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 2005, 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 Byron Hill, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 28 April 2005.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Byron Hill who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Byron Hill
This quote was submitted on Thursday 28 April 2005.
‘Any true country songwriter should feel that his life is complete if Gene Watson records one of his songs, for Gene Watson is perhaps the finest voice in country music.
I don’t think I have ever had a song of mine generate more chatter out there on radio than ‘No Trash In My Trailer‘, which was co-written with Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022). Nashville’s WSM (Radio) spearheaded the flag-waving, which made this song become sort of an underground die-hard country anthem.
Though the record charted, it never competed with the stuff that was taking over the country chart at the time.
Gene Watson has always been among the top on my list of great country singers.
To be able to say that Gene recorded one of my songs is worth more than the royalties it should have earned. This was a novelty song, and something quite different for Gene to do, but I appreciate him taking the chance’
Thank you, Byron Hill, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Byron Hill…
Byron Hill hails from Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
In April 1978, Byron Hill moved to Nashville.
In September 1978, Byron Hill signed his first song-writing contract with ATV Music Group.
Joe Sun (James Joseph Paulsen) (Saturday 25 September 1943 – Friday 25 October 2019) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Out of Your Mind’ and included the track on ‘Out of Your Mind’ (Ovation Records, 1979); the track reached No.34 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979.
In 1979, the hits started happening for Byron Hill as a writer, with Joe Sun’s ‘Out of Your Mind’ (No.34, 1979), and in 1981, with Johnny Lee‘s ‘Pickin’ Up Strangers’, which reached No.3.
Johnny Lee recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Never Lay My Lovin’ Down’ and included the track on ‘Lookin’ For Love’ (Asylum Records, 1980).
Doc Watson (Saturday 3 March 1923 – Tuesday 29 May 2012) & Merle Watson (Tuesday 8 February 1949 – Wednesday 23 October 1985) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Sadie’ (co-written with T. Michael Coleman) and included the track on ‘Red Rocking Chair’ (Flying Fish Records, 1981).
Juice Newton recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Headin’ For A Heartache’, which was co-written with J. Remington Wilde (Sunday 9 September 1951 – Saturday 20 July 2024), and included the track on ‘Juice’ (Capitol Records, 1981).
Johnny Lee recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Pickin’ Up Strangers’ and included the track on ‘Johnny Lee’s Greatest Hits’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
(Note: Gene Watson photo in background)
(Photo courtesy of Country Music Foundation)
Byron Hill, George Strait and producer / songwriter Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022) pictured at George Strait’s first No.1 Party, for the song ‘Fool Hearted Memory’, a party which was held at MCA Records’ offices in Nashville in 1982; photo courtesy of Country Music Foundation and features a photo of Gene Watson.
Byron Hill co-wrote George Strait’s first Billboard country music No.1 hit single; ‘Fool Hearted Memory’, which was co-written with Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022), was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in August / September 1982, and was included on ‘Strait From The Heart’ (MCA Records, 1982).
Many other early Byron Hill cuts include recordings by a number of distinguished artists, including Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004), Juice Newton, Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993), Mel McDaniel (Sunday 6 September 1942 – Thursday 31 March 2011), Ricky Skaggs, Margo Smith (Thursday 9 April 1942 – Tuesday 23 January 2024) and Reba McEntire.
Reba McEntire recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Out of The Blue’ (co-written with Robert A. Johnson) and included the track on ‘Unlimited’ (Mercury Records, 1982).
In 1984, after the sale and closure of ATV Music, Byron Hill spent four years as an independent songwriter and publisher, writing the Ed Bruce (Friday 29 December 1939 – Friday 8 January 2021) hit single ‘Nights’ (No.4, 1986), as well as songs recorded by Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020), Anne Murray, George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Tom Wopat.
In October 1983, Kathy Mattea saw the release of her first single, ‘Street Talk’ (written by Lee Domann and Ralph Whiteway), which was produced by Byron Hill, and reached No.25 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983.
