Gene Watson's Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' - and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson's Peers, who were contacted during 2014, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Larry Gatlin, which he submitted to this site on Monday 24 November 2014.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Larry Gatlin who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Sean Brady would also like to say 'thank you' to Sarah Brosmer at Lytle Management in Nashville and Terry Choate at The Crosswind Music Group, without whom the acquisition of this Gene Watson 'Peer's Quote' from Larry Gatlin would not have been possible.
Larry Gatlin
This quote was submitted in Monday 24 November 2014.
'My friend Gene Watson is, without a doubt, one of the very best country singers - ever!
On top of that, he is a good 'Sumbich'.
In Texas, that is considered a great compliment.
When he sang 'Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall', with me on 'Country Family Reunion', it was one of the really coolest things in my life.
I just love my friend, the one and only Gene Watson'
Thank you, Larry Gatlin, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Larry Gatlin...
Larry Gatlin was born Larry Wayne Gatlin, in Seminole, Texas on Sunday 2 May 1948, and was raised listening to country music and gospel music.
Since childhood, Larry Gatlin and his brothers, Steve Gatlin (born on Wednesday 4 April 1951) and Rudy Gatlin (born on Wednesday 20 August 1952), have always sung and performed together. When they were younger, they often sang in their local church. They sometimes performed on local radio stations, and occasionally on television shows. The Gatlin Brothers also recorded a gospel music album for the gospel music label Sword and Shield Records.
The Gatlin Brothers even managed to beat out the legendary Roy Orbison (Thursday 23 April 1936 - Tuesday 6 December 1988) in a local talent contest around this same time. After graduating from Odessa High School in 1966, Larry Gatlin attended college at the University of Houston. A wide receiver on the football team, he caught a touchdown pass in a game in which the University of Houston scored one hundred points.
Larry Gatlin later auditioned for, and joined the gospel music group, The Imperials, who went on to perform in Las Vegas, Nevada in January 1971 at Jimmy Dean's Las Vegas Revue. While walking through the showroom, Larry Gatlin caught legendary country singer Dottie West's attention when she thought he looked like Mickey Newbury (Sunday 19 May 1940 - Sunday 29 September 2002).
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) soon met Larry Gatlin and was impressed with his songwriting skills, so impressed, in fact, that she recorded two of Larry Gatlin's compositions in 1971, 'You're The Other Half of Me' and 'Once You Were Mine'.
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'You're The Other Half of Me' and included the track on 'Have You Heard...Dottie West' (RCA Records, 1971).
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Once You Were Mine' and included the track on 'Have You Heard...Dottie West' (RCA Records, 1971).
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) also passed one of Larry Gatlin's demo tapes around Nashville and arranged for him to relocate there, purchasing a plane ticket for him - a story he related on an episode of 'Larry's Country Diner' on RFD-TV in November 2009.
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) later recorded other compositions by Larry Gatlin which would later become hits for him, including 'Broken Lady', which was included on Dottie West's 'Dottie' (Records, 1978).
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Broken Lady' and included the track on 'Dottie' (United Artists Records, 1978).
Larry Gatlin became known for his rich tenor voice and for the string of pop-inflected hit songs he wrote and recorded throughout the 1970s and 1980s. During this time, country music trended heavily towards polished pop music arrangements in a style that came to be known as 'countrypolitan'. Larry Gatlin And The Gatlin Brothers Band came to prominence and enjoyed their greatest success during this period with hit singles that showcased the brothers' powerful three-part harmonies and Larry Gatlin's evocative falsetto voice.
With Dottie West's help, Larry Gatlin found work in Nashville as a background singer for Kris Kristofferson.
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Try To Win A Friend' and included the track on 'If It's All Right With You / Just What I've Been Looking For' (RCA Victor Records, 1973).
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall' and included the track on 'If It's All Right With You / Just What I've Been Looking For' (RCA Victor Records, 1973).
In 1973, Larry Gatlin finally landed a solo recording contract with Monument Records and saw the release, in December 1973, of his debut album, 'The Pilgrim' (Monument Records, 1973), which included liner notes written by Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003).
Larry Gatlin's debut album, 'The Pilgrim' (Monument Records, 1973), included two tracks, which were minor hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'Sweet Becky Walker' (No.40, 1974)
'Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall' (No.45, 1974)
Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 - Tuesday 16 August 1977) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Help Me' and included the track on 'Promised Land' (RCA Records, 1973).
