LARRY GATLIN REVEALS HE WAS THE MYSTERY COUNTRY SINGER COCAI

[Scully]

LARRY GATLIN REVEALS HE WAS THE MYSTERY COUNTRY SINGER COCAINE ADDICT IN MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY'S GREENLIGHTS MEMOIR

CLICK HERE TO SHOP LARRY GATLIN & THE GATLIN BROTHERS...


It's no secret that countryy star Larry Gatlin struggled with addiction during the early days of his career. However, until now, it was a secret that he was the country singer with a cocaine addiction who Matthew McConaughey wrote about in his new memoir, Greenlights.

In Part 5 of Greenlights, McConaughey writes of a musician who was having a little too much fun with the "white stuff." While attending a party in the 1980s, the singer, who was a bit under the influence, had a run-in with the late University of Texas football coach, Darrell Royal. In an exclusive interview with People, Gatlin reveals he was indeed that country singer.

"I remember the day, it was October something of 1984," Gatlin tells People. "University of Texas football coach Darrell Royal and I were talking. We had hit it off right away. For me, he was one of those people that you meet, and you instantly don't have to explain anything to each other. We were at this Pro-Am party at this golf tournament, and Coach Royal caught me with white powder on my nose. He told me, 'Larry Wayne, I have never had any trouble turning the page in the book of my life. He said to me, 'It's time you turned the page.'"

Following the encounter with Coach Royal, Gatlin sought treatment. Today, he is 35+ years sober.

Last month, Gatlin caught up with McConaughey via Zoom. During their chat, the two reminisced about their friend Coach Royal and the impact he had on their lives.

"Lord knows that I have done some things I wish I hadn't done," Gatlin confesses to People. "But it brought me to right here, right now, sitting on this back porch on this swing watching my wife Janis chase away the bees from her honeysuckle plants. Life is so very good. And quite frankly, I'm proud to know Matthew and I'm thankful for him."

Read the full article here.

Additionally, Gatlin has posted a video to Twitter where he participates in McConaughey's #GreenlightsChallenge, a social media campaign where users post videos of themselves reading from the actor's book, impersonating him in his trademark voice. Watch Gatlin's video here.

About Larry Gatlin
The close family harmonies of Larry, Steve & Rudy: The Gatlin Brothers have given the trio a signature sound that led to country classics like "All the Gold in California" and "Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)." The brothers won a GRAMMY® for their 1976 breakthrough hit, "Broken Lady," and reached #1 with several other songs soon thereafter. Along with five career nominations for the ACM Vocal Group, the Gatlin Brothers picked up three 1979 trophies: Single of the Year ("All the Gold in California"), Album of the Year (Straight Ahead) and Male Vocalist of the Year for Larry Gatlin. The brothers were also nominated for multiple CMA Awards including Vocal Group of the Year, Single of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. Larry Gatlin has written songs recorded by Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Dottie West, Roy Orbison, Barry Gibb and countless gospel artists including the Gaither Vocal Band, the Booth Brothers, the Isaacs and many more. Larry was formally inducted into the prestigious Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in the fall of 2019.