On Thursday 22 March 1984, Kathy Mattea saw the release of her self-titled debut album, ‘Kathy Mattea’ (Mercury Records, 1984), which was produced by Rick Peoples and Byron Hill, and which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Street Talk’ (written by Lee Domann and Ralph Whiteway) (No.25, 1983)
‘Someone Is Falling In Love’ (written by Lee Domann and Pebe Sebert) (No.26, 1984)
‘You’ve Got A Soft Place To Fall’, which was written by Kerry Michael Chater (Tuesday 7 August 1945 – Tuesday 1 February 2022), Bob McDill and H. Moore (No.44, 1984)
‘That’s Easy For You To Say’ (written by B. Clifford and D. Hodges) (No.50, 1984)
Kathy Mattea‘s self-titled debut album, ‘Kathy Mattea’ (Mercury Records, 1984), also included the following tracks:
‘Takin’ The Givin’ Away’ (written by Bob DiPiero and J. Wood)
‘You Know That I Do (& I Know That You Won’t)’, which was written by Peter James McCann (Saturday 6 March 1948 – Thursday 26 January 2023)
‘Full Time Love’, which was written by Bob DiPiero and Tim Krekel (Tuesday 10 October 1950 – Wednesday 24 June 2009)
‘Somewhere Down The Road’, which was written by Tom Snow and Cynthia Weil (Friday 18 October 1940 – Thursday 1 June 2023)
‘(Back To The) Heartbreak Kid’, which was written by Van Stephenson (Wednesday 4 November 1953 – Sunday 8 April 2001) and Tim DuBois
‘God Ain’t No Stained Glass Window’, which was written by Mark Germino (Saturday 12 August 1950 – Wednesday 3 July 2024)
Kathy Mattea‘s self-titled debut album, ‘Kathy Mattea’ (Mercury Records, 1984), reached No.42 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1984.
Personnel involved in the recording of Kathy Mattea‘s self-titled debut album, ‘Kathy Mattea’ (Mercury Records, 1984), included the following:
Kathy Mattea (vocals, guitar, background vocals)
Mark Casstevens, Gregg Galbraith, Jon Goin, Chris Leuzinger and Dale Sellers (guitar)
Sonny Garrish (pedal steel guitar)
David Briggs and Bobby Wood (piano)
Spady Brannan and Alan Rush (bass)
Gene Chrisman and Tommy Wells (drums)
Curtis Young, Wade McCurdy, Pat McManus, Marcy Cates and Margie Cates (background vocals)
Nashville String Machine (strings, arranged by Bergen White)
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘People In Love’, which was co-written with Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), and included the track on ‘The Heart of The Matter’ (Liberty Records, 1985).
Ed Bruce (Friday 29 December 1939 – Friday 8 January 2021) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Nights’ (co-written with Tony Hiller) and included the track on ‘Night Things’ (RCA Records, 1986).
Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘The Pages of My Mind’, which was co-written with J. Remington Wilde (Sunday 9 September 1951 – Saturday 20 July 2024), and included the track on ‘From The Pages of My Mind’ (Columbia Records, 1986); the track reached No.34 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.
Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Pick Pocket’, which was co-written with Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), 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 1988, Byron Hill signed as a staff writer for Collins Music, an association which yielded Alabama’s ‘Born Country’, and ‘Alright Already’ for Larry Stewart, along with cuts for a number of country music acts, including Ray Benson‘s Asleep At The Wheel, Barbara Mandrell and Randy Travis.
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘A Day In The Life of A Fool’, which was co-written with Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), and included the track on ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ (RCA Records, 1988).
Randy Travis recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Card Carryin’ Fool’ (co-written with Tim Boys) and included the track on ‘No Holdin’ Back’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1989).
Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Keepin’ Me Up Nights’ (co-written with James Dean Hicks) and included the track on ‘Keepin’ Me Up Nights’ (Arista Records, 1989).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Someone Must Feel Like A Fool Tonight’, which was co-written with Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), and included the track on ‘Back Home Again’ (Reprise Records, 1991).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Some Prisons Don’t Have Walls’, which was co-written with Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), and included the track on ‘Back Home Again’ (Reprise Records, 1991).
Barbara Mandrell recorded Byron Hill’s ‘You’re All I’ve Got To Lose’ (co-written with Cyril Pearson) and included the track on ‘Key’s In The Mailbox’ (Capitol Records, 1991).
Alabama recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Born Country’, which was co-written with John Schweers (Saturday 12 January 1946 – Tuesday 28 May 2024), and included the track on ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 2’ (RCA Records, 1991); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1992, and No.1 on the Radio & Records Chart in 1992.
