Larry

Newly Conducted Research Ranks Gatlin at #5 on List of Country Artists with Most Self-Penned Top 40 Hits

In the 4th of July edition of The Tennessean, country music legend Larry Gatlin‘s songwriting career was front page news. Journalist Cindy Watts recently sat down with Gatlin to delve deep into his love of putting pencil to paper. Read the full article HERE.

Over the years, the GRAMMY® Award-winning artist has written songs that went on to be recorded by Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Dottie West, Roy Orbison, Barry Gibb, and many others.

Recent research (conducted by New York City-based music historian John Alexander) shows that Gatlin’s songwriting credits rank him at #5 on the list of country music artists with the most self-penned Top 40 hits.

TOP 10 MALE & FEMALE ARTISTS WITH THE MOST SELF-PENNED TOP 40 HITS: (Excluding B-sides & Christmas Singles)

Merle Haggard (46) + (1 charting self-penned B-sides)
Marty Robbins (41) + (4 charting self-penned B-sides)
Hank Williams, Jr. (39)
Tom T. Hall (35)
Tie: Larry Gatlin (34) / Buck Owens (34)
Dolly Parton (33)
Don Gibson (30) + (4 charting self-penned B-sides)
Johnny Cash (28) + (5 charting self-penned B-sides)
Bill Anderson (27) + (2 charting self-penned B-sides)

“Somebody asked Roger Miller one time, ‘Why don’t you co-write?'” Gatlin recalls during the interview. “He said, ‘Did Picasso co-paint?’ I may not be the best songwriter in the world, but I am the best songwriter in the world to write songs for Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin. I’ve never been afraid to sit down with a piece of paper and a pencil in my hand.”

Larry Gatlin 12517About Larry Gatlin   The close family harmonies of Larry Gatlin & 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 63 years of music, the brothers continue to perform nearly 100 live concert dates each year.

For more information on Larry Gatlin, visit gatlinbrothers.com

theadminNewsPress ReleaseBarbara Streisand,Barry Gibb,Bill Anderson,Cindy Watts,Hank Williams Jr.,Johnny Cash,Larry Gatlin,merle haggard,The Tennessean,tom t hall
Newly Conducted Research Ranks Gatlin at #5 on List of Country Artists with Most Self-Penned Top 40 Hits In the 4th of July edition of The Tennessean, country music legend Larry Gatlin's songwriting career was front page news. Journalist Cindy Watts recently sat down with Gatlin to delve deep into his...