Jul 31, 2025
📘What do chicken wire, gospel hymns, and a canceled real estate course have in common? They’re all part of Rudy Gatlin’s unforgettable journey in Part 2 of his conversation with Kent Hance.
In this episode of Kent Hance: The Best Storyteller in Texas, Rudy Gatlin—of the legendary Gatlin Brothers—returns with more behind-the-scenes stories from a life spent on stage and on the road. From dodging beer bottles in rowdy honky-tonks to singing gospel in Oak Cliff churches, Rudy shares the highs, lows, and hilarious moments that shaped his 70-year music career.
Listeners will hear about Rudy’s deep Texas roots, his admiration for gospel greats like the Blackwood Brothers, and his encounters with country legends like Roy Clark, Johnny Cash, and Roger Miller. He also opens up about the moment he finally earned his Texas Tech degree—and why he didn’t get to walk the stage until 50 years later.
👤 Guest Background:
Rudy Gatlin is the youngest member of the Grammy-winning country trio Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. With a career spanning over seven decades, Rudy brings heartfelt stories, humor, and wisdom from a lifetime in music, making him a perfect guest for Kent’s storytelling spotlight.
💬 Notable Quotes & Moments:
- “We’d have needed chicken wire if we kept singing ballads in that honky-tonk.”
- “God just said, ‘Y’all sing.’” – Rudy on the family’s musical gift.
- “I was free as a bird in my ‘68 Volkswagen headed to Lubbock.”
- “There’s no gatekeeper anymore.” – Rudy on the challenges of today’s music industry.
- “I think my parents had the best seat in the house.” – On finally walking the graduation stage.
📣 Call to Action:
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