James Alvin Rogers

James Alvin Rogers (born December 22, 1949) is an American singer-songwriter, entertainer and serviceman from Chattanooga, TN. Recognized for his performances at the Chattanooga Choo Choo and Dollywood (formerly Silver Dollar City) in Pigeon Forge, TN, Rogers has performed with Suzy Bogguss, Roy Clark, Steve Martin, Ricky Skaggs and fellow Tennessee native and legend, Dolly Parton.
== Early Life ==
James Rogers was born into a humble family in Chattanooga, TN, where his parents taught him to respect hard work and music. Using music as an escape from the textile mill, James' father played the steel guitar, and his mother sang with her sisters. James moved to Ft. Oglethorpe, GA when he was in elementary school and stayed in Georgia until attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in 1974.
== Music Career ==
Having grown up with music all around him, James began his career performing at a night club in Chattanooga called "The Light Fantastic." When his time with "The Light Fantastic" ended, he was discovered by Allen Casey, the wealthy mind behind the Chattanooga Choo Choo. In 1973 James worked his way to a featured spot at the Choo Choo and eventually spent his time traveling all over the country performing from 1975 to 1983. 
In 1976, Rogers was the subject of a "Premature Roast." Joining many other successful entertainers and businessmen, Rogers was honored with a banquet and roast on June 18, 1976, at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. What makes his roast unique is that it took place in the same room he was married in and the same venue of one of his first professional performances. Rogers was roasted by a country judge, reporters and his own father-in-law. Following the roast, he performed to a capacity crowd, who gave him three standing ovations.
In addition to his time performing at the Choo Choo and Dollywood, James also wrote an original song called "Fly Eagle Fly" that was adopted as an official Bicentennial song for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and soon after for the State Senate of Tennessee by the Senate Joint Resolution 161. On July 4, 1976, Capitol Records released "Fly Eagle Fly" as a single. The city of Ft. Oglethorpe, GA and the city of Rossville, GA also adopted the song. His song "I Guard America" was officially adopted by the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States as their official theme song in 1997.
== Recognition & Honors ==
Honoring his service in the United States Military, Rogers has received many awards and recognitions. He received a Medal of Honor from the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2011 for his leadership, trustworthiness, service and patriotism. The Military Department of Tennessee awarded him with The Adjutant General's Distinguished Patriot Medal, and The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of New York recognized him for his patriotism, support of veterans and patriotic music.
In the summer of 2022, Rogers was honored by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and state legislators. He was honored at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta with two awards. The first was a Resolution sponsored by State Senator Jeff Mullis that praised him for his "outstanding musical contributions." The second award was an "'A Commendation'" from Governor Kemp that recognized Rogers for "'numerous artistic works, his support to his fellow citizens, and his dedication to his nation.'" 
James also was featured throughout his career in a variety of regional and national publications, including Billboard and Cash Box.
== Dollywood ==
When James was working on his music to secure a recording contract, he was encouraged to enter the talent contest at the 1983 National Mountain Music Festival held at the Silver Dollar City Tennessee theme park (which would become Dollywood in 1986). More than 2000 entrants were part of the competition sponsored by legendary Knoxville country radio station WIVK including future country music stars Travis Tritt and Suzy Bogguss. Rogers won the talent contest and met Silver Dollar City's owners Jack and Pete Herschend, which resulted in a recording contract in Nashville, a performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage and began his many years working for Silver Dollar City and Dollywood. His first starring role was in the Silver Dollar Jamboree Show when the park was known as Silver Dollar City; his role continued in the renamed Jamboree Show in May 1986 when the park became Dollywood as superstar Dolly Parton because partners with the Herschends in operating the theme park. The Jamboree Show took place at the end of each day during Dollywood's operating season – starring Rogers singing and entertaining with other park entertainers in a variety show. The entertainer wrote much of the music for the show, including the moving patriotic tribute entitled "This is America."
From 1993-1998, he headlined a new Dollywood Company entertainment product at the Music Mansion Theater in a show called "James Rogers and Company." The two-hour entertainment extravaganza featured Rogers and a core team of eight singer/dancers as well as a live musical orchestra. The heartwarming show featured music across many genres – from swing music and old Hollywood tunes to country and patriotic songs. The successful production was a family favorite to guests to the Smoky Mountain tourism area, and earned the title of "number one most attended show in the Smokies."
He returned to Dollywood in 1999 and performed in the immensely popular "James Rogers Show," once again delighting audiences with his self-penned songs, light-hearted comedy and family fun, and music that appealed to the wide variety of guests to the theme park. Before retiring in 2012, Rogers had entertained millions of people during three decades performing in the Smoky Mountain area, winning many regional tourism awards for his talents. Rogers performed with many notable performers throughout his decades-long musical career, including Alabama, Minnie Pearl, Dottie West, actor Lee Majors, and of course, the incomparable Dolly Parton.
== Retirement & Legacy ==
In 2012, after spending nearly 30 years performing in the Pigeon Forge area, James decided to retire his one-man show at Dollywood. After retiring, he moved back to his hometown of Chattanooga, TN to see where else his career would take him. In 2021, James released a book entitled "The Story of a Song: Fly Eagle Fly," detailing the story of his life and the importance of music. James' legacy will forever be remembered in Ft. Oglethorpe, GA where in 2022 they named a street after him. 
== Personal Life ==
James joined the Tennessee National Guard in 1971 and served until 1977. While in the National Guard he married his wife Deborah and they have two children, Heather and Justin, and four grandchildren.
Category:1949 births
Category:University of Tennessee at Chattanooga alumni
Category:American singer-songwriters
Category:Entertainers