Put a bow on Gatlin Brothers tickets: Christmas show is Friday in Montgomery

Talk about an early Christmas gift! The Gatlin Brothers' visit this weekend is proof that good things do come to those who wait. Originally, the country icons were scheduled to be in Montgomery toward the beginning of 2022, but they had to reschedule.

Well, put a bow on the Grammy-winning trio — Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin — and give them to someone you love. The Gatlin Brothers are back for a special show 7 p.m. Friday at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre.

“Since we were coming this time of year, we added the Christmas to it,” Rudy said. “You get a double-whammy, with country hits and the songs of Christmas.”

That means they’re going beyond just their major hits, songs like “Broken Lady,” “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer To You),” “All The Gold In California,” “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love,” “She Used To Be Somebody’s Baby,” and “Night Time Magic.”

“We really enjoy this time of year, because we enjoy the music,” Rudy said. “We’ve been doing these Christmas carols since we were kids.”

They’ll sing holiday favorites like “Carol of the Bells,” but it’s a Christmas show that’s more than Santa and reindeer songs. Rudy said they have an acoustic medley of songs like “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” “Away in a Manger,” “What Child Is This,” “The First Noel,” and “Silent Night.”

“Jesus is the reason for the season,” Rudy said. “We never forget that.”

It’ll have a familiar spin fans from their last show at MPAC will recognize. While they’re performing, there’s a family video/slide show projected behind them.

“We go into pictures from the last 50 years, with various other celebrities that we’ve met and worked with through the years,” Rudy said. “Presidents, and all kinds of good stuff there… I told someone last night that I could put another 500 pictures up there. We have been so richly blessed.”

So what does a Christmas season at home look like for the Gatlin Brothers? They’ll each be spending the holidays with their children, Rudy said.

“I’ll go back to Texas to be with my family there, my daughter and my son,” Rudy said.

He said they’ll gather for a party at Steve’s daughter’s house also.

“We hoot and holler and have a good time,” Rudy said. “Exchange crazy gifts, and see the grandkids that have grown up a foot since last year.”

While Rudy doesn’t have grandkids of his own yet, he’s a great-uncle several times over.

“I’m hoping in the next couple of years to be a grandpa,” Rudy said. “I can’t wait.”

If Rudy could have a Christmas wish for 2022, what would it be?

“That everybody would just relax and not talk so fast,” Rudy said. “Just chill a little bit and calm down. It’s hard to watch the news anymore. Everybody’s talking 90 miles an hour over each other trying to get their point across… It’s a tumultuous time going on. Peace on earth would really be nice this time of year. That’s what we wish for everybody. Peace on earth and good will toward men.”

Tickets range from $17 to $42. They’re available for guests to purchase online at https://www.mpaconline.org/events/ or by calling the box office at 334-481-5100.

“I think they’ll leave there feeling uplifted,” Rudy said. “They’ll feel that they’ve spent their hard-earned dollars wisely.”

If you've got more to buy for this Christmas, check out Gatlin Brothers music online at gatlinbrothers.com.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Gatlin Brothers sing Christmas songs and hits Friday in Montgomery