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 Billy Troy, which he submitted to this site on Friday 6 October 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Billy Troy who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Billy Troy
This quote was submitted on Friday 6 October 2006.
‘It’s an honour for me to have had six songs, that I’ve written, to be recorded by Gene.
I consider him a mentor and a friend.
There are singers, good singers, great singers and then there’s Gene Watson’
Thank you, Billy Troy, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Billy Troy…
Billy Troy has made numerous appearances on The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and is considered one of the inside talents of country music.
As a songwriter, Billy Troy’s songs have been recorded by a number of artists, including Gene Watson, David Frizzell, Janie Fricke and Terri Gibbs.
Billy Troy’s voice and style have been compared repeatedly to Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) and he commands the respect of his peers and Nashville insiders.
In 1971, Billy Troy saw the release of a non-album single, ‘Isn’t It Lonely Together’ (written by Ray Stevens), which was released by Barnaby Records and produced by Ed Read.
In 1981, Billy Troy saw the release of ‘First Time Out’ (CMH Records, 1981), which was produced by Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 – Tuesday 17 April 2018), and included the following tracks:
‘Wait A Minute’ (written by Herb Pedersen)
‘Bring You Back To Me’ (written by B. House and Jim Rushing)
‘She’s A Woman Now’ (written by F. Hardwick)
‘Out of My Mind’ (written by J. Sloas and R.A. Johnson)
‘First Time Out’, which was written by Billy Troy and Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 – Tuesday 17 April 2018)
‘Lonely Days’ (written by B.K. Thomas and R.A. Johnson)
‘No One Can Ever Love You (Like I Do)’ (written by Billy Troy and R. Graves)
‘Harvest Home’ (written by Herb Pedersen and N. Pedersen)
‘I Thought She’d Never Leave’ (written by Dave Lindsey)
‘I Can Make It On My Own’ (written by David Chamberlin)
‘First Time Out’, which was written by Billy Troy and Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 – Tuesday 17 April 2018) (reprise)
Personnel involved in the recording of Billy Troy’s ‘First Time Out’ (CMH Records, 1981) included the following:
Gary Scruggs (bass, harmonica)
Clyde Brooks (drums, percussion)
Rich Cannata (flute, saxophone)
Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 – Tuesday 17 April 2018) (guitar)
Bobby Ogden (piano)
Gene O’Neal (steel guitar)
Bobby Emmons (synthesizer)
Billy Troy (vocals)
Saundra Steele (vocal accompaniment)
In 1988, Josh Graves (Tuesday 27 September 1927 – Saturday 30 September 2006) & Billy Troy saw the release of ‘Dad, The Dobro Man’ (CMH Records, 1988), which included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes’ (written by H. Haynes, K. Burns and S. Willet)
‘Cory Belle’, which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 – Thursday 11 September 1969)
‘In The Jailhouse Now’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
‘Elareeb’ (written by B. Graves and W.T. Graves)
‘She’s Loving Me Blind’ (written by B. O’Donnell and W.T. Graves)
‘Doin’ My Time’ (written by J. Skinner)
‘Come Walk With Me’ (written by B. Graves)
‘Dad, The Dobro Man’ (written by W.T. Graves)
‘All For The Love of A Girl’, which was written by Johnny Horton (Thursday 30 April 1925 – Saturday 5 November 1960)
‘Coal Field March’ (written by B. Graves and W.T. Graves)
‘Harvest of My Heart’ (written by Jim Rushing and J. Turley)
‘California Blues (Blue Yodel No.4)’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – Friday 26 May 1933)
Personnel involved in the recording of Josh Graves (Tuesday 27 September 1927 – Saturday 30 September 2006) & Billy Troy’s ‘Dad, The Dobro Man’ (CMH Records, 1988) included the following:
Josh Graves Jr. and Leon Watson (bass)
Kenny Baker (fiddle)
Danny Johnson (harmony vocals)
Eddie Adcock (lead guitar, banjo)
Josh Graves (Tuesday 27 September 1927 – Saturday 30 September 2006) (resonator guitar, lead vocals)
Billy Troy (rhythm guitar, lead vocals)
In March 1993, David Frizzell saw the release of ‘My Life Is Just A Bridge’ (BFE Records, 1993); one of the included tracks was ‘The One That Got Away’ (written by Billy Troy), which featured guest vocals from Ed Bruce (Friday 29 December 1939 – Friday 8 January 2021).
