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Don Schlitz, the nation songwriter behind classics like “The Gambler,” has died. He was 73.
The North Carolina native died Thursday at a Nashville hospital after what the Grand Ole Opry described as a sudden illness. The trigger of dying was not instantly recognized.
“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,” Sarah Trahern, Country Music Association CEO, stated in a press release Friday.
“He carried that love into each room, each stage and each lyric he ever wrote.
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Don Schlitz performs at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction and awards gala in New York June 14, 2012. (Evan Agostini/AP)
“Not way back, we shared a dinner, and as we have been leaving, Don picked up a guitar and commenced to play. That is how I’ll at all times bear in mind him, smiling and with a guitar in his hand. His legacy lives on by way of his music and the numerous artists and writers he impressed. He shall be deeply missed.”
Echoing that sentiment, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said, “Don Schlitz’s place as a songwriting nice could be safe had he by no means written ‘The Gambler’ or had he solely written ‘The Gambler.’ Nashville was richer for his presence and is lesser for his absence.”
Schlitz helped shape the sound and soul of artists like Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis and The Judds.
His lyrics fueled hits including “On the Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen” and “When You Say Nothing at All,” recorded by Keith Whitley and later by Alison Krauss.
Schlitz was born in 1952 and raised in Durham before packing his bags and heading to Nashville.
The country star was later inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
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Schlitz, seen with Kenny Rogers, wrote “The Gambler” and many other country hits. (Mark Humphrey/AP)
“I’ll by no means be capable of consider that I deserve this, except I obtain it as a consultant of my household, my mentors, my collaborators, my promoters and my associates,” he said in 2017. “That’s the one method I can take care of this.”
His breakout moment came with “The Gambler,” recorded by Rogers in 1978, a track that didn’t simply outline an period. It expanded country music’s attain into the mainstream.
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Rogers later praised Schlitz, saying, “Don doesn’t simply write songs. He writes careers.”
Schlitz went on to pen tracks for a wide range of artists, from Tanya Tucker to Mary Chapin Carpenter, and even reunited Rogers with Dolly Parton for “You Can’t Make Old Friends.”
Schlitz died after experiencing a sudden illness. (Mark Humphrey/AP)
Despite his behind-the-scenes role, Schlitz earned a front-row place in country music history.
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He was named ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year four straight years from 1988 to 1991 and made history at the Opry as its only non-performing songwriter inductee in a century.
Schlitz also wrote songs for Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and Alabama. (Mark Humphrey/AP)
He debuted there in 2017 and joined as a member in 2022, a rare honor that underscored his influence far beyond the spotlight. The Opry’s Saturday night show will serve as a tribute to his legacy.
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Schlitz is survived by his wife, Stacey, his children and grandchildren — daughter Cory Dixon and her husband Matt Dixon; son Pete Schlitz and his wife Christian Webb Schlitz; grandchildren Roman, Gia, Isla and Lilah; brother Brad Schlitz; and sister Kathy Hinkley.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
