Don Schlitz

Don Schlitz
Schlitz performing at the Country Music Hall of Fame, 2024
Schlitz performing at the Country Music Hall of Fame, 2024
Background information
Birth nameDonald Alan Schlitz Jr.[1]
Born (1952-08-29) August 29, 1952 (age 72)
OriginDurham, North Carolina, U.S.
GenresCountry
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Instrument(s)Harmonica, guitar, bass, vocals
Years active1978–present

Donald Allen Schlitz Jr. (born August 29, 1952) is an American songwriter who has written more than twenty number one hits on the country music charts. He is best known for his song "The Gambler" (Kenny Rogers), and as the co-writer of "Forever and Ever, Amen" (Randy Travis), and "When You Say Nothing at All" (Keith Whitley and Alison Krauss & Union Station). For his songwriting efforts, Schlitz has earned two Grammy Awards, and four ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year awards.

Schlitz has been inducted in to four different halls of fame: the national Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame,[2] and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. On August 30, 2022, he was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.[3][4]

  1. ^ Full name per Broadcast Music Incorporated database
  2. ^ Watts, Cindy (April 5, 2017). "Alan Jackson, Jerry Reed, Don Schlitz tapped for Country Music Hall of Fame, and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame". The Tennessean. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  3. ^ @opry (June 11, 2022). "BREAKING: @VGcom has also just invited Don Schlitz to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ @opry (August 12, 2022). "You're invited! Join us for @don_schlitz's Grand Ole Opry member induction on Tuesday, August 30th!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.