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 Harley Allen, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 24 June 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Harley Allen who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Harley Allen
This quote was submitted on Sunday 24 June 2007.
‘Gene Watson is still one of the top five best country singers of all time’
Thank you, Harley Allen, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Harley Allen…
Harley Allen was born in Dayton, Ohio on Monday 23 January 1956 and his background was that of bluegrass music.
Harley Allen and his brothers toured and recorded as The Allen Brothers. Harley Allen’s father, Red Allen (Wednesday 12 February 1930 – Saturday 3 April 1993), was not only one of the great lead voices in bluegrass music, but also sang the low harmony part on some of the finest trios ever recorded with The Osbourne Brothers, including ‘Once More’ and ‘My Destiny’.
Red Allen (Wednesday 12 February 1930 – Saturday 3 April 1993) was clearly an influence on Harley Allen’s singing, but also gave him his initial inspiration to write songs at an early age.
By the time Harley Allen was in his late teens, his gift of song-writing started to take shape and he began building what would become a gigantic catalogue of songs.
Harley Allen listened to some of the great songwriters and singers in country music, including Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) and Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021), and found kindred spirits in these performers.
Harley Allen’s move to Nashville’s Music Row from his home in Dayton, Ohio was a very natural one for him and his song-writing talent earned him an immediate staff writing position at Ten Ten Music Group.
Harley Allen’s acclaimed songs have been recorded by a number of important artists within the country music genre.
Alan Jackson recorded Harley Allen’s ‘The Angels Cried’ (co-written with Debbie Nims) and included the track on ‘A Honky Tonk Christmas’ (Arista Records, 1993); the track featured guest vocals from Alison Krauss.
Rhonda Vincent recorded Harley Allen’s ‘In Your Loneliness’ and included the track on ‘Written in the Stars’ (Giant Records, 1993).
Rhonda Vincent recorded Harley Allen’s ‘When Love Arrives’ and included the track on ‘Written in The Stars’ (Giant Records, 1993).
Alan Jackson recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Who I Am’ (co-written with Mel Besher) and included the track on ‘Who I Am’ (Arista Records, 1994).
Hal Ketchum (Thursday 9 April 1953 – Monday 23 November 2020) recorded Harley Allen’s ‘No Easy Road’, which was co-written with Herb McCullough (Thursday 18 May 1944 – Tuesday 5 May 2015), and included the track on ‘Every Little Word’ (Curb Records, 1994).
Garth Brooks recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Rollin’ and included the track on ‘Fresh Horses’ (Capitol Records, 1995).
Wesley Dennis recorded Harley Allen’s ‘It Ain’t Fair’ (co-written with Mel Besher) and included the track on ‘Wesley Dennis’ (Mercury Records, 1995).
Claire Lynch recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Pee Wee & Fern’ (co-written with Mel Besher) and included the track on ‘Moonlighter’ (Rounder Records, 1995).
Ty England recorded Harley Allen’s ‘New Faces in The Fields’ (co-written with Denise Draper and Steve Hood) and included the track on ‘Ty England’ (RCA Records, 1995).
In April 1996, Harley Allen saw the release of his critically acclaimed, ‘Another River’ (Polygram Records / Mercury Records, 1996), which included the following tracks:
‘Love Ain’t Supposed To Hurt’, which was written by Harley Allen and Herb McCullough (Thursday 18 May 1944 – Tuesday 5 May 2015)
‘The Waving Girl’ (written by Harley Allen, Mel Besher and Denise Draper)
‘Another River I’d Cross’ (written by Harley Allen and Carson Chamberlain)
‘Someone To Look Up To’ (written by Harley Allen and Denise Draper)
‘Gulf Shore Line’ (written by Harley Allen, Mel Besher and Carson Chamberlain)
‘Old Love Dreamin’ (written by Harley Allen)
‘In Your Loneliness’ (written by Harley Allen)
‘Behind The Plow’ (written by Harley Allen and Carson Chamberlain)
‘Between The Devil & Me’ (written by Harley Allen and Carson Chamberlain)
‘Out of My Hands’, which was written by Harley Allen and Herb McCullough (Thursday 18 May 1944 – Tuesday 5 May 2015)
‘Boy She Did’ (written by Harley Allen and Angela Kaset)
‘New Faces in The Field’ (written by Harley Allen, Denise Draper and Steve Hood)
Sammy Kershaw recorded Harley Allen’s ‘For Years’ (co-written with Stacey Earle) and included the track on ‘Politics, Religion & Her’ (Mercury Records, 1996).
Alan Jackson recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Everything I Love’ (co-written with Carson Chamberlain) and included the track on ‘Everything I Love’ (Arista Records, 1996).
Alan Jackson recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Between The Devil & Me’ (co-written with Carson Chamberlain) and included the track on ‘Everything I Love’ (Arista Records, 1996).
