Jameson Rodgers’ “Cold Beer Calling My Name” (featuring Luke Combs) jumps to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. Here’s yet another case where copy editors — and music fans in general — will be asking themselves: “Does he spell it Rodgers or Rogers?”
How well do you know these other people named either Rodgers or Rogers? Bonus points if you get the spelling of their last name right. Answers below.
1. The country superstar best known for “The Gambler” and “Lady.” He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
2. The EGOT-winning composer, known for his fruitful collaborations with Larry Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II. The latter pairing gave us such Broadway blockbusters as Oklahoma! and The Sound of Music.
3. The co-founder of Chic who has gone on to a long career as a producer/songwriter/musician, working with such stars as Madonna, David Bowie and Daft Punk. He was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 in the musical excellence category.
4. The singing cowboy (“Hi-Yo Silver!”) who teamed with his wife Dale Evans in film, TV and recordings. He’s the only person to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame twice — as a member of Sons of the Pioneers in 1980 and on his own in 1988.
5. The pioneer (1897-1933) who was one of the inaugural inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 (in the early influence category). His best-known recordings include “Blue Yodel” and “In the Jailhouse Now.”
6. The pop/folk singer and TV personality who had a string of hits in the late ’50s, including “Honeycomb” and “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine.”
7. The Englishman who was the lead singer of Free, Bad Company, The Firm and The Law. He joined Queen for a 2005 album and tour.
8. The legendary humorist, famous for the slogan “I never met a man I didn’t like.” A 1991 Broadway show about his life, starring Keith Carradine, won six Tony Awards, including best musical.
9. The leader and namesake of a country band that had a pair of top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 in the early 2010s: Burning the Day and Trouble.
10. The English singer who had a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1965 with “The Wedding.”
11. The actor who starred in Wings, the first Oscar winner for best picture. He also fronted a swing band that was popular in the ’30s. He was married to Mary Pickford, who was dubbed “America’s Sweetheart.”
12. The jazz trumpeter who had a Hot 100 hit in 1958 (under the pseudonym Boots Brown and His Blockbusters) with the instrumental “Cerveza.” He also received a Grammy nod in 1959 for “Chances Are It Swings,” a finalist for best jazz performance by a group.
Answer key: 1. Kenny Rogers; 2. Richard Rodgers; 3. Nile Rodgers; 4. Roy Rogers; 5. Jimmie Rodgers; 6. Jimmie Rodgers; 7. Paul Rodgers; 8. Will Rogers; 9. Randy Rogers; 10. Julie Rogers; 11. Buddy Rogers; 12. Shorty Rogers