Connie Smith recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Help Me' and included the track on 'God Is Abundant' (Columbia Records, 1973).
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'My Mind's Gone To Memphis' and included the track on 'Country Sunshine' (RCA Victor Records, 1973).
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Help Me' and included the track on 'Country Sunshine' (RCA Victor Records, 1973).
In September 1974, Larry Gatlin saw the release of 'Rain / Rainbow' (Monument Records, 1974), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'Delta Dirt' (No.14, 1974) / this track was also Larry Gatlin's only entry on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart, when it reached No.84 in 1974
Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Rain' and included the track on 'Breakaway' (Monument Records, 1974); the track reached No.87 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974, No.44 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart in 1974, and No.40 on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Chart in 1974.
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Good Lovin' You' and included the track on 'House of Love' (RCA Records, 1974).
In 1975, Larry Gatlin saw the release of 'Let's Turn The Lights On', a non-album single, on Monument Records, which reached No.71 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975.
In August 1975, Larry Gatlin saw the release of 'High Time' (Monument Records, 1975), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'Broken Lady' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.5, 1975) / this track earned Larry Gatlin a Grammy Award for 'Best Country Song' in 1975
'Warm & Tender' (No.43, 1976)
'Statues Without Hearts' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.5, 1976)
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Brown Paper Bag' and included the track on 'I Still Believe In Fairy Tales' (Epic Records, 1975).
In February 1976, Larry Gatlin saw the release of 'Larry Gatlin With Family & Friends' (Monument Records, 1976), an album which, for the first time, featured brothers Steve Gatlin (born on Wednesday 4 April 1951) and Rudy Gatlin (born on Wednesday 20 August 1952).
Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 - Tuesday 16 August 1977) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall' and included the track on 'Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee' (RCA Records, 1976).
Roy Orbison (Thursday 23 April 1936 - Tuesday 6 December 1988) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Circle' and included the track on 'I'm Still In Love With You' (Mercury Records, 1976); in 2002, the album was re-issued in the United Kingdom, on CD, by Spectrum Music, with a different track order.
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'The Heart' and included the track on 'Til I Can Make It On My Own' (Epic Records, 1976).
Mickey Gilley recorded Larry Gatlin's 'I Just Can't Get Her Out of My Mind' and included the track on 'Smokin' (Playboy Records, 1976).
Jackie DeShannon recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Try To Win A Friend' and included the track on 'You're The Only Dancer' (Amherst Records, 1977).
In June 1977, Larry Gatlin saw the release of 'Love Is Just A Game' (Monument Records, 1977), which included four tracks, which were hits on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'Anything But Leaving' (No.12, 1977)
'I Don't Wanna Cry' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.3, 1977)
'Love Is Just A Game' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.3, 1977)
'I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.1 for one week in February 1978)
Billie Jo Spears (Thursday 14 January 1937 - Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Last Rose of Summer' and included the track on 'Lonely Hearts Club' (United Artists Records, 1978).
In April 1978, Larry Gatlin saw the release of 'Oh Brother' (Monument Records, 1978), which included three tracks which were hits on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'Night Time Magic' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.2, 1978)
'Do It Again Tonight' (No.13, 1978)
'I've Done Enough Dyin' Today' (No.7, 1978)
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Broken Lady' and included the track on 'Dottie' (United Artists Records, 1978) / the original version of this track was recorded by Larry Gatlin, who included it on 'High Time' (Monument Records, 1975); Larry Gatlin's version of the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975, and earned Larry Gatlin a Grammy Award for 'Best Country Song' in 1975.
In October 1978, Larry Gatlin saw the release of his first 'Greatest Hits' compilation, 'Larry Gatlin's Greatest Hits' (Monument Records, 1978), which included the following tracks:
'Broken Lady' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.5, 1975)
'Night Time Magic' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.2, 1978)
'Sweet Becky Walker' (No.40, 1974)
'I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.1 for one week in February 1978)
'Delta Dirt' (No.14, 1974) / this track also reached No.84 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1974
'I Don't Wanna Cry' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.3, 1977)
'Do It Again Tonight' (No.13, 1978)
'Bitter They Are Harder They Fall' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.45, 1974)
'Statues Without Hearts' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.5, 1976)
'Love Is Just A Game' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.3, 1977)
In September 1979, Larry Gatlin moved from Monument Records to Columbia Records and decided to have his brothers, Steve Gatlin and Rudy Gatlin, given equal billing on all his singles and albums.
Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band saw the release of 'Straight Ahead' (Columbia Records, 1979), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'All The Gold In California' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.1 for two weeks in October / November 1979)
'The Midnight Choir' (No.43, 1979)
'Taking Somebody With Me When I Fall' (No.12, 1980)
'We're Number One' (No.18, 1980)
As a result of the success of 'All The Gold In California' (No.1 for two weeks in October/November 1979), Larry Gatlin was awarded the 'Top Male Vocalist of The Year' Award by the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
In September 1980, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band saw the release of 'Help Yourself' (Columbia Records, 1980), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'Take Me To Your Lovin' Place' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.5, 1980)
'It Don't Get No Better Than This' (No.25, 1981)
'Wind Is Bound To Change' (No.20, 1981)
Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 - Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Broken Lady' and included the track on 'Only The Hits' (Liberty Records, 1981).
Anne Murray recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall' and included the track on 'Where Do You Go When You Dream' (Capitol Records, 1981).
In September 1981, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band saw the release of 'Not Guilty' (Columbia Records, 1981), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'What Are We Doin' Lonesome' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.4, 1981)
'In Like With Each Other' (No.15, 1982)
'She Used To Sing On Sunday' (No.19, 1982)
In September 1982, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band saw the release of 'Sure Feels Like Love' (Columbia Records, 1982), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'Sure Feels Like Love' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.5, 1982)
'Almost Called Her Baby By Mistake' (No.20, 1983)
'Easy On The Eye' (No.32, 1983)
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall' and included the track on 'Full Circle' (Liberty Records, 1982), which was produced by Larry Gatlin.
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Here In My Arms' and included the track on 'Full Circle' (Liberty Records, 1982), which was produced by Larry Gatlin.
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Try To Win A Friend' and included the track on 'Full Circle' (Liberty Records, 1982), which was produced by Larry Gatlin.
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Larry Gatlin's 'The Dream That Got A Little Out of Hand' and included the track on 'Full Circle' (Liberty Records, 1982), which was produced by Larry Gatlin.
In November 1982, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band saw the release of their album of Christmas material, 'A Gatlin Family Christmas' (Columbia Records, 1982), which included the following tracks:
'Silent Night'
'Sweet Baby Jesus'
'Hark The Herald Angels Sing'
'What Child Is This'
'O, Come All Ye Faithful'
'Steps'
'Alleluia'
'O, Holy Night'
'Away In A Manger'
'First Noel'
'O, Little Town of Bethlehem'
'Angels We Have Heard On High'
'I Know That My Redeemer Liveth'
'Messiah'
'Alleluiah Chorus'
Larry Gatlin: 'Greatest Hits Volume 2' (Columbia Records, 1983)
In October 1983, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brotheers Band saw the release of a second 'Greatest Hits' compilation, 'Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers' Greatest Hits Volume 2' (Monument Records, 1983), which included the following Billboard country music hit singles:
'All The Gold In California' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.1 for two weeks in October / November 1979)
'She Used To Sing On Sunday' (No.19, 1982)
'What Are We Doin' Lonesome' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.4, 1981)
'Sure Feels Like Love' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.5, 1982)
'Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer To You)' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.1 for two weeks in December 1983 / January 1984)
'Take Me To Your Lovin' Place' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.5, 1980)
'Taking Somebody With Me When I Fall' (No.12, 1980)
'We're Number One' (No.18, 1980)
'The Midnight Choir' (No.43, 1979)
In March 1984, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band saw the release of 'Houston To Denver' (Columbia Records, 1984), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer To You)' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.1 for two weeks in December 1983 / January 1984)
'Denver' (No.7, 1984)
'The Lady Takes The Cowboy Everytime' (No.3, 1984)
On Saturday 19 January 1985, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band performed 'All The Gold In California' (No.1 for two weeks in October / November 1979) at the nationally-televised 50th Inaugural Gala, the day before the second inauguration of Ronald Reagan (Monday 6 February 1911 - Saturday 5 June 2004).
