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Sibling trio The Gatlin Brothers have spent more than 70 years performing music together. They began singing together as children, and, after their move to Nashville, Tennessee in the 1970s, they built an award-winning catalog of country-gospel music.
In September, they publicly announced their marathon run would be coming to an end with a final tour. “After much thought and prayer, we have decided that it’s time to hit the turn signal, check the rearview mirror, pump the brakes, move over into the right lane, and look for the off-ramp,” Larry Gatlin shared in an official statement.
But listeners will have plenty of opportunities to catch a show one last time. Larry and brothers Steve and Rudy shared that their “Farewell Celebration Tour” will cover 70 select shows in honor of the band’s milestone anniversary.
Childhood Bandmates
The Gatlin Brothers’ farewell tour kicked off on Sept. 8 at University of Mississippi’s Gertrude C. Ford Center in Oxford. Shows are scheduled at various music halls, opera houses, and theaters across the country and include stops in Fort Hall, Idaho; Arlington, Texas; and Franklin, Tennessee. The first leg includes over 20 shows, and the lengthy tour is set to run throughout 2027 and extend into May 2028.
At each show, the trio are looking back on their time spent together performing since their childhood days. Personal stories and videos are included in the shows, shared in between live performances of hits like “All the Gold in California” and “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You).” Their setlist covers the hits, high points, and fan favorites spanning 22 studio album releases.
In 1955, at the ages of 6, 4, and 2, Larry, Steve, and Rudy, respectively, began performing together in their home state of Texas. The trio spent years providing entertainment for churches and special events and making radio and television appearances before embarking on a songwriting career in Nashville.
First, Larry moved to Music City, writing songs for artists from Johnny Cash and Glen Campbell to Elvis Presley and Kris Kristofferson. Then, Steve and Rudy followed, spending time as backup singers for Tammy Wynette before reuniting with their brother.
The trio experienced chart success throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1976. The Gatlin Brothers’ crisp, clean sound and pop-tinged, country-gospel stylings produced seven No. 1 singles and 32 Top 40 records.
More Dates to Come
In early 2027, the “Farewell Celebration Tour” will travel throughout the East Coast, making stops in Florida, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Dates are being added to the tour on a rolling basis. The Gatlin Brothers are keeping their closing date flexible to ensure they reach as many of their fans as they can before hanging up their hats after seven decades of making music together. “We’ll be all over America to play and sing our songs for … wonderful people who have supported us for 71 years,” the group shared in their statement.
At 78 years of age, Larry understands how special it is to have spent most of his life performing music alongside his siblings. While speaking with media outlet The Tennessean, he shared that being a part of The Gatlin Brothers has been “the best job I’ve ever had.” Tickets for the trio’s “Farewell Celebration Tour” are available now.
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