Don Schlitz "I feel like if you write a song well enough, when people listen to it, they're going to hear whatever they want to hear. That's good. I try to write a song so that the person who is listening to it will say, 'Hey man, he wrote that about me,' or 'that fits me' - there are things we all go through." "In the end, there is only one engulfing reason to be a songwriter....the love of music, the joy of creating. If you're doing it for money, forget it. The percentage of writers who make 'fortunes' is small, and none of them struck it rich without going through leaner times. You could take all of their money away, and they would still be writing songs...Why? Because they love it! If you're doing it for fame, forget it as well. Same deal as the money; outside of the music business world, very few people know or care who wrote the songs, amazingly few. You do it for the sake of the song. And, that is the best possible reason." Birth Name: Don Schlitz Induction Year: 1993 Date of Birth: 8/29/1952 Place of Birth: Durham, NC   Former Occupations: computer operator at Vanderbilt University in Nashville Education: High School--Durham High School College--Duke University Career Milestones: 1973--moved to Nashville 1976--wrote "The Gambler" 1978--first cut (and published song), "The Gambler" released 1980--signed recording deal with Capitol Records 1981--released album "Dreamers Matinee" 1994--received CMA nomination for Song of the Year for "He Thinks He'll Keep Her" Awards: 1988-1991--ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year\only writer in any field to win 4 times in a row 1979--CMA\Song of the Year\The Gambler 1979--Grammy\Country Song of the Year\The Gambler 1986--CMA\Song of the Year\On the Other Hand 1986--ACM\Song of the Year\On the Other Hand 1986--NSAI\Song of the Year\On the Other Hand 1988--Grammy\Country Song of the Year\Forever and Ever, Amen 1987--CMA\Song of the Year\Forever and Ever, Amen 1987--AMC\Song of the Year\Forever and Ever, Amen Catalog Highlights The Gambler Aritsts: Kenny Rogers, Johnny Cash, Don Schlitz, Hugh Moffatt, Bobby Bare, Mac Wiseman, J.J. Cale Stand a Little Rain Artists: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band On the Other Hand Co-writer: Paul Overstreet Artists: Randy Travis Forever and Ever, Amen Co-writer: Paul Overstreet Artists: Randy Travis I Think About You Co-writer: Steve Seskin Artists: Collin Raye I Feel Lucky Co-writer: Mary-Chapin Carpenter Artists: Mary-Chapin Carpenter Learning To Live Again Co-writer: Stephanie Davis Artists: Garth Brooks Rockin' With the Rhythm of the Rain Artists: The Judds I Watched It All On My Radio Artists: Lionel Cartwright He Thinks He'll Keep Her Co-writer: Mary-Chapin Carpenter Artists: Mary-Chapin Carpenter Heroes and Friends Artists: Randy Travis Ball and Chain Co-writer: Paul Overstreet Artists: Paul Overstreet My Arms Stay Open All Night Artists: Tanya Tucker Give Me Wings Artists: Michael Johnson I Love Only You Artists: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Old School Artists: John Conlee Forty Hour Week (for a Livin') Co-writer: Dave Loggins, Lisa Silver Artists: Alabama