Remembering Don Schlitz: A Country Music Legend
Don Schlitz, the celebrated country music songwriter and performer best known for writing the iconic hit “The Gambler,” has passed away at the age of 73. His death was announced on Friday by the Grand Ole Opry, marking the end of an era for country music.
Schlitz’s passing came after a sudden illness, though the exact cause of death was not disclosed. The news sent shockwaves through the music community, with many expressing their grief and admiration for his contributions to the genre.
A Legacy of Love and Music
Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association, shared heartfelt words about Schlitz in a statement. She said, “We are heartbroken by the news of the passing of Don Schlitz. Don loved his family, his home state of North Carolina and, above all, songs and songwriters.” Trahern recalled a dinner she attended with Schlitz, where he ended the evening by picking up a guitar and playing. “That is how I will always remember him, smiling and with a guitar in his hand,” she continued. “His legacy lives on through his music and the many artists and writers he inspired. He will be deeply missed.”
Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, also paid tribute to Schlitz. “Don Schlitz’s place as a songwriting great would be secure had he never written The Gambler or had he only written The Gambler. Nashville was richer for his presence and is lesser for his absence.”
The Story Behind “The Gambler”
Born in 1952 in Durham, North Carolina, Schlitz became a household name in country music after writing “The Gambler” in 1976. The song, which he later revealed was inspired by the death of his father that year, took two years to pitch around Nashville before it was first recorded by Bobby Bare. Although Bare’s version was released on his self-titled album, it received little attention. Schlitz then recorded it himself in 1978, but it was largely ignored.
However, the song gained traction when Johnny Cash covered it on his 1978 album Gone Girl. Kenny Rogers, who had recently gone solo after disbanding his group The First Edition, was also drawn to the tune. His version of “The Gambler” became the hit most people know today.
Schlitz credited Rogers and his producer, Larry Butler, with adjusting the song to fully realize its commercial potential. The track skyrocketed to the top of the US Hot Country Songs Chart and reached number three on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Chart, as well as number 16 on the Hot 100 singles chart.
A Career Filled with Hits
“The Gambler” was eventually certified five times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and proved to be a major crossover hit. Rogers, who inducted Schlitz into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012, praised his old collaborator by saying, “Don doesn’t just write songs. He writes careers.”
After achieving his first hit, Schlitz went on to write 19 more songs, including Randy Travis’s “Forever And Ever, Amen” (co-written with Paul Overstreet), The Judds’ “I Know Where I’m Going,” Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” and “When You Say Nothing At All,” which became a hit for multiple artists.
For his contributions, Schlitz was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
Continued Contributions and Recognition
Schlitz collaborated again with Rogers in 1998, when he wrote the hit song “The Greatest.” Rogers returned to Schlitz’s tunes for his 2013 album You Can’t Make Old Friends.
In addition to his songwriting, Schlitz continued to record his own music with two studio albums: Dreamers’ Matinee (1980) and Allergic To Crazy (2010). He also released a live album, Live At The Bluebird Café, in 2001.
In 2022, Schlitz’s status as country royalty was cemented when he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, following his debut at the Opry in 2017. The legendary venue paid tribute to Schlitz with a show dedicated to him on Saturday.
A Lasting Family Legacy
Schlitz is survived by his wife Stacey, daughter Cory Dixon, son Pete Schlitz, four grandchildren, and two siblings, brother Brad Schlitz and sister Kathy Hinkley. His life and work continue to inspire generations of musicians and songwriters.
