Nicole Kidman Claps Along As Keith Urban Delivers Powerful Cover Of ‘The Gambler’

May 03, 2023

Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman showed her laidback side when she joined her husband, country star Keith Urban, during a live stream of his tribute to Kenny Rogers and she could not help but bob and clap to the beat as he strummed the guitar and sang "The Gambler." 

In March 2020, Urban mounted an online concert, titled "Urban Underground," where he performed covers of fan-requested songs at his Nashville home studio. At first, Urban was by himself as the camera rolled and he started his performance. 

A few seconds later, however, Kidman appeared in the video, barefoot and without makeup. Though she was trying to get out of the shot of the live feed, the actress could still be seen jamming alongside Urban, who was giving it his all to nail the song.

"The Gambler" was written by Don Schlitz in 1976 and told a story of a gambler and a man he meets on the train to nowhere. Down on his luck and dying, the gambler offered a piece of advice about the rewards of life to the man in exchange for a drink. Schlitz related the song to the counsel his father gave him before he died, per SPIN. 

Rogers released “The Gambler” in November 1978, but a few other country singers recorded the song before him, such as Johnny Cash and Bobby Bare. However, only Rogers scored a mainstream hit with the single. His version became the No. 1 country song upon its release. Because of the song, Rogers was also chosen as the Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards in 1980. 

In 2006, Schlitz said in a documentary interview that Rogers' version clicked with music lovers because the singer and his producer, Larry Butler, added more artistic layers to "The Gambler.”

Rogers died of natural causes at 81 years old in March 2020, prompting Urban to mount his online tribute. During the live feed, the country star said that Rogers was a major influence on his music because he grew up listening, learning and playing a lot of his songs. 

But the task of picking out just one song to cover for "Urban Underground" was challenging. Urban, however, decided that "The Gambler" should be part of the set because it was a signature song of Rogers.  

"I wanted to do this one, probably the most iconic around the world," Urban said.  

As Urban performed "The Gambler," Kidman looked on adoringly at her husband. She also occasionally smiled when he crooned and gave the song his own spin. Urban's rendition of "The Gambler" was full of emotions, making it a fitting tribute to the country legend he idolized for years.  

To complete the set, the New Zealand-Australian singer also performed his own hits like “You Gonna Fly," “Never Comin’ Down,” “Wasted Time,” “Somewhere in My Car” and "God Whispered Your Name."

On Twitter, Urban also thanked Rogers for his contribution to music.

"THANK YOU KENNY ROGERS — for decades of genre bending music and collaborations — for making music that travelled the globe," Urban wrote. "And songs that became common threads for people from all walks of life!! GO REST HIGH BROTHER. With love and deep appreciation. KU"

It comes as People reported in April 2023 that a posthumous Kenny Rogers album will be out in June 2023. Titled "Life is Like a Song," the album will feature eight never-released materials as curated by Wanda Rogers, the late singer's widow. "Life is Like a Song" was recorded between 2008 and 2011 and was a "deeply personal" project for Rogers. 

Do you also love “The Gambler” like Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman? Why do you think the song is so popular? Do you know someone who is a fan of Kenny Rogers? Then tell them about this story!