Larry Gatlin honored with BMI "million-air" awards

LARRY GATLIN HONORED WITH BMI "MILLION-AIR" AWARDS

Gatlin Ranks as One of the Most Successful Songwriters in Country Music History

Larry Gatlin and BMI's Perry Howard / Photo credit: Bev Moser / Moments by Moser

Nashville, Tenn. (October 3, 2016) 

This past Saturday night before a sold-out crowd at the Franklin Theatre near Nashville, country music legend Larry Gatlin was honored on-stage when he was presented with two BMI "Million-Air" Awards.  The honor is given to songwriters, composers and publishers whose songs accumulate over one million U.S. broadcast performances.

BMI's Perry Howard was on-hand to present Gatlin with awards for his self-penned hits, "Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)" and "Broken Lady," both of which have surpassed two million radio spins, taking each song to the next plateau of the "Million-Air" Award.  

"Except for God, my family, my friends, my fellow man and my country, my songs are the most important thing in the world to me. In truth, they are not really mine at all," says Gatlin.  "They are gifts that I've shared with the world.  The fact that radio stations would play the songs, that people would listen to the songs, buy records, and come to concerts to hear the songs, never ceases to amaze me and I am grateful more than I can say."

The "Million-Air" Award has been bestowed upon many of BMI's iconic songwriters, including Sir Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Isaac Hayes and Roy Orbison.  The acknowledgment is a mark of respect and praise. 

Gatlin has also received "Million-Air" Awards for "All The Gold in California," "I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love" and "The Lady Takes the Cowboy Everytime."  "Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)" and "Broken Lady" also received previous awards when the songs reached one million spins each.

Larry Gatlin has a proven track record as one of the most successful songwriters in country music history.  On the Top 10 list for male and female country artists with the most self-penned Top 40 hits, Gatlin comes in at #5, tying with Buck Owens at 34 songs.  He also ranks at #5 on the Top 10 list for male and female artists with the most self-penned Top 20 hits (ties with Tom T. Hallat 28 songs).  Gatlin wrote all 8 of the #1 hit songs recorded by Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers. 

TOP 10 MALE & FEMALE ARTISTS WITH THE MOST SELF-PENNED TOP 40 HITS:
(Excluding B-sides & Christmas Singles)

Merle Haggard (46) + (1 charting self-penned B-sides)
Marty Robbins (41) + (4 charting self-penned B-sides)
Hank Williams, Jr. (39)
Tom T. Hall (35)
Tie: Larry Gatlin (34) / Buck Owens (34)
Dolly Parton (33)
Don Gibson (30) + (4 charting self-penned B-sides)
Johnny Cash (28) + (5 charting self-penned B-sides)
Bill Anderson (27) + (2 charting self-penned B-sides) 

TOP 10 MALE & FEMALE ARTISTS WITH THE MOST SELF-PENNED TOP 20 HITS:
(Excluding B-sides & Christmas Singles)

Merle Haggard (43)
Marty Robbins (35)
Hank Williams Jr. (30)
Dolly Parton (29)
Tie: Larry Gatlin (28) / Tom T. Hall (28)
Buck Owens (26)
Bill Anderson (25)
Tie: Johnny Cash (22) / Alan Jackson (22)

*Research conducted by New York City music historian, John Alexander

About Larry Gatlin 

The close family harmonies of Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers have given the trio a signature sound that led to country classics like "All The Gold In California" and "Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer To You)." Larry, and brothers Rudy and Steve, won aGRAMMY® for their 1976 breakthrough hit, "Broken Lady," and reached #1 with "I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love" soon after.  Along with five career nominations for the ACM Vocal Group, the Gatlin Brothers picked up three 1979 trophies – Single of the Year ("All The Gold In California"), Album of the Year (Straight Ahead) and Male Vocalist of the Year for Larry Gatlin.  Larry Gatlin has written songs that were later recorded by Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Charlie Rich, Dottie West and more. 

For more information on Larry Gatlin, visit www.gatlinbrothers.com.