Logue & McCool – Chris Logue & Pat McCool (Tuesday 14 October 1952 – Monday 18 October 2010) – recorded ‘Smokin’ The Hive’, which was written by Byron Hill and J. Remington Wilde (Sunday 9 September 1951 – Saturday 20 July 2024), and included the track on ‘Together’ (Harmac Records, 1991).
In 1992, Byron Hill signed with MCA Music Nashville, where he landed singles by Tracy Byrd (‘Lifestyles of The Not So Rich & Famous’), Neal McCoy (‘If I Was A Drinkin’ Man’), George Jones (‘High Tech Redneck’), Sammy Kershaw (‘Politics, Religion & Her’) and River Road (‘I Broke It, I’ll Fix It’).
Larry Stewart recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Alright Already’ (co-written with JB Rudd) and included the track on ‘Down The Road’ (RCA Records, 1993); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1993.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘High Tech Redneck’ (co-written with Zack Turner) and included the track on ‘High Tech Redneck’ (MCA Records, 1993); the track reached No.24 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994.
Clay Walker recorded Byron Hill’s ‘White Palace’ (co-written with Zack Turner) and included the track on ‘Clay Walker’ (Giant Records, 1993); the track reached No.67 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994 as a result of unsolicited airplay.
Tracy Byrd recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Lifestyles of The Not So Rich & Famous’ (co-written with Wayne Tester) and included the track on ‘No Ordinary Man’ (MCA Records, 1994); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994.
Tracy Byrd recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Redneck Roses’ (co-written with Tracy Byrd) and included the track on ‘No Ordinary Man’ (MCA Records, 1994); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994.
Anne Murray recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Over You’ (co-written with Tony Hiller) and included the track on ‘The Best…So Far’ (Capitol Records, 1994).
Lisa Brokop recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Let Me Live Another Day’ (co-written with Wayne Tester) and included the track on ‘Every Little Girl’s Dream’ (Patriot Records / Liberty Records, 1994).
Neal McCoy recorded Byron Hill’s ‘If I Was A Drinkin’ Man’ (co-written with J.B. Rudd) and included the track on ‘You Gotta Love That’ (Atlantic Records, 1995); the track reached No.16 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995.
Rhett Akins recorded Byron Hill’s ‘A Thousand Memories’ (co-written with Rhett Akins) and included the track on ‘A Thousand Memories’ (Decca Nashville Records, 1995).
Rhett Akins recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Same Ol’ Story’ (co-written with Rhett Akins) and included the track on ‘A Thousand Memories’ (Decca Nashville Records, 1995).
Tracy Byrd recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Walkin’ In’ (co-written with Zack Turner) and included the track on ‘Love Lessons’ (MCA Records, 1995).
Gary Allan recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Of All The Hearts’, which was co-written with J. Remington Wilde (Sunday 9 September 1951 – Saturday 20 July 2024), and included the track on ‘Used Heart For Sale’ (Decca Records, 1996).
Sammy Kershaw recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Politics, Religion & Her’ (co-written with Tony Martin) and included the track on ‘Politics, Religion & Her’ (Mercury Records, 1996); the track, which reached No.28 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996, was subsequently included on Sammy Kershaw‘s ‘Ultimate Collection’ (Hump Head Country Records, 2008).
John Michael Montgomery recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Cloud 8’ (co-written with Tony Martin) and included the track on ‘What I Do The Best’ (Atlantic Records, 1996).
Trace Adkins recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Took Her To The Moon’ (co-written with Mark Nesler) & included the track on ‘Big Time’ (Capitol Records, 1997).
Judith Durham (Saturday 3 July 1943 – Friday 5 August 2022) & The Seekers recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Forever Isn’t Long Enough (For Me)’ (co-written with Keith Potger) & included the track on ‘Future Road’ (EMI Music Australia, 1997).
Blackhawk recorded Byron Hill’s ‘In My Heart of Hearts’ (co-written with Annie Roboff) and included the track on ‘The Sky’s The Limit’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1998).
Ricky Van Shelton recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Just Say Goodbye’, which was co-written with Joe Chambers (passed away on Wednesday 28 September 2022), and included the track on ‘Making Plans’ (Vanguard Records, 1998).
In December 1998, Byron Hill signed with Starstruck Writers Group in Nashville.
In October 2000, Starstruck Writers Group in Nashville was sold to Warner Chappell Music.
