Q&A with Rudy Gatlin – See Gatlin Bros. this Saturday!

FRANKLIN, Ky. (Tuesday, July 1, 2025) — The Grammy Award-winning Gatlin Brothers are one of American music’s most enduring families. Siblings Larry, Steve and Rudy were weaned on country and Southern gospel, performing from the time they were tykes and singing at churches across their native Texas. Seventy years later, the Gatlins are still entertaining crowds throughout the country.

That includes appearing Saturday, July 5, in The Mint Event Center at The Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs. (Buy tickets here)

According to their official bio, the Gatlin brothers’ careers began in Abilene, Texas, in 1955 when Larry was 7, Steve 4 and Rudy 2 singing for anyone who would listen. Before long they were singing coast to coast, including the New York World’s Fair in 1964. Along the way Kris Kristofferson championed Larry as a songwriter and singer, while Steve and Rudy sang backup for Tammy Wynette. Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers officially launched in 1976, with the trio inducted into the Grand Ole Opry that Christmas Day.

Larry’s 1975 hit “Broken Lady” won a Grammy for Best Country Song. Larry wrote the song “All The Gold in California” while stuck in Los Angeles traffic, and the Gatlin Brothers produced and released that No. 1 hit in 1979. It earned the Academy of Country Music’s Single of the Year, with “Straight Ahead” the Album of the Year and Larry honored as Male Vocalist of the Year.

The Gatlin Brothers have accumulated seven No. 1 singles and 32 Top 40 records including “Houston (Means I’m One Step Closer To You),” “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” “I Just Wish You Were Someone To Love,” “Statues Without Hearts,” “Love Is Just A Game” and “Night Time Magic.”

The brothers have performed at some of the world’s most famous venues, from Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops Orchestra to Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth to Disney World to the White House as well as on Air Force One and in Wembley Stadium. They’ve sung the National Anthem at iconic sports locales such as the Rose Bowl, Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Darlington Speedway, Flushing Meadows for the U.S. Open tennis championships and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

All these decades later, the Gatlins continue to record new music, including 2023 singles “Fair Winds” and “Amazing (What Just The Right 3 Minutes Can Do).”

Rudy answered questions via email for the latest in The Mint/Kentucky Downs publicist Jennie Rees’ series of Q&As with artists performing at the Mint Event Center.

How has being family impacted your music? Has it added to your longevity?

“I guess you can sense the closeness of being family in the songs, because we share similar life experiences. But, it really shows in our live performances more than anything, usually because of the harmonies. I think the records we’ve made are pleasing to the listener after all these years. And it’s like classic rock ’n’ roll or country records: When you hear them, they still sound great, and you have great memories associated with them. I believe that helps with longevity.”

What keeps you all going, specifically touring after 70 years in the business?

“We still enjoy performing and will continue, probably, as long as we are physically able. Traveling is tough, but it’s part of the deal. Plus, we need the money! Ha! Ha!”

What can your fans expect from a Gatlin Brothers performance?

“We do a lot of the hits and some new songs. We like to cut up, so get ready for some funny stuff. At least we hope it’s funny.”

You told an interviewer (Boomerocity’s Randy Patterson) that the Gatlin Brothers’ longevity is because of timeless music. What are the traits that can put a new song on the path to being popular and known for generations to come?

“We hope the music is timeless, meaning the records still sound really good after all these years. Good lyrics, the right instrumentation and good singing are some of the things that make a great record — one that stands the test of time.”

What is something about the Gatlin Brothers, or yourself, that the public doesn’t widely know but you’re willing to reveal?

“We’re just simple folks, really, from hard-working parents who instilled in us the work ethic, the love of God, Country and our fellow man. I can enjoy eating at Gallagher’s in New York or Whataburger in our hometown of Odessa.”

You must have been about 3 when, from what I read, you all won a talent contest in 1955 in Abilene.

“I don’t remember anything about that. I was 2 1/2. But, I guess the first musical things I remember were singing at our church in Odessa, Texas, and singing at some other churches around the state. We all live in Nashville now. Steve and Larry will probably live there from now on. I’m going to move back to Dallas in a couple of years, hopefully, to take care of grandkids.”

How long do you think the Gatlin Brothers will keep touring and creating music?

“We will keep at it for as long as we physically can. We will go into the studio every now and then, like we have for the last 10 or 15 years, and record some things that we really think are viable and that people want to hear.”