The Art Of Don Shlitz

Meeting Bill

On this week’s Another Country I will get the chance to catch up with my good friend, and hopefully a radio friend to yourself, Bill DeMain. When I first went to Nashville some nineteen years ago I was trying to make as many songwriting connections as possible. I was relying on my music publishers, Warner Chappell in these days, to make calls but was also keen to meet up with other writers not tied to that publishing house. Through my old friend Gary Clark I was introduced to Bill and we became good friends. At that time Bill was a songwriter and one half of the duo Swan Dive who, though based in music city, weren’t really part of the country or Americana scene. Bill however, was connected to the huge and diverse Nashville songwriting community. Bill was way more than this however, he was also an author and journalist and wrote (still does) for a number of music periodicals including Mojo, Classic Rock, Musician, Entertainment Weekly, Mental Floss and Performing Songwriter.

Within a few years Bill turned his knowledge of Nashville into the best walking tour of the city’s musical story. It’s still the first stop I recommend to anyone asking me for recommendations for their forthcoming visit. No one is ever disappointed and if you ever go you will get to access some of the best stories and tips from a morning’s stroll with Bill.

For a few years now – I’m not sure quite how many – Bill has been our official Nashville correspondent. I’m delighted to say he’ll be joining me on this week’s show.

Don Shlitz

When Bill joins me this Tuesday we are going to spend a good bit of time talking about the sad news that the great Don Shlitz died last week after what was described as a sudden illness. The New York Times quoted his publicist confirming the cause of death was an aneurysm. He was 73.

Don Shlitz really was one of the great songwriters from a city which boasts thousands of successful writers.  Apart from the number of successful songs Shlitz was able to construct songs which could easily be described as game changers. In that respect his catalogue fits into our 2026 theme of songs which moved the curve of the genre. The Gambler, Forever and Ever Amen and On The Other Hand are stone gone classics and we will play them all and talk over the craft of a true great with Bill Demain on this week’s show.

I was lucky enough to have seen Don in a songwriting round some years ago at an event in Belfast. My knowledge of country music was limited in those days and my jaw got closer to the floor as the gig went on when I discovered how many well known song credits he had to his name. His death is a huge loss to the songwriting community and we will pay our respects on the AC.

What Else Are We Going To Play?

You will also hear new music from Kacey Musgraves, Willow Avalon and Jason Isbell, Jackson Dean and Anderson East who will direct us down another rabbit hole you may well enjoy. Do get in touch if you have some news to share or just want to suggest other diversions. You are always welcome to listen and we will be on air at the usual time of five past eight this coming Tuesday on BBC Radio Scotland or BBC Sounds. Join me if you can.