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Hold You, Kiss You, Love You’ (co-written with Jack Jones and Frank Mickey Jones Jr.) and included the track on ‘How Do You Like Me Now’ (DreamWorks Records, 1999).
Tyler England recorded Byron Hill’s ‘I Knew I Loved You’ (co-written with Gary Scruggs) and included the track on ‘Highways & Dance Halls’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1999).
In 1999, Byron Hill saw the release of his debut, self-financed album, ‘Gravity…& Other Things That Keep You Down To Earth’ (BHP Music, 1999), which included the following tracks:
‘After You’re Gone’ (written by Byron Hill and Tony Hiller)
‘Took Her To The Moon’ (written by Byron Hill and Mark Nesler)
‘Trail of String’ (written by Byron Hill and Tony Hiller)
‘Gravity’ (written by Odie Blackmon and Byron Hill)
‘Eyes of Wonder’ (written by Byron Hill and Mickey Jones)
‘Hold That Thought’ (written by Byron Hill)
‘That’s What Love Will Make You Do’ (written by James Dean Hicks and Byron Hill)
‘Musical Chairs’, which was written by Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022) and Byron Hill
‘Serious Crime’ (written by Byron Hill and Tony Hiller)
‘Plan B’ (written by Byron Hill and Tony Martin)
‘Love’s In The Here & Now’ (written by Byron Hill and Tony Hiller)
‘Politics, Religion & Her’ (written by Byron Hill and Tony Martin)
‘You Sure Peeled The Onion’, which was written by Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022) and Byron Hill
‘Thanks For The G Chord’ (written by Byron Hill)
Personnel involved in the recording of Byron Hill’s ‘Gravity…& Other Things That Keep You Down To Earth’ (BHP Music, 1999) included the following:
B. James Lowry (acoustic guitar)
David Hungate (upright bass)
Sonny Garrish (Dobro)
Aubrey Haynie (fiddle, mandolin)
Kirk ‘Jelly Roll’ Johnson (harmonica)
Byron Hill (vocals, acoustic guitar)
Byron Hill’s songs have generated more than 544 recordings, earning seventy-one Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified ‘Gold’ and ‘Platinum’ Awards, nine ASCAP Awards, twenty United States and Canadian Top 10 chart hit singles, including six No.1s.
Byron Hill has also had his songs recorded by Joe Nichols, Rhonda Vincent, Lantana, and Hot Apple Pie.
Byron Hill’s work as a producer included three albums for Gary Allan on Decca Records, along with an album for Kathy Mattea on Mercury Records.
Byron Hill has also enjoyed a long-time producer / co-writer association with singer / songwriter Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), which included four albums.
Gene Watson recorded Byron Hill’s ‘No Trash In My Trailer’, which was co-written with Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), and included the track on ‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001).
Gord Bamford recorded Byron Hill’s ‘God’s Green Earth’ (co-written with Odie Blackmon and Gil Grand) and included the track on ‘God’s Green Earth’ (GWB / Royalty Records Canada, 2001).
Gord Bamford recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Wish I Did What He Did’ (co-written with Gil Grand and Simone Legrandeur) and included the track on ‘God’s Green Earth’ (GWB / Royalty Records Canada, 2001).
Joe Nichols recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Joe’s Place’, which was co-written with Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), and included the track on ‘Man With A Memory’ (Universal South Records, 2002).
In January 2003, Byron Hill signed with Almo Irving Music.
However, in October 2003, Almo Irving Music closed and became consolidated with Universal Music Publishing Group, where Byron became a staff songwriter.
Jeff Bates recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Your Lovin’ Talks To Me’ (co-written with Jeff Bates) and included the track on ‘Rainbow Man’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2003).
Jeff Bates recorded Byron Hill’s ‘My In-Laws Are Outlaws’ (co-written with Jeff Bates) and included the track on ‘Rainbow Man’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2003).
George Strait recorded Byron Hill’s’ ‘My Infinite Love’ (co-written with Annette Grossberg and Billy Yates) and included the track on ‘Honkytonkville’ (MCA Records, 2003).
Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Pick Pocket’ (co-written with Mike Dekle) and included the track on ‘Sketches’ (Parlay Records, 2003).
Gary Allan recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Nothing On But The Radio’ (co-written with Odie Blackmon and Brice Long) and included the track on ‘See If I Care’ (MCA Records, 2003); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in December 2004.
