Don Schlitz continues to be one of the most influential songwriters within the country music world. A native of Durham, North Carolina, Schlitz briefly attended Duke University before relocating to Nashville, Tennessee where he still resides, writes, and performs at iconic venues like The Grand Old Opry, and The Bluebird Cafe. After breaking into the songwriting world with “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers, Schlitz was “assured, and the success of that enduring story-song allowed him the ways and means to spend a lifetime writing words and music that articulated the extraordinary emotions inherent in common experience”. His career accolades proceed him, having written over 20 number-one Country hits with two Grammy Awards, three CMA Song of the Year awards, and four consecutive ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year awards under his belt. He also holds a place of honor as a member of The Grand Ole Opry, The Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Country Music Hall of Fame.