The roots connecting the late Kenny Rogers and Manitowoc run strong and deep. Damon Ryan explains.
Rogers, a Grammy award-winning ballad singer, died Friday night at the age of 81.
Jerry Wanek is a 1972 graduate of Lincoln High School and became acquainted with Rogers in 1977 through Jerry’s friend and classmate, Kelly Junkerman. Kelly who has been a Hollywood producer and a tennis pro, was asked by the singing icon to become his personal tennis instructor and the two became very close friends.
Junkerman was a Journalism major and photographer and also wrote Kenny’s tour books.
Wanek tells SeehaferNews.com he met Rogers and told us “had he not hooked up with the music superstar Jerry wouldn’t have been as successful.” Wanek has been a production designer in Hollywood for the past 30-years and during that time was set designer for Rogers in Gambler 4-and-5, Rio Diablo, and Kenny Rogers’ Classic Weekend and Christmas Special on his ranch in Georgia.
Jerry and Kelly also hired other Manitowoc natives & former Ships tennis players under another Rogers’ friend, Coach Steve Contardi. Those included Phil Kramer, Mick Holsen and Jim Bolle.
Wanek said this about Rogers, ”He was a great guy to work for had a keen eye for detail but always accepting and never raised his voice.”
Wanek mentioned that his work on the TV show Supernatural like others in the industry has been suspended because of Covid-19. This is their 15th and final season of production.
Jerry has resided in Vancouver the last 20-years but is staying put at a condo in Florida to wait out the virus.