In 1985, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brotheers Band saw the release of a third 'Greatest Hits' compilation, 'Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers' 16 Greatest Hits' (Monument Records, 1985), which included the following Billboard country music hit singles:
'Broken Lady' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.5, 1975)
'Night Time Magic' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.2, 1978)
'Sweet Becky Walker' (No.40, 1974)
'I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.1 for one week in February 1978)
'I Don't Wanna Cry' (No.3, 1977)
'Statues Without Hearts' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.5, 1976)
'Love Is Just A Game' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.3, 1977)
'Denver' (No.7, 1984)
'All The Gold In California' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.1 for two weeks in October / November 1979)
'Almost Called Her Baby By Mistake' (No.20, 1983)
'She Used To Sing On Sunday' (No.19, 1982)
'What Are We Doin' Lonesome' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.4, 1981)
'Sure Feels Like Love' (No.5, 1982)
'Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer To You)' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.1 for two weeks in December 1983 / January 1984)
'Take Me To Your Lovin' Place' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.5, 1980)
'Taking Somebody With Me When I Fall' (No.12, 1980)
It was also in 1985 when Larry Gatlin composed 'Indian Summer' with Barry Gibb (of The Bee Gees fame); The Gatlin Brothers and Barry Gibb recorded the track as a duet with Roy Orbison (Thursday 23 April 1936 - Tuesday 6 December 1988).
In November 1985, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band saw the release of 'Smile' (Columbia Records, 1985), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'Runaway Go Home' (No.43, 1985)
'Nothing But Your Love Matters' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.12, 1986)
In 1986, when the 'neotraditional country' singers entered the Nashville music scene, with singers such Dwight Yoakam and Randy Travis pushing Larry Gatlin and other country/pop-styled vocalists off the Billboard country music Top 10 list, Larry Gatlin's chart success declined greatly.
In June 1986, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band saw the release of 'Partners' (Columbia Records, 1986), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'She Used To Be Somebody's Baby' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.2, 1986)
'Talkin' To The Moon' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.4, 1986)
'From Time To Time (It Feels Like Love Again)' (No.21, 1987) / this track was a duet with Janie Fricke
'Changin' Partners' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.16, 1987)
In 1987, Tammy Wynette's highly acclaimed 'Higher Ground' (Epic Records, 1987) album was released by Epic Records, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'Your Love' (No.12, 1987)
'Talkin' To My Myself Again' (No.16, 1987)
'Beneath A Painted Sky' (No.25, 1988)
Tammy Wynette's 'Higher Ground' (Epic Records, 1987), which was produced by Steve Buckingham, featured extraordinary musicians and guest vocalists.
Guest vocalists on Tammy Wynette's 'Higher Ground' (Epic Records, 1987) included the following:
Ricky Skaggs: background vocals on 'Your Love'
Gene Watson: background vocals on 'Tempted'
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 - Tuesday 28 April 2009): duet vocal on 'Some Things Will Never Change', which was written by Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 - Sunday 11 January 2004)
Emmylou Harris: background vocals on 'Beneath A Painted Sky'
Vince Gill: background vocals on 'I Wasn't Meant To Live My Life Alone' (written by Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet)
Larry Gatlin, Steve Gatlin and Rudy Gatlin: background vocals on 'Higher Ground'
The O'Kanes (Kieran Kane and Jamie O'Hara): background vocals on 'Talking To Myself Again' (written by Jamie O'Hara)
Harry Stinson, John Wesley Ryles and Ricky Van Shelton: background vocals on 'A Slow Burning Fire'
Paul Overstreet: background vocals on 'There's No Heart So Strong' (written by Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet)
Rodney Crowell and Jeanne Smith: background vocals on 'All Through Throwing Good Love After Bad'
Musicians who participated in Tammy Wynette's 'Higher Ground' (Epic Records, 1987) recording sessions included the following:
Mark O'Connor: fiddle, mandolin and guitar
Jerry Douglas: Dobro
Mark Casstevens: guitar
Steve Gibson: guitar
Steve Buckingham: guitar
Paul Franklin: steel guitar Dobro
Tom Robb: bass
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 - Saturday 6 September 1997): upright bass
Eddie Bayers: drums
Randy McCormick: piano
Jay Spell: accordian
In December 1987, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band saw the release of 'Alive & Well' (Columbia Records, 1987), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'Love of a Lifetime' (written by Larry Gatlin) (No.4, 1988)
'Alive & Well' (No.34, 1988)
In late 1988, Larry Gatlin departed Columbia Records and signed a recording contract with Universal Records.