Joe Nichols recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Things Like That (These Days)’, which was co-written with Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), and included the track on ‘Revelation’ (Universal South Records, 2004).
In 2004, Byron Hill saw the release of ‘Ramblings’ (BHP Music, 2004), which included the following tracks:
‘Love Crazy’, which was written by Byron Hill and Tim Krekel (Tuesday 10 October 1950 – Wednesday 24 June 2009)
‘Cobbtown’ (written by Byron Hill)
‘Like A Country Song’ (written by Byron Hill)
‘I Knew I Loved You’ (written by Byron Hill and Gary Scruggs)
‘First Fool In Line’ (written by Byron Hill)
‘The Only Thing Wrong’, which was written by Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022) and Byron Hill
‘Bad For The Heart’ (written by Darrell Hayes, Morgane Hayes and Byron Hill)
‘Life Will Kill You’ (written by Byron Hill and J.B. Rudd)
‘Now & Then’, which was written by Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022) and Byron Hill
‘Humdinger On Her Finger’ (written by Byron Hill and J.B. Rudd)
‘Wings of Your Love’ (written by Darrell Hayes, Morgane Hayes and Byron Hill)
‘The Pages of My Mind’, which was written by J. Remington Wilde (Sunday 9 September 1951 – Saturday 20 July 2024) and Byron Hill
‘Traditions’ (written by Byron Hill and Billy Yates)
‘Truckstops, Honky Tonks & Cheap Motels’ (written by Odie Blackmon and Byron Hill)
Personnel involved in the recording of Byron Hill’s ‘Ramblings’ (BHP Music, 2004) included the following:
Glen Duncan (mandolin, fiddle, banjo, Tacoma Papoose guitar)
Mike Johnson (Dobro, Ped-a-Bro)
Dave Pomeroy (upright bass)
Paul Scholten (drums, percussion)
Larry Beaird, Pat McGrath and Billy Panda (acoustic guitar)
B. James Lowry (acoustic guitar on ‘Life Will Kill You’ and ‘Like A Country Song’)
Kirk ‘Jelly Roll’ Johnson (harmonica on ‘Life Will Kill You’ and ‘The Pages of My Mind’)
Byron Hill (vocals, acoustic guitar, gut-string guitar)
On Tuesday 5 October 2004, Compadre Records released ‘A Songwriter’s Tribute To George Strait, Volume 1’ (Compadre Records, 2004), a various artists compilation, which included the following tracks:
‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’, which was written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019) and Darlene Shafer / this track was performed by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer
‘Carrying Your Love With Me’ (written by Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens) / this track was performed by Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens
‘Carried Away’ (written by Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens) / this track was performed by Steve Bogard
‘Fool Hearted Memory’, which was written by Byron Hill and Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022) / this track was performed by Byron Hill
‘Chill of An Early Fall’ (written by Green Daniel and Gretchen Peters) / this track was performed by Gretchen Peters
‘Blame It On Mexico’ (written by Darrell Staedtler) / this track was performed by Darrell Staedtler
‘The Fireman’, which was written by Wayne Kemp (Sunday 1 June 1941 – Monday 9 March 2015) and Mack Vickery (Wednesday 8 June 1938 – Tuesday 21 December 2004) / this track was performed by Mack Vickery
‘Run’ (written by Tony Lane and A. Smith) / this track was performed by Tony Lane
‘I Cross My Heart’ (written by Steve Dorff and Eric Kaz) / this track was performed by Eric Kaz
‘Check Yes Or No’ (written by Dana Hunt Black) / this track was performed by Dana Hunt Black
‘The Cowboy Rides Away’ (written by Casey Kelly and Sonny Throckmorton) / this track was performed by Sonny Throckmorton
‘All My Ex’s Live In Texas’, which was written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019) / this track was performed by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer
On Tuesday 19 October 2004, Gord Bamford saw the release of ‘Life Is Good’ (GWB Records / Royalty Records, 2004), which was produced by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill, and included the following tracks:
‘Heroes’ (written by Gord Bamford, Casey Moore, Dean Pezderic and Duane Steele)
‘My Heart’s A Genius’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘Politically Incorrect’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘Joe’s Place’, which was written by Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022) and Byron Hill
‘All About Her’ (written by Gord Bamford and Steve Fox)
‘I Would For You’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘Stubborn Blood’ (written by Gord Bamford, Steve Fox and Tim Taylor)
‘We’re All Cowboys’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘Life Is Good’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘The Watering Hole’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘Kendra’s Song’ (written by Gord Bamford and Tim Taylor)
Randy Travis recorded Byron Hill’s ‘A Place To Hang My Heart’ (co-written with Shawn Camp and Brice Long) and included the track on ‘Passing Through’ (Word Records / Warner Bros. Records / Curb Records, 2005).
