Larry Gatlin Biography

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Larry Gatlin (born May 2, 1948 in Seminole, Texas) is a Country Music singer best known for his string of countrypolitan hits in the 1970s and 80s. In 1979, he teamed up with his brothers to create Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. Larry Gatlin had his greatest success with his brothers in this band. He is also known for his tenor voice.

Early Life & Rise to Fame

Larry Gatlin might best be known for his string of glitzy-styled Country Music songs he recorded during the 70s and 80s. During this time, country music trended toward the edge of Pop music. Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers became famous during this period. They became one of the most successful artists in this genre.

Larry Gatlin was born in Seminole, Texas in 1948. He was the son of an oil field worker, the oldest of three children. He and his brothers began performing at family and church gatherings. He was football star in high school. After graduating he studied at the University of Houston on a football scholarship.

While in college, Gatlin began performing locally, which eventually led to a chance meeting with Dottie West, a reknowned Country singer during the 60s. West was impressed by Gatlin's songwriting talents and, in addition to recording a couple of his compositions herself, talked Gatlin into moving to Nashville. West sent him a plane ticket for the trip. He would landed a record deal with Monument Records.

Initial Success in the 70s

In 1974, Larry released his first album on Monument called The Pilgrim. His brothers, Steve and Rudy appeared on this album. This album led to his first Top Twenty Country single called "Delta Dirt". The song also reached the Pop charts, peaking at #84.

He had more success following the release of his first album. Hits such as "Broken Lady", "Anything But Leavin'", "I Don't Wanna Cry" and "Love Is Just a Game" are all notable hits from 70s. In 1976, he became part of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1977, Larry Gatlin won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song for his composition of "Broken Lady" and in 1979 he was voted the "Top Male Vocalist of the Year" by the Academy of Country Music.

Success As Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers

Larry Gatlin is also well known for his partnership with his younger brothers Steven and Rudy Gatlin in the Gatlin Brothers Band on Monument Records, and later Columbia Records. The Gatlins first hit No. 1 in 1978 with "I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love," a year before their most famous hit, "All the Gold in California". Their only other No. 1 hit was 1983's "Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)".

Other well-known hits by the Gatlins include "Love is Just a Game" (1977); "Take Me to Your Lovin' Place" (1980); "Denver" (1984); and "She Used to Be Somebody's Baby" (1986).

In 1985, Larry Gatlin wrote the song "Indian Summer" with Barry Gibb, which he recorded as a duet with Roy Orbison.

Decline & Comeback

After more than a decade of singing together, in December 1992 the Gatlin Brothers embarked on a farewell tour before retiring to their own theater in [[Myrtle Beach, South Carolina]. Larry Gatlin went on to star in the Broadway production of The Will Rogers Follies.

Larry Gatlin wrote a memoir called All the Gold in California that was published in 1998.

The Gatlin Brothers are the subject of a well-known country-music inside joke: They're mentioned as the collective nemesis of Kenny Rogers in his hit song "Coward of the County". In the movie inspired by this song, the brothers' names were changed to "Jimmy, Paul and Luke Gatlin."

In the 1990s, Larry Gatlin built his own entertainment career in Branson, Missouri.

Discography

Hit Singles

Sources

• Country Music:The Rough Guide; Wolff, Kurt; Penguin Publishing
  
• LP Discography.com
  

External Links

• Larry Gatlin and Gatlin Brothers Official Website
  

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