Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2019, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Jennifer McCarter (The McCarters), which she submitted to this site on Thursday 7 February 2019.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Jennifer McCarter (The McCarters) who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Jennifer McCarter (The McCarters)
This quote was submitted on Thursday 7 February 2019.
‘Honey, I’m not one that is eloquent with words, but I love Gene Watson’s voice.
He not only has one of the best voices in country music, he is a master at delivering a country song’
Thank you, Jennifer McCarter (The McCarters), for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jennifer McCarter (The McCarters)…
Jennifer McCarter grew up in the Smoky Mountains, surrounded by mountain music, in Sevierville, Tennessee.
(Jennifer, Lisa and Teresa)
Photo Credit: Robin Hood
The McCarters were an American country music trio, which included Jennifer McCarter (born Jennifer Lorene ‘Jenny’ McCarter in Baptist Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday 7 March 1964), and her sisters Lisa and Teresa (born on Monday 21 November 1966), who are twins.
Continuing the tradition of her musical heritage, at the age of seven, Jennifer McCarter taught herself how to clog and, by the time she was thirteen years old, Jennifer and her sisters, Lisa and Teresa, performed nightly at a nearby theatre.
Following her heart’s desire to sing, at the age of fourteen, Jennifer McCarter taught herself to play guitar and her sisters, Lisa and Teresa, joined in on harmony vocals.
While other kids her age were listening to pop music, Jennifer McCarter was in the basement of her mountain home, with a portable record player, singing along to a number of country music and Bluegrass music legends, including Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Bill Monroe (Wednesday 13 September 1911 – Monday 9 September 1996).
It was this musical environment which shaped Jennifer McCarter’s voice and ear for music and she grew into the unique artist that she is today.
Jennifer McCarter’s passion for country music led her to Nashville. Her tenacity and persistence paid off in August 1986, when Jennifer and her sisters, Lisa and Teresa, were granted a live audition for Nashville record producer, Kyle Lenning.
The audition with Nashville record producer, Kyle Lenning, led to a telephone call from Warner Bros. Records and, by March 1987, Jennifer McCarter and her sisters, Lisa and Teresa, were signed to the record label.
On Tuesday 21 June 1988, Jennifer McCarter & The McCarters (Lisa and Teresa) saw the release of their debut album, ‘The Gift’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988), which was produced by Ed Seay, Paul Worley and Sharon Eaves (1961 – Friday 25 September 2015), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Timeless & True Love’, which was written by Buzz Cason (Monday 27 November 1939 – Sunday 16 June 2024), Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021) and Austin Roberts (No.5, 1987) / this track also reached No.6 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1987
‘The Gift’ (written by Nancy Montgomery) (No.4, 1988) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1988
‘I Give You Music’ (written by Dennis Adkins) (No.28, 1988) / this track also reached No.16 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1988
Jennifer McCarter & The McCarters’ debut album, ‘The Gift’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988), also included the following tracks:
‘My Songbird’, which was written by Jesse Winchester (Wednesday 17 May 1944 – Friday 11 April 2014)
‘Flower In The Desert’ (written by Bill C. Graham, Carl Jackson and Buddy Landon)
‘I Know Love’ (written by Lisa Silver, Mark D. Sanders and Randy Albright)
‘Letter From Home’ (written by Carl Jackson and Jennifer McCarter)
‘A Quiet Desperation’, which was written by Austin Roberts, Buzz Cason (Monday 27 November 1939 – Sunday 16 June 2024) and Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021)
‘Loving You’ (written by Hugh Moffatt)
‘Where Would That Leave Me’, which was written by L.E. White (1930 – Tuesday 7 September 2004) and Lola Jean Dillon
Personnel involved in the recording of Jennifer McCarter & The McCarters’ ‘The Gift’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) included the following:
Carl Jackson, John Jorgenson, Larry Byrom and Paul Worley (acoustic guitar)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Mark O’Connor (fiddle, mandola, viola)
John Jorgenson (mandocello)
John Jorgenson and Mark O’Connor (mandolin)
Dennis Burnside (piano)
Jennifer McCarter & The McCarters’ debut album, ‘The Gift’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988), reached No.36 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1988.
Jennifer McCarter & The McCarters (Lisa and Teresa) supported the release of their debut album, ‘The Gift’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988), with a worldwide tour opening for Randy Travis, along with an appearance on Dolly Parton’s ‘Dolly’ variety show (like Dolly Parton, The McCarters hailed from Sevierville in Tennessee).
Many major country music artists took note of The McCarters from East Tennessee, including Randy Travis and Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020), who invited them on tour with them.
The McCarters were featured often on the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, along with many television shows, including ‘The American Music Awards’, ‘The Dolly Show’, ‘Hee-Haw’, and multiple appearances on ‘Nashville Now’ on The Nashville Network (TNN).
On Friday 2 February 1990, Jennifer McCarter & The McCarters (Lisa and Teresa) saw the release of ‘Better Be Home Soon’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990), which was produced by Ed Seay and Paul Worley, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Up & Gone’, which was written by Verlon Thompson and Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023) (No.9, 1989) / this track also reached No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1989
‘Quit While I’m Behind’, which was written by Verlon Thompson and Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023) (No.26, 1989) / this track also reached No.28 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1989
‘Better Be Home Soon’ (written by Neil Finn) (No.73, 1990) / this track also reached No.65 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1990 / the original version of this track was recorded by Crowded House, who included it on ‘Temple of Low Men’ (Capitol Records, 1988)
‘Shot Full of Love’ (No.73, 1990) / this track also reached No.48 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1990
Jennifer McCarter & The McCarters’ ‘Better Be Home Soon’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990) also included the following tracks:
‘I Haven’t Got A Prayer’
‘Mountain Memories’
‘Papa Sita’ (written by Hugh Moffatt)
‘Betcha Gonna Love Me’, which was written by Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023) and Don Singleton
‘Slow Country Dance’
‘I Don’t Want To Cry Anymore’
After charting several country music hit singles with Warner Bros. Records, Jennifer McCarter became known for her superb song choices and authentically country voice.
Following the release of ‘Better Be Home Soon’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990), Jennifer McCarter & The McCarters (Lisa and Teresa) were released from their recording contract with Warner Bros. Records in the early 1990s.
After years of touring with major artists, and performing in eighteen countries, Jennifer McCarter garnered a loyal following of thankful listeners, who appreciated her unique ability to find songs with a great melody and meaningful lyrics.
Whether performing with a full band or just an acoustic set, Jennifer McCarter is always a great entertainer and true to her country roots.
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