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 2007, 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 Hal Ketchum, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 27 May 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Hal Ketchum who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Hal Ketchum
This quote was submitted on Sunday 27 May 2007.
‘Gene has one of the most wonderful voices in country music.
I’ve been a huge fan and his music is an inspiration to my career.
Thank you, Gene.
Your friend,
Hal Ketchum’
Thank you, Hal Ketchum, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Hal Ketchum…
Hal Ketchum was born Hal Michael Ketchum in Greenwich, New York on Thursday 9 April 1953.
Hal Ketchum had a younger sister called Janie, who was also a singer / songwriter, and an older brother called Frank.
Music played a big part in Hal Ketchum’s upbringing; his father Frank played with a high school band, his grandfather was a concert violinist and his mother Janet played the Hawaiian guitar.
Hal Ketchum’s mother, Janet, was his greatest influence; she was a great singer and would sing around the family home every day.
In 1963, Janet was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), and died of complications of the disease in 1986.
As a teenager, Hal Ketchum and his Dad Frank played in a bluegrass band. When he was fifteen years old, Hal Ketchum began performing in clubs with a local rhythm & blues trio.
When he was seventeen years old, Hal Ketchum moved to the west coast of Florida and started doing carpentry work.
In 1981, Hal Ketchum moved to Austin, Texas where he lived close to Gruene Hall and where he discovered singer / songwriters Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.
The move to Austin, Texas influenced Hal Ketchum to try his hand at singing and songwriting and, by 1985, he was playing at small Texas clubs.
In 1986, after making the trip to Nashville, Hal Ketchum recorded eleven of his self-penned songs under his full name, Hal Michael Ketchum, and saw the tracks included on an independent album, ‘Threadbare Alibis’ (Watermelon Records, 1987), an album which cost $9,000 to record, the masters of which remained under Hal Ketchum’s bed for two years.
Hal Ketchum’s independent album, ‘Threadbare Alibis’ (Watermelon Records, 1987), included the following tracks:
‘Twenty Years’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Someplace Far Away’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Sawmill Song’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Bobbie’s Song’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Better Left Unsaid’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Morning Side of Dawn’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Belgian Team’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Black Burning Air’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Came Down To Ride’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Naomi’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
In 1991, Hal Ketchum moved to Nashville and signed a record deal with Curb Records.
On Tuesday 7 May 1991, Hal Ketchum saw the release of his first major-label album, ‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (Curb Records, 1991), which was produced by Allen Reynolds and Jim Rooney, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Small Town Saturday Night’ (written by Pat Alger and Hank DeVito) (No.2, 1991)
‘I Know Where Love Lives’ (written by Hal Ketchum) (No.13, 1991)
‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (written by Mick Hanly) (No.2, 1992)
Mick Hanly recorded ‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (written by Mick Hanly) and included the track on ‘All I Remember’ (Round Tower Records, 1989).
Mary Black recorded ‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (written by Mick Hanly) and included the track on ‘No Frontiers’ (Gifthorse Records, 1989).
The Chicks recorded ‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (written by Mick Hanly) and included the track on ‘Little Ol’ Cowgirl’ (Crystal Clear Sound Records, 1992).
‘Five O’Clock World’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.16, 1992)
Hal Ketchum’s first major-label album, ‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (Curb Records, 1991), also included the following tracks:
‘Old Soldiers’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Dave Mallett)
‘Somebody’s Love’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Pat Alger)
‘I Miss My Mary’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Don’t Strike A Match (To The Book of Love)’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Pat Alger)
‘Long Day Comin’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Gary Burr)
‘She Found The Place’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
Personnel involved in the recording of Hal Ketchum’s first major-label album, ‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (Curb Records, 1991), included the following:
Richard Bennett (acoustic guitar)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar)
Gary Burr, Dave Francis, Kathy Mattea and Allen Reynolds (background vocals)
Hal Ketchum (lead vocals, background vocals, acoustic guitar)
Chris Leuzinger (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Will Smith (autoharp)
Pete Wasner (keyboards)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
Hal Ketchum’s first major-label album, ‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (Curb Records, 1991), reached No.6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991, No.45 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1991, and No.2 on the Billboard Top Heat-Seekers Chart in 1991.
Trisha Yearwood recorded Hal Ketchum’s ‘Fools Like Me’ (co-written with Kostas) and included the track on ‘Trisha Yearwood’ (MCA Records, 1991).
