CMT Blog: Archive

Larry Gatlin Recalls His Friend, Patrick Swayze

Posted: September 17th, 2009 at 4:06 pm  |  By: Whitney Self  

Larry Gatlin and Patrick SwayzeThere are few country singers today that have the stories of Larry Gatlin, lead singer of the Gatlin Brothers. Just recently, I had the chance to speak with him about his latest album, The Pilgrimage, in which he shared with me enchanting stories filled with his legendary friends like Johnny Cash, Roger Miller and Dottie West. Just this week, Gatlin remembered another friend, Patrick Swayze, as he shared his personal story of their friendship with Larry King Live, live from onstage in Branson, Mo. Gatlin met Swayze back in 1986 in an elevator in Austin, Texas, during the state's sesquicentennial celebration. He tells of the first time he saw Swayze standing inside the elevator he was about to enter. He looked at him and said, "Patrick Swayze. I love your acting." Swayze then replied, "Larry Gatlin, I love your singing and songwriting." Gatlin remembers telling him, "Let's be friends," to which Swayze responded, "That's a great idea."

"I cherish his memory," Gatlin told King as he stood there holding his guitar. Gatlin's brothers then joined him onstage to perform the song Gatlin and Swayze co-wrote years ago called "Brothers." "With blood brothers Steve and Rudy," Gatlin began playing, "for our other brother, Patrick."

credit: Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

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Reader Comments

  • BRITT says:

    Posted: September 17th, 2009 at 4:28 pm  

    REST IN ENTERNAL PEACE PATRICK SWAYZE

    WATCH OVER US PATRICK

  • page47 says:

    Posted: September 17th, 2009 at 5:50 pm  

    AMEN !!

  • Dave Hamel says:

    Posted: September 18th, 2009 at 4:27 am  

    You will always be remembered.

  • Dirty Dancing says:

    Posted: September 18th, 2009 at 8:09 am  

    Johnny: Look, spaghetti arms. This is my dance space. This is your dance space. I don’t go into yours, you don’t go into mine. You gotta hold the frame!

    You will be missed!

  • TxAGG says:

    Posted: September 18th, 2009 at 11:37 am  

    It’s nice to know that some Hollywood types enjoy country music like the rest of us common-folk. Although I would not categorize Patrick Swayze in the typical Hollywood category of actors. RIP Patrick!

  • Leona Suttle says:

    Posted: September 18th, 2009 at 12:34 pm  

    Patrick, you will always remain in our hearts, We will miss you but you will never be forgotten !!!! There is noone that could ever replace you. RIP.

  • Shelley Dayton says:

    Posted: September 22nd, 2009 at 11:08 pm  

    Larry Gatlin said Patrick was asking about where the soul goes after you die, I hope and pray that someone was there to share with him, where the soul goes. It would be a shame for Patrick’s sweet spirit to be in hell, for lack of information.

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