Kenny Rogers gears up for holiday tour, maps 2006 dates

Seasoned country hit-maker Kenny Rogers has plugged the holes in the schedule for his upcoming holiday tour, and has laid the framework for some 2006 touring.

After wrapping up a handful of October and November headlining dates, Rogers will launch the holiday trek Nov. 26 in Sunrise, FL, and will remain on the road until just before Christmas. Billed as "Kenny Rogers & Friends Celebrate the Season," the jaunt will also feature Rebecca Lynn Howard and Billy Dean.

As it stands now, Rogers will then take about a month off before tackling a 2006 itinerary that begins in late January, and that so far comprises dates scattered through late September. The schedule as of press time for all of Rogers' upcoming concerts is included below.

On Nov. 27, CMT will premiere an episode of its "CMT Crossroads" series that will feature Rogers paired with singer/songwriter Lionel Ritchie. The show coincides with the 25th anniversary of the hit single "Lady," which Richie wrote and produced, and Rogers sang.

Earlier this year, Capitol Records Nashville announced that it had cut a new recording deal with Rogers, who was with the label from 1976-1983. During that stint, his albums sold at a rate of 1 million copies per month for two consecutive years, according to the label.

The label plans to issue a new album from the singer "sometime in March or April of 2006," according to Rogers' website. The first single, meanwhile--titled "I Can't Unlove You"--will hit radio stations sometime in January.

Rogers's most recent collection of all-new material is 2003's "Back to the Well."