Kenny Rogers fans who see The Gambler at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena on Friday will also have the chance to see some fresh local faces on stage with him.
Five students from Catholic Academy of the Holy Family will be joining Rogers during the concert to sing a medley of classic Christmas tunes. The medley will also include an original Christmas song written by Rogers called ''The Chosen One.''
Jennifer Ortman, Holy Family music teacher, said the students have been practicing for a few weeks in preparation for the event.
''They're very excited about singing, and I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to work with them and have them perform,'' Ms. Ortman said.
The Jamestown High School Madrigal Singers will also be performing with Rogers, but the Holy Family students will be the only young children on stage with Rogers at the Ice Arena on Friday, Ms. Ortman said.
''Someone from the Kenny Rogers production company called our school and asked if we would have any students who would be able to perform with him,'' she said. ''We have so many talented students here, it was difficult to choose five.''
The five who were chosen are first-grader Claire Pumford, second-grader Leah Akl, third-grader Asha DeHarder, and fourth-graders Alicia Rensel and Kiana Vullo. The students all said they are excited to be a part of the show.
''I'm really excited because I like to sing a lot - I've been singing since I was in preschool,'' Asha said.
Alicia said she is excited to have the chance to sing with Rogers because he ''looks really nice,'' adding that she has been enjoying singing Rogers' ''The Chosen One'' and looks forward to performing it on stage.
''I just like singing with other people and being on stage,'' Kiana said, though she laughed and said she has never sung in an arena full of people before.
Claire said that she doesn't have a particular favorite among the songs in the medley. Instead she'll just be happy to be on stage with the internationally known Rogers.
''I'm happy because I'm singing with a famous person,'' Claire said. ''I didn't know about him, but my mom told me he looks like Santa Claus.''
After later seeing a picture of Rogers, Claire said she agreed with her mother's description. And it's appropriate, because the opportunity to sing with him Friday will be like an early Christmas present for the excited youngsters.
The Kenny Rogers Christmas and Hits Tour will be at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena on Friday at 8 p.m. For more information, contact the arena at 484-2624 or visit www.jsbia.com.
