Blake Shelton Pays Tribute to the Late Don Schlitz by Leading ‘The Gambler’ Singalong at ACM Awards
Blake Shelton led Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena in a singalong of an anthem rightly referred to by host Shania Twain as “one of the greatest songs of all time” on Sunday night time (May 17) at the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards: “The Gambler.”
Shelton, launched by Twain as “one of our very very best, and such a beautiful man,” carried out the timeless nation traditional as a tribute to his songwriter, Don Schlitz, who handed away in April at age 73. As the nation nice crooned the tried-and-true lyrics about realizing when to maintain ’em and when to fold ’em, fellow style luminaries like Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town and naturally Twain may very well be seen in the crowd belting alongside.
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In addition to writing “The Gambler,” Schlitz wrote a complete of 16 songs that completed Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs itemizing, together with such different all-timers as “When You Say Nothing at All” (for Keith Whitley) and “Forever and Ever, Amen” (for Randy Travis). “The Gambler” hit No. 1 on the chart in 1978 as recorded by crossover celebrity Kenny Rogers, who additionally took the music to No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music would stay a signature tune for Rogers till his dying in 2020.
Shelton is a six-time winner at the Academy of Country Music Awards, having most just lately taken residence single of the 12 months for his prime 20 Hot 100 hit “God’s Country” in 2019. His different wins embrace male vocalist of the 12 months in 2011, and music of the 12 months for “Over You” in 2012, as carried out (and co-written) by his then-wife Miranda Lambert.
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