April 7, 2015
For Immediate Release
By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - Southern Gospel legends, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, will perform at Campbellsville University's Ransdell's Chapel Friday, April 17 at 8 p.m. at 401 N. Hoskins Ave., Campbellsville.
All tickets are general admission for their 60th Anniversary Tour concert. Tickets are $35. The concert will begin following the Derby Rose Gala, and a meet and greet will be after the concert for an additional $25. The meet and greet, in the back of the chapel, includes a photograph taken with the band.
Proceeds from the concert go to student scholarships at Campbellsville University.
Everyone is also invited to the Derby Rose Gala, which is also a fundraising event for student scholarships. Campbellsville University's Advancement Board and Dr. Michael V. Carter, president, are sponsors of the gala.
Tickets to the Derby Rose Gala are $100; if you attend both the gala and the concert, the concert tickets are $25.
The Gatlin Brothers are a Grammy winning trio with humble beginnings from Abilene, Texas. It all began in 1955 when Larry was 6, Steve was 4 and Rudy was 2. Later, they would appear on Slim Willet Radio and various TV shows.
Their career launched when Larry landed a solo deal with Monument Records. Some of the group's hit songs include: “Sweet Becky Walker,” “Broken Lady” and “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love.”
Since those days, the road that the trio has plowed has taken them to concert stages all over the world, and has seen their records top the charts and touch the lives of fans from 8 to 80.
Larry says of their 60th Anniversary Tour, “We're not calling it a farewell or a final
tour. We're calling it the 60th Anniversary Celebration. By no means are we retiring,
but after this tour, we are going to slow down a little
bit.”
In addition to the tour, the brothers will soon release a new gospel album on Curb Records, titled “Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers 60th Anniversary Celebration.”
Campbellsville University Board of Trustees Dr. Jay Conner and Buzz Cason are long-time friends of the Gatlin Brothers. Conner has known Steve Gatlin for about 24 years. Conner and Gatlin have attended the same church, Brentwood Baptist located in Brentwood, Tenn., as well as the same country club, Brentwood Baptist Country Club also located in Brentwood. Conner has also come to know Larry Gatlin through their wives' connection to a Bible study group.
Cason is connected to The Gatlin Brothers through the brothers recording at his studio. Cason, however, said Conner is closer to the brothers than he.
Discussions about the musicians performing at CU began between Conner and Steve Gatlin after Steve performed at their church in 2014. Tim Heilman, director of development at Campbellsville University, is the local contact person for the concert.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.