LaDonna Gatlin

Gatlin Family Singer
LaDonna Gatlin believes one single moment can literally redefine your life. She knows firsthand that you can't live someone else's dream—that in order to be your personal best, you must find your own song to sing. Gatlin literally grew up on stage singing with her brothers, country music's legendary Gatlin Brothers. In the early 1970's, the Gatlins took their family harmony to Nashville. But a funny thing happened on the road to stardom: LaDonna got married. At that defining moment, she realized success could be measured in many different ways. So she took a giant leap of faith, choosing to follow her heart and "sing a
different song" apart from her brothers. As she puts it, "...My brothers went on to produce hit records—I went on to produce two kids. My brothers got famous—I got stretch marks! But very simply put, it's because I had a different song to sing."

Life Philosophy
Gatlin has spent her entire career empowering people to "sing their own song" as well. She inspires audiences to live a value-driven life from the inside out...through their words, their deeds, and their actions. Her keynotes and concerts put her on the road more than one hundred days per year sharing her message everywhere from corporate powerhouses to the prison cells of death row. But Gatlin's unique ability to combine a strong message and music has made her an instant hit with audiences all across America. In fact, her captivating story is featured in the popular series, Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman's Soul.

Attempted Suicide
So how is it that I ended up in the psychiatric ward of a hospital after an attempted suicide in November of 2008? It's called mental illness. I suffer from depression, and I am mentally ill. But because of the help I received from compassionate mental health care professionals (and God's amazing grace,) I am alive today to tell the story....and I would sincerely welcome the opportunity to share my story AND my heart with anyone who has suffered from this terrible illness, or those professionals and
family members who help care for those patients. I'm on a one woman mission to de-stigmatize mental illness...and to help shed some light on this subject from a patient's perspective. There are speakers, there are singers, and there are entertainers.
Rarely do you find all three in the same person, but that's exactly what you'll find in LaDonna Gatlin.

Tune Up Your Life
This is LaDonna's signature keynote speech...and her most requested one. It's also her personal story with a timeless message that inspires the listener to live their values from the inside out. Laced with humor and heartfelt personal stories, this keynote delivers seven key principles that can guide us through anything life throws at us. As she closes this presentation, LaDonna literally sings her message straight into the hearts of the attendees. It's a powerful way to take the message home ...with a song in their hearts.

Life in the Key of Change: This Is Not What I Signed Up For!
One of the few constants in life is change; how we deal with it is up to us. In this presentation, Gatlin helps audiences recognize the process of change as she shares five common sense strategies. Get real, get ready, and get smart as you learn how to embrace change!

"The Thought Of Dying Didn't Scare Me...The Thought Of Living Did."
In November of 2008, LaDonna reached for a bottle of pills, and the next thing she remembers is her husband's voice repeating her name. Lost in the depths of depression, she was looking for an escape from the pain of living...so she attempted to end it all. It's called suicide. Few are able to get past the stigma our culture places on mental illness. LaDonna watched this disease affect members of her own family until it finally caught her in its clutches. Because of the help she received from compassionate mental health care professionals, her family, and God's "amazing grace," she is alive today to tell the story. LaDonna is a woman on a mission to be the "voice" for mental illness and help eliminate its stigma in this world. Powerfully candid, exceptionally wise, she speaks about her life, her illness, and her daily victories over this invisible disease.

Sentimental Journey
This presentation is entertainment at its absolute best offering a wide variety of pop, gospel, country, and patriotic music. LaDonna's outstanding vocal performance along with plenty of down-home humor and storytelling will definitely send attendees off on a high note! It's perfect for after banquet entertainment or when you just want to inject a lighter note in the middle of the conference!

Christmas Memories
This holiday concert program will truly put you in the spirit of the season! Gatlin performs some not-so-traditional arrangements of some very traditional Christmas favorites, including the title song that she and her husband co-wrote especially for this program. You'll be inspired by such wonderful seasonal standards as "Joy to the World," "Go Tell It on the Mountain," and "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."