On Tuesday 22 September 1992, Hal Ketchum saw the release of ‘Sure Love’ (Curb Records, 1992), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Sure Love’ (written by Gary Burr and Hal Ketchum) (No.3, 1992)
‘Hearts Are Gonna Roll’, which was written by Hal Ketchum and Ronny Scaife (1947 – Wednesday 3 November 2010) (No.2, 1993)
‘Mama Knows The Highway’ (written by Pete Wasner and Charles John Quarto) (No.8, 1993)
‘Someplace Far Away’ (written by Hal Ketchum) (No.24, 1993) / this track was re-titled ‘Someplace Far Away (Careful What You’re Dreaming)’, upon release to American country music radio
Hal Ketchum’s ‘Sure Love’ (Curb Records, 1992) also included the following tracks:
‘You Lovin’ Me’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Softer Than A Whisper’ (written by Pat Alger and Austin Cunningham)
‘Ghost Town’ (written by Pete Wasner and Charles John Quarto)
‘Daddy’s Oldsmobile’ (written by Hal Ketchum and David Mallett)
‘Til The Coast Is Clear’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Fred Koller)
‘Trail of Tears’ (written by Randy Handley)
Personnel involved in the recording of Hal Ketchum’s ‘Sure Love’ (Curb Records, 1992) included the following:
Richard Bennett (acoustic guitar)
Gary Burr, Keith Carper, Scott Neubert, Debbie Nims and Trisha Yearwood (background vocals)
Bruce C. Bouton (pedal steel guitar)
Stuart Duncan (mandolin)
Kirk ‘Jelly Roll’ Johnson (harmonica)
Chris Leuzinger (electric guitar, slide guitar, acoustic guitar)
Bill Miller (Woodland Indian courtship flute)
Joey Miskulin (accordion)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Pete Wasner (keyboards)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
Hal Ketchum’s ‘Sure Love’ (Curb Records, 1992) reached No.36 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1992, No.151 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1992, and No.21 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1992.
Michael Martin Murphey recorded Hal Ketchum’s ‘Frank James’ Farewell’ (co-written with Gary Burr) and included the track on ‘Cowboy Songs III: Rhymes of The Renegades’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1993); the track featured guest vocals from Hal Ketchum.
In July 1993, Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) saw the release of ‘My Six Latest & Six Greatest’ (Honest Entertainment Records, 1993); one of the included tracks was ‘For Today’ (written by David Slater and Jack White), a newly recorded track, which featured guest vocals from Hal Ketchum.
In July 1993, Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) saw the release of ‘My Six Latest & Six Greatest’ (Honest Entertainment Records, 1993); one of the included tracks was ‘I Came Straight To You’ (written by John Jarvis and Kevin Welch), a newly recorded track, which featured guest vocals from Hal Ketchum.
On Saturday 22 January 1994, Hal Ketchum achieved a career highlight when he was inducted, as the 71st member, into The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Hal Ketchum was joined on stage that night by Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 – Thursday 17 March 2011) and the two of them sang ‘Wings of A Dove’, which was written by Bob Ferguson (Friday 30 December 1927 – Sunday 22 July 2001).
The original version of ‘Wings of A Dove’ was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart, for Ferlin Husky, for eight non-consecutive weeks in November 1960 – January 1961 (seven weeks), and February 1961 (one week).
