Boredom overtook us, and he began to speak

-The Gambler, Kenny Rogers

The first few notes of “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers, conjures up feelings of my eleven-year-old self. My family is driving up I-75 North for our annual family vacation to my grandmas cabin in Presque Isle, Michigan. It is a rainy Friday morning in August; the sky is filled with grey clouds and I am sitting in my back windows seat staring out at the passing landscape.

As I turn to my left, my sisters smiling faces are looking back at me, it is easy to sense their excitement and anticipation as those first few notes play over the radio; a fantastic vocal performance is on the horizon. Being in the seat directly behind my mom, provides me with the best seat in the vehicle, full view of my father as he quickly gathers himself in preparation for his upcoming performance. Kenny only gives my father a 5 second instrumental to clear his throat, turn up the volume, take a glance in the rearview mirror, and grin after seeing the joy in both of my sisters faces.

As the performance begins, dad eases into the song; “On a warm summer’s evenin’, on a train bound for nowhere…” and his duet with Kenny is under way. In between notes, the grin on my father’s face grows as does the grins on both of my sisters faces. Those smiles are such a pleasant sight and I enjoy them for a moment before turning toward the window, letting the lyrics and harmony overcome me, as the world goes passing by. Anticipation begins to come over me, as my sisters and I would always take the opportunity to join dad in the familiar chorus…

You got to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em
Know when to walk away, know when to run
You never count your money, when your sitting at the table
They’ll be time enough for counting, when the dealin’s done

-The Gambler, Kenny Rogers (& Daniel Ignash)

Over the years we had heard this song numerous times during each six-to-seven hour journey; and to this day, each time I hear this song, it sends me right back to this particular instant in time. When I ponder going back to this moment, nothing about it screams “memorable moment, must store in memory”, but this song continues to transport me right back to those smiling faces every single time.

Rewatching this performance from the back seat is always a treat, as my father seemed highly stressed with a great deal of anxiety on a daily basis, yet, during the three minutes and thirty-one seconds that he and Kenny were singing, might be as happy as can ever remember my father during my childhood.