Joe Nichols recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Size Matters (Someday)’, which was co-written with Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), and included the track on ‘III’ (Universal South Records, 2005); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2005.
Rhonda Vincent recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Til They Come Home’, which was co-written with Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), and included the track on ‘All American Bluegrass Girl’ (Rounder Records, 2006).
Shane Yellowbird (Saturday 7 July 1979 – Monday 25 April 2022) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Life Is Calling My Name’ (co-written with Billy Yates) and included the track on ‘Life Is Calling My Name’ (306 Entertainment, 2006).
Rodney Hayden recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Whoever Wrote This Song’ (co-written with Rodney Hayden) and included the track on ‘Down The Road’ (Palomino Records, 2007).
On Tuesday 25 September 2007, Gord Bamford saw the release of ‘Honkytonks & Heartaches’ (Royalty Records Canada, 2007), which was produced by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill, and included the following tracks:
‘Blame It On That Red Dress’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Zack Turner)
‘Postcard From Pasadena’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘Blue Collar Place’ (written by Gord Bamford and Duane Steele)
‘Little Guy’ (written by Gord Bamford)
‘Stayed ‘Til Two’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘I Said Nothing’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Tim Taylor)
‘Drinkin’ Buddy’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Mark Irwin)
‘Come Over Here’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Tim Taylor)
‘In The Palm of Your Hands’ (written by Gord Bamford and Dave Gunning)
‘Hurtin’ Me Back’ (written by Gord Bamford and Gil Grand)
‘Honkytonks & Heartaches’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘Things Go Better With Love’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Zack Turner)
‘Years Ago Last Night’, which was written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), / this track was a duet with Jessie Farrell
In 2008, Gord Bamford’s ‘Honkytonks & Heartaches’ (Royalty Records Canada, 2007) was nominated for a Juno Award for ‘Country Recording of The Year’.
Colt Ford recorded Byron Hill’s ‘No Trash In My Trailer’, which was co-written with Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022), and included the track on ‘Ride Through The Country’ (ABC Records, 2009).
In 2009, Byron Hill saw the release of ‘Stay A While’ (BPH Music, 2009), which included the following tracks:
‘Stay A While’ (written by Byron Hill)
‘More Where That Came From’ (written by Roger Brown and Byron Hill)
‘Blame It On Kristofferson’ (written by Byron Hill)
‘You Ain’t Chet Yet’ (written by Byron Hill and Tony Hiller)
‘Way Too Long’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘Once You’ve Been To The Moon’ (written by Byron Hill)
‘Life’s A Ditch’ (written by Brent Baxter and Byron Hill)
‘That Old Car’ (written by Byron Hill)
‘The Photograph’, which was written by Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022) and Byron Hill
‘All The Home I Need’ (written by Byron Hill and William F. Williams)
‘The Dream Comes True’ (written by Byron Hill)
‘My Daughter’s Father’ (written by Byron Hill and Arlos Smith)
Personnel involved in the recording of Byron Hill’s ‘Stay A While’ (BPH Music, 2009) included the following:
Paul Scholten (drums, percussion)
J.T. Corenflos (Wednesday 6 November 1963 – Saturday 24 October 2020) (electric guitar)
Mike Rojas (piano, keyboards, organ)
Dave Pomeroy (electric bass)
Glen Duncan (mandolin, acoustic guitar)
Pat McGrath (acoustic guitar)
Terry Smith (upright bass)
Tommy White (Dobro)
Billy Panda (acoustic guitar on ‘You Ain’t Chet Yet’)
Byron Hill (acoustic guitar, keyboards, Timpani, all vocals)
On Tuesday 6 April 2010, Gord Bamford saw the release of ‘Day Job’ (Royalty Records, 2010), which was produced by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill, and included the following tracks:
