Don Schlitz: The man behind “The Gambler”
Date Posted: Oct 25, 2017
Country music fans are in for a real treat during the 2017 Foo Foo Festival. Legendary songwriter, Grammy winner, and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Don Schlitz, will perform November 10th at the Larry Butler Tribute in Pensacola, Fla.
If his name doesn’t ring a bell, here’s what you should know about the legendary songwriter.
Don Schlitz is one of the most influential and beloved songwriters in country music history and was the brainchild behind the 1978 hit song “The Gambler,” which was made famous by Kenny Rogers. “The Gambler” won Don Schlitz a Grammy for Best Country Song in 1978 and the Country Music Association’s Best Song Award in 1979.
Schlitz’s success continued, for four consecutive years, he won ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year, three CMA Song of the Year Awards and two AMA Song of the Year Awards. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Association Hall of Fame in 1993, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City in 2012. This year is a special year because in October 2017, Don will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
His songs have helped establish the careers of many country music singers such as Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, The Judds, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tanya Tucker, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Keith Whitley, Alison Krauss, and many others.
Whether you’re a country music fan or an aspiring songwriter/musician, you do not want to miss the Don Schlitz performance, during the 4th Annual Foo Foo Festival, and a tribute to Larry Butler.