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The Gatlin Brothers

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Vocalists

The Resume

    (1976-1991)
    Frequently billed as Larry & The Gatlin Brothers
    Larry Gatlin (May 2, 1941- ), lead
    Rudy Gatlin (Aug. 20, 1952- ), tenor
    Steve Gatlin (Apr. 4, 1951- ), bass
    Signature number, 'All the Gold in California,' reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs Billboard (1979)
    Recorded the singles 'Delta Dirt,' 'Broken Lady,' 'I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love,' 'Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You),' 'Denver,' 'The Lady Takes the Cowboy Everytime,' and 'She Used to Be Somebody's Baby'
    Albums include 'Straight Ahead,' 'Help Yourself,' 'Not Guilty,' 'Sure Feels Like Love,' 'Smile,' and 'Cookin' Up a Storm'
    Collaborated with Roy Orbison, Barry Gibb, Tammy Wynette, Kris Kristofferson, and Kenny Rogers
    Officially disbanded in 1991, but would continue to tour and collaborate sporadically over the years, mostly at their Theater in Branson, Missouri

Why they might be annoying:

    They have been confused with The Statler Brothers.
    Their hit 'Midnight Choir' was banned from many stations due to claims that its message was 'sacrilegious.'
    At the time of the group's formation, Rudy and Steve were singing back-up for Tammy Wynette.
    It apparently bothered Larry that Rudy was also dating Wynette, who not only had a reputation for playing the field, but who was ten years Rudy's senior.
    The relationship - and their partnership - fizzled out after Rudy was named as a suspect in a night firebombing of Tammy's house. At that point, they left to sing for Larry.
    Their popularity faded as their Gospel-Country style was eclipsed by 'Neotraditionalist' country artists like Randy Travis and Dwight Yoakam.
    After their heyday, they became known for holding exceedingly right-wing political stances.
    This included not only endorsing the candidacy of Donald Trump and performing at his rallies, but also filming the official music video for Dinesh D'Souza's 'Hillary's America' documentary ('Stand Up and Say So').
    Larry was known for both abusing cocaine and refusing to sign autographs after shows.
    The lines pertaining to 'The Gatlin Boys' in Kenny Rogers 'Coward of the County' song was a deliberate reference by the songwriter Roger Bowling, who disliked them immensely.

Why they might not be annoying:

    They performed gospel music as kids, including at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City.
    One of their first recordings was a religious album for the independent Sword & Shield label.
    They were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, in 1976.
    They took part in Nancy Reagan's 'Just Say No' campaign (after Larry underwent rehab).
    Their 1980 hit single, ‘Take Me To Your Lovin' Place,’ peaked at No. 5 in 1981.
    Their slip in popularity may have been due to Larry succumbing to the pressure to accept the services of a professional songwriter.
    Case in point, their third, and final, No. 1 hit, ‘Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)’ was self-written.
    They were one of the first country groups to film a music video, with 1984's 'The Lady Takes the Cowboy Everytime.'
    They sang ‘All the Gold in California’ at the nationally-televised 50th Inaugural Gala, the day before the second inauguration of Ronald Reagan (January 19, 1985).
    They received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the state of Texas (2015).
    In the same year, they were inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in Ft Worth, Texas.

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 7 Votes: 85.71% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 17 Votes: 23.53% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 25 Votes: 56.00% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying