The Voice of Southwest Louisiana

By Marilyn Monroe
Award-winning country music
singer and songwriter Larry
Gatlin will open the 2016 Banners
season with a members-only performance
on Friday, February 19,
at the Isle of Capri Casino and Hotel
in Westlake.
“One of the things that we
have heard from our patrons is
that they would like more name
recognition in our artist roster.
This show spotlights that change
as we continue to feature a diverse
offering of the same Banners
quality,” said Patricia Prudhomme,
Banners Director.
The event will bring Gatlin
back to the area, but this time as
a solo act. He and his brothers
Steve and Rudy, as Larry Gatlin
and the Gatlin Brothers, had previously
performed here.
“We have sung here before,
and if I remember correctly, we
had a good crowd,” recalled Gatlin,
“I look forward to coming
back.”
Born in Seminole, Texas in 1948,
Larry is the oldest of the three
Gatlin brothers. He began singing
at the age of three and by the
time he was seven, his younger
brothers were accompanying
him at family and church events.
During those formative years, a
strong root in gospel music was
established.
“I tell people that I’m a gospel
singer who got some really good
breaks in country music,” said Gatlin,
emphasizing that he and his
brothers’ harmonies come from
SWLA
listening to old gospel groups
like the Blackwood Brothers,
the Statesman Quartet and the
Weatherfords.” That has been and
always will be our first love.”
As Christians, Gatlin said that
he and his brothers aren’t hesitant
to stand up for the things in
which they believe. But when performing,
they don’t talk about religion
and politics on stage. Gatlin
instead offers up social and political
commentary on the Fox News
Channel. “People don’t want that
at a show,” he said, “But having
said that, we do poke a little fun
at politicians – good natured fun
– and we also sing gospel songs
at the show.”
A point of personal pride for Gatlin
is that he and his brothers
were able to attend college. They
were the first members of their
family to do so. Larry attended
the University of Houston, where
he majored in English and played
football.
“I wasn’t a very good football
player. I was too little and too
slow. So I played 13 minutes in my
college career at the University of
Houston. The coach said I had deceptive
speed - I was slower than
I looked,” he said with a chuckle.
Gatlin went on to attend law
school at the University of Houston,
but a career in music was
what he truly wanted. During this
time period, Gatlin said that he
sent tapes and songs - and even
a video - to country music legend
Glen Campbell.
“I always wanted to be a musician
but back then we didn’t have
The Voice or American Idol. They
didn’t have all that,” he said, “I
knew that I wanted to sing. I had
known since I was three years old,
but it was very hard to break into
the music business. It’s still hard
to break into the music business.
In the meantime, I also knew that
I had to do something to further
my education and get a real job
to support my young wife,” he
said.
Hearing about a possible spot
as a singer for the gospel group
The Imperials, Gatlin went to Las
Vegas to try out for the position. “I
didn’t get the job I was auditioning
for, but I did work with The
Imperials when they worked with
my friend, the late great Jimmy
Dean,” he said.
It was during his time in Las
Vegas that Gatlin met country
music star Dottie West, who invited
him to Nashville and helped
him along the way.
“That was the big turning
point in my life, and it put me on
a different path,” he said.
Gatlin arrived in Nashville in
1971, and on the strength of his
songwriting talents, he became
known throughout Nashville’s
music industry.
“I cherish the ability to write
songs. I think I have been given
a gift for both songwriting and
singing,” he said. “But I’m a craftsman,
and I know my way around
a pencil and a piece of paper.”
Gatlin would lay out a successful
solo career while waiting
for his brothers to finish college
back in Texas. By the late 1970s,
the brothers officially became
Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers.
“We have sung together
since we were little boys,” said
Larry. “They are not background
singers. They are what the Gatlin
Brothers are all about.”
The trio would find their
greatest success during the late
1970s and the 1980s with songs
that showcased their three part
harmonies and Larry’s trademark
falsetto. Among their accolades
include induction into the Grand
Ole Opry, a Grammy award and
numerous Academy of Country
Music awards. According to Gatlin,
the brothers have eight No. 1
and 34 Top 40 records. The first
big hit was 1975’s Broken Lady,
which received the 1976 Grammy
award for Best Country Song.
“And I wrote all of them,” he
said, “They are my songs and our
songs.”
The Gatlin brothers were also
able to take time out and perform
for American troops stationed
around the globe.
“My brothers and I have been
all over the world, literally, singing
for our men and women in
the military. We honor them; we
love them; and we pray for them,”
said Larry.
In 2015, Larry Gatlin and the
Gatlin Brothers embarked on a
new tour after a 10-year hiatus.
“We just had some different
things to do,” said Gatlin about
Broaden your mind, learn something new, and
experience unique events with Banners at McNeese.
Season Membership
Available
Let us Entertain You!
Season Preview Party
featuring Larry Gatlin (Members Only)
Friday, February 19
5:30pm Reception; 7pm Performance
Isle of Capri Hotel & Casino
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Tuesday, February 23 | 7pm
Rosa Hart Theatre
SELMA
(PG-13; 122 minutes; 2015)
Saturday, February 27 | 6pm
Cinemark Movie Theater
Jill McCorkle
Ada Vincent Visiting Writer
Saturday, February 27 | 7pm
Venue TBA
the break. “But we love singing
for people and as long as God
will help us put people in the
seats wanting to hear what we
do, we will be out there.”
The brothers also released
their 60th anniversary album,
The Gospel According to Gatlin,
in November.
“We have a new song called
‘I’m An American With A Remington,’
which I think America needs
to hear it,” said Larry. The song has
been featured on Fox & Friends.
Gatlin resides in Nashville
with his wife, Janis. They are the
proud parents of two children,
Josh and Kristin, and two granddaughters,
Parker and Campbell.
A 5:30 p.m. reception will be
held before the 7 p.m. show on
February 19, and the event is for
Banners’ members-only.
Visit www.banners.org
for more information on how
to become a member and to
see the 2016 Banners
Tickets
on Sale
Now!
FEBRUARY 2016 THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 3 • Number 7 Volume 3 • Number 7 THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM FEBRUARY 2016