Larry Gatlin and Alex Harvey, two of the best songwriter/singers on the music scene, appear on Austin City Limits.
Larry Gatlin won the 1977 Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Performance with his hit single, “Broken Lady.” It is a fitting tribute to this outstanding performer who has been ranked with Kris Kristofferson and Mickey Newbury as one of the best new contemporary singer/writers.
Gatlin has been performing in public for nearly twenty years; beginning when he was six years old, he and his younger brothers sang in a gospel group at family and church gatherings. The Gatlin Brothers won several local talent contests in Odessa, Texas, and also appeared for two years on a weekly television show in Abilene.
Gatlin met singer Dottie West when he went to Las Vegas seeking work with The Imperials, a gospel group backing Elvis Presley. West was impressed with Gatlin’s talent, recorded two of his songs, and helped him get other songs recorded. That was in Nashville in 1971. Gatlin went on the cut his first album, The Pilgrim, in 1974, followed shortly by his second, Rain Rainbow. The single from that album, Delta Dirt, became a top-selling song. His third album, Larry Gatlin with Family and Friends features his award-winning son, “Broken Lady.”
With his powerful voice and beautiful songs, Larry Gatlin gets through easily to his responsive audiences. On the Austin City Limits how, his selections include “Broken Lady,” “Penny Annie,” “I Just Can’t Get Her Out of My Mind” and “The Bitter They Are.”
Alex Harvey’s songs stick in the mind long after the performance is finished. As a songwriter, he has created some of the hits of the seventies, among them the haunting “Delta Dawn” and “Reuben James.”
Alex Harvey wanted to be a performer as far back as he can remember, from his childhood in Brownsville, Tennessee, where he first heard black gospel music and, via radio, The Grand Ole Opry. He participated in high school and college productions, either on stage, backstage or both and earned a master’s degree in music from Murray State University in Kentucky. While acting in a summer drama there, Harvey met Billy Edd Wheeler, a singer/songwriter who was also playing a role in the production. That was a turning point in Harvey’s life.
Harvey asked Wheeler to help him learn to write songs. Eventually, after considerable hard work and persistence, this led to a recording contract and “Reuben James.”
Kenny Rodgers and The First Edition heard the song; liked it, and asked Harvey to come to L.A. He did, and since then he’s been busy turning out his memorable songs.
“Delta Dawn” a collaborative effort with Larry Collins, has been recorded by at least 65 artists, including Helen Reddy, Bette Midler, Andre Kostelanetz and Henry Mancini. Alex Harvey sings “Delta Dawn” on Austin City Limits along with “Reuben James,” “Rings, and “Sleep All Mornin’.”
Performing with Harvey are Jerry McEwen, lead guitar, banjo and mandolin; Jim Jenne, rhythm guitar and vocals; Jim Althouse, bass; and Dave Mize, drums.
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