On July 2, Friends of the Courthouse will be presenting “An Evening with Larry Gatlin,” a night of music, auctions and fun, all to help raise funds for the purpose of finishing the final needs for the courthouse restoration. The Mason fundraising event will be an acoustic show with Larry performing his old favorites and a “live” auction between sets. Wine and beer will be available next door at the Blackmon Room (Ramona’s/Reigning Cats & Dogs) with silent auction items also on display in that space.
To any fan of country music, Larry Gatlin doesn’t need much introduction. The Grammy-winning country singer is the oldest of the three Gatlin brothers. From 1976 to 1992, the Gatlin Brothers toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. They racked up hit after hit and banked some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Larry penned every Gatlin Brothers hit you’ve ever heard. He has written songs that were later recorded by Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Barry Gibb, Ray Price, Tom Jones, Roy Orbison, Johnny Mathis, Dottie West and many more. December 1992 marked a farewell to concert touring for the Gatlin Brothers but in the early 2000s, they reunited for selective road dates, and in 2015, the brothers celebrated 60 years of making music together and released a new album, The Gospel According to Gatlin.
During 2017, Larry brought his 30-year labor of love to life in Dallas. He wrote and starred in Quanah, the story of Quanah Parker, the last Comanche Indian chief. In October 2019, Larry was inducted into the prestigious Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
This event is being hosted and sponsored by the Friends of the Courthouse to raise additional donations to help meet the fundraising goal of $5.5 million. No money that has been raised thus far is being used to underwrite the evening. The sponsors of the event include: Michael & Leslie Cope; Frank & Nancy Krenek; Mason Feed Store; Curtis & Mary Donaldson; Randall Jones; Pam & Randy Kruse; Julio & Bea Ramon; Brandon & Morgan Willis; Mark & Judy Lehmberg; Joe David & Heather Yates; Chris & Emily Hicks; Tim & Melanie Lehmberg; Randy & Connie Stockbridge; Jim & Lisa Heath; Mike & Juanita Keller; Lee & Bobbie McMillan; and, Ryan & Kaye Lynne Jordan.
Performance is sold out. All tickets sales proceeds will be donated by the Odeon Preservation Association to Friends of the Courthouse. Tickets may be purchased below or call 325 347 6781 for reservations and information. Please note, tickets are NOT issued. Your name will appear on the WILL CALL list at the door.
Doors open at 6:15 p.m.