Tracy Byrd recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Cowgirl’ (co-written with Shawn Camp) and included the track on ‘Big Love’ (MCA Records, 1996).
Alison Krauss & Union Station recorded Harley Allen’s ‘It Doesn’t Matter’ and included the track on ‘So Long So Wrong’ (Rounder Records, 1997).
John Wiggins & Audrey Wiggins recorded Harley Allen’s ‘The Dream’ (co-written with Clive Williams) and included the track on ‘The Dream’ (Polygram Records, 1997); the track included a 1962 recording of John & Audrey’s father, Johnny Wiggins, performing ‘Honeymoon With The Blues’, with a spoken introduction by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984).
Toni Price (Monday 13 March 1961 – Friday 22 November 2024) recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Blue Sky Lonely’, which was co-written with Herb McCullough (Thursday 18 May 1944 – Tuesday 5 May 2015), and included the track on ‘Sol Power’ (Texas Music Group / Lone Star Records, 1997).
David Parmley, Scott Vestal & Continental Divide – David Parmley (guitar, lead vocals), Scott Vestal (banjo, harmony vocals), Rickie Simpkins (Mandolin, fiddle, harmony vocals), Mike Anglin (bass guitar) and Randy Kohrs (resophonic guitar, harmony vocals) – recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Claire May’ (co-written with Tim O’Brien) and included the track on ‘Feel Good Day’ (Pinecastle Records, 1998).
Alan Jackson recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Another Good Reason’ (co-written with Carson Chamberlain) and included the track on ‘High Mileage’ (Arista Records, 1999).
Gary Allan recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Bourbon Borderline’ (co-written with John Wiggins and Jennifer Ribeau) and included the track on ‘Smoke Rings in The Dark’ (MCA Records, 1999).
Gary Allan recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Learning To Live With Me’ (co-written with Gary Burr) and included the track on ‘Smoke Rings in The Dark’ (MCA Records, 1999).
Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt & Dolly Parton recorded Harley Allen’s ‘High Sierra’ and included the track on ‘Trio II’ (Asylum Records, 1999).
Joe Brown recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Home Made Love’ (co-written with Roger Cook) and included the track on ‘On A Day Like This’ (Joe Brown Productions / Black Tower Music, 1999).
‘I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow’, which was written by Richard (Dick) Burnett (8 October 1883 – Sunday 23 January 1977), was included on the soundtrack of the movie ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou?’ (Lost Highway Records / Mercury Records, 2000); performed by the fictitious Soggy Bottom Boys in the movie, the track was recorded by Dan Tyminski, Harley Allen and (Nashville Bluegrass Band member) Pat Enright.
‘I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow’ was a hit in the movie for The Soggy Bottom Boys and later became a hit single in real life. The song received a Country Music Association (CMA) Award for ‘Single of The Year’ and a Grammy Award for ‘Best Country Collaboration With Vocals’, and peaked at No.35 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2002.
Craig Morgan recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Paradise’ (co-written with Craig Morgan) and included the track on ‘Craig Morgan’ (Atlantic Records, 2000).
Mark Wills recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Still Waiting’ and included the track on ‘Permanently’ (Mercury Nashville, 2000).
Alan Jackson recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Meat & Potato Man’ (co-written with John Pennell) and included the track on ‘When Somebody Loves You’ (Arista Records, 2000).
Alan Jackson recorded Harley Allen’s ‘I Still Love You’ and included the track on ‘When Somebody Loves You’ (Arista Records, 2000).
Alan Jackson recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Life Or Love’ (co-written with Gary Cotton) and included the track on ‘When Somebody Loves You’ (Arista Records, 2000).
Gary Allan recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Devil’s Candy’ (co-written with Carson Chamberlain) and included the track on ‘Alright Guy’ (MCA Records, 2001).
Alan Jackson recorded Harley Allen’s ‘I Slipped & Fell In Love’ (co-written with John Wiggins) and included the track on ‘Drive’ (Arista Records, 2002).
The Lonesome River Band recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Stray Dogs & Alley Cats’ and included the track on ‘Window of Time’ (Doobie Shea Records, 2002).
Darryl Worley recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Spread A Little Love Around’ (co-written with John Wiggins) and included the track on ‘I Miss My Friend’ (DreamWorks Records, 2002).
Jeff Bates recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Rainbow Man’ (co-written with Jeff Bates) and included the track on ‘Rainbow Man’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2003); the track reached No.47 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2003.
Dierks Bentley recorded Harley Allen’s ‘My Last Name’ (co-written with Dierks Bentley) and included the track on ‘Dierks Bentley’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2003); the track reached No.17 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2003.
Josh Turner recorded Harley Allen’s ‘I Had One, One Time’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘Long Black Train’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2003).
Blake Shelton recorded Harley Allen’s ‘The Baby’ (co-written with Michael White) and included the track on ‘The Dreamer’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2003), which was produced by Bobby Braddock; the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for three weeks in February / March 2003.
