Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

GATLIN, Larry, and the Gatlin Brothers Band

Larry (b 2 May 1948), Steve (b 4 April 1951) and Rudy Gatlin (b 20 August 1952) Country music harmony vocal group, the family from Seminole TX; Larry is also a solo singer and songwriter. The brothers sang at family and church functions; had weekly TV show in Abilene with younger sister Donna making a quartet. Larry left to attend the U. of Houston; he joined the Imperials gospel group '69 and embarked on a writing career when Dottie West recorded his songs and signed him to a contract. A move to Nashville '71 led to writing songs for Johnny Cash film The Gospel Road, contract with Monument '73: first hit 'Sweet Becky Walker', LP The Pilgrim got rave reviews. Further hits with 'The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall', 'Delta Dirt', 'Broken Lady', 'Statues Without Hearts' '74-6 established a major star; 'Broken Lady' won a Grammy. He joined the brothers for LP With Family And Friends '76, had top three solo hits 'I Don't Wanna Cry' (another Grammy), 'Love Is Just A Game', 'I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love'; became Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers '78 with 'Night Time Magic', 'I've Done Enough Dyin' Today' and 'All The Gold In California' all big hits, the last named ACM Single of the Year, Gatlin top male singer, LP Straight Ahead Album of the Year. Along with further hits in the '80s he continued to write songs, also wrote with the Bee Gees. Drug and alcohol abuse almost led to breakup of the band, but they returned with album Alive And Well '88; signed with Universal '89 which became Capitol '90 but the hits had dried up. After their Adios Tour '92 they relocated to Branson MO with their own theatre, restaurant and hotel, and recordings for Branson Entertainment. Larry played Will Rogers on Broadway in Will Rogers Follies '93.