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 2006, 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 Bob Regan, which he submitted to this site on Monday 18 September 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Bob Regan who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Bob Regan
This quote was submitted on Monday 18 September 2006.
‘Gene Watson is the absolute real deal.
I was thrilled and honoured when he recorded one of my songs, ‘Only Yesterday‘.
I had been a guitar player for many years before I had any success writing and I had played Gene’s songs in nightclubs and dance-halls hundreds of times.
To hear the voice of ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘ singing my lyrics is one of the high points of my career’
Thank you, Bob Regan, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Bob Regan…
Bob Regan, who is a California native, is a Grammy and Dove nominated songwriter, who began playing guitar during high school in South Lake Tahoe, California.
Bob Regan attended University of California at Davis, paying his way through by playing bars and frat parties.
Upon graduating with a degree in Psychology, Bob Regan devoted himself to music full time, performing throughout the Western United States.
In 1980, Bob Regan moved to Los Angeles in order to pursue a solo career.
In 1982, Bob Regan was signed as a solo artist to Curb / CBS Records for whom he recorded an album of original songs. At the end of his short tenure as an artist, Bob Regan made the decision to concentrate on songwriting and, in 1985, made the move to Nashville.
Since arriving in Nashville, Bob Regan has had over two-hundred songs recorded, he has played guitar on hundreds of recording sessions and performed on the WSM Grand Ole Opry in Nashville for seven years.
Bob Regan has also played live for artists as diverse as Jennifer Warnes, Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) and Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007).
Bob Regan was also a three-term president of the Nashville Songwriters Association. During his tenure, Bob Regan helped pass the Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act of 2006, which allowed songwriters to claim the capital gains tax rate upon the sale of their catalogues.
Bob Regan has also taught songwriting at Belmont University.
In 2012, Bob Regan started Operation Song, a songwriting program which paired veterans, active duty military and their families with professional songwriters.
At the time of the acquisition of this ‘Gene Watson Peer’s Quote’, on Monday 18 September 2006, Bob Regan was residing in Nashville.
Bob Regan has had his songs recorded by a host of country music artists, including the following:
The Kendalls – Jeannie Kendall and Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) – recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Routine’ and included the track on ‘Break The Routine’ (Step One Records, 1987); the track reached No.54 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.
Kathy Mattea recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Here’s Hoping’ (co-written with Mark D. Sanders) and included the track on ‘Willow In The Wind’ (Mercury Records, 1989).
Reba McEntire recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Til Love Comes Again’ (co-written with Ed Hill) and included the track on ‘Sweet Sixteen’ (Universal, 1989).
Anne Murray recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Mean Old Moon’ and included the track on ‘You Will’ (Capitol Records, 1990).
Lee Greenwood recorded Bob Regan’s ‘We’ve Got It Made’ (co-written with Sandy Ramos) and included the track on ‘Holdin’ A Good Hand’ (Capitol Records, 1990); the track reached No.14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in January 1991.
Gene Watson recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Only Yesterday’ and included the track on ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991); Gene Watson subsequently re-recorded the track and included it on ‘Gene Watson: Then & Now‘ (Koch Records Nashville, 2005).
Billy Dean recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Hammer Down’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Billy Dean’ (Capitol Records, 1991).
The Forester Sisters (Kathy, June, Kim and Christy) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘It’s Gettin’ Around’ (co-written with Sandy Ramos) and included the track on ‘Talkin’ About Men’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).
Roy Rogers (Sunday 5 November 1911 – Monday 6 July 1998) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Here’s Hoping’ (co-written with Mark D. Sanders); the track, which was a duet with Randy Travis, was included on ‘Roy Rogers Tribute’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1991), which reached No.17 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991.
Andy Williams (Saturday 3 December 1927 – Tuesday 25 September 2012) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Til Then’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Nashville’ (Curb Records, 1991).
Collin Raye recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Many A Mile’ (co-written with Mark D. Sanders) and included the track on ‘In This Life’ (Epic Records, 1992).
Tanya Tucker recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Soon’ (co-written with Casey Kelly) and included the track on ‘Soon’ (Liberty Records, 1993).
Tanya Tucker recorded Bob Regan’s ‘You Just Watch Me’ (co-written with Rick Giles) and included the track on ‘Soon’ (Liberty Records, 1993).
Hank Williams Jr. recorded Bob Regan’s ‘It’s A Start’, which was co-written with Danny ‘Bear’ Mayo (Monday 2 October 1950 – Saturday 2 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Hog Wild’ (Curb Records, 1995).
