Gatlin Brothers come to Kauffman Center

Posted by Bob Evans

THE GATLIN BROTHERS ADDED TO THE 2019-2020 KAUFFMAN CENTER PRESENTS SERIES

Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers coming to Muriel Kauffman Theatre January 18

Kansas City, MO – Today, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts announced an additional performance in the 2019-2020 Kauffman Center Presents series – Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers.

The Gatlin Brothers have accrued a lifetime of noteworthy achievements in their 60-plus-year storybook career, including a GRAMMY for Best Country Song, “,” three ACM awards for Single of the Year, “All The Gold In California,” Album of the Year, Straight Ahead, and Male Vocalist of the Year. The trio has received five nominations for CMA Vocal Group of the Year, Single of the Year, and Album of the Year. The brothers have accumulated seven No. 1 singles, 32 Top 40 records, 24 studio albums and five BMI Million-Air awards. Missourians may have special memories of The Gatlin Brothers because of their national anthem performance in St. Louis, Missouri, for the 1985 World Series won by the Kansas City Royals. Most recently, Larry was honored as a 2019 Nashville Hall of Fame inductee.

In addition to notable accolades, The Gatlin Brothers have entertained audiences in some of the world’s most famous venues, including the Grand Ole Opry, Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden. They have performed for the GRAMMY Awards, the American Music Awards, and the People’s Choice Awards. Television audiences saw them regularly on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Oprah, Hee-Haw, Love Boat, the Midnight Special with Wolfman Jack, the Merv Griffin Show, Solid Gold, the Barbara Mandrell Show, and their own variety special on ABC.

The brothers have proudly entertained U.S. troops in Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Germany, and many military bases in the United States. They have appeared at numerous sporting events and venues singing the national anthem, including the 1985 and 1989 World Series, and the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament, and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.

Tickets for Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers range from $39 to $49, plus applicable fees, and go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, November 22. Tickets will be available through the Kauffman Center Box Office at (816) 994-7222 or online at www.kauffmancenter.org.

ABOUT THE GATLIN BROTHERS

The Gatlin Brothers began their career in Abilene, Texas, in 1955 when Larry was seven, Steve was four and Rudy was two. The brothers grew up singing gospel music while listening to James Blackwood and the Blackwood Brothers, Hovie Lister and The Statesmen Quartet, as well other accomplished gospel artists. As children, the brothers would sing for anyone who would listen. Soon they were singing from coast to coast and appeared at the World’s Fair in 1964 in New York City. They recorded four Gospel records early in their career.

In 1966, Larry went to college at the University of Houston where he studied English and Law. In 1971, he auditioned for The Imperials, Elvis Presley’s backup group. While he did not get the job, he met who was the opening act for Jimmy Dean. Dean later became one of Larry’s oldest and dearest friends.

Through Dottie’s friendship, Larry met Kris Kristofferson, who championed his talents as a writer and singer. Kristofferson’s introduction to at Monument Records resulted in a recording contract with the label. Larry’s first album, The Pilgrim, was released later that year. Johnny Cash wrote the liner notes for the album and dubbed him “The Pilgrim,” a name Larry called himself for the rest of his life.

At the time Steve and Rudy were still in college at Texas Tech University, but by 1975 they had moved to Nashville to sing backup with Tammy Wynette. The two later joined Larry to form the group as we know it today. In 1976, the Gatlin Brothers were on the fast track musically, thanks to the chart-topping success of their single “Broken Lady.” The hits continued throughout the decades with their signature song “All the Gold In California,” followed by “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer To You),” “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love,” “,” “,” and “.”

KAUFFMAN CENTER PRESENTS SERIES SCHEDULE*

The Kauffman Center Presents series features extraordinary and diverse artists from a variety of musical genres and performance styles. Access to approved media photos of Kauffman Center Presents artists.

2019-2020 Kauffman Center Presents events:

Tuesday, November 19 – Indigo Girls with Chastity Brown – 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre Saturday, January 18 – The Gatlin Brothers: Larry, Steve & Rudy – 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre Saturday, February 1 – Squirrel Nut Zippers and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band – 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre Tuesday, February 18 – National Geographic Live: From Summit to Sea – 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre Wednesday, March 4 – Cameron Carpenter with Buster Keaton’s The General featuring live organ accompaniment – 7 p.m., Helzberg Hall Tuesday, March 10 – National Geographic Live: Pursuit of the Black Panther – 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre Tuesday, March 24 – Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Neighborhood Day – 6:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre Friday, April 3 ‒ Champions of Magic – 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre Tuesday, April 28 National– Geographic Live: Spinosaurus: Lost Giant of the Cretaceous – 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre Tuesday, May 19 – An Intimate Evening with David Foster: Hitman Tour Featuring Special Guest Katharine McPhee – 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre Tuesday, May 26 – National Geographic Live: Where the Wild Things Live – 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre Tuesday, June 9 and Wednesday, June 10 –National Geographic Live: JANE in Concert – 7:30 p.m., Muriel Kauffman Theatre

*Events announced to date. Additional performances will be announced throughout the 2019-2020 season. Updates are available at www.kauffmancenter.org/events-tickets/kauffman-center-prese nts/.

ABOUT THE KAUFFMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts – a major not-for- profit center for music, opera, theater and dance designed by Moshe Safdie – opened in 2011. Serving as a cultural cornerstone for Kansas City and the region, the Kauffman Center delivers extraordinary and diverse performing arts experiences. Honored as one of the World’s 15 Most Beautiful Concert Halls, the Kauffman Center attracts some of the world’s most renowned performers and entertainers.

Through educational outreach programs and community enrichment, the Kauffman Center supports Kansas City as a cultural destination. More information on the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is available at kauffmancenter.org.

Thanks to Kauffman Center Presents series sponsors for their generous support of the 2019-2020 season: Saint Luke’s Health System, PNC Bank, and Aristocrat Motors and Mercedes-Benz of Kansas City.