In 1995, Billy Troy & Prime Meridian saw the release of ‘Billy Troy & Prime Meridian’ (BMG Records, 1995), which was produced By Billy Troy; the executive producers were Bruce Miller and John Brack.
In 1997, Billy Troy saw the release of ‘Feel The Beat’ (JABBA Records, 1997), which was produced By Billy Troy; the executive producer was John Brack.
Tim Graves recorded Billy Troy’s ‘Someone’s Child’ (co-written with Lee Bach) and included the track on ‘Walking On New Grass’ (Pinecastle Records, 1997); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘A Way to Survive‘ (Step One Records, 1997).
Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) recorded Billy Troy’s ‘All Hat, No Cattle’ (co-written with Lee Bach and Leroy Anderson), and included the track on ‘The Cowgirl Way’ (Showboat Records, 2000).
Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 December 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) recorded Billy Troy’s ‘Who Needs You’ and included the track on ‘The Selfishness In Man’ (OMS Records, 2000).
On Tuesday 16 May 2000, Billy Troy saw the release of his acclaimed, ‘Broken Moon’ (OMS Records, 2000), on which he was joined by a number of country music and Bluegrass music luminaries, including Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 – Tuesday 17 April 2018), Rosie Flores, Sam Bush, David Frizzell, Jeff Hanna (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), The Whites, and his father, the legendary Dobro player, Josh Graves (who sadly passed away on Saturday 30 September 2006).
Billy Troy’s ‘Broken Moon’ (OMS Records, 2000) included the following tracks:
‘That’s What You Get For Leavin’ Me’ (written by Billy Troy)
‘When There’s Not A Tear Left To My Name’ (written by Billy Troy and Bennie Boling)
‘Broken Moon’ (written by Billy Troy)
‘Shy Ann’ (written by Billy Troy)
‘Lonelyville’ (written by Buddy Hyatt)
‘Workin’ Like A Mother’ (written by Billy Troy)
‘If I Could Be The One You Love’ (written by Billy Troy)
‘The Beat Goes On’ (written by Billy Troy)
‘Back On My Knees’ (written by Billy Troy) / this track featured guest vocals from David Frizzell
‘Every Night’ (written by Paul McCartney)
‘I Can Do That’ (written by Billy Troy)
‘Full Moon, Half Heart’ (written by Billy Troy)
‘I Am An Island’
Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 August 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) recorded Billy Troy’s ‘Borrowed Angel’, which was co-written with Lee Bach and Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 – Tuesday 17 April 2018), and included the track on ‘Where I Come From’ (OMS Records, 2002).
Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 August 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) recorded Billy Troy’s ‘South Pa’ (co-written with Lee Bach) and included the track on ‘Where I Come From’ (OMS Records, 2002).
Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 August 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) recorded Billy Troy’s ‘Watch Old Memories Burn’ and included the track on ‘Where I Come From’ (OMS Records, 2002).
Over the course of his extraordinary country music career, Gene Watson has recorded six of Billy Troy’s compositions:
Gene Watson recorded Billy Troy’s ‘That’s When You Know It’s Over’ (co-written with Bob O’Donnell) and included the track on ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984).
Gene Watson recorded Billy Troy’s ‘The Ballad of Richard Lindsey’ (co-written with Bob O’Donnell) and included the track on ‘Little by Little‘ (MCA Records, 1984).
Gene Watson recorded Billy Troy’s ‘She Has No Memory of Me’, which was co-written with Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 – Tuesday 17 April 2018) and included the track on ‘Little by Little‘ (MCA Records, 1984).
Gene Watson recorded Billy Troy’s ‘When There’s Not A Tear Left To My Name’ (co-written with Bennie Boling) and included the track on ‘A Way to Survive‘ (Step One Records, 1997).
Gene Watson recorded Billy Troy’s ‘Someone’s Child’ (co-written with Lee Bach) and included on ‘A Way to Survive‘ (Step One Records, 1997).
Gene Watson recorded Billy Troy’s ‘All Hat, No Cattle’ (co-written with Lee Bach and Leroy Anderson) and included the track on ‘A Way to Survive‘ (Step One Records, 1997).
Tony Booth recorded Billy Troy’s ‘You Look Like Someone That Used To Love Me’, which was co-written with Glenn Sutton (Tuesday 28 September 1937 – Tuesday 17 April 2007), and included the track on ‘Is This All There Is To A Honky Tonk’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2008).
• Visit Billy Troy’s official site at billytroymusic.com