Larry Gatlin News

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center and Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra announce that The New York Tenors will perform on March 14, 2020, replacing the previously announced Irish Tenors. The Irish Tenors have put their spring tour on hold after the recent retirement of Finbar Wright. 

Lisa Matassa, known in the 80s as hitmaking freestyle dance star Lysa Lynn, returned to her roots of Country music in the mid 2010's and recorded an album of solo material as well as an album of duets with legendary country music artists such as Eddy Raven, The Bellamy Brothers, Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley, Marty Raybon of Shenandoah and more. Having shared the stage with Dierks Bentley, Leann Rimes, Eric Church, Ronnie Dunn and most recently Lee Brice, Matassa continues to write songs and finds joy in the process of making music.

The Hylton Performing Arts Center is pleased to welcome the addition of country and gospel music legends Larry, Steve, and Rudy—The Gatlin Brothers to the Merchant Hall stage in a special Hylton Center EXTRA! performance, Sunday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m. (10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas, VA). HyltonCenter.org

Country music veteran Deborah Allen was surprised with a special presentation by T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang and WSM's Devon O'Day at Nashville's 3rd & Lindsley Wednesday night during the 6th annual Country For A Cause, benefiting Monroe Carell Jr's Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. A proclamation from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, celebrating Deborah's 40 years in country music, was tearfully and happily received. The honor acknowledges not only her contributions as a singer, but also as a celebrated, successful songwriter having been awarded seven BMI One Million Air-Play Awards for her hit songwriting repertoire and one BMI Two Million Air-Play Award for her smash hit “Baby I Lied.”

Emerging Country artist, Corinne Cook, recently released her current single, 'One Box of Tissues,' to radio and digital distribution for online streaming and download platforms. The track is off her 2018 Album, Yes I Can, and currently making a rise on the Music Row Country Breakout Chart. Handling radio promotion is Nashville based Grassroots Radio Promotion. Stream and download “One Box of Tissues” here.

Fred Luther Foster passed away peacefully last night following a short illness with his family at his side. Foster was born July 26, 1931, in Rutherford County, North Carolina, the youngest of eight children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vance Hampton and Clara Marcella (Weaste) Foster, and siblings Albert Glen, Estelle, Charles Vance, Ray, Pauline, Ethel Lou, and Ann. He is survived by his son Vance Foster, and daughters Micki Foster (Greg) Koenig, Leah Foster (Dillon) Alderman, Brit Foster (Judd) Rothstein, and Kristen Foster and grandchildren Rachel DiGregorio, Rhys and Tess Rothstein, and Penelope Kirschner. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

On 'One Box of Tissues,' a spirited post-breakup 'to-do' list from her recently released album,Yes I Can, Nashville resident Corinne Cook delivers her signature 'never let them get to you' attitude with a deceptively sincere intro of the song that evolves into unexpectedly lighthearted vocals.

Considered one of the most masterful vocalists in classic country, Gene Watson is called "The Singer's Singer " by his many peers. His powerful voice and multi-octave range delivers chart-toppers like"Fourteen Carat Mind," "Paper Rosie," "Nothing Sure Looked Good On You" and "Farewell Party" with a beauty that's smooth, mellow and true.

In 1935, Country music's “first family recording group,” The Carter Family, released “Can the Circle Be Unbroken.” The song (a hymn reworked lyrically by the group's patriarch, A.P. Carter) would become one of the genre's early commercial hits. Later, it would become symbolic of the “family of Country music,” in recognition of its roots and the artists who would carry those traditions forward for future generations. In celebration of this idea, Gabriel Communications is pleased to announce its latest 'reunion' series and DVD collection, “Country's Family Reunion Presents: Country's Unbroken Circle,” which affirms that, even today, traditional country music is alive and well and the “circle” remains enjoyably intact. 

The country music community is mourning the loss of Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member Roy Clark who passed away this morning following complications of pneumonia. He was 85.

Music journalist Robert K. Oermann was honored Monday, October 29 at the third annual Music Row Storytellers event, benefiting Music Health Alliance.

The Grand Ole Opry® presented by Humana® is set to celebrate its 93rd birthday with an annual Birthday Bash and a special birthday concert by Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame member Charley Pride at 3 PM Sat., Oct. 13 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN. The Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient made his Opry debut in 1967, charted 36 No. 1 singles, sold over 70 million records, and this year marks his 25th Anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member. Concert tickets go on sale July 20 at 10:00 am at (615) 871-OPRY and opry.com.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Today, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.

In 1998, in partnership with Smith Music Group, led by Rick Smith, Sr., Billy Bob's Texas began recording live performances from select artists taking the stage of the award-winning nightclub to be part of their Live at Billy Bob's Texas series. The series launched with back to back recordings of Pat Green and Merle Haggard. Now, in 2018, the famed series is celebrating its 20th Anniversary.

Drury Lane Theatre announces casting for its sultry summer drama, Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, directed by Tony nominee Marcia Milgrom Dodge (2009 Broadway revival of Ragtime, Drury Lane's Smokey Joe's Cafe). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof runs July 5 - August 26, 2018, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The press opening is scheduled for Thursday, July 12 at 8:00 p.m.

Since opening on April 1, 1981, with a kick-off week of concerts that featured Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Willie Nelson, Janie Fricke, and Waylon Jennings, Billy Bob's Texas has been named the Academy of Country Music's “Nightclub of the Year” ten-times. Now, in 2018, the concerts continue in June with performances by many Texas favorites and some of Country music's finest artists.

Country Music Hall of Fame member and Recording Academy 'Lifetime Achievement Award' recipient Charley Pride celebrated his 25th Anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member with appearances on the Opry this weekend. Pride, who made his Opry debut in 1967, performed extended Opry sets in celebration of his milestone anniversary. Opry flagship station 650 AM WSM (wsmonline.com) saluted the award-winning artist with a “Country Pride Weekend.”

The Friars archives and Wikipedia have finally been corrected. Nineteen Eighty Eight was a watershed year for women. They gained membership to numerous private men's clubs that heretofore were off limits to women. The Friars, being one of the more famous of the bunch had an article heralding the event written by a less than factual reporter for The New York Times. The paper of record, in an early forerunner of fake news only listed the first 7 women and overlooked number 8...Jamie deRoy who was in that initial group, along with Liza Minnelli, Joan Rivers, Brooke Shields, and other prominent female entertainment figures was not mentioned.

There have been many books written aboutJohnny Cash, but The Man in Song: A Discographic Biography of Johnny Cash (University of Arkansas Press), is the first to examine Cash's incredible life through the lens of the songs he wrote and recorded. The book is slated for release on Monday, April 16.