This Guy Is One Of The Biggest Reasons I Fell In Love With Country Music In The 1970’s

I've always loved two things in particular about country music...I mean real country music.

Number One: The songwriting.  I've long admired the men and women who write the stories and music that move, not only me, but millions of others.

And Number Two: A beautiful voice...or voices.  Great harmony is great in any kind of music I suppose, but for me, harmony in country music takes a song to a whole 'nuther level!

It was in 1975 when I was just a young, wet-behind-the-ears radio guy that I first really took notice of (at least to me) a new emerging country artist.  His name was Larry Gatlin and the song, which became a Top 10 country hit, was called 'Broken Lady'.

Now I, along with the rest of the world, would come to learn that it wasn't just Larry we were being introduced to, but also his brothers Steve and Rudy.  The question I always had (and have) is 'OK, that was great...but can he (they) keep it up or is this another of the one-hit-wonders'?

Well now, of course, we know that answer.  Hit after hit after hit followed.  Go ahead, you can name them, too.  'Statues Without Hearts', 'I Don't Wanna Cry', 'Love Is Just A Game, 'I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love', along with many others.

Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers signature song?  Well, it's probably the one that you just can't help but sing along with! Yep, in 1979 (and every time we hear it since) we all sang along with 'All The Gold In California'.

OK, now answer me this: When you played that video, did you turn it up...at least a little bit?  Yeah. me too.  Still love it and sing along.

But with all that being said, I have to say my all time favorite Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers hit? It was from 1978.  I can remember playing it over and over, one of those song's that just....capture you.  It's called 'I've Done Enough Dyin' Today'.

An artist named Teea Goans did a version of the song in the last few years, and you'll hear that as well on KXRB and KXRB.com.  A great song never goes away.

Larry wrote those great songs.  In fact, in large part he was 'discovered' by the legendary Dottie West because she was so impressed with his songwriting.  I am, too.

Larry Gatlin...Steve...and Rudy.  One (or three) of the biggest reason's I feel in love with country music in the 1970's, and why I still love real country music today.