‘Day Job’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘Cheap Date’ (written by Gord Bamford, Roger Brown and Byron Hill)
‘Put Some Alcohol On It’ (written by Roger Brown, Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘Kids’ (written by Phil O’Donnell, Buddy Owens and Adam Wheeler)
‘Rowdy Boys’ (written by Gord Bamford, Roger Brown and Byron Hill)
‘She Can Bring It’ (written by Gord Bamford, Roger Brown and Byron Hill)
‘Better’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Jenn Schott)
‘Amber Glow’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and JB Rudd)
‘My Daughter’s Father’ (written by Byron Hill and Arlos Smith)
‘Hank Williams Lonesome’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Zack Turner)
‘Day To Day Routine’ (written by Gord Bamford, Roger Brown and Byron Hill)
‘Raise The Bar’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Cyril Rawson)
‘In This Town’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Cal Sweat)
In 2011, Byron Hill saw the release of ‘Radio Songs’ (BHP Music, 2011), which included the following tracks:
‘Out of Your Mind’, which was written by Byron Hill and Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018)
‘Pickin’ Up Strangers’ (written by Byron Hill)
‘Fool Hearted Memory’, which was written by Byron Hill and Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022)
‘Nights’ (written by Byron Hill and Tony Hiller)
‘The Pages of My Mind’, which was written by J. Remington Wilde (Sunday 9 September 1951 – Saturday 20 July 2024) and Byron Hill
‘Born Country’, which was written by Byron Hill and John Schweers (Saturday 12 January 1946 – Tuesday 28 May 2024)
‘Alright Already’ (written by Byron Hill and J.B. Rudd)
‘High-Tech Redneck’ (written by Byron Hill and Zack Turner)
‘Lifestyles of The Not So Rich & Famous’ (written by Byron Hill and Wayne Tester)
‘Over You’ (written by Tony Giller and Byron Hill)
‘If I Was A Drinkin’ Man’ (written by Byron Hill and J.B. Rudd)
‘Politics, Religion & Her’ (written by Byron Hill and Tony Martin)
‘Nothing On But The Radio’ (written by Odie Blackmon, Byron Hill and Brice Long)
‘Size Matters’, which was written by Mike Dekle (Sunday 25 June 1944 – Thursday 24 February 2022) and Byron Hill
Personnel involved in the recording of Byron Hill’s ‘Radio Songs’ (BHP Music, 2011) included the following:
Billy Panda (acoustic guitar)
Byron Hill (acoustic guitar, vocals, gut-string guitar on ‘Over You’)
Tim Lorsch (strings on ‘Over You’)
Russell Terrell (background vocals)
Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017) recorded Byron Hill’s ‘First Fool In Line’ (co-written with Tammi Kidd) and included the track on ‘And So It Goes’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2012).
On Tuesday 6 March 2012, Gord Bamford saw the release of ‘Is It Friday Yet?’ (Sony Music Canada, 2012), which was produced by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Canadian country music singles chart:
‘Farm Girl Strong’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Terry McBride) (No.11, 2013)
‘Must Be A Woman’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and J.B. Rudd) (No.19, 2013)
Gord Bamford’s ‘Is It Friday Yet?’ (Sony Music Canada, 2012) also included the following tracks:
‘Disappearing Tail Lights’ (written by Gord Bamford, Roger Brown and Byron Hill)
‘Leaning On A Lonesome Song’ (written by Gord Bamford, Buddy Owens and Ray Stephenson)
‘You Make It Better’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Wil Nance)
‘Is It Friday Yet?’ (written by Gord Bamford, Roger Brown and Byron Hill)
‘I Call It Country’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Tim Nichols)
‘Nothing Hurts As Bad As a Broken Heart’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill, and J.B. Rudd)
‘She Makes Me Look Good’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Terry McBride)
‘On My Best Days’ (written by Gord Bamford, Brent Baxter and Byron Hill)
‘Now That You’re Gone’ (written by Gord Bamford, Casey Clarke, Richard Deacon and Byron Hill)
