My friend Dolan Ellis, who since 1966 has been the "Official Balladeer" of the State of Arizona, was an original member of the folk group The New Christy Minstrels. He was listening to a jazz trio in the cocktail lounge of a Houston hotel, when the trio's bass player sang a solo number. Dolan was so impressed with the guy's voice that he phoned NCM founder Randy Sparks to recommend him for an open spot in the group. Two weeks later Kenny Rogers was on stage with The New Christy Minstrels.
In 1967 Rogers, along with Terry Williams, Mike Settle and Thelma Camacho, left NCM to form the First Edition.