April 2026

IN MEMORY: Don Schlitz Passed Away At The Age Of 73. Donald Allen Schlitz Jr. (August 29, 1952 – April 16, 2026) was an acclaimed American songwriter who penned more than twenty number-one hits on the country music charts. He was best known for writing “The Gambler” (performed by Kenny Rogers), as well as co-writing timeless classics like “Forever and Ever, Amen” (Randy Travis) and “When You Say Nothing at All” (recorded by Keith Whitley and later Alison Krauss & Union Station). Through his extraordinary songwriting, Schlitz earned two Grammy Awards and was honored four times as ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year. Over the course of his remarkable career, Schlitz was inducted into four prestigious halls of fame: the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. On August 30, 2022, he reached another milestone when he was officially welcomed as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

IN MEMORY: A QUIET GIANT OF SONG — Don Schlitz Leaves Behind The Words That...