Kenny Rogers' 1979 hit "Coward of the County" is a classic country tale of redemption, honor, and standing up for what's right. But behind the song’s gripping lyrics is a decades-old grudge that took country music drama to another level—one that involved none other than Larry Gatlin.
The song tells the story of Tommy, a man accused of cowardice who ultimately fights back after the infamous "Gatlin boys" attack his love, Becky. For years, fans assumed that the "Gatlin boys" were a direct reference to Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, leading to some serious tension between Gatlin and Rogers.
While Rogers later claimed he had no idea the name was linked to a real artist, Larry Gatlin insists the reference was no accident. In an interview on The Adam Carolla Show, Gatlin revealed that one of the song’s co-writers, Roger Bowling, held a personal grudge against him. According to Gatlin, after Bowling won Song of the Year for Lucille at the 1977 CMA Awards, Gatlin approached him to congratulate him. Instead of gratitude, Bowling fired back:
“F* you, Gatlin!”**
Harsh words followed, and that moment, according to Gatlin, led Bowling to include his name in "Coward of the County" out of spite.
But that's not the only time Bowling and Gatlin clashed. Songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler later recounted an incident in Kenny Rogers’ producer Larry Butler’s office, where Bowling got the last laugh.
When Butler introduced Bowling to Gatlin, Gatlin reportedly dismissed him, saying:
"No, but I’m sure he knows me."
Bowling fired back instantly:
"Gatlin, Gatlin? Is your family in guns?"
Supposedly, Gatlin wasn’t amused, and the tension between them never faded.
While Billy Edd Wheeler and others deny that "Coward of the County" was written to mock Gatlin, the controversy only added to the song’s legend. It’s a wild backstory for one of country music’s most iconic hits—and a reminder that sometimes, even Nashville’s best storytellers can't avoid a little real-life drama.
What do you think? Did Roger Bowling use the song to get back at Larry Gatlin, or is it just a bizarre coincidence? Either way, it’s a country music feud for the ages.