Trisha Yearwood recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Thinkin’ About You’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Thinkin’ About You’ (MCA Records, 1995); the track, which was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in April 1995, featured Lee Roy Parnell on slide guitar.
Aaron Tippin recorded Bob Regan’s ‘You Gotta Start Somewhere’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Tool Box’ (RCA Records, 1995).
Terri Clark recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Catch 22’ (co-written with Terri Clark and Chris Waters) and included the track on ‘Terri Clark’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 1995).
Maureen McCormick recorded Bob Regan’s ‘I Can’t Say’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘When You Get A Little Lonely’ (Phantom Hill Records, 1995).
Ronna Reeves recorded Bob Regan’s ‘After The Dance’, which was co-written with A.J. Masters (Wednesday 20 December 1950 – Monday 12 January 2015) and Tommy Rocco, and included the track on ‘After The Dance’ (Polygram Records, 1995).
Lisa Brokop recorded Bob Regan’s ‘She Can’t Save Him’ (co-written with Liz Hengber) and included the track on ‘Lisa Brokop’ (Patriot Records / Liberty Records, 1996); the track reached No.63 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995, and No.55 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995.
Steve Azar recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Someday’, which was co-written with Steve Azar and A.J. Masters (Wednesday 20 December 1950 – Monday 12 January 2015), and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996).
Steve Azar recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Dreams of A Dancer’, which was co-written with Steve Azar and A.J. Masters (Wednesday 20 December 1950 – Monday 12 January 2015), and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996).
Steve Azar’s recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Heartbreak Town’ (co-written with Roger Murrah and Steve Azar) and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996).
Steve Azar recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Nights Like This’ (co-written with Steve Azar) and included the track on ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996).
Personnel involved in the recording of Steve Azar’s ‘Heartbreak Town’ (River North Nashville, 1996) included the following:
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Glen Duncan (guitar)
Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Sonny Garrish (pedal steel guitar)
Greg Leisz (electric guitar, lap steel guitar, pedal steel guitar)
Brent Mason (electric guitar)
A.J. Masters (Wednesday 20 December 1950 – Monday 12 January 2015) (acoustic guitar, bass guitar, background vocals)
Steve Nathan (piano, Hammond B-3 organ)
Johnny Neal (piano)
Bob Regan (electric guitar)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass guitar)
Brent Rowan (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
John Wesley Ryles (background vocals)
Rick Trevino recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Running Out of Reasons To Run’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Learning As You Go’ (Sony Music, 1996).
Suzy Bogguss recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Let’s Get Real’ (co-written with Billy Spencer) and included the track on ‘Give Me Some Wheels’ (Liberty Records, 1996).
Ty England recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Backslider’s Prayer’ (co-written with Mark D. Sanders) and included the track on ‘Two Ways To Fall’ (RCA Records, 1996).
Billy Dean recorded Bob Regan’s ‘The Mountain Moved’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘It’s What I Do’ (Capitol Records, 1996).
Clay Walker recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Heart Over Head Over Heels’ (co-written with Jeff Penning) and included the track on ‘Rumor Has It’ (Giant Records, 1997).
James Bonamy recorded Bob Regan’s ‘The Swing’ (co-written with Robert Ellis Orrall) and included the track on ‘Roots & Wings’ (Epic Records, 1997); the track reached No.31 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
Keith Urban recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Your Everything’ (co-written with Chris Lindsey) and included the track on ‘Keith Urban’ (Giant Records, 1997).
Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘The Stone’, which was co-written with Danny ‘Bear’ Mayo (Monday 2 October 1950 – Saturday 2 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Butterfly Kisses’ (Curb Records, 1997).
Regina Regina (Regina Nicks & Regina Leigh) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘More Than I Wanted To Know’ (co-written with Michael Noble) and included the track on ‘Regina Regina’ (Giant Records, 1997); the track reached No.53 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
Kevin Sharp (Thursday 10 December 1970 – Saturday 19 April 2014) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Kiss The Girl’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Love Is’ (Asylum Records, 1998).
Kevin Sharp (Thursday 10 December 1970 – Saturday 19 April 2014) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Typical’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Love Is’ (Asylum Records, 1998).
Wade Hayes recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Tore Up From The Floor Up’ (co-written with J.B. Rudd) and included the track on ‘When The Wrong One Loves You Right’ (Columbia Records, 1998); the track reached No.57 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1999.
