Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers will join Brenda Lee on the grandstand of The Great Frederick Fair Saturday night. At left, their new album "The Pilgrimage," a nod to Gatlin's first album "The Pilgrim," recorded in 1974.

Larry Gatlin and his son, Joshua, were on their way to dinner one recent evening. Joshua was talking about how country music has changed since his dad and brothers were charting hits back in the '80s. Country music is not the same, Joshua told him.

"Let's root for the young people. They're doing a great job, doing it their way," Larry told him. Just as he and his brothers Rudy and Steve had their own brand of country, so did Johnny Cash.

"Country music will never be the same. After all," he told his son, "Johnny Cash is dead and his house burned down."

Well that struck a chord and Larry quickly penned what would be the first new single from the Gatlins since they left Nashville 17 years ago -- "Johnny Cash is Dead (and His House Burned Down)."

The song is a tribute to the man in black and other pioneers of country music, but the reality is they are gone.

"All I'm trying to say is there will never be another Johnny Cash, and that's the truth," Larry said. Just like his friend and mentor Johnny Cash passed the torch of country music to the Gatlins, Larry is passionate about passing the torch to the next generation.

The single is doing well in small radio markets, Larry said, but hasn't broken into large markets yet. There's also a video. "It's my way of paying tribute to my friend. I'm rooting for the new artists but let's not forget whose shoulders we're standing upon," Larry said.

Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers will bring their familiar vocal harmonies to The Great Frederick Fair on Sunday, Sept. 20, along with Brenda Lee, at 7 p.m.

The Gatlin brothers are known for their soul-stirring harmony. Larry wrote all of the group's hits, including "Broken Lady," "All the Gold in California," "Penny Annie," "Sweet Becky Walker" and "Houston."

The new album is called "The Pilgrimage," a nod to Gatlin's first album, "The Pilgrim," which debuted in 1974. "Pilgrim" is the nickname Johnny Cash gave Gatlin. They've performed just about everywhere -- from small churches in their native Texas and state fairs to the White House and even Camp David for President Bush.

Larry was the first of the Gatlins to arrive in Nashville. He was discovered by Dottie West and once in Music City wrote songs that were recorded by Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Elvis Presley. His brothers joined him on his first album and following on its success they became an official trio.

Throughout the 1970s and '80s, the Gatlins packed concert venues around the country, but as country music changed, the Gatlins made the decision to stop touring.

"We left in 1992 and moved back to Texas," Larry said in a recent phone interview. "We had a wonderful career in Nashville, which I'm grateful for. It just seemed it was time to leave.

"We were having to work more and making less," Larry said. He had seen other artists outstay their time in music and other industries and Larry said, "It was sad. I'd rather leave 10 years early than stay five minutes too late.

"We felt it was someone else's time in the spotlight," he said.

During that time, the Gatlins lent their name to a musical theater in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where they played 25 weeks each year. That allowed the brothers to pursue other projects, including some gigs on Broadway, but Larry realized for it to work they would have to be in Myrtle Beach year-round. When that phase ended, they moved the show to Branson, Mo., and went on the road occasionally for special concert appearances.

"The last year or so I started writing new songs and we got a new record deal with Curb," Larry said. "Seventeen years after no new Gatlin music, we're back at it." And they're going at it full throttle.

With "The Pilgrimage," listeners get a glimpse of Gatlin hits, but mostly the timeless harmonies of the trio in new music.

A newspaper editorial slamming the U.S. provoked Larry to write "Americans, That's Who," a rousing patriotic song that reminds listeners who feeds the hungry, builds shelters for the homeless, freed millions of people from tyranny and "all the good things good people are supposed to do."

"Johnny Cash once told me, 'If something makes you mad enough you'll damn sure write about it,'" Larry said. "I think we're the greatest country on the face of the planet."

The brothers' Southern gospel quartet influence is heard in "Fill Me," a spiritual song. "I wrote this song about 10 years ago," Larry said. "Mike Curb (label president) liked it and wanted it on the album."

While some of the Gatlins songs may have a political, social or spiritual message, Larry said "we don't preach or politicize. Our fans are there to be entertained." His years in musical theater and on Broadway developed his natural skills as an entertainer.

Between song tracks, Larry tells the stories behind some of the songs. "It was a different way of doing things," Larry said of the narrative.

The last track on the album, "A Man Can't Live With a Broken Heart," was written the morning Johnny Cash died. Larry said Johnny's heart was broken after the death of his wife, June Carter Cash. The song has that signature drivin' Johnny Cash rhythm. "Now he's got a new heart and a brand new song," Larry sings.

"Say, Nashville Whadda Ya Say" is a fence-mending peace offering to the town Larry now acknowledges as his "home away from home."

Larry said the Gatlins are reeling in a new generation of fans. At the recent CMA Fest in Nashville, he was awed by teens in the crowd "diggin' it. That reaffirms this is exactly what we're supposed to be doing.

"I know how to write lyrics and melodies. That's what I'm going to do."

How did Larry Gatlin meet Johnny Cash? What was the key to their friendship? What does Larry think of country music today? You can read more of Susan Guynn's interview with Larry Gatlin on her blog, Three Chords and the Truth, at fredericknewspost.com/threechords.