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 2017, 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 Mike Dekle, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 10 September 2017.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Mike Dekle who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
(photo courtesy of Kimba Wayne Photography in Memphis, TN)
Mike Dekle
This quote was submitted on Sunday 10 September 2017.
‘Gene Watson is the consummate country singer!
In 1982, I had the pleasure of opening for Gene in Athens, Georgia; ‘Fourteen Carat Mind‘, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Larry Lee Favorite (Saturday 6 January 1940 – Saturday 26 May 2001), and ‘Paper Rosie‘, which was written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019), were just two of the many hits for this Texan.
Every songwriter dreams of having Gene Watson sing one of their songs!
I thank him every time I listen to ‘No Trash in My Trailer‘ (co-written with Byron Hill) a few years ago.
Thanks Gene for making one of my dreams come true!
There are no singers left like Gene that sing real country music’
Thank you, Mike Dekle, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Mike Dekle…
(photo courtesy of Waters Edge Photography, Rock Springs Boat Ramp, Hartwell, Georgia)
Mike Dekle was born in Panama City, Florida but moved with his family to Athens, Georgia when he was five years old.
When he was twelve years old, Mike Dekle started playing the violin. As a freshman in high school, Mike Dekle was invited to play in Georgia All State Orchestra and he also played in the University of Georgia orchestra.
In his junior year in high school, Mike Dekle’s Dad purchased him a Silvertone Guitar from Sears, Roebuck & Company, and the fiddle has been on the ‘back burner’ ever since. Learning the guitar became a passion for Mike Dekle.
Mike Dekle was influenced musically by the popular folk artists of the time, including Bob Dylan, John Denver (Friday 31 December 1943 – Sunday 12 October 1997), John Prine and Doc Watson (Saturday 3 March 1923 – Tuesday 29 May 2012). Their ‘thought provoking’, honest musical approaches still influence Mike Dekle’s singing and writing.
In the late 1960s, Mike Dekle began playing in coffeehouses, speakeasies and other ‘nice joints’ in the Atlanta and Athens, Georgia area. In his performances, Mike Dekle included a few original songs. Positive feedback from patrons encouraged him to continue to write songs.
In the late 1970s, with encouragement from his wife, Crystie, Mike Dekle started making regular trips to Nashville. The ‘dues paying’ really began at this point.
In 1982, after years of dropping off tapes, talking to publishers and being told ‘Your hooks ain’t strong enough’, Mike Dekle decided to record one of his own songs.
Mike Dekle developed a close friendship with Roger D. Bowling (Sunday 3 December 1944 – Sunday 26 December 1982), the writer of ‘Lucille’, ‘Coward of The County’ and ‘Blanket On The Ground’. ‘Roger Bowling was that first person who wanted to see me realise a dream’
Roger Bowling (Sunday 3 December 1944 – Sunday 26 December 1982) introduced Mike Dekle to Byron Hill, who was then a young writer and producer for ATV Music Group in Nashville. Mike Dekle stated at the time: ‘Byron Hill is a creative genius whose songwriting and producer credits are legendary’
Byron Hill produced Mike Dekle’s first record, ‘Scarlet Fever’ (written by Mike Dekle), which was a chart maker in Billboard Magazine and a pick hit.
Within weeks of Mike Dekle’s release of ‘Scarlet Fever’ (written by Mike Dekle), Kenny Rogers heard the song on a local radio station and contacted Mike, asking him about recording the song himself.
It was at this time that Mike Dekle saw the release of ‘Wood & Wire’ (Mike Dekle Music, 1982), which included the following tracks:
‘The Minstrel’
‘Heart On Hold’
‘Dignity’
‘Hanky Panky’
‘Rockin’ Ramona’
‘Bald Eagles’
‘Scarlet Fever’ (written by Mike Dekle)
‘Closer To The Moon’
‘Lady Luck’
‘Powder Burns’
‘Let ‘Em Talk’
‘Rachel’s Eyes’
‘Road Kill Cafe’ / this track was listed as a ‘bonus track’
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Scarlet Fever’ and included the track on ‘We’ve Got Tonight’ (Liberty Records, 1983); the track, which reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983, and No.94 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1983, was Mike Dekle’s first published song.
Soon after, Kenny Rogers’ publishing company, Lionsmate Music, signed Mike Dekle to an exclusive writer’s contract. Their association lasted until Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) sold his publishing company.
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded six of Mike Dekle’s songs. ‘Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) was a warm and caring man and friend who gave me instant credibility as a songwriter…I can never thank him enough’
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Two Hearts, One Love’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘What About Me’ (RCA Records, 1984).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘People In Love’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘The Heart of The Matter’ (Liberty Records, 1985).
Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Pick Pocket’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Hank Thompson’ (Dot Records, 1986); the track was subsequently included on ‘The Pathway of My Life: 1968 – 1986’ (Bear Family Records, 2013).
In 1987, Mike Dekle signed with Song Source, Incorporated; this association produced cuts by Ricky Skaggs, T.G. Sheppard, Moe Bandy, The Whites, Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007), and Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989).
The Whites recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘You Wouldn’t Be My First Mistake’ and included the track on ‘Ain’t No Binds’ (MCA Records, 1987).
Moe Bandy recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘The Sunny Side of You’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘You Haven’t Heard The Last of Me’ (MCA Records, 1987).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘A Day In The Life of A Fool’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ (RCA Records, 1988); the track was subsequently included on ‘The Best of Keith Whitley’ (RCA Records, 1993).
Between 1990 and 1994, Mike Dekle published his own songs in Square D Music.
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Someone Must Feel Like A Fool Tonight’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Back Home Again’ (Reprise Records, 1991).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Some Prisons Don’t Have Walls’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Back Home Again’ (Reprise Records, 1991).
In 1994, Mike Dekle signed with Almo Irving Music in Nashville.
Tracy Byrd recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Don’t Love Make A Diamond Shine’ (co-written with Craig Wiseman) and included the track on ‘Big Love’ (MCA Records, 1996); the track reached No.17 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997, and No.13 on the Canadian RPM Tracks Chart in 1997.
Byron Hill recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Musical Chairs’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Gravity…& Other Things That Keep You Down to Earth’ (BHP Music, 1999).
Byron Hill recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘You Sure Peeled The Onion’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Gravity…& Other Things That Keep You Down to Earth’ (BHP Music, 1999).
Gene Watson recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘No Trash In My Trailer’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001).
Joe Nichols recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Joe’s Place’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Man With A Memory’ (Universal South Records, 2002).
In 2003, Mike Dekle saw the release of ‘Sketches’ (Parlay Records, 2003), which included the following tracks:
‘She Wants To Know Love’
‘Til They Came Home’
‘Singletown’
‘Too Fast’
‘Things Like That’
‘Stone Cold Country’
‘Number 34’
‘No Trash In My Trailer’
‘Keep On Rockin’
‘Backyard Cowboy Crowd’
‘Memphis Memories’
‘A New Generation of Love’
‘Pick Pocket’ (written by Byron Hill and Mike Dekle)
‘Christmas Turkey’
‘Peanuts & Peaches’
‘Over Easy’
On Tuesday 24 June 2003, Mike Dekle saw the release of ‘Fine Tuned’ (Mike Dekle Music, 2003), which included the following tracks:
‘She’s Worth Fighting For’
‘You Wouldn’t Be My First Mistake’
‘Stone By Stone’
‘The Photograph’
‘Road Kill Cafe’
‘Musical Chairs’
‘Jackson’s Radiator Shop’
‘Joe’s Place’
‘Rising Suns’
‘Forgive This Fool’
‘One of Those Kind of Days’
‘Don’t Love Make A Diamond Shine’
‘Someone Must Feel Like A Fool Tonight’
‘Family Ties’
Joe Nichols recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Things Like That (These Days)’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Revelation’ (Universal South Records, 2004).
Byron Hill recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘The Only Thing Wrong’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on the release of ‘Ramblings’ (BHP Music, 2004).
Byron Hill recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Now & Then’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on the release of ‘Ramblings’ (BHP Music, 2004).
Gord Bamford recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Joe’s Place’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Life Is Good’ (GWB Records / Royalty Records, 2004).
Joe Nichols recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Size Matters (Someday)’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘III’ (Universal South Records, 2005); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2006.
In January 2006, Mike Dekle saw the release of ‘Tunesmith’ (Mike Dekle Music, 2006), which included the following tracks:
‘Can You Love Me That Way’
‘Windows & Floors’
‘I’m Afraid of Losing You’
‘Size Matters’
‘Who Cares’
‘Bikinis & Beer’
‘A Party Ain’t A Party’
‘Since We Ain’t Had You’
‘Nobody’s Child’
‘About Me’
‘Touchy Feely’
‘Normaltown’
‘She Keeps On Loving Me’
Rhonda Vincent recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Til They Come Home’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘All American Bluegrass Girl’ (Rounder Records, 2006).
Gord Bamford recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Years Ago Last Night’ (co-written with Gord Bamford and Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Honkytonks & Heartaches’ (Royalty Records Canada, 2007) / this track was a duet with Jessie Farrell.
Colt Ford recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘No Trash In My Trailer’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Ride Through The Country’ (ABC Records, 2009).
Byron Hill recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘The Photograph’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Stay A While’ (BPH Music, 2009).
Brantley Gilbert recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘One Hell of An Amen’ (co-written with Brantley Gilbert and Brian Davis) and included the track on ‘Just As I Am’ (Valory Music Group, 2014); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Airplay Chart for one week in August 2015, and No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2015.
Brantley Gilbert recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘We’re Gonna Ride Again’ (co-written with Brantley Gilbert and Jess Franklin) and included the track on ‘The Devil Don’t Sleep’ (Valory Music Group, 2017).
Rhonda Vincent recorded Mike Dekle’s ‘Music Is What I See’ (co-written with Tony Haselden) and included the track on ‘Music Is What I See’ (Upper Management Music, 2021).
Mike Dekle had stated: ‘I consider myself a sensitive Southern storyteller who is extremely blessed to have been given a creative talent. Songwriting is in my blood. I’ll write because I’ll bust wide open if I don’t’
In the words of one of Mike Dekle’s songs, ‘I’d be lost without music in my life’
On Thursday 24 February 2022, Mike Dekle passed away.
(Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022)
(photo courtesy of Kimba Wayne Photography in Memphis, TN)
• Like Mike Dekle on Facebook