Larry Gatlin to play Park

McMinnville native and Country Music Hall of Fame member Dottie West helped influence the careers of many fellow country greats, and one of them will be coming to her hometown to pay tribute to her memory in October.

For three years, West's granddaughter Tess Frizzell and Bobby Tomberlin have paid tribute to the country legend alongside special guest stars with "A Celebration of Dottie West," an annual show at the Park Theater held near West's birthday, Oct. 11. In previous years, guests have included Linda Davis and her husband Lang Scott, as well as David Frizzell and Mo Pitney. This year's show is set for Saturday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. Park Theater Manager Joe Harvey and Assistant Manager Ashley Gillentine Wright appeared on The Justin Reed Show on 105.3 WOW Country Monday morning to announce the special guest for 2026.

"This year, Tess Frizzell and Bobby Tomberlin will be joined in the Celebration of Dottie West by a man who was brought to Nashville by Dottie herself, Larry Gatilin," Harvey said. "We are so excited about it."

Gatlin, along with his brothers Rudy and Steve Gatlin, rose to fame as Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers in the 1970s and '80s. Known for hits such as "All the Gold in California," "Broken Lady," "Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You," and "She Used to Be Somebody's Baby," Gatlin credits West for helping kickstart his impressive career.

As a member of gospel group the Imperials, alongside fellow Park Theater performer Terry Blackwood, Gatlin was in Las Vegas as part of Jimmy Dean's Las Vegas Review in 1971 when he caught the eye of Dottie West. Gatlin's songwriting skills impressed West who recorded "You're the Other Half of Me" and "Once You Were Mine," both penned by Gatlin. West circulated Gatlin's demos around Nashville and bought a plane ticket to help him move to Music City. She went on to record other Gatlin songs, including "Broken Lady" which became a hit for Gatlin himself.

Gatlin, who previously appeared at the Park Theater in October 2016, will return alongside Frizzell and Tomberlin Oct. 10 for a night of music and stories about West's life and legacy.

Frizzell was born into country music royalty as the daughter of CMA/ACM winner Shelly West and singer/songwriter Allen Frizzell. Her country music DNA runs even deeper with her grandmother, Dottie West, and uncle Lefty Frizzell, also a Country Music Hall of Fame member. Tess is following in her family's footsteps, writing songs along with hit writers such as Bill Anderson and Michael Farren. Frizzell tours the country singing her music as well as some of her family's hits while sharing the stories behind the songs.

Grammy, CMA and ACM nominee Bobby Tomberlin began his music career at the age of 11 as a disc jockey in his hometown of Luverne, Ala. During his time as a DJ, he has interviewed music legends including Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Keith Whitley. Tomberlin got his first publishing contract from Mel Tillis and is currently a staff songwriter for Curb Music Publishing in Nashville.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 21 at noon. They can be purchased on the Park Theater website, at the box office at 115 W. Main St. and by phone at (931) 506-2787 during business hours and at the door the night of the show while supplies last. Doors will open at approximately 6 p.m. before the 7 p.m. show.