Larry Gatlin and Gatlin Brothers with Booth Brothers - (June 07, 2018)

Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers have been dazzling audiences for more than 60 years.  It all began in Abilene, Texas in 1955, when Larry was six, Steve was four, and Rudy was two.  Since those days, the road the brothers have plowed has won them countless awards and has taken them to numerous concert halls, festival stages, national television shows and even the White House on several occasions.  The brothers have seen their music top the charts and touch the lives of fans of all ages.

The brothers grew up singing gospel music after listening to James Blackwood and the Blackwood brothers, Hovie Lister, the Statesman Quartet and many others.  The brothers would sing anywhere and everywhere people would listen.  As children their music has taken them coast-to-coast, even singing at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City.  They also recorded four Gospel records.

In 1966 Larry went off to college - studying English and law at the University of Houston.  In 1971, he auditioned for the legendary Imperials, Elvis' backup group.  He didn't get the job, but he met Dottie West, who was the opening act for the legendary Jimmy Dean, who would become one of Larry's oldest and best friends.  Dottie was initially taken with Larry's resemblance to Nashville songwriter Mickey Newbury.  Dottie told him one night in their backstage dressing room at the Landmark Hotel in Las Vegas, "Larry, you look so much like Mickey Newbury, you've just got to be able to write great songs."  After the gig in Vegas, Larry went home to Houston, wrote eight songs, sent them to Dottie, and she sent him a plane ticket to Nashville.

Through Dottie, Larry met Kris Kristofferson, who became a champion on Gatlin's talent as a writer and singer.  Kristofferson introduced Larry to Fred Foster at Monument Records, which resulted in a contract with the record label.  His first album, The Pilgrim, was released later that year.  Johnny Cash wrote the liner notes for his first album, and dubbed him "The Pilgrim," which is what he called Larry until the day he died.  Steve and Rudy were still in college at Texas Tech University and moved to Nashville in 1975 to sing backup with Tammy Wynette.  The two of them joined Larry in the summer of 1976 to form Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers.  

By 1976, the Gatlin Brothers were in the fast lane, thanks to the chart-topping success of the Grammy Award-winning "Broken Lady."  The hits continued throughout the rest of the decade, including their signature song, "All the Gold in California," soon to be followed by "Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)."   The number one hits continued throughout the next decade with "I Don't Wanna Cry," " I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love," "Statues Without Hearts," "Love is Just a Game," and "Night Time Magic."  In addition to being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1976, the trio was nominated for awards by the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and the Music City News Awards, among others.  "We won some of  'em too," say Larry.

The brothers continued to tour through out the 80's.   In 1992, they decided to take some time away from the road.  That year they embarked on their "Adios Tour" and released an album of the same title.  Upon completion of the tour, Larry would go on to Broadway to star in the hit musical, "The Will Rogers Follies," as Steve built a theatre in Myrtle Beach, SC and Rudy starred in a production of "Oklahoma" in Branson, MO.  In early 2002, the brothers decided to tour on a limited basis, recorded a new a album, Pilgrimage, in 2008 and are still performing 40-50 dates a year.  In 2015 the Gatlin Brothers received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the great state of Texas.  This past year they were inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Ft Worth, Texas.

As the brothers begin their 61^st year singing together, they are looking forward to the next adventure.  We are grateful to God for our fabulous run and we can't wait to see what else He has in store."

"We have been very blessed and grateful for the many fans who have stayed with us over the years," adds Steve.  "You have impacted our lives more than you can possibly imagine."

Rudy adds, "One of the nicest things fans can say is that we are still singing & playing better than ever & that's nice to hear."

In addition to touring, the brothers recently released a new Gospel album titled, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers - The Gospel According to Gatlin.  Larry says, "The songs are a little edgy, a little bit different.   Steve, Rudy and I didn't get where we are by playing it safe.  We have always pushed the envelope, we have always crossed borders others were afraid to cross and we're not going to stop now… and that's the Gospel According to Gatlin."

 

Listed below are a few of the awards, tv shows & venues the brothers have worked.

AWARDS, TV SHOWS, & VENUES

1964 World's Fair New York City, New York

HEW HAW

HEW HAW HONEYS

Barbara Mandrell TV Show

Merv Griffith TV Show

Mike Douglas TV Show

Gatlin Brothers ABC Special TV Show

Solid Gold TV Show

Dinah Shore TV Show

John Davidson TV Show

SALUTE w Dick Clark

Johnny Cash Special TV Show

Crook & Chase TV Show

Midnight Special w Wolfman Jack

Love Boat

Marty Stuart TV Show

Larry's Country Diner

Jason Crabb TV Show

Pop Goes the County

Marty Robbins TV Show

Ralph Emory TV Show

Tommy Hunter TV Show (Canada)

Bill Gaither Videos

Carnegie Hall (New York)

AT & T Stadium (Dallas)

Wembley Stadium (London)

Death Valley (Clemson University) 

Super Dome (New Orleans)

Madison Square Garden (New York)

Pontiac Silverdome (Pontiac)

Astrodome (Houston)

Reliant Field

Nissan Stadium (Titans Nashville)

Yankee Stadium (New York)

Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA)

Candlestick Park (San Francisco)

Forum (Los Angeles)

Ryman Auditrium (Nashville)

Grand Ole Opry House (Nashville)

 

40 years members of Grand Ole Opry

Sung for 5 of last 7 US PRESIDENTS

 

 

Reliant Field

Nissan Stadium ( Titans Nashville)

Yankee Stadium ( NYC)

Rose Bowl (Pasadena, CA)

Candlestick Park (SF, CA)

Ronnie, Michael, and Paul love Southern Gospel music. They believe it touches the soul and offers encouragement and hope. By singing and ministering to audiences through word and song, these gentlemen are fulfilling God's call on their lives.

Heritage

Ron Booth Sr., Ronnie and Michael's father, immersed his sons in Southern Gospel music during the time he sang with the Rebel's Quartet and other musical groups. They sang with their father as "Ron Booth and the Booth Brothers" until 1998 when Ron Sr., or PawPaw, as he is affectionately known to his grandchildren, left the road. Ronnie and Michael renamed the group and continued on as "The Booth Brothers." Although others have been the third part of the trio, Paul Lancaster is the newest member. Paul has enjoyed success with other gospel groups and he is now bringing his vocal abilities to the Booth Brothers. The harmonies, which is a trademark of the Booth Brothers, is continuing with the addition of Paul to the group.

Present

Ronnie, Michael, and Paul are deeply committed to musical excellence yet have a greater desire to impact the hearts of those listening to their music. Refreshing humor, inspiring songs, and encouraging words are embedded in every concert. This trio, collectively and individually, has been acknowledged as one of the finest in the business having received many awards over the years, including Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Trio of the Year, Male Group of the Year, Best Live Performers, Artist of the Year and others. Although the group is grateful for the recognition of their work, their aspiration is for all honor and glory to be God's alone.

Legacy

Ronnie, Michael, and Paul do not know when they will no longer climb on the bus and travel the highways to meet and minister to people. They do know, however, that until that day comes, they will continue their mission of proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the only way to achieve salvation and eternal life and they will never cease announcing to the world that He is the only One who can give the peace and comfort they desire.