Rhett Akins recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Not In The Cards’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘What Living’s All About’ (Decca Records, 1998).
Lisa Brokop recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Rain On The River’, which was co-written with Lisa Brokop and Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004), and included the track on ‘When You Get To Be You’ (Columbia Records, 1998).
Lisa Brokop recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Ain’t Enough Roses’, which was co-written with Lisa Brokop and Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004), and included the track on ‘When You Get To Be You’ (Columbia Records, 1998); this track reached No.65 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1999.
Diamond Rio recorded Bob Regan’s ‘What More Do You Want From Me’ (co-written with Mark D. Sanders) and included the track on ‘Unbelievable’ (Arista Records, 1998).
BR5-49 recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Hurtin’ Song’ (co-written with Keith Sewell) and included the track on ‘Big Backyard Beat Show’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1998).
Mark Wills recorded Bob Regan’s ‘It’s Working’ (co-written with Max T. Barnes) and included the track on ‘Wish You Were Here’ (Mercury Records, 1998).
Terri Clark recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Every Time I Cry’ (co-written with Karen Staley) and included the track on ‘How I Feel’ (Mercury Nashville, 1998); the track reached No.12 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1999.
Billy Ray Cyrus recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Busy Man’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Shot Full of Love’ (Mercury Nashville, 1998), which was produced by John Kelton and Keith Stegall; the track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1999.
Randy Travis recorded Bob Regan’s ‘The Family Bible & The Farmer’s Almanac’ (co-written with Lee Thomas Miller) and included the track on ‘A Man Ain’t Made of Stone’ (DreamWorks Nashville Records, 1999).
Shane Minor recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Tell Me Now’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Shane Minor’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 1999).
Ty Herndon recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Steam’ (co-written with Lewis Anderson) and included the track on ‘Steam’ (Sony Records, 1999); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1999.
Mark Wills recorded Bob Regan’s ‘I Want To Know (Everything There Is To Know About You)’ (co-written with Lewis Anderson) and included the track on ‘Permanently’ (Mercury Records, 2000); the track reached No.33 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2000.
Collin Raye recorded Bob Regan’s ‘You Will Always Be Mine’ (co-written with Chris Lindsey) and included the track on ‘Tracks’ (Epic Records, 2000).
Billy Gilman recorded Bob Regan’s ‘I Think She Likes Me’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘One Voice’ (Epic Records, 2000); the track was produced by Don Cook and Blake Chancey.
Billy Gilman recorded Bob Regan’s ‘The Woman In My Life’ (co-written with Don Cook and Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘dare To Dream’ (Epic Records, 2001).
Emerson Drive recorded Bob Regan’s ‘How Lucky I Am’ (co-written with Chris Lindsey) and included the track on ‘Emerson Drive’ (DreamWorks Records, 2002).
Chad Brock recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Livin’ In Las Vegas’, which was co-written with Sam Hogan (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Phil Barnhart, and included the track on ‘III’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2001).
From 2003 until 2006, Bob Regan served three terms as President of NSAI’s Board of Directors. As NSAI’s President, Bob Regan lobbied with NSAI in Washington, D.C. and was instrumental in NSAI’s introducing the Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act.
Under Bob Regan’s stewardship, NSAI purchased Music Mill, the organisation’s first permanent headquarters on Music Row in Nashville. Bob Regan is the current legislative director of the NSAI and a writer for Woody Bomar’s new company, Green Hills Music Group.
Jimmy Wayne recorded Bob Regan’s ‘She Runs’ (co-written with Phil Barnhart and Kevin Paige) and included the track on ‘Jimmy Wayne’ (DreamWorks Records, 2003).
Jimmy Wayne recorded Bob Regan’s ‘The Rabbit’ (co-written with Jimmy Wayne) and included the track on ‘Jimmy Wayne’ (DreamWorks Records, 2003).
Jessica Andrews recorded Bob Regan’s ‘I Bring It To You’ (co-written with Phil Barnhart and Kevin Paige) and included the track on ‘Now’ (DreamWorks Records, 2003).
Mark Chesnutt recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Somebody Save The Honky Tonks’ (co-written with Jimmy Ritchey and Mark Chesnutt) and included the track on ‘Savin’ The Honky Tonks’ (Vivaton Records, 2004).
Mark Chesnutt recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Then We Can All Go Home’ (co-written with Jimmy Ritchey) and included the track on ‘Savin’ The Honky Tonks’ (Vivaton Records, 2004).
Tracy Lawrence recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Strong’ (co-written with Jimmy Ritchey) and included the track on ‘Strong’ (DreamWorks Records, 2004).
Gene Watson re-recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Only Yesterday’ and included the track on ‘Gene Watson: Then & Now‘ (Koch Records Nashville, 2005); the original version of this track was recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).
Jake Owen recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Something About A Woman’ (co-written with Jake Owen and Jimmy Ritchey) and included the track on ‘Startin’ With Me’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2006); the track reached No.15 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2006.
Luke Bryan recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Pray About Everything’ (co-written with Jeff Stevens) and included the track on ‘I’ll Stay Me’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2007).
Reba McEntire recorded Bob Regan’s ‘She Can’t Save Him’ (co-written with Liz Hengber) and included the track on ‘Duets’ (United States: MCA Records, 2007 / England: Hump Head Country Records, 2007); this track was a duet with Trisha Yearwood.
Randy Travis recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Dig Two Graves’ (co-written with Ashley Gorley) and included the track on ‘Around The Bend’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2008); the track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2008, but did not chart, was nominated as ‘Best Country Song’ at the 51st Grammy Awards.
In 2009, Bob Regan was nominated for a Grammy Award for ‘Country Song of The Year’ for Randy Travis‘ recording of ‘Dig Two Graves’.
Mark Chesnutt recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Things To Do In Wichita’ (co-written with Jimmy Ritchey) and included the track on ‘Rollin’ With The Flow’ (Lofton Creek Records, 2008).
Mark Chesnutt recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Going On Later On’ (co-written with Jimmy Ritchey) and included the track on ‘Rollin’ With The Flow’ (Lofton Creek Records, 2008).
Jimmy Wayne recorded Bob Regan’s ‘I’ll Be That’ (co-written with Jimmy Wayne and Kevin Paige) and included the track on ‘Do You Believe Me Now’ (Valory Music Group Records, 2008).
Jimmy Wayne recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Just Look At You’ (co-written with Jimmy Wayne) and included the track on ‘Sara Smile’ (Valory Music Group Records, 2009).
Bomshel (Buffy ‘Buf’ Lawson & Kristy Osmunson) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Fight Like A Girl’ (co-written with Kelly Shepard and Kristy Osmunson) and included the track on ‘Fight Like A Girl’ (Curb Records, 2009); the track, which reached No.30 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in August 2009, has been used as a theme song for several breast cancer organisations.
Bomshel (Buffy ‘Buf’ Lawson & Kristy Osmunson) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Just This Way’ (co-written with Kelly Shepard and Kristy Osmunson) and included the track on ‘Fight Like A Girl’ (Curb Records, 2009).
Bomshel (Buffy ‘Buf’ Lawson & Kristy Osmunson) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Love Me For Me’ (co-written with Kelly Shepard and Kristy Osmunson) and included the track on ‘Fight Like A Girl’ (Curb Records, 2009).
Bomshel (Buffy ‘Buf’ Lawson & Kristy Osmunson) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘You’ (co-written with Kelly Shepard and Kristy Osmunson) and included the track on ‘Fight Like A Girl’ (Curb Records, 2009).
Bomshel (Buffy ‘Buf’ Lawson & Kristy Osmunson) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Thank You’ (co-written with Kelly Shepard and Kristy Osmunson) and included the track on ‘Fight Like A Girl’ (Curb Records, 2009).
Jake Owen recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Green Bananas’ (co-written with Jake Owen and Jimmy Ritchey) and included the track on ‘Easy Does It’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2009).
Jake Owen recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Anything For You’ (co-written with Jake Owen and Jimmy Ritchey) and included the track on ‘Easy Does It’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2009).
Rodney Atkins recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Tips’ (co-written with Rodney Atkins and Tim Hewitt) and included the track on ‘Take A Back Road’ (Curb Records, 2011).
Lorrie Morgan & Pam Tillis recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Ain’t Enough Roses’, which was co-written with Lisa Brokop and Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004), and included the track on ‘Dos Divas’ (Red River Entertainment, 2013).
Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017) recorded Bob Regan’s ‘Working Man’s Son’ (co-written with Jim Collins) and included the track on ‘Reflections’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2014).
George Strait recorded Bob Regan’s ‘It Takes All Kinds’ (co-written with George Strait, Bubba Strait and Wil Nance) and included the track on ‘Cold Beer Conversation’ (MCA Records, 2015).
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