On Tuesday 31 May 1994, Hal Ketchum saw the release of ‘Every Little Word’ (MCG / Curb Records, 1994), which was produced by Allen Reynolds and Jim Rooney, and included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘(Tonight We Just Might) Fall In Love Again’ (written by Al Anderson and Hal Ketchum) (No.20, 1994)
‘That’s What I Get For Losin’ You’ (written by Al Anderson and Hal Ketchum) (No.22, 1994)
‘Stay Forever’ (written by Benmont Tench and Hal Ketchum) (No.8, 1995)
‘Every Little Word’ (written by Marcus Hummon and Hal Ketchum) (No.49, 1995)
‘Veil of Tears’ (written by Michael Noble, Jeff Pennig and Hal Ketchum) (No.56, 1995)
Hal Ketchum’s ‘Every Little Word’ (MCG / Curb Records, 1994) also included the following tracks:
‘Swing Low’ (written by Pete Wasner and Hal Ketchum)
‘Another Day Gone’ (written by Gary Nicholson and Hal Ketchum) / this track featured harmony vocals from Patty Loveless
‘Walk Away’ (written by Gary Nicholson and Hal Ketchum)
‘No Easy Road’, which was written by Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011) and Herb McCullough (Thursday 18 May 1944 – Tuesday 5 May 2015)
‘Drive On’ (written by Gary Burr and Hal Ketchum)
Personnel involved in the recording of Hal Ketchum’s ‘Every Little Word’ (MCG / Curb Records, 1994) included the following:
Sam Bacco (percussion)
Richard Bennett (acoustic guitar)
Gary Burr (harmony vocals on ‘Drive On’)
Sam Bush (mandolin)
Keith Carper and Scott Neubert (harmony vocals)
Dan Dugmore (pedal steel guitar, Dobro)
Chris Leuzinger (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Patty Loveless (harmony vocals on ‘Another Day Gone’)
Russ Pahl (Dobro on ‘Another Day Gone’, acoustic guitar on ‘Drive On’)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Pete Wasner (piano, Wurlitzer)
Bobby Wood (B3 organ, synthesizer)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
The Nashville String Machine (strings) / arrangements by Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007)
Hal Ketchum’s ‘Every Little Word’ (MCG / Curb Records, 1994) reached No.31 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1994, and reached No.146 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1994.
In May 1994, Hal Ketchum made a brief appearance in the film ‘Maverick’, which starred Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster and James Garner (Saturday 7 April 1928 – Saturday 19 July 2014); Hal Ketchum sang ‘Solitary Traveller’ on the soundtrack album.
Neil Diamond recorded Hal Ketchum’s ‘Shame’ (co-written with Neil Diamond) and included the track on ‘Tennessee Moon’ (Columbia Records, 1996); the track was a duet with Hal Ketchum.
On Tuesday 7 May 1996, Hal Ketchum saw the release of ‘The Hits’ (MCG / Curb Records, 1996), his first compilation album, which included three newly recorded songs, ‘Satisfied Mind’, ‘Wings of A Dove’ and ‘Hang In There Superman’; the full track listing was as follows:
‘Small Town Saturday Night’ (written by Pat Alger and Hank DeVito) (No.2, 1991)
‘Mama Knows The Highway’ (written by Pete Wasner and Charles John Quarto) (No.8, 1993)
‘I Know Where Love Lives’ (written by Hal Ketchum) (No.13, 1991)
‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (written by Mick Hanly) (No.2, 1992)
‘Someplace Far Away’ (written by Hal Ketchum) (No.24, 1993)
‘Sure Love’ (written by Gary Burr and Hal Ketchum) (No.3, 1992)
‘Satisfied Mind’ (written by Tony Arata) / this track was a new recording and was exclusive to this collection
‘Hang In There, Superman’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Roger Cook) / this track, which featured Delbert McClinton on harmonica, was released as a single, but it failed to chart / this track was a new recording and was exclusive to this collection
‘Five O’Clock World’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.16, 1992)
‘Hearts Are Gonna Roll’, which was written by Hal Ketchum and Ronny Scaife (1947 – Wednesday 3 November 2010) (No.2, 1993)
‘Stay Forever’ (written by Benmont Tench and Hal Ketchum) (No.8, 1995)
‘I Miss My Mary’ (written by Hal Ketchum) / this was an album track, which was originally included on Hal Ketchum’s ‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (Curb Records, 1991)
‘That’s What I Get For Losin’ You’ (written by Al Anderson and Hal Ketchum) (No.22, 1994)
‘Wings of A Dove’, which was written by Bob Ferguson (Friday 30 December 1927 – Sunday 22 July 2001) / this track was a new recording and was exclusive to this collection
Production on New Tracks
Personnel involved in the recording of the three newly recorded tracks were as follows:
‘Hang in There Superman’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Roger Cook)
Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar)
Dan Dugmore (pedal steel guitar)
Mike Leech (bass guitar)
Delbert McClinton (harmonica)
George Marinelli (electric guitar)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Bobby Wood (Wurlitzer electric piano)
The W.O. Smith Nashville Community Singers (background vocals, harmony vocals)
‘Satisfied Mind’ (written by Tony Arata)
Chris Leuzinger (electric guitar)
Russ Pahl (acoustic guitar)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Pete Wasner (piano)
Bobby Wood (organ)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
The Nashville String Machine (strings) / arrangements by Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007)
‘Wings of A Dove’, which was written by Bob Ferguson (Friday 30 December 1927 – Sunday 22 July 2001)
Richard Bennett and Scott Neubert (acoustic guitar)
Stuart Duncan (mandolin)
Chris Leuzinger (electric guitar)
Ruby Lovett (harmony vocals)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Pete Wasner (piano)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
Hal Ketchum’s ‘The Hits’ (MCG / Curb Records, 1996) reached No.43 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1996.
On Thursday 9 April 1998, (Hal Ketchum’s 45th birthday), while performing at a show in Tampa, Florida Hal Ketchum lost all feeling in his left arm. Hal Ketchum returned home to Austin, Texas where he underwent an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan and a spinal tap (lumber puncture).
Hal Ketchum’s neurologist stated that his symptoms were compatible with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Hal Ketchum was later diagnosed as suffering from ATM (acute transverse myelitis), which is a sister disease of multiple sclerosis (MS).
Hal Ketchum later lost the use of the left side of his body and had to relearn basic tasks, including how to play the guitar.
On Tuesday 19 May 1998, Hal Ketchum saw the release of ‘I Saw The Light’ (Curb Records, 1998), which included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘I Saw The Light’ (written by Todd Rundgren) (No.36, 1998)
‘When Love Looks Back At You’ (written by Jess Leary and Craig Wiseman) / this track was released as a single in 1998, but it did not chart
Hal Ketchum’s ‘I Saw The Light’ (Curb Records, 1998) also included the following tracks:
‘A Girl Like You’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Tell Me’ (written by Stephen Bruton and Hal Ketchum)
‘Long Way Down’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘You Love Me, Love Me Not’ (written by Fred Koller and Tim O’Brien)
‘A Wave of Your Hand’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘The Unforgiven’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Too Many Memories’ (written by Stephen Bruton)
‘For Tonight’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Sharon Vaughn)
‘You’ll Never Hurt That Way Again’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
Hal Ketchum’s ‘I Saw The Light’ (Curb Records, 1998) reached No.37 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1998.
On Tuesday 18 May 1999, Hal Ketchum saw the release of ‘Awaiting Redemption’ (Curb Records, 1999), which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Awaiting Redemption’ (written by Hal Ketchum) / this track was released as a single in 1999, but it did not chart
Hal Ketchum’s ‘Awaiting Redemption’ (Curb Records, 1999) also included the following tracks:
‘Days of Wonder’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Long Way Down’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘You Love Me, Love Me Not’ (written by Fred Koller and Tim O’Brien)
‘Too Many Memories’ (written by Stephen Bruton)
‘Slow Down Sunset’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Tell Me’ (written by Stephen Bruton and Hal Ketchum)
‘The Unforgiven’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘When Blue Was Just A Colour’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Turn of The Wheel’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Dear Anna Lee’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Lonely Old Me’ (written by Marcus Hummon and Hal Ketchum)
Hal Ketchum’s ‘Awaiting Redemption’ (Curb Records, 1999) did not achieve a chart placing on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1999.
On Tuesday 4 September 2001, Hal Ketchum saw the release of ‘Lucky Man’ (Curb Records, 2001), which included four tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘She Is’ (written by Hal Ketchum) (No.40, 2001)
‘Don’t Let Go’ (written by Jesse Stone) / this track was released as a single in 2001, but it did not chart
‘Two of The Lucky Ones’ (written by Jon Davis and Will Rambeaux) / this track, which featured guest vocals from Dolly Parton, was released as a single in 2001, but it did not chart
‘Richest Man In Texas’ (written by Hal Ketchum) / this track was released as a single in 2002, but it did not chart
Hal Ketchum’s ‘Lucky Man’ (Curb Records, 2001) also included the following tracks:
‘(She’s Something) You’re Everything’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘You Can’t Go Back’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘That’s How Much You Mean To Me’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Loving You Makes Me A Better Man’ (written by Rodney Crowell)
‘Dreams of Martina’ (written by Rodney Crowell)
‘She’s Still In Dallas’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Livin’ Life, Lovin’ You’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Keep Mom & Dad In Love ‘ (written by Lisa Brokop and Richard Wold)
Hal Ketchum’s ‘Lucky Man’ (Curb Records, 2001) reached No.72 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2001.
On Monday 20 January 2003, Hal Ketchum saw the release of ‘The King of Love’ (Curb Records, 2003), which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Everytime I Look In Your Eyes’ (written by Dusty Micale and Franke Previte) / this track was released as a single in 2002, but it did not chart
Hal Ketchum’s ‘The King of Love’ (Curb Records, 2003) also included the following tracks:
‘Run Loretta Run’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘As Long As You Love Me’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘The King of Love’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘On Her Own Time’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘God Makes Stars’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘The Ruby & The Rose’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Takin’ My Time’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Tim O’Brien)
‘The Way She Loves Me’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘The Carpenter’s Way’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Evangeline’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Prisoner of Love’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Too Much of Nothing’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘The Skies Over Dublin’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Angel Song’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
Hal Ketchum’s ‘The King of Love’ (Curb Records, 2003) did not achieve a chart placing on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2003.
In 2004, Hal Ketchum saw the release of ‘My Love Will Not Change’, a non-album track, which reached No.60 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart.
John Corbett recorded Hal Ketchum’s ‘Simple Man’ (co-written with Darrell Scott) and included the track on ‘John Corbett’ (Funbone Records, 2006).
On Monday 12 February 2007, Hal Ketchum saw the release, in the United Kingdom, of ‘One More Midnight’ (Asylum-Curb Records, 2007), which included the following tracks:
‘One More Midnight’
‘Just This Side of Heaven’
‘Travelin’ Teardrop Blues’
‘Save Tonight For Me’
‘Gonna Start Livin’ Again’
‘In Front of The Alamo’ / this track featured guest vocals from LeAnn Rimes
‘Poor Lila’s Ghost’
‘My Love Will Not Change’
‘Forever Mine’
‘One of The Things’
‘The Moment’
‘Little Red Dress’
‘Medal of Honour’
In April 2007, there were plans for ‘One More Midnight’ (Asylum-Curb Records, 2007) to be released in the United States, but these plans were scuttled when Curb Records decided to release, on Tuesday 6 May 2008, Hal Ketchum’s ‘Greatest Hits’ (Curb Records, 2008) instead.
On Thursday 17 May 2007, Hal Ketchum visited with Gene Watson at Curb Studio in Nashville, where Gene was recording vocal tracks for his debut Shanachie Records album, ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007), which was released in September 2007.
On Tuesday 6 May 2008, Hal Ketchum saw the release of ‘Greatest Hits’ (Curb Records, 2008), which included the following tracks:
‘Small Town Saturday Night’ (written by Pat Alger and Hank DeVito) (No.2, 1991)
‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (written by Mick Hanly) (No.2, 1992)
‘I Know Where Love Lives’ (written by Hal Ketchum) (No.13, 1991)
‘Sure Love’ (written by Gary Burr and Hal Ketchum) (No.3, 1992)
‘Hearts Are Gonna Roll’, which was written by Hal Ketchum and Ronny Scaife (1947 – Wednesday 3 November 2010) (No.2, 1993)
‘Stay Forever’ (written by Benmont Tench and Hal Ketchum) (No.8, 1995)
‘Mama Knows The Highway’ (written by Pete Wasner and Charles John Quarto) (No.8, 1993)
‘Five O’Clock World’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.16, 1992)
‘Someplace Far Away’ (written by Hal Ketchum) (No.24, 1993)
‘She Is’ (written by Hal Ketchum) (No.40, 2001)
On Tuesday 9 September 2008, Hal Ketchum saw the release of ‘Father Time’ (Asylum-Curb Records, 2008), which was recorded in Curb Studios in Nashville, and included the following tracks:
‘Invisible’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Gary Nicholson)
‘Yesterday’s Gone’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Millionaire’s Wife’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Million Dollar Baby’ (written by Hal Ketchum, Charlie Kelly and Lynmarie Rink)
‘Ordinary Day’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Darrell Scott)
‘Continental Farewell’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Jim Reilly)
‘Surrounded By Love’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘The Day He Called Your Name’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘The Preacher & Me’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘If You Don’t Love Me, Baby (Just Let Me Go)’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Al Anderson)
‘Sparrow’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Down Along The Guadalupe’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Jersey Girl’ (written by Tom Waits)
‘Strangest Dreams’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Rivers Rutherford)
Hal Ketchum’s ‘Father Time’ (Asylum-Curb Records, 2008) failed to enter any Billboard chart, or an International chart, and no singles were released from the album.
Michael Martin Murphey recorded Hal Ketchum’s ‘Frank James’ Farewell’ (co-written with Gary Burr) and included the track on ‘Tall Grass & Cool Water: Cowboy Songs VI & Buckaroo Blue Grass III’ (Rural Rhythm Records, 2011); the track featured guest vocals from Hal Ketchum.
On Tuesday 7 October 2014, Hal Ketchum saw the release of ‘I’m The Troubadour’ (Music Road Records, 2014), which included the following tracks:
‘Baby I’m Blue’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘I’m The Troubadour’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘You Loving Me’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘I Know Where Love Lives’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Stay Forever’ (written by Hal Ketchum and Benmont Tench)
‘Days Like This’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Drive On’ (written by Gary Burr and Hal Ketchum)
‘The Saddle’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘I Shall Remain’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Devil Moon’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Sweet Loreen’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Lord, Help Me Please’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Midnight Works For Me’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘Chickadee’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
‘New Mexican Rain’ (written by Hal Ketchum)
Hal Ketchum’s ‘I’m The Troubadour’ (Music Road Records, 2014), which was his first release with Music Road Records and his first album release in six years, was a genre-defying collection of songs which pulled songs from Hal Ketchum’s diverse influences, including blues, rock music and soul.
In a press release, Hal Ketchum stated: ‘I like to say that I’ve been successfully misunderstood for thirty years. I mean, I was a cabinetmaker from Gruene, Texas.
I got a record deal and I had a number one record out of the box, and suddenly I was a country singer.
The genre served me very well, and I’m really grateful for the opportunities that the country music world brought to me. But creatively, this record was a really beautiful departure for me. It’s really opened me up again’.
In 1998, Hal Ketchum was diagnosed with a form of multiple sclerosis (MS), which affected the movement of his left side.
For a time, Hal Ketchum’s symptoms were so bad as to prevent him from writing or performing, prompting Hal to take a few years off from music.
When he began writing again, though, Austin, Texas-based record label Music Road Records took notice and signed Hal Ketchum, allowing him the time and creative freedom he needed to complete ‘I’m The Troubadour’ (Music Road Records, 2014).
A thirty-year industry veteran, Hal Ketchum had a decorated career in country music, with over five million albums sold, fifteen Billboard Top 10 singles and a Grand Ole Opry induction under his belt.
As well as music, Hal Ketchum painted a lot and had much of his work hung on the walls of his home. Hal Ketchum also enjoyed carpentry and constructed the crib for his daughter, Ruby Joy.
On Sunday 14 April 2019, in a Facebook post, Hal Ketchum’s wife, Andrea, revealed that Hal was living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Andrea explained that she, her husband and their family had decided to share Hal Ketchum’s diagnosis because fans have been wondering why he had no future scheduled tour dates, and were speculating about the reason for the lack of upcoming shows.
Andrea stated that her husband had been living with Alzheimer’s and dementia ‘for some time now’, but continued performing ‘because of his love for his fans…as long as it was possible’
‘Dementia is an exhausting and confusing illness, and now it’s time for Hal to stay home with loved ones’, Andrea stated. ‘Hal is otherwise healthy and happy, enjoying time with his family and friends’
Andrea shared that Hal Ketchum and his family were appreciative of fans’ love for the artist, and grateful to the musicians who had performed with Hal Ketchum throughout his career. Andrea specifically called out guitarist Kenny Grimes, ‘without whom this last year of shows would not have been possible’
Although Hal Ketchum was dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia, Andrea stated that she would continue to read fans’ Facebook comments to Hal and would keep checking in via social media.
Thursday 9 April 1953 – Monday 23 November 2020
On Tuesday 24 November 2020, in a Facebook post, Hal Ketchum’s wife, Andrea, announced that Hal had passed away the previous day (Monday 23 November 2020); Hal had been living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
‘With great sadness and grief, we announce that Hal passed away peacefully last night at home due to complications of dementia.
May his music live on forever in your hearts and bring you peace.
Andrea’
• Visit Hal Ketchum’s official site at halketchum.com