Big Names Coming Together for Keith Gattis Tribute Show
Over his 40 years in the trenches as a songwriter, player, and producer, Keith Gattis became a superstar in country music, if not to fans at large, then to his fellow performers, singers, songwriters, and musicians. Eventually, the music Keith Gattis made went on to be heard by millions. From Texas, to Nashville, to Los Angeles, and parts in between, many in the music business had great respect for Keith Gattis. Now many of them are coming together to pay tribute to him.
Keith Gattis passed away on April 23rd, 2023 at the age of 52 in a tragic tractor accident on his property. Big names from across the country music spectrum are coming together to pay tribute to him at an event to be held at the Brooklyn Bowl in Nashville on November 28th.
How big are the names? Try “King” George Strait for one, mainstream traditional country superstar Jon Pardi for another, along with folks from the Texas scene like Wade Bowen and Jack Ingram, fellow top flight songwriters such as Country Music Hall of Famer Dean Dillon along with Kendell Marvel, and Waylon Payne, The Braun Brothers, and of course Sheryl Crow, since Sheryl Crow is required to participate in everything.
Other scheduled performers include Big Hat, Austin Hanks, Jamie Rubin, Clint Daniels, Andy Tubman, Travis Howard and Jabe Beyer. All artist will be performing in front of an all-star band led by songwriter and lead guitarist Audley Freed, with all proceeds to benefit the Keith Gattis family. Tickets will be available at brooklynbowl.com/nashville staring Thursday, October 19th.
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Keith Gattis signed as a major label artist to RCA Nashville in 1996 and released a debut self-titled album. Despite earning critical acclaim and praise by country traditionalists, it was too critically acclaimed and traditional for its time, with none of the singles cracking the Top 40, and failing to gain traction. He released another solo album in 2005 called Big City Blues.
As a songwriter, Keith Gattis wrote and co-wrote tracks for the likes of George Strait, Randy Travis, Kenny Chesney, Gary Allan, Randy Houser, Charlie Robison, Randy Rogers Band, Jack Ingram, Wade Bowen, Cory Morrow, and Sara Evans just to name a few. As a studio player, he worked with George Jones, Jon Pardi, Brandy Clark, Bruce Robison, and Sunny Sweeney among others.
In 2002, Gattis joined Dwight Yoakam’s band as the band leader, and played guitar and bass on the album Blame The Vain. As a producer, he worked with Wade Bowen, Randy Houser, Waylon Payne, Cory Morrow, Jason James, Micky and the Motorcars, and more. Keith Gattis wrote “El Cerrito Place,” which after becoming a signature song for Charlie Robison, was released by Kenny Chesney as a successful radio single. Gattis was considered one of the most prolific multi-disciplinary contributors to country music in the last 25 years.
October 19, 2023 @ 8:29 am
Great lineup. Great cause. That just shows how much Strait respected him. Really nice to see Morrow and Payne mentioned.
October 19, 2023 @ 9:42 am
Never a truer word.
and of course Sheryl Crow, since Sheryl Crow is required to participate in everything.
Its one thing I can’t forgive Brad Paisley for, was the advice on how she can cosplay country music he gave her.
October 19, 2023 @ 11:13 am
I take it thas Sheryl Crow worked with Gattis and was friends with him.
Her Tweet upon his death–“Woke up to the news that Keith Gattis has gone on. He was a wonderful person, an incredible talent, and a well loved friend to all who knew him. He will be missed”–was one of the most widely cited ones.
I may be somewhat cynical, but I don’t think Sheryl Crow does this for every star musician, just to get invited to be on their tribute.
October 19, 2023 @ 4:30 pm
I think the music she makes is closer to the spirit of the work Gattis did than what Paisley makes. The Texas Music Scene show had a nice tribute episode to Keith Gattis. It had Charlie Robison doing a song. They had a Charlie Robison tribute a week or two later, or maybe it was before. They both made me sad. That Micky and the Motor Cars album that Gattis produced is one of my favorites.
October 19, 2023 @ 9:57 pm
I only got to see Gattis once, back in 2006 in Bandera, TX. The event was a fundraiser for the re-opening of Cabaret Dancehall. There were several performers on the bill, of which a friend and I saw Gattis, Drew Kennedy, Jason Allen, and Houston Marchman.
October 20, 2023 @ 4:02 am
Keith Gattis was a fantastic guitarist and producer, as well as a top notch songwriter. I bought his album/CD back in 1996 when I heard “Little Drops of My Heart” on the radio. I also saw him when he was backing Dwight Yoakam on tour. Keith’s tragic and early death was sad as it meant no more music from this talented man. Keith certainly deserved more as an artist and performer so it’s good to see his musical friends come to aid Keith’s family with this concert.
October 20, 2023 @ 3:49 pm
Trig, is there a way to stream this Tuesday’s Opry show? Obviously its a big night for me.
I know i can listen to the audio version – but is there a way to watch it? Through live stream website, Youtube, or from The Circle Network/Peacock?
October 20, 2023 @ 4:08 pm
Nothing like that is available for the Tuesday night shows, though I’m sure there will be video that emerges from it afterwards.
October 21, 2023 @ 4:03 am
I knew Keith when he signed with RCA in the ‘90s. We were about the same age and would talk when he was around the office. He was solid gold.
October 22, 2023 @ 9:06 pm
Wow! Imagine being the type of person who can make such a petty comment about a musician volunteering her time for a benefit show, especially one for a friend. Even if Kid Rock showed up to do the same thing for the same reason, I’d keep my mouth shut about it except to say “thank you and I’m sorry for your loss.”
December 16, 2023 @ 4:48 pm
I got to see Keith play guitar for Dwight! Was the high light of the Austin City Limits Festival! RIP to such a great write/singer and of course a player!