Don Schlitz, The Gambler's Creator, Passes Away

0:00It's April 19th. This is entertainment and celebrity news today pop culture powered by AI. Country music legend Don Schlitz has passed away at 73 after a sudden illness. He's the genius behind the iconic hit. The gambler, which Kenny Rogers turned into a massive smashback in 1978. That tune topped the country charts, hit number 3 on a dull contemporary and even cracked the top 20 on the Hot 100. Roberts wrote it in 1976, inspired by his dad's death, and after some early versions flopped, Rogers and his producer polished it into. Gold certified 5 times platinum. Tributes poured in quick. The Country Music Association's CEO called him a lover of songs and songwriters who lit up every room with his guitar. Country Music Hall of Fame boss said Nashville's dimmer without him and his legacy secure, no matter what. Schlitz stacked up 20 number 1 hits total, like forever and ever, amen for Randy Travis

1:00and when you say nothing at all. He got inducted into the songwriters Hall of Fame, Nashville's songwriters hall, Country Music Hall, and his home states music hall. Join the Grand Ole Opry in 2022 and they threw a tribute show Saturday. Survived by his wife Stacy, daughter Corey, son Pete, four grandkids, brother Brad and sister Kathy. His rhymes reshaped country, echoing through generations of artists he sparked.