There have been many great voices in country music and one golden one: Larry Gatlin. His bell-like tones and
soul-stirring vibrato are works of art in themselves, quite apart from the lyrics they illuminate.
Of course, Gatlin is equally
distinguished as a songwriter. Of the 42 songs he charted between 1973 and 1990, including 17 Top 10s and the Grammy-winning "Broken
Lady", he single-handedly wrote every one, an achievement unmatched by any other artist in popular music. His smash "All The Gold In
California" stands as a country crossover classic.
Now, after a 16-year absence from the Nashville recording and songwriting
scene, Gatlin and his harmony-singing brothers, Rudy and Steve, are back with a new album, The Pilgrimage, on Curb Records. It was
released in early 2009. Its title is a nod to Gatlin's first album, The Pilgrim, which debuted in 1974.
Fans will recognize
the Larry Gatlin they first fell in love with in such love-and-parting epics as "Come Back To Texas" and "If I Ever See Utah Again."" As always, the lyrics are exquisitely sculpted and the melodies emotionally transporting. ""Handsome Young Gringo"" is pure Gatlin magic
while ""American's That's Who"" stands as a modern day anthem to the Gatlin's core belief in American ingenuity and can-do spirit. | 
