The Kenny Loggins You Don't Know

July 27, 2014

Kenny Loggins is kicking off August by heading to the Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey for a live concert.

Loggins, formerly one half of country duo Loggins and Messina, is best known for his hit title track to "Footloose," a 1984 movie that starred Kevin Bacon.

Now he records kids’ albums in addition to his regular music, and is currently a member of country music trio Blue Sky Riders.

Though you may have known all that, here are a few Loggins facts that many aren’t aware of.

HE’S DETERMINED

When Loggins was eight years old, he saw the 1940s movie musical "Yankee Doodle Dandy," and decided then and there to be a songwriter.

HE KNOWS WHEN TO QUIT

In the late "˜60s, before Loggins embarked on his current career path, he was briefly in an experimental psychedelic band called The Electric Prunes.

HE’S A KING

Loggins has been dubbed "King of the Movie Soundtrack" due to the many successful songs he’s recorded for films, among them "I’m Alright" for "Caddyshack," "Danger Zone" for "Top Gun," "Nobody’s Fool" for "Caddyshack II," and of course the title tune and "I’m Free" for the aforementioned "Footloose."

HE GOT A BIG BREAK

When Loggins’ solo debut album was released in 1977, he snagged a spot opening for Fleetwood Mac on their Rumours tour, and almost immediately went from performing in clubs to playing huge shows in arenas.

HE ISN’T A MOVIE STAR"¦

It’s a well-known rumor that Loggins turned down the co-starring role alongside Barbra Streisand in the 1976 hit movie "A Star is Born." Kris Kristofferson went on to take the role in the American rock musical.

"¦ BUT HE DID ACT ON

TV He appeared as himself on the late "˜90s series "Dharma and Greg" and on the series finale of the Fox TV comedy "Raising Hope," and also performed a country version of his hit "Danger Zone" on the 2014 animated series "Archer," where his character’s nickname was K-logg.

HE WAS (PART OF) THE WORLD

Loggins, along with Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, and Bob Dylan, sang a solo on the "We Are the World" charity soundtrack in 1985. Proceeds from the single went to benefit African famine relief.

HE’S BEEN TO SESAME STREET

Loggins recorded a version of the Sesame Street song "One Small Voice" for a 1998 ABC TV special "Elmopalooza." His tune was included on the Grammy Award winning soundtrack album for the program, along with songs by Celine Dion, Jon Stewart, The Fugees, and Gloria Estefan.

HE’S A DJ"¦ SORT OF

Have you ever played the video game "Grand Theft Auto V?" That’s Loggins’ voice as the DJ on the in-game radio station Los Santos Rock Radio.

HE’S JUST LIKE YOU!

Like many musicians before him, Loggins today has turned to popular crowdfunding website Kickstarter to fund his new album with Blue Sky Riders. Among the rewards for contributors are the chance to sing backups, tix to a release party, and having Loggins and the band visit your house.

Kenny Loggins will be performing at the Odawa Casino Resort in Petoskey on Aug. 1 at 8pm. Tickets are $35/$45/$60 and are available at odawacasino.com.