Don Schlitz has sadly passed away at the age of 73. He is best known for his songwriting work, including the Kenny Rogers smash hit "The Gambler." Shiltz passed away on April 16, following a sudden illness.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Schlitz is widely viewed as one of country music's greatest-ever songwriters. He personally received two Grammy Awards during his storied career. Of course, the first of those awards came for "The Gambler." That song was so successful that it launched a movie franchise and became one of the most celebrated country songs in history.
Interestingly, Schlitz was just 23 years old when he wrote that hit. The track won multiple awards in its own right. It topped the Hot Country Songs chart and won a CMA Song of the Year award.
Outside of "The Gambler" Schlitz was also behind hits such as "Forever and Ever, Amen" which was sung by the venerable Randy Travis. He also penned the hit "When You Say Nothing At All" by Alison Krauss and Keith Whitley.
"His chart-topping songs -- among them "The Gambler," "On the Other Hand," "Forever and Ever, Amen," "He Thinks He'll Keep Her", "The Greatest," and "When You Say Nothing At All" -- are touchstones and inspirations. His works have been recorded by Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, The Judds, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tanya Tucker, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Keith Whitley, Alison Krauss, and many others," Schlitz's Grand Ole Opry biography reads.
Don Schlitz Was a Hit Maker
Schlitz was no stranger to success throughout his career.
"His fifty Top Ten singles include twenty-four Number One country hits. He has won three CMA Song of the Year awards, two Academy of Country Music Song of the Year prizes, two Grammy Awards, and four consecutive (1988-91) ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year trophies," the Grand Ole Opry wrote in his biography.
Schlitz was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Association Hall of Fame in 1993. He was then inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2021.
"Don doesn't just write songs, he writes careers," Kenny Rogers said of Schlitz during his 2012 induction.
Currently, no details regarding Schlitz's impending funeral have been made public. That information will likely remain private for family and close friends.
