Larry Gatlin formally inducted into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

The Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inducts Six

Click to Enlarge Photo credit: Bev Moser

The NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME (NaSHOF) inducted three songwriters and two artist-songwriters at Monday night's ceremony (Oct 14) at NASHVILLE's MUSIC CITY CENTER during the organization's 49th anniversary gala. As previously reported, the inductees included: Larry Gatlin, Dwight Yoakam, Marcus Hummon, Kostas, Rivers Rutherford and Sharon Vaughn.  

The program also paid tribute to the late NaSHOF member and longtime ASCAP executive Canadian Ralph Murphy

Some of the performance highlights from the evening included Country artist-songwriters Brandy Clark and Jeffrey Steele, who each performed songs for Yoakam.

Hummon was given a performance of his hit, "Born To Fly," by Sara Evans, who made it a hit.

Rutherford was honored by Country duo Brooks & Dunn with the songs of his they had hits with.

Vaughn was given a serenade of her song, "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys," from Garth Brooks.

Vince Gill joined Steve and Rudy Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers to perform the song "I've Done Enough Dyin' Today" for their brother, inductee LARRY GATLIN.

The Oak Ridge Boys closed the evening with a performance of GATLIN's “All The Gold In California.”

Other performers included John Rich, Holly Williams, Parker Millsap, Darrell Scott, Levi Hummon, Jeff Hanna, Matraca Berg,  Brett James, Hillary Lindsey, and The Isaacs. Find more information on the NaSHOF here.

Larry Gatlin Formally Inducted Into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

 Larry Gatlin Photo credit: Bev Moser

Nashville, Tenn. (October 15, 2019) — Last night, October 14, country music legend Larry Gatlin was formally inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The 49th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala was held at Nashville's Music City Center where Gatlin was inducted in the Veteran Songwriter/Artist category by his longtime friend Vince Gill.

Moments before his induction, Gatlin was honored with special performances of two of his self-penned hits songs: "I've Done Enough Dyin' Today" (performed by Gill, Steve Gatlin and Rudy Gatlin) and "All the Gold in California" (performed by The Oak Ridge Boys, Steve Gatlin and Rudy Gatlin).

"I am humbled and honored to be a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame," says Gatlin. "Having family and friends there with me was a blessing. Things happen in God's time and mostly fair winds have blown over me."

 Left to right: Vince Gill, Rudy Gatlin, Steve Gatlin, Larry Gatlin, William Lee Golden (Oak Ridge Boys), Duane Allen (Oak Ridge Boys), Joe Bonsall (Oak Ridge Boys), Richard Sterban (Oak Ridge Boys) | Photo credit: Bev Moser

Gatlin was inducted alongside Sharon Vaughn in the Veteran Songwriter category, Marcus Hummon, Kostas Lazarides and Rivers Rutherford in the Songwriter category, and Dwight Yoakam in the Songwriter/Artist category.

During his own acceptance speech, Yoakam praised Gatlin's songwriting. "It's an honor for me to be in this class tonight with everybody but especially, as a fellow performer, being inducted with Larry Gatlin," said Yoakam. "I think he stands alone as one of the more eloquent singer-songwriters ever in country music."

Over the course of his career, Gatlin has written hundreds of songs, including seven No. 1 hits for the Gatlin Brothers: "All the Gold in California," "Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)," "Broken Lady," "Statues Without Hearts," "I Don't Wanna Cry," "Night Time Magic," and "I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love." His songs have been recorded by many household names including Elvis Presley, Barry Gibb, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Dottie West, and Roy Orbison. He appears on several "best of" songwriter lists. With 35 songs, he's currently tied at No. 4 with Tom T. Hall for the most self-penned Top 40 Billboard hits as a country artist. The pair follow Merle Haggard, Marty Robbins, and Hank Williams Jr.

About Larry Gatlin
The close family harmonies of Larry, Steve & Rudy: 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)." The brothers won a GRAMMY® for their 1976 breakthrough hit, "Broken Lady," and reached #1 with several other songs soon thereafter. 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. The brothers were also nominated for multiple CMA Awards including Vocal Group of the Year, Single of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. Larry Gatlin has written songs recorded by Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Dottie West, Roy Orbison, Barry Gibb and countless Gospel artists including the Gaither Vocal Band, the Booth Brothers, the Isaacs and many more. After 60+ years of music, the brothers continue to perform nearly 100 live concert dates each year.

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