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Randy Travis and his wife, Mary, shared a heartfelt tribute to late legend Don Schlitz.
Schlitz, a songwriter who penned many of the genre’s classics, died on April 16 “at a Nashville hospital after a sudden illness,” a press release stated. He was 73. The Songwriters Hall of Fame member wrote “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “On the Other Hand,” “The Gambler,” “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” “The Greatest,” and “When You Say Nothing At All,” among many other timeless ballads throughout his career. Schlitz is survived by wife Stacey, daughter Cory Dixon and her husband Matt Dixon, son Pete Schlitz and his wife Christian Webb Schlitz, grandchildren Roman, Gia, Isla and Lilah, brother Brad Schlitz and sister Kathy Hinkley.
Travis, 66, issued a lengthy statement in memory of Schlitz on Tuesday evening (April 21). He said in his statement:
“As I try to write a proper tribute to Don Schlitz, I’m reminded of the genius that came with him in writing—he was always there to fill in the blanks or toss a #1 idea across the table to complete a story. Our cherished friendship began early in my career when Don mentioned to the label that he didn’t really want such a great written song like 'On The Other Hand' going to the new guy, Randy Travis! Other much bigger names had passed on it, and I told him I would do my best with it… It all turned out okay, as did several others that followed. We laughed about that for years!
“Personally, Don was a dear and treasured friend. Professionally, he was a great catalyst in my career. Don could turn an ordinary moment in life into a lyrical masterpiece that filled our hearts and souls with happiness, hope, and healing. His legacy will be etched into the sands of time as one of the greatest wordsmiths of all time. Over the last several years, as Don became a member of the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, I smiled knowing that so many were already there, including myself, because of Don Schlitz—his dash is filled with the hymns of country music.
“Mary and I keep Stacey and the family in prayers of peace, understanding, and strength as they send the greatest of all time to the writer’s round in heaven.
“I love you, Don Schlitz—forever and ever, Amen! I’ll be seeing you ‘round the bend, my friend. And, remember there’s a cup full of dimes on top of the Coke machine!”
Mary said “it’s been a tough day,” when she and Travis got worked that Schlitz passed away. She and her husband paid tribute to Schlitz during a stop on the “More Life Tour” on April 17 in Mobile, Alabama. Mary spoke about Schlitz in a video shared on Instagram on Tuesday, which went on to share a clip of Travis and Schlitz performing “Oh, What a Time to Be Me,” a 1991 song they wrote together. Watch the tribute here: