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 Tom Ghent, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 19 November 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Tom Ghent who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Tom Ghent
This quote was submitted on Sunday 19 November 2006.
‘Ah yes, Gene Watson.
I remember well the day, several years ago, when we gathered at Cowboy Jack Clement’s studio to witness the recording of Gene’s album, ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978) – Cowboy Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 – Thursday 8 August 2013).
Gene’s performance of ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), dramatically exceeded the melodic content presented by the demo of the song.
When Gene hit that famous high note at the conclusion of the song, everyone in the studio had their mouth hanging open in amazement.
I recently saw Gene on ‘The Legends Series’ TV broadcast hosted by Ralph Emery. He still has that same velvety smooth vocal prowess that he had back then.
It is good to know that he still has fans like you to enjoy his artistry’.
Thank you, Tom Ghent, for your support of Gene Watson.
Tom Ghent began his career in country music at the age of fifteen when he ran away to New York, where he became involved in many areas of the music business.
As a musician, Tom Ghent has played lead guitar for Mickey Newbury (Sunday 19 May 1940 – Sunday 29 September 2002), appeared as a background vocalist on Joan Baez’ ‘The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down’ and Steve Goodman’s ‘City of New Orleans’ – Steve Goodman (Sunday 25 July 1948 – Thursday 20 September 1984).
Tom Ghent has recorded a number of albums, including ‘Tom Ghent’ on Tetragrammaton Records, ‘Yankee’s Rebel Son’ on Kapp Records / MCA Records and ‘All Strings Attached’ on Sutherland Records, the latter record label is his own.
In 1970, Tom Ghent sang ‘Hey Ned’ on the soundtrack album for the movie, ‘Ned Kelly’, which was directed by Tony Richardson (Tuesday 5 June 1928 – Thursday 14 November 1991) and which starred Mick Jagger; the soundtrack album also featured music from Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024), Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) and Mick Jagger.
Nat Stuckey (Sunday 17 December 1933 – Wednesday 24 August 1988) recorded Tom Ghent’s ‘Whiskey, Whiskey’ and included the track on ‘Country Fever’ (RCA Victor Records, 1970).
• Ann M. Stuckey submitted a ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson on Saturday 25 January 2014
Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024) recorded Tom Ghent’s ‘Whiskey, Whiskey’ and included the track on ‘Live at The Philharmonic’ (Monument Records, 1992), a ‘live’ album, which was recorded at Philharmonic Hall in New York City on Saturday 2 December 1972.
Guest artists on Kris Kristofferson’s ‘Live at The Philharmonic’ (Monument Records, 1992) included Willie Nelson, who was a little-known personality in country music at the time (in 1972), Rita Coolidge, Kris Kristofferson’s future wife (they were married to each other between 1973 and 1980), and Larry Gatlin, whose career was in its starting phases.
Rita Coolidge recorded Tom Ghent’s ‘Whiskey, Whiskey’ and included the track on ‘The Lady’s Not For Sale’ (A&M Records, 1973).
Gene Watson recorded Tom Ghent’s ‘When My World Left Town’ (co-written with R. Paul) and included the track on ‘Because You Believed in Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976).
On Monday 26 September 2005, England’s Hux Records released Gene Watson‘s ‘Because You Believed in Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976), along with Gene Watson‘s ‘Beautiful Country‘ (Capitol Records, 1977), as a special 2-for-1 CD set.
Gene Watson recorded Tom Ghent’s ‘Take Off Them Shoes’ (co-written with Joe Dougherty) and included the track on ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978).
On Monday 26 January 2009, England’s Hux Records released Gene Watson‘s ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978), along with Gene Watson‘s ‘Should I Come Home‘ (Capitol Records, 1979), as a special 2-for-1 CD set.
Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024) recorded Tom Ghent’s ‘Whiskey Whiskey’ and included the track on ‘Shake Hands with The Devil’ (Monument Records, 1979).
Bobby Bare recorded Tom Ghent’s ‘Easy as Dreaming’ and included the track on ‘Drinkin’ From The Bottle’ (Columbia Records, 1983).
Tom Ghent’s performances have taken him from the coffeehouses of the Greenwich Village folk scene, to country music honky tonks, to the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Big Sur Folk Festival, Monterey Pop Festival and Willie Nelson’s Picnic and The Hollywood Bowl.
Tom Ghent’s brainchild, Sutherland Records, was originally founded in 1983 as a vehicle for his self-produced ‘All Strings Attached’ album; the roster later included artists including Jerry Merrick and Justin Devereaux.
On Friday 27 April 2018, at 7:00pm, Tom Ghent was honoured as an inductee into Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.
The event, which featured a performance by Tom Ghent, took place at POP! Emporium of Popular Culture, 219 Park Street, Providence, Rhode Island.
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