Meet the leader of a famous family trio (Created February 27, 2013)

Singer, guitarist and songwriter Larry Gatlin is best known for being the lead singer of the family trio The Gatlin Brothers, one of country music's most beloved acts of the 1980s.

Born in Seminole, Texas, Larry and his brothers, Steve and Rudy, shared a passion for music. They often sang together in church, and were invited to perform on various local radio and television shows. The trio recorded an album for a small gospel label, but dissolved when Larry went off to college. It was during his studies, as part of a group called the Imperials, that Larry met Dottie West. The famed country songstress eventually paid for his relocation to Nashville, where he landed a record deal in 1973.

Larry had two fairly successful albums to launch his solo career, but achieved his first Top Five hit when his brothers appeared on his third album, 1976's "Larry Gatlin with Family and Friends." The song that climbed the charts, "Broken Lady," paved the way for numerous other singles like "I Don't Wanna Cry," "Love is Just a Game," "Statues Without Hearts and "I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love."

When Larry Gatlin left his label in 1979, the Gatlin Brothers were essentially reformed. Their first smash out of the gate was "All the Gold in California" and the success continued straight through the 80s. When the group decided to disband in 1991, Larry tackled a number of projects including a Broadway production and penning a memoir. Since 2010, he has been a political and social commentator on the Fox New Channel, and still occasionally performs as part of his famous family trio.