Watch: Vince Gill Remembers Late Legend Don Schlitz In Heartfelt Tribute

Vince Gill remembered late legend Don Schlitz in a heartfelt tribute when he performed at the historic Grand Ole Opry over the weekend in Nashville, Tennessee.

Schlitz was known for writing “The Gambler,” “On the Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “He Thinks He’ll Keep Her,” “The Greatest,” and “When You Say Nothing At All,” among many other classic country hits throughout his career. Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, The Judds, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tanya Tucker, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Keith Whitley, Alison Krauss and many other artists recorded songs written by the North Carolina-born songwriter. Schlitz died “at a Nashville hospital after a sudden illness,” on Thursday (April 16). He was 73.

Gill said he and Schlitz “sure loved each other like brothers,” when he honored the late songwriting legend on the historic Opry stage. The Opry’s show on Saturday (April 18) served as a tribute to remember Schlitz, who became a member of the Opry in August 2022. Gill inducted him.

“I remember, years ago, I invited Don just to come out to the Opry,” Gill reflected in a clip shared by the Opry on Instagram. “I said, ‘hey, want to go with me to the Opry tonight?’ He said, ‘sure, I’ll come along.’ And he came with me. He was over in the wings. I asked him before I played, I said, ‘have you ever played the Opry?’ He said, ‘no, I’ve never played the Opry.’ I played a couple songs and I invited him out… He came out and sang ‘The Gambler.’

“Getting to watch him shine was really beautiful,” Gill said. “It’s a great pair. The Opry and Don Schlitz were perfect together. 

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, according to a press release issued Friday (April 17). Watch Gill’s tribute to Schlitz here: