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 during 2020, 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 Steel Blossoms (Sara Zebley & Hayley Prosser), which they submitted to this site on Monday 19 October 2020.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Steel Blossoms (Sara Zebley & Hayley Prosser), who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Steel Blossoms (Sara Zebley & Hayley Prosser)
This quote was submitted on Monday 19 October 2020.
‘Real country music is still alive in the music of Gene Watson.
It’s incredible to watch Gene’s career continue to grow in authenticity with every season of his life.
What a voice to look up to!’
Thank you, Steel Blossoms (Sara Zebley & Hayley Prosser), for your support of Gene Watson.
About Steel Blossoms (Sara Zebley & Hayley Prosser)…
Steel Blossoms is the musical collaboration of Sara Zebley and Hayley Prosser, artists and former elementary school teachers, who met by chance at a festival in their home state of Pennsylvania, where each was performing with separate groups.
Sara and Hayley recognised an instant chemistry and a shared perspective; an appreciation for life’s moments, ironies and quirky little truths.
Sara and Hayley began to write together, while also growing more involved in the music scene in and around Pittsburgh.
Sara and Hayley made their way to Nashville and Steel Blossoms quickly bloomed as regulars at Music City honkytonks, and as house concert favourites. Soon, the duo began playing top flight clubs, concert venues and festivals across the United States, sharing the stage with a number of artists, including Rhonda Vincent, Tracy Lawrence and Collin Raye.
Sara and Hayley write and perform relatable songs about real life and real challenges, about people they’ve met and experiences they’ve endured, all with a refreshing sense of humour, optimism and occasional, satisfying sarcasm. While cleverly turning a phrase and weaving a tale, Sara & Hayley’s appeal is punctuated by excellent musicianship and skilled harmonies.
Relationship building comes naturally to Sara and Hayley and, as Steel Blossoms, the two have travelled the UNited States, like the troubadour days of decades past, making fans one venue, one house show at a time.
Onstage and off, Sara and Hayley engage their fans as friends, and maintain those relationships long after the equipment is loaded into the van.
Steel Blossoms’ fans are fervent, following the duo to shows, and providing support with travel, lodging, recording costs and more.
In 2015, Steel Blossoms saw the release of their debut EP (extended play) disc, ‘Year Number One’ (Steel Blossoms Independent Release, 2015).
In 2016, Steel Blossoms saw the release of ‘Country Enough’ (Steel Blossoms Independent Release, 2016), which included the following tracks:
‘This Town’
‘Dancin’ In The Kitchen’
‘I Don’t Wanna Love You Anymore’
‘Country Enough’
‘How To Grow’
‘I’m Still Me, You’re Still You’
‘Keep Your Eyes On Me’
‘Twenty Something’
‘Be Okay’
In 2018, Steel Blossoms (Sara Zebley and Hayley Prosser) were playing National Cornbread Festival in Tennessee when they sought respite from the heat within the air-conditioned theater. There they heard Bluegrass legend and multi-award winning songwriter, Jerry Salley, who then had a hit with red-hot country music artist, Chris Stapleton. Fiddler and guitarist, Sarah Zebley, stated that, upon returning to Nashville, she messaged Jerry Salley via Facebook.
To their surprise, Jerry Salley responded and suddenly became Steel Blossoms’ new songwriting partner. Next came Jerry Salley‘s offer to produce. Since they had just released their first full-length record, Steel Blossoms placed the idea on hold.
Then, Jerry Salley became Creative and A&R Director at Billy Jam Records, a newly founded, Americana-focused sister label to bluegrass-oriented Billy Blue Records.
In July 2018, Steel Blossoms (Sara Zebley and Hayley Prosser) began talking with Billy Jam Records, and were offered a recording deal in November 2018.
On Thursday 31 January 2019, Steel Blossoms became the first act signed to Nashville’s newest Americana label, Billy Jam Records.
On Friday 26 April 2019, Steel Blossoms (Sara Zebley and Hayley Prosser) saw the release of a self-titled album, ‘Steel Blossoms’ (Billy Jam Records, 2019), which was produced by Jerry Salley, and included the following tracks:
‘You’re The Reason I Drink’ (written by Hayley Prosser, Sara Zebley and Jerry Salley)
‘Revenge’ (written by Hayley Prosser, Sara Zebley and Jerry Salley)
‘Trailer Neighbor’ (written by Hayley Prosser, Sara Zebley and Mark Addison Chandler)
‘County Line’ (written by Hayley Prosser, Sara Zebley, Alice Lankford and Jimbo Martin)
‘Pick Me Up’ (written by Hayley Prosser, Sara Zebley and Cody Weston Atkins)
‘Innocent’ (written by Hayley Prosser, Sara Zebley and Jerry Salley)
‘You Ain’t Sleeping Over’ (written by Hayley Prosser, Sara Zebley and Daniel Kleindienst)
‘Heroine’ (written by Hayley Prosser and Sara Zebley)
‘I Killed A Man’ (written by Hayley Prosser and Sara Zebley)
‘Kentucky’s Never Been This Far From Tennessee’ (written by Jerry Salley, Kristy Miller and C. Aaron Wilburn)
At the end of 2019, Steel Blossoms were honoured to join the 2020 Alan Jackson tour as an opening act.
Steel Blossoms: Sara Zebley (fiddle, guitar, harmonies)
Hayley Prosser (vocals, guitar)
• Visit Steel Blossoms’ official site at steelblossoms.com
• Find Steel Blossoms on Facebook