Keith Gattis

Keith Gattis, a beloved singer, songwriter and producer passed away on April 23, 2023. He was 52 years old. The Texas-born songwriter began his musical journey playing in Austin before moving to Nashville. After signing with RCA in 1996, he released “Little Drops Of My Heart” off his debut self-titled album. In 2002 he became Dwight Yoakam’s band leader and played both electric guitar and bass on Yoakam’s album Blame the Vain. Gattis would go on to become an in-demand session guitarist, playing for Bruce Robinson, Sunny Sweeney, Jon Pardi, Brandy Clark, and many more. He would also find success in songwriting. His song “El Cerrito Place,” off his album Big City Blues was rerecorded by Charlie Robinson, and eventually would become a hit for Kenny Chesney. Gattis would go on to have songs cut by George Strait, Randy Travis, Randy Houser, Gary Allan, Jack Ingram and more. At his studio, Pioneertown Recording Studio, he produced for Jon Pardi, Jake Owen, and Waylon Payne, among others and was a co-producer of Randy Houser’s 2019 acclaimed album Magnolia.