Larry Gatlin (center) and the Gatlin Brothers, photo courtesy of Absolute Publicity.
In the early 1990s, Larry Gatlin got fed up with Nashville and moved back to Texas. He’d lived in Music City for almost 20 years, and during that time, he’d had a nice string of hits tinged with the harmonies of his brothers Steve and Rudy. But as the public moved on to other sounds, the hits stopped coming. Larry felt unwanted in Tennessee and split.
Now he’s dividing his time between the Lone Star State and Nashville, and beginning Thursday, he’ll be a frequent host for the Grand Ole Opry’s Thursday night Opry Country Classics shows at the historic Ryman Auditorium. It’s an appropriate association. The Gatlins have been Opry members since Christmas Day 1976, and Larry came up in the midst of some classic country sounds, befriended by such country icons as Dottie West and Johnny Cash.
Bringing the whole thing full circle, Larry hosted the first Classics show a year ago, and he was greeted back with open arms by one rather prominent guest.
“Our spotlight artist that night was Loretta [Lynn],” Larry recalls. “After the show, she came over to me and I hugged her and told her how wonderful it was to see her. She said, ‘I heard a rumor that you were movin’ back to town.’ I said, ‘Well, yes m’am, I’m gonna come back part-time. I have an apartment here.’ She said, ‘I was so mad at you when you went away. Come back. We need you.’ Well, that was sweet. That was wonderful to think that this icon, this legend of our business, thinks that country music could use the Gatlin boys and my songs and our music.”
Since then, the Gatlins have released their first album in 17 years, Pilgrimage, which links to Larry’s first days in Nashville: His debut album was titled The Pilgrim, and it included liner notes written by the Man In Black.
Thursday’s kick-off for this year’s Opry Country Classics series spotlights the music of the Statler Brothers. Also appearing: Dailey & Vincent, the Statlers’ Jimmy Fortune, Eric Heatherly, Jan Howard, Charlie Louvin, Wilson Fairchild and the Opry Square Dancers. The two-hour show starts at 7 p.m. CT. It can also be heard on the web at www.wsmonline.com.
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I like his songs. I hope one day we will see him in a great TV show
comment devenir riche
is larry on gac every week tell me the times and dates will put it on my radio show 89.1 f,m kvdp radio waynes day in the country thanks
I stream the opry shows from wsm website,last year they did a tribute to Conway Twitty,& Larry hosted it,Jeff Bates sang Hello Darlin on the show & he was fantastic I hope they do bring it to tv,but till then I will be streaming it.Im glad Larry Gatlin is doing the show,the Gatlins were always favs of mine.Sure would like to hear Loretta Lynn & Jeff Bates sing a duet together too!!!!!!
Larry, I seen you on Larry's country diner and was glad to hear yoou are all coming back to us. I get GAC and RFDTV but have nopt been able to get the Grand Ole Opry. I also get CMT. Can you tell me where we can see this show?
LET'S GET THIS PROGRAM ON GAC-TV. COME ON CLASSIC COUNTRY ON GAC TV OR RFD-TV.. WE NEED THIS ON TELEVISON. WAKE UP NASHVILLE.
This is my sentiments also. I just asked where I can see this!!!
It will be great to see Larry Gatlin Host the Grand Ole Opry! These guys are great and they have great music ! The days of Dottie West were like no other and this is great news that Larry will host at the Ryman. we go there as often as possible.
Larrry will be a great addition..Now we can visit family & take in the Ryman also..
We go there often to see Alan Jackson introduce a new Album or others.
I was, and still am, the biggest Gatlin fan in Philly! Never missed a concert when they came to town and I have every recording they made. Hopefully you guys will come to Philly again in the near future!
I had all their cassette tapes, and yes you all can laugh about the tapes, but they were one of my most favorite musical groups of all times. When i would go to work i would put in the tape and sing all the way there and then when i was driving the tractor and yes i worked for the Highway Dept. i would sing all day long while mowing along the side of the hwy and had a big smile while doing it. I have lost most of their tapes now since my house burnt last year, plus all of everything i owned, but will never forget the smiles that they, The Gatlins gave me every time i heard their music.
They should be a permanet fixture in Nashville, like in the Country Music Hall Of Fame
I really like you songs u sing Larry i wish u would send me one of your dvd or cd my email address is colinda64@yahoo.com my home addresss is colinda willson 1001 south unoin bldg 9 apt 4 westfield IN 46074 TY A M A REAL COUNTRY LOVER I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC