While driving down an East Texas country road I spotted this scene. The autumn trees and the late afternoon sun made these golden bales of hay shine just a little bit more. Fortunately I had my camera with me. (c) James Q. Eddy Jr.

The Four States NPR News Source 2025 Kansas Association of Broadcasters Award Winner 2nd Place for Website in a Medium Market

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

Stream and Listen To KRPS's Weekday Morning & Afternoon Newscasts In The NPR App

Don Schlitz, Grammy Award-winning writer of 'The Gambler,' remembered

NPR | By Elena Burnett,

Justine Kenin

Published April 20, 2026 at 3:49 PM CDT

Grammy-winning country songwriter Don Schlitz passed away this month at 73. He was the writer behind songs such as Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" and Randy Travis' "Forever and Ever, Amen".

Elena Burnett

Justine Kenin

Justine Kenin is an editor on All Things Considered. She joined NPR in 1999 as an intern. Nothing makes her happier than getting a book in the right reader's hands – most especially her own.