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[EPN NPinow reporter Go Nari] Don Schlitz, the iconic country songwriter, died on the 16th (local time) in Nashville after a sudden decline in health. He was 73.
His death was reported by Page Six on the 19th. Family members and industry representatives have not released an exact cause.
Sara Trahern, chief executive of the Country Music Association, said in a statement, “Don Schlitz’s passing is a great sadness. He loved his family, his hometown and his music. We will always remember his warm smile and the sight of him with a guitar.”
Kyle Young, president of the Country Music Hall of Fame, added, “Even a single song like ‘The Gambler’ would have secured his place among the greats. His loss leaves a large void in Nashville’s music community.”
Schlitz reshaped country music through his collaborations with artists including Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis and The Judds. He was the songwriter behind enduring hits such as “The Gambler,” “On the Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” and “When You Say Nothing at All.”
Born in Durham, North Carolina, in 1952, Schlitz later moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. He was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
From 1988 through 1991 he was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year for four consecutive years, and he held the uncommon honor of appearing on the Grand Ole Opry stage despite not being a regular touring artist.
His work continues to influence artists across generations.
Photo: Don Schlitz channel
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