Don Schlitz, 'The Gambler' Songwriter, Passes Away

0:00On April 17th, Country Music lost a legend this week. Don Schlitz, the Grammy-winning songwriter, behind Kenny Rogers' massive hit, The Gambler, passed away at 73. He died on Thursday, April 16th, at a national hospital after a sudden illness, according to the Grand Ole Opry, where he was a longtime member. Schlitz packed his resume with Hall of Fame nods from Nashville songwriters, songwriters Hall of Fame, and Country Music Hall of Fame. He penned dozens of char toppers, like deeper than the holler, for Randy Travis, when you say nothing at all, for Keith Whitley and later Allison. Kraus, plus cuts for the Juds and Tanya Tucker. Born in Durham, North Carolina, he hustled to Nashville at 20 years old, with just $80 in his pocket. By 23, he wrote, The Gambler, which Rogers turned into a 1978 smash, snagging a Grammy for Best Country Song The Next. Year. Tributes poured in from artists like Mary Chap and Carpenter and Ty Herndon, who both recorded

1:03his songs and called him a Nashville great. He survived by his wife Stacey, daughter Cory, son Pete, four grandkids, a brother and a sister. The Opry plans to honor him at their Saturday, April 18th show. Schlitz didn't just craft hits. He built careers that echoed through country for decades, leaving a blueprint for songwriters everywhere to follow. What's her update from entertainment and celebrity news today, powered by AI? I'm Cory with The Story.