In February 1989, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band saw the release of 'Pure 'N' Simple' (Universal Records, 1989), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
'When She Holds Me' (No.54, 1989)
'I Might Be What You're Looking For' (No.37, 1989)
'No.1 Heartache Place' (No.51, 1989)
In 1989, Patrick Swayze (Monday 18 August 1952 - Monday 14 September 2009) and Larry Gatlin recorded 'Brothers' (written by Larry Gatlin); the track was included on the various artists original soundtrack of the movie 'Next of Kin' (Columbia Records, 1989), which starred Patrick (Wayne) Swayze.
It was also in 1989 when Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers performed the National Anthem before game three of the 1989 World Series, which was played at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California.
In 1990, Larry Gatlin departed Universal Records and signed a recording contract with Capitol Records; Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band saw the release of 'Cookin' Up A Storm' (Capitol Records, 1990), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
'Boogie & Beethoven' (No.65, 1990)
Further albums from Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band on Capitol Records included 'Christmas With The Gatlins' (Capitol Records, 1990), which was released in November 1990, and 'Adios' (Capitol Records, 1992), which was released in April 1992.
In 1991, Larry Gatlin underwent surgery on his vocal cords, following years of wear and tear on his voice. In concert, Larry Gatlin had begun to struggle with the high falsetto notes which were featured prominently in most of his songs. After recovery, Larry Gatlin worked briefly with an opera coach and his vocals took on a powerful operatic style in the early 1990s.
In December 1992, after more than a decade of singing together, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers embarked on a farewell tour before retiring to their own theatre in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Larry Gatlin went on to star in the Broadway production of 'The Will Rogers Follies'.
Subsequent albums from Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band included 'Moments To Remember' (Branson Records, 1993), which was released in July 1993, and 'Cool Water' (Intersound Records, 1994), which was released in June 1994.
'Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story' / CBS Television biopic from 1995
In 1995, Larry Gatlin played himself in 'Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story', a television movie about Dottie West's life; Dottie West had died four years before in a major car accident on Wednesday 4 September 1991.
Bill D'Elia directed 'Big Dreams And Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story', which was shot in Nashville between Monday 11 July 1994 and Thursday 4 August 1994. The original air date was Sunday 22 January 1995 on the CBS television network.
Actress Michele Lee, with the help of Dottie West's daughter Shelly, produced and starred in the made-for-television biopic 'Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story', which premiered on CBS. Michelle Lee starred with Kenny Rogers, wore all of Dottie West's original clothes, including her famed Bob Mackie outfits, and even sang Dottie West's hits for the movie. It proved to be one of the most successful television movies in the history of CBS.
Larry Gatlin co-wrote, with celebrity biographer Jeff Lenburg, a memoir called 'All The Gold In California', which was published in 1998.
In 1999, Larry Gatlin toured and entertained troops of the 1st CAV division in Bosnia.
On Tuesday 26 October 2004, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers saw the release of 'Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Sing Their Family Gospel Favorites' (Dualtone Records, 2004).
In 2006, 'Voice of The Spirit: The Gospel of The South' (Dualtone Records, 2006), a various artists compilation album celebrating the Gospel music from the south of the United States of America, was produced by John Carter Cash; one of the featured tracks was 'Diamonds In The Rough', which was performed by Laura Lynn Cash and Larry Gatlin.
In 2009, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers saw the release of 'The Pilgrimage' (Curb Records, 2009), which included six tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart (all of the tracks failed to chart):
'Johnny Cash Is Dead (& His House Burned Down)' / single released in 2009
'Sweet Becky Walker' / single released in 2009
'Penny Annie' / single released in 2010
'If I Ever See Utah' / single released in 2010
'Black Gold' / single released in 2011
'Americans, That's Who' / single released in 2011
Since 2010, Larry Gatlin has contributed to Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network as a political and social commentator.
In the summer of 2010, Larry Gatlin acted as substitute host for Don Imus on 'Imus In The Morning', and 'Fox Across America With Spencer Hughes' on Wednesday 16 March 2011.
'Reggae's Gone Country' (VP Records/WEA Records, 2011) was a various artists compilation featuring reggae versions of country music songs; one of the featured tracks was 'All The Gold In California', which was performed by Larry Gatlin.
Jamie O'Neal recorded Larry Gatlin's 'I've Done Enough Dyin' Today' and included the track on 'Eternal' (Shanachie Records, 2014).
Gene Watson re-recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Help Me' and included the track on 'Real.Country.Music' (Fourteen Carat Music, 2016).
Gene Watson re-recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall' and included the track on 'Real.Country.Music' (Fourteen Carat Music, 2016).
Visit Larry Gatlin's official site at
