Larry Gatlin

Larry Wayne Gatlin (born May 2, 1948) is an American country and Southern gospel singer-songwriter.

As part of the Gatlin Brothers trio that included his younger brothers Steve and Rudy, he achieved considerable success within the country music genre, performing on 33 top 40 country singles, a total inclusive of his recordings as a solo artist and with the group.

After graduation in 1966, he was eligible to serve in the military during the Vietnam War, but he chose to attend the University of Houston.

As a wide receiver on the football team, he caught a touchdown pass in a 1968 game in which his team scored 100 points.

He later auditioned for and joined the gospel music group the Imperials.

Gatlin is known for his tenor voice and for the country songs that he recorded in the 1970s and 1980s.

Some of Gatlin's greatest hits include "Broken Lady", "All the Gold in California", "Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)", "She Used to Be Somebody's Baby" and "Night Time Magic".

During this time, country music trended toward slick pop-music arrangements in a style that came to be known as Countrypolitan.

Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers came to prominence and enjoyed their greatest success during this period with hit singles that showcased the brothers' rich gospel-inflected harmonies and Larry's poetic lyrics.

Gatlin was born in Seminole in Gaines County, Texas, United States, next to the New Mexico border.

His father was an oilfield worker, and the family lived in several locations while he was a youth, including Abilene and Odessa.

He was reared listening to country and Southern gospel music.

He has performed with his brothers Steve and Rudy since childhood.

When they were younger, they often sang at their local church along with their sister LaDonna and occasionally performed on local radio and television shows.

They also recorded a gospel music album for the Sword and Shield label and topped Roy Orbison in a local talent contest.

Gatlin was a quarterback at Odessa High School.

They were featured on some of Gatlin's other hits during the late 1970s, notably "I Don't Wanna Cry", "Love Is Just a Game" and "Statues Without Hearts".

The Imperials went on to perform in Las Vegas in January 1971 at Jimmy Dean's Las Vegas Revue.

While walking through the showroom, Gatlin caught country singer Dottie West's attention, who thought that he resembled Mickey Newbury.

West was impressed with Gatlin's songwriting skills, and she recorded two of his compositions, "You're the Other Half of Me" and "Once You Were Mine".

West also passed one of Gatlin's demo tapes around Nashville, Tennessee, and arranged for him to relocate there by purchasing a plane ticket for him.

In 1973, Gatlin landed a solo recording contract with Monument Records.

In December 1973, Gatlin released his first album, The Pilgrim.

Two singles were released from the album: "Sweet Becky Walker" and "Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall", although both failed to chart.

1974 saw the release of a new album, Rain/Rainbow, and the song "Delta Dirt".

The album and single proved more successful; "Delta Dirt" was a top-20 country hit, peaking at number 14.

The song was also Gatlin's only entry into the pop charts, when it reached number 84.

In 1975, Gatlin had his first major hit with his composition "Broken Lady", which reached number five on the Hot Country Songs chart in 1976 and won him a Grammy Award for Best Country Song.

The latter song was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1976 (who had also recorded Gatlin's "Help Me" in 1973).

A new album, High Time, was released in 1976.

Gatlin is also credited on guitar on Willie Nelson's 1976 album The Troublemaker.

Brothers Steve and Rudy made their first appearance on Larry's 1976 album Larry Gatlin with Family & Friends.

West recorded other compositions by Gatlin that would later become hits for him, including "Broken Lady", which appeared on West's 1978 album Dottie.

With West's help, Gatlin found work in Nashville as a background singer for Kris Kristofferson.

In 1978, Gatlin scored his first number-one hit with "I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love".

In 1978, he released his last solo album, Oh Brother, which featured the top-10 hits "I've Done Enough Dyin' Today" and "Night Time Magic".

The latter song reached the Billboard Easy Listening chart.

Both songs spotlighted Gatlin's soaring falsetto that became a trademark of his vocal style.

In 1979, when Gatlin signed with Columbia Records, he decided to officially have his brothers billed as Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers.

In 1985, Gatlin purchased shares in the Nashville Sounds, a Minor League Baseball team of the Triple-A American Association.