Don Schlitz, who shot to country music fame and fortune as the songwriter behind all-time classic hits including “The Gambler” and “Forever and Ever, Amen,” has died.
According to a press release, Schlitz died at a hospital in the Nashville area on Thursday (April 16) after a sudden illness. He was 73 years old.
Who Was Don Schlitz?
Born and raised in Durham, N.C., Schlitz attended Duke University briefly before making the move to Nashville at age 20.
He came to town on a Trailways bus with just $80 in his pocket, but the aspiring songwriter made inroads quickly.
Schlitz garnered the support of prominent insiders including Bob McDill and Bobby Bare, and he scored a huge success in 1978 with his very first recorded song, “The Gambler.”
Kenny Rogers‘ recording of “The Gambler” reached No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart, No. 3 in adult contemporary and No. 16 on Billboard‘s mainstream Hot 100 chart, and The Gambler album earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, while the single scored a nomination for Record of the Year.
Rogers won a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male for “The Gambler” in 1978, and the song went on to win the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year award in 1979.
READ MORE: The Crazy Untold Story Behind Kenny Rogers’ Hit “The Gambler”
What Are Don Schlitz’ Biggest Hits?
Schlitz went on to write a long list of classic hits for artists including Randy Travis, the Judds, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tanya Tucker, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Keith Whitley, Alison Krauss and many more.
Schlitz landed 50 Top 10 songs across his career.
He also scored 25 No. 1 hits, including “The Gambler,” “On the Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” “The Greatest,” and “When You Say Nothing at All.”
When Amy Kurland opened the Bluebird Cafe, Schlitz became one of the first regular performers at the now world-famous songwriters venue, which has served as a proving ground for the top up-and-coming talent in Nashville for decades.
Schlitz, Thom Schuyler, J. Fred Knobloch and Paul Overstreet launched the Bluebird’s songwriter-in-the-round series in 1985, and Schlitz would become notable for his Tuesday Night “Don for a Dollar” shows.
Those shows featured him performing his hits and new material and sharing the songs behind them with wit and humor, all for the cover charge of one dollar.
What Awards and Honors Did Don Schlitz Receive?
Schlitz was ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year for four consecutive years from 1988-91. He won three CMA Song of the Year Awards, two ACM Song of the Year awards and two Grammys among many other nominations.
The Nashville Songwriters Association Hall of Fame inducted Schlitz in 1993, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City followed suit in 2012.
The Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Schlitz in 2017. He joined an elite club that at that time included only a handful of songwriters: Bobby Braddock, Hank Cochran, Harlan Howard and Boudleaux and Felice Bryant.
The Grand Ole Opry inducted him in 2022 as the only non-artist songwriter in its 100-year history.
Don is survived by his wife, Stacey; his daughter, Cory Dixon, and her husband Matt Dixon; his son, Pete Schlitz, and his wife, Christian Webb Schlitz; his grandchildren, Roman, Gia, Isla, and Lilah; his brother, Brad Schlitz; and his sister, Kathy Hinkley.
The Grand Ole Opry is dedicating Saturday night’s (April 18) performance in Schlitz’ honor.
Funeral or celebration of life arrangements are yet to be announced.
25 Iconic Country Songs Written By Don Schlitz
Country songwriter Don Schlitz wrote hits for many of country music’s biggest and most beloved artists. Let’s take a look at 25 incredible country songs written by the Country Music Hall of Fame member.
This list was updated after Don Schlitz’ death on April 16, 2026. He was 73 years old.
See the Most Played Country Song from the Year You Were Born
Who had the most played country song during the year you were born? This list is a fascinating time capsule of prevalent trends from every decade in American history. Scroll through to find your birth year and then click to listen. Some of these songs have been lost through the years, many of them for good reason!
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
