Kenny Rogers tribute artist learned not to be a gambler with his health.

The Peachland performer now uses his platform to encourage men, specifically, to be screened for cancer.

Edwards, along with Dolly Parton tribute artist Wendy Engler, are set to perform a show of country classics and Christmas songs at the Cleland Theatre on Nov. 16.in Vernon Nov. 17, Kelowna Nov. 19, Kamloops Nov. 20, Williams Lake Nov. 21 and Prince George Nov. 22 Some of the proceeds from the night will be donated to the B.C. Cancer Foundation.

sa国际传媒淚 was fortunate. I think back on it and I was an idiot. I was 67 before I had my first colonoscopy,sa国际传媒� he said.

The colonoscopy was done in January 2016 and it revealed Edwards had three spots of cancer and a blockage in his colon.

sa国际传媒淯nfortunately the places were not close together and essentially they had to take all my colon. The six to eight weeks post surgery were brutal,sa国际传媒� he said.

Although concerned about the cancer, Edwards was also worried he might lose his signature Kenny Rogers voice. During the surgery, he was intubated so there was risk his vocal chords could be damaged.

Although medical professionals were careful, it took two months for his voice to return.

sa国际传媒淎t eight weeks the recovery started to happen really fast. I had amazing surgeons, a lot of positive thoughts and prayers. The key really is that early detection.sa国际传媒�

Edwards recently had a screening and he remains cancer free. He talks about his health scare during his shows.

sa国际传媒淚 just like to take the opportunity to get that message out there loud and clear that early detection is the best way to deal with these things,sa国际传媒� he said.

Edwards, a lifelong entertainer whosa国际传媒檚 played in a number of bands over the years, started doing a Kenny Rogers tribute about 20 years ago. While working on an album of his own, Edwards was encouraged by a producer to try out the well-known Gambler, Lucille and Lady singersa国际传媒檚 style. He certainly had the looks even then sa国际传媒� white hair, white beard.

sa国际传媒淗e asked me if I ever thought about doing a Kenny Rogers tribute. Isa国际传媒檇 always sang his songs. I always enjoyed him and thought it was great music but I had never tried to emulate him,sa国际传媒� he said.

After reading about a two-year-old child who died from neglect and abuse, Edwards and his wife decided to put on a benefit concert to raise money for children.

sa国际传媒淚 put the Kenny Rogers thing in for something different. I did three songs and it went over really well. We did the benefit for a number of years when I was living on the coast,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淚 worked at it and tried to get the look down a bit better and the mannerisms. My wife started sending out materials to agents and venues and it got to the point I turned down more work than I did.sa国际传媒�

Edwards met Dolly tribute artist Engler about seven years ago while they were both doing a show in Michigan. At the time she was crooning the songs of Patsy Cline.

sa国际传媒淎 couple years later I asked her if she might be interested in doing Dolly. She thought it was a possibility but she was tied up doing Cher in Legends in Concert. After that was over, we were finally able to do something. Itsa国际传媒檚 great. We have a great rapport on stage and wesa国际传媒檙e great friends off stage,sa国际传媒� he said.

Edwards said there are different types of tribute artists sa国际传媒� ones that do multiple people and others that just do one.

sa国际传媒淲hen Isa国际传媒檓 not doing Kenny, I do myself,sa国际传媒� he said. sa国际传媒淚 have a couple different shows I do. One is a salute to Tom Jones and Roy Orbison. I donsa国际传媒檛 have the look of them but it appeals to a certain demographic. My solo shows are 60s and 70s covers with a band.sa国际传媒�

Edwards has met Kenny Rogers several times over the years and the iconic country western star is even a fan of his .

sa国际传媒淗esa国际传媒檚 been great to me. He told a New York City law firm that I was his favourite impersonator. That meant a lot to me,sa国际传媒� he said.

Both the real Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton officially stopped performing in late October of this year.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e really proud that we can keep their performances alive through our shows,sa国际传媒� he said.

On Nov. 16 concert goers will be treated to a mix of classic Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton songs and duets and festive songs.

sa国际传媒淚 like to say to folks coming to the show that theysa国际传媒檙e going to hear all their favourite songs but the problem is theresa国际传媒檚 so many we cansa国际传媒檛 get them all into one show but there definitely will be many,sa国际传媒� he said with a laugh.

Tickets are $48 for the show happening on Nov. 16 at Cleland Community Theatre. The pair will also perform at the Kelowna Community Theatre on Nov. 19. Ticket information can be found at

Tickets are available at or charge by phone 888-790-1477 or at the door.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m.