Motivational Performer - Sing Your Own Song

Inspirational speaker and singer LaDonna Gatlin empowers people to “sing their own song”… to live life from the inside out … through their words, deeds, and actions. These days she is also speaking out about mental health from a personal perspective. Her ability to combine a strong message on a variety of healthcare topics with her show-stopping music makes her an instant hit with audiences.

LaDonna Gatlin, sister of the legendary country music group, The Gatlin Brothers, grew up on stage, ultimately choosing to follow her heart and “sing a different song” apart from her brothers.

Through the years, her journeys have included supporting her husband as he continues to survive a cancer diagnosis; encouraging her father as he battles heart disease; wrestling with Alzheimer’s as it touches her loved ones; and watching diabetes and it’s raging affect on the lives of children close to her. Along the way, she discovered that she suffers from depression, and is on a one woman mission to de-stigmatize mental illness.

LaDonna has that unique ability to combine a strong message on a variety of healthcare topics with her show-stopping music making her an instant hit with audiences all across America.

Meet LaDonna
Why is LaDonna a perfect fit for your next conference, meeting, or special event?
Because she’s a master at what she does.

MAGIC ON THE STAGE
LaDonna has been performing since the age of three, receiving her first paycheck at the ripe old age of five! The stage is her second home. She connects with her audience using BOTH words and music that will leave a lasting impact.

WORLD CLASS SPEAKER
LaDonna is one of only a handful of professional speakers awarded both the Certified Speaking Professional designation and the CPAE Hall of Fame Award, two of the most prestigious honors bestowed by the National Speakers Association. This lady knows how to deliver a powerful, effective message to your audience.

SONGWRITER, ENTERTAINER, AND RECORDING ARTIST
The baby sister (ONLY sister!) of the Gatlin Brothers, LaDonna has excelled in the world of country and gospel music. She’s not only toured with her brothers, but has performed with country greats like Johnny Cash, June Carter, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, and countless others. She has written and recorded her own songs and performed on both Grammy-Award-winning and Dove Award-winning records. Yet, she is down to earth and completely focused on serving her clients. She is a talented entertainment professional without the challenge of ego or demands.

AUTHOR AND EXPERT

She is the author of The Song in You: Finding Your Voice, Redefining Your Life. She is also a contributing writer to the best-selling book series, Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Through her experiences as a performer, professional speaker, and author, she has developed an expertise in showing people how to tune up their life so that their success becomes…well, music to their ears. And don’t think this expertise comes from a magical lifestyle where everything was given to her. Much of LaDonna’s wisdom comes from the ups and downs of her own fascinating journey.

CREDIBILITY

LaDonna connects with the common experiences of everyone in your audience because of the life she has led and the values she embraces.

This “gutsy” lady left a career in the spotlight with the Gatlin Brothers to pursue her own path and “sing her own song…” That “song” has taken her from the heights of success to the depths of clinical depression. Emerging a stronger, wiser person, LaDonna brings that wide range of experience to the platform every time she steps on a stage.

Most importantly, she is a family-oriented woman who has been married to her husband Tim for more than 40 years. They have two adult children, six grandchildren (and counting!)…and a lifetime of amazing memories…

She is an engaging personality who will bring a spark to your next event.

 

Most Popular Topics:

KEYNOTES:

Tune Up Your Life

LaDonna’s most popular presentation focuses on the wisdom found in the notes of the musical scale: DO-RE-MI-FA-SO-LA-TI-DO.

Weaving her own personal story, music, and humor throughout, this is an unforgettable experience that inspires audiences to achieve their absolute best by embracing these concepts:
DO  Do the right thing
RE   Realize potential
MI   Mind your manners
FA    Failures can become fertilizer
SO    Solutions begin with me
LA    Laugh
TI     Time is valuable…that will bring us back to
DO   Do the right thing

“It was such a pleasure to work with you and listen to you motivate us to “Tune Up Our Lives.” We have heard nothing but praise, and we loved seeing the audience sing along to your presentation. It will be hard to follow you at next year’s event!” – Mercy Health Center

 

CRAZY ABOUT RECOVERY…My Journey Back from the Brink!

How can a program about mental illness possibly be this much fun?!
LaDonna’s engaging communication style tackles this tough subject and leaves your audience with a song in their heart! A strong voice for mental health, she is passionate about eliminating the stigma of mental illness. In this program, she transparently shares her own personal struggle and ultimate victory over Major Depressive Disorder. She delivers a powerful, yet UPBEAT experience on winning the war over emotional challenges. This is not a “DOWNER”…far from it!

“Great to hear her story and recovery…very entertaining…just plain fun!”– Mental Healthcare Corporations of America

 

GROWING UP GATLIN…My View from the Church Pew

LaDonna credits her mother, the church pianist, with instilling the love of gospel music into her. This “up-close-and-personal” presentation shows LaDonna “UNPLUGGED.” Her audience feels as if they are literally sitting in her living room as she candidly shares her abiding faith in God and sings the great old hymns of the church. She even takes requests from the audience! Masterfully weaving a tapestry of inspiration, music, and humor, LaDonna captivates the audience with stories of what it was like growing up in this legendary musical family.

Song Selections include standards like:

Victory in Jesus

Just a Closer Walk with Thee

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Great is Thy Faithfulness

The Old Rugged Cross

Because He lives

 

CONCERTS

“I’ve often said our little sister is the best singer in the family.” – Larry Gatlin

When your last name is Gatlin, you better be able to SING…and LaDonna certainly delivers on that note!  Whether you want just a concert, or a mixture of music and message, LaDonna can customize the experience for you.

 

The Song in You

Using a powerful combination of popular music, down-home humor and captivating storytelling, LaDonna draws on her phenomenal vocal ability to entertain and engage your audience.

Song selections include:

Everything is Beautiful

Put a Little Love in Your Heart

’70’s Medley

Power of the Dream

Patriotic Medley

Plus bonus songs that are sure to entertain!

 

Through the Years

Take a walk down memory lane with classic songs from days gone by! This presentation showcases LaDonna’s versatility as a vocalist with a broad musical mix from some of her favorite artists like Tony Bennett, Patsy Cline, Andy Williams, Judy Garland, and so many more.

Song selections include:

Sentimental Journey

Moon River

I Left My Heart in San Francisco

Crazy

Over the Rainbow

Young at Heart

What a Wonderful World

 

Christmas Memories

These not-so-traditional arrangements of some very traditional Christmas favorites will truly put you in the spirit of the season. The title song “Christmas Memories” (written by LaDonna and her husband, Tim) reminisces about Christmas mornings from her childhood at the Gatlin household.

Song selections include:

Angels We Have Heard On High

Christmas Memories

Go Tell It On the Mountain Steps

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Joy to the World

Away in a Manger

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Silent Night

A Son A Savior