Larry Gatlin Biography

Home	Music	Video	Stock Footage	Help

Original Recordings by the Original Artists!

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
Country Music | 3 CD Set
Reg. $24.99 ON SALE!
$19.99

The Gatlin Brothers were born into a Texas family whose father worked as an oil driller but who had an interest in music and encouraged his sons and daughter to develop their talents. Larry (b. 1948), Steve (1951) and Rudy (1952) and younger sister, LaDonna grew up singing at church functions, eventually appeared on local television and made an album, working together for years until Larry enrolled at the University of Houston. But in 1971, Larry became a temporary replacement in the Imperials gospel group and then country singer, Dottie West, recorded two of his songs ("Once You Were Mine" and "You’re The Other Half of Me") and he decided to move to Nashville. A big push came when Johnny Cash performed Larry’s songs "The Last Supper" and "Help Me" in his television documentary "The Gospel Road," and also when Kris Kristofferson sang his "Jesus Was a Capricorn." Larry signed with Monument Records and released a pair of singles, the solo "My Mind’s Gone To Memphis" and the Gatlins’ group "Come On In." Larry made his first country hit in 1973 with "Sweet Becky Walker." He followed that with an album of love songs, THE PILGRIM, which featured liner notes by Cash. He also had success with "The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall," which was also recorded by Elvis Presley, who also recorded his "Help Me." The Gatlins all joined the Tammy Wynette road show after she recorded one of Larry’s songs, "Brown Paper Bag." She had an affair with Rudy that she later said in her autobiography caused friction between Rudy and Larry. About this time, LaDonna left the group to join husband Tim Johnson and embark on a career as traveling evangelists. The three Gatlin brothers then had a country Top 10 hit in "Broken Lady," this tune winning the 1976 Grammy award for best country song. The tune was the result of Larry’s trying a new performing format - he said the Eagles were big at the time with good harmonies and background guitar work, so he worked to perfect that style for the Gatlins. Several hits followed, including "Love Is Just a Game," which he initially wrote for Neil Diamond but instead made into a hit for himself ("I realized Neil Diamond didn’t need another hit and I did," he later said). He also had his first No. 1 country hit with "I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love." The group’s first single for Columbia Records, "All the Gold in California," soared to No. 1, but the later "Midnight Choir" was banned as sacrilegious by many radio stations. Larry was also becoming a concern to those around him. His songs were fading to the point that he agreed to record an album of other artists’ music for HOUSTON TO DENVER, even though ironically the No. 1 hit from that album was his "Houston Means I’m One Day Closer To You." He also refused to sign autographs after shows, a definite no-no in country music, and then a cocaine habit that started in 1979 resurfaced. After five years, he went into recovery, joining the Say No To Drugs campaign. The ‘90s saw the Gatlins still performing, but also saw a change for Larry. As a golfer, he was playing with Frank Gifford when the subject of Will Rogers came up. Gifford apparently told him that Keith Carradine was leaving the Will Rogers Follies Broadway show and that Larry would make a good replacement. A phone call got him an audition and in 1993 Larry took over the role for a time.

TIMELESS MEDIA GROUP 100% GUARANTEED
If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase you may return it for a prompt refund, credit or exchange. Click here for details

All Items Usually Ship Within 24 Hours!