‘Sing Another Song About Love’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Wil Nance)
‘A Cowboy’s Last Ride’ (written by Gord Bamford, Jerry W. Haggard and Byron Hill)
On Tuesday 8 October 2013, Gord Bamford saw the release of ‘Country Junkie’ (Cache / Sony Music Canada, 2013), which was produced by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill, and which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Canadian country music singles chart:
‘When Your Lips Are So Close’ (written by Gord Bamford, Brent Baxter and Buddy Owens) (No.1, 2013) / this single was premiered at The Canadian Country Music Association Awards in September 2013
‘Unreal’ (written by Gord Bamford, Phil O’Donnell and Buddy Owens) (No.10, 2014)
‘Where A Farm Used To Be’ (written by Gord Bamford, Phil O’Donnell and Buddy Owens) (No.8, 2014)
‘Groovin’ With You’ (written by Jake Mathews and Duane Steele) (No.17, 2014)
Gord Bamford’s ‘Country Junkie’ (Cache / Sony Music Canada, 2013) also included the following tracks:
‘The Truth’ (written by Gord Bamford, Buddy Owens and Cyril Rawson)
‘One Makes Me Want Another’ (written by Gord Bamford, Brice Long and Buddy Owens)
‘Daughterville’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill)
‘She Gets Me’ (written by Gord Bamford, Jake Mathews and Duane Steele)
‘That’s How We Party’ (written by Gord Bamford, Phil O’Donnell and Buddy Owens)
‘Blue Jeans’ (written by Gord Bamford, Marty Dodson and Byron Hill)
‘I Won’t Regret That’ (written by Gord Bamford, Byron Hill and Dave Turnbull)
‘Saturday’s Beer’ (written by Gord Bamford, Marty Dodson and Byron Hill)
‘Country Junkie’ (written by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill) / this track featured guest vocals from Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020)
‘Nights Like You’ (written by Gord Bamford, Brent Baxter and Byron Hill)
Gord Bamford’s ‘Country Junkie’ (Cache / Sony Music Canada, 2013), which reached No.11 on the Canadian Country Albums Chart in 2013, was nominated for ‘Country Album of the Year’ at the 2014 Juno Awards.
In 2014, Byron Hill saw the release of ‘Red Leather Couch’ (BHP Music, 2014), which included the following tracks:
‘Can’t Think of Nothing But You’ (written by Alex Hall and Byron Hill)
‘Love is Not a Crime’ (written by Roger Brown and Byron Hill)
‘It’s Just a Song’ (written by Gord Bamford, Roger Brown and Byron Hill)
‘Red Leather Couch’ (written by Byron Hill)
‘Then There’s That’ (written by Byron Hill, Ryan Langlois and Joel Rathjen)
‘Dark Side of Town’ (written by Byron Hill and Gary Scruggs)
‘Could Have Stayed’ (written by Byron Hill and Tony Hiller)
‘Two Twenty-Five Maple Street’ (written by Steven Dall and Byron Hill)
‘Good News’ (written by Mark Gillespie, Byron Hill, Jack Jones and Mickey Jones)
‘Love’s a Tough Town’ (written by Byron Hill, Brandon Lay and Wil Nance)
‘Right As Rain’ (written by James Dupre, Byron Hill and Jodi James)
‘What Makes Me Want You So’ (written by Byron Hill and JT Hodges)
‘I Have You’ (written by Byron Hill and Aubrey Shamel)
‘Beautiful Ride’ (written by Byron Hill and Sally Springs)
‘Long Fade’ (written by Byron Hill and Billy Lawson)
Personnel involved in the recording of Byron Hill’s ‘Red Leather Couch’ (BHP Music, 2014) included the following:
Paul Scholten (drums, percussion)
Duncan Mullins and Jimmy Carter (bass)
Troy Lancaster (electric guitars)
Mike Rojas (piano, organ, synthesier, accordion)
Pat McGrath (acoustic guitar)
Byron Hill (acoustic guitar, lead vocals, background vocals)
Thom Flora (background vocals)
Moe Bandy recorded Byron Hill’s ‘A Place To Hang My Hat’ (co-written with Shawn Camp and Brice Long) and included the track on ‘Lucky Me’ (Spur Records, 2016); the track featured guest vocals from The Oak Ridge Boys.
Mo Pitney recorded Byron Hill’s ‘Come Do A Little Life’ (co-written with Wil Nance and Mo Pitney) and included the track on ‘Behind This Guitar’ (Curb Records, 2016).
Kimberly Kelly recorded Byron Hill’s ‘First Fool In Line’ (co-written with Tammi Kidd) and included the track on ‘I’ll Tell You What’s Gonna Happen’ (Show Dog Records, 2022).
• Visit Byron Hill’s official site at byronhillmusic.com