RIP, Don Schlitz

[fourheels]

The Durham native who wrote some huge country hits in the 70s - 90s for Kenny Rogers ("The Gambler"), Keith Whitley, The Judds, Randy Travis, Mary Chapin Carpenter and others has has passed. My older son took a history of country music class at Carolina a few years back and Don was a guest lecturer. Schlitz was 73.

Don Schlitz, storied country songwriter behind such hits as 'The Gambler,' dies at 73

Don Schlitz, the storied country music songwriter known for “The Gambler,” died Thursday at a Nashville hospital. He was 73.

apnews.com

‘The Gambler’ & More: Songwriter Don Schlitz’s Biggest Billboard Hits

Country songwriter Don Schlitz's biggest Billboard country hits, as recorded by stars like Garth Brooks, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Tanya Tucker.

www.billboard.com

 

[CarolinaFever]

I had no idea he was from Durham. He wrote some iconic country songs.

 

[ole howard1]

This is sad for me.

My close friend Peter Cooper, a great songwriter and prominent music journalist, got to know Don really well. The wrote a terrific song together called “Suffer a Fool.”

Don was big into Duke basketball. He took Peter to a game or two. Peter was a Heels fan — he was friends with (or at least a friendly acquaintance of) Hubert Davis in high school — but admitted he thought it was cool to go Cameron. I let him know I wasn’t thrilled about that.

Peter died in 2022, and Don sang that song they wrote together at a memorial concert event at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, where Peter worked.

Here’s that song: