Printable Biography of Larry Gatlin

Larry Gatlin's talent has brought him many rewards: international fame, a Grammy, a truckload of #1 songs, a starring role on Broadway and two films. Another reward he has found is speaking about his meteoric rise and almost fall in the music industry. The colorful storyteller entertains his audiences with humorous anecdotes about his encounters with countless celebrity friends and shares the insight he gained from his personal triumph over addiction. The laughter, coupled with a few songs along the way, leaves the audience with a true picture of the legend, Larry Gatlin. He will definitely be the bright spot of any general session or meeting.

Gatlin released his maiden album The Pilgrim in 1974, and hit #1 the next year with "Broken Lady," a song that brought him a Grammy in 1976. In the middle of the decade, the Gatlin boys once again joined forces. Armed with an array of college degrees and life experience, Larry along with Rudy, Steve and little sister, LaDonna (who had been opening for Tammy Wynette) started producing a string of hits. In '77, the group went to #1 again with "I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love." It would happen again in '79 with "All the Gold in California." But a Gatlin show was not merely a chance to witness some of the finest singing and songwriting around, Larry explains that he and his brothers were steeped in the tradition of entertaining. "That really came natural. We're just full of good West Texas B.S., and we don?t mind sharing it with the folks."

Beginning in 1993, Gatlin spent part of four successive Christmas holidays entertaining military personnel via USO tours. Those treks took him literally around the world, making stops in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Somalia and Japan. In 94, Larry's trip to Haiti made him the first American entertainer to travel for the USO to visit troops on that island.

1998 couldn't have been busier for Gatlin, as his hardback autobiography, All the Gold in California (Thomas Nelson Publishers) was released and in bookstores around the nation in midsummer. Gatlin believes that everything that's come his way has been a gift from his maker, whether It was what he prayed for or not. "I'm busy, I love being involved in lots of different things, I do the best I can, same as the next person, and I believe that if I persist, I will succeed."

Speech Topics

Larry Motivates and Inspires
Larry Gatlin talks about his meteoric rise in the music industry. The colorful storyteller entertains his audiences with humorous anecdotes about his encounters with countless celebrity friends and shares the insight he gained from his personal triumph over addiction. The laughter, coupled with a few songs along the way, leave the audience with a true picture of the legendary Larry Gatlin. He will definitely be the bright spot of any general session or meeting.

Customized Presentation
Larry Gatlin's spontaneous abilities to spin a tale in the moment - planned or unplanned - make this an unforgettable experience! He will develop a story around the client's product or service and deliver it in the charismatic "Larry Gatlin" style...with a little strumming and singing - and he's a huge hit!

Overcoming Adversity (for recovery audiences)
Larry talks of his journey overcoming addictions. Appropriate for groups focusing on recovery.