Gary Allan recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Tough Little Boys’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘See If I Care’ (MCA Records, 2003); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for one week in October / November 2003.
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Something I Do For Me’ (co-written with Joe Diffie) and included the track on ‘Tougher Than Nails’ (Broken Bow Records, 2004).
Blake Shelton recorded Harley Allen’s ‘When Somebody Knows You That Well’ (co-written with Jimmy Melton) and included the track on ‘Blake Shelton’s Barn & Grill’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2004), which was produced by Bobby Braddock.
Blake Shelton recorded Harley Allen’s ‘The Bartender’ and included the track on ‘Blake Shelton’s Barn & Grill’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2004), which was produced by Bobby Braddock.
Melonie Cannon saw recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Nobody Hops A Train Anymore’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on her self-titled debut album, ‘Melonie Cannon’ (Skaggs Family Records, 2004).
Joe Nichols recorded Harley Allen’s ‘If Nobody Believed In You’ and included the track on ‘Revelation’ (Universal South Records, 2004).
Darryl Worley recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Awful, Beautiful Life’ (co-written with Darryl Worley) and included the track on ‘Darryl Worley’ (DreamWorks Records, 2004); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for two weeks in January 2005.
Joe Nichols recorded Harley Allen’s ‘I’ll Wait For You’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘III’ (Universal South Records, 2005).
The Lonesome River Band recorded Harley Allen’s ‘She Changed Her Mind’ and included the track on ‘Head On Into Heartache’ (Mountain Home Records, 2005).
The Del McCoury Band recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Never Grow Up, Boy’ (co-written with Del McCoury) and included the track on ‘The Company We Keep’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2005).
The Del McCoury Band recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Keep Her While She’s There’ (co-written with Del McCoury) and included the track on ‘The Company We Keep’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2005).
Nancy Hays recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Spread A Little Love Around’ (co-written with John Wiggins) and included the track on ‘Get In Line’ (BBRD Records, 2005).
Gary Allan recorded Harley Allen’s ‘I Just Got Back From Hell’ (co-written with Gary Allan) and included the track on ‘Tough All Over’ (MCA Records, 2005).
The Grascals recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Being Me’ and included the track on ‘Long List of Heartaches’ (Rounder Records, 2006); the track featured guest vocals from Dierks Bentley.
Gene Watson recorded Harley Allen’s ‘In A Perfect World’ (co-written with Tim Menzies) and included the track on ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).
The Grascals recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Indiana’ (co-written with Jamie Johnson) and included the track on ‘Keep On Walkin’ (Rounder Records, 2008).
The Grascals recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Remembering’ and included the track on ‘Keep On Walkin’ (Rounder Records, 2008).
Gene Watson recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Still They Call Me Love’ (co-written with John Wiggins) and included the track on ‘A Taste of The Truth‘ (Shanachie Records, 2009).
Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) recorded Harley Allen’s ‘That’s Why God Made Me’ (co-written with Jimmy Melton) and included the track on ‘Rockin’ in The Country’ (E1 Music Records, 2009).
Ken Mellons recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Still They Call Me Love’ (co-written with John Wiggins) and included the track on ‘Rural Route’ (Jukebox Junky Inc. Records, 2010).
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Tall Cornstalk’ (co-written with Shawn Camp) and included the track on ‘Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album’ (Rounder Records, 2010).
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded Harley Allen’s ‘Free & Easy’ and included the track on ‘Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album’ (Rounder Records, 2010).
On Wednesday 30 March 2011, highly acclaimed and respected songwriter Harley Allen passed away in Nashville; he succumbed to cancer early on that morning.
Harley Allen was fifty-five years old.
Harley Allen, a songwriter at Harlan Howard Songs, had numerous cuts recorded by Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Gary Allan, Garth Brooks, Josh Turner, Hal Ketchum (Thursday 9 April 1953 – Monday 23 November 2020), Claire Lynch, Wesley Dennis, Ty England, Sammy Kershaw, Tracy Byrd, Alison Krauss & Union Station, John Wiggins & Audrey Wiggins, Craig Morgan, Mark Wills, Rhonda Vincent, and Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020).
Harley Allen had been battling lung cancer for a short time and was released from hospital on Tuesday 29 March 2011; he passed away peacefully at his home in Nashville with his family by his side.
Harley Allen is survived by his wife Debbie Nims, son Aaron and daughters Katie and Maggie.
On Wednesday 6 April 2011, at 11:00am, a funeral service was held for Harley Allen at Christ Church, 15354 Old Hickory Boulevard in Nashville.
Larry Stephenson recorded Harley Allen’s ‘What Really Matters’ (co-written with John Wiggins) and included the track on ‘What Really Matters’ (Compass Records, 2012).
Alabama recorded Harley Allen’s ‘I Wanna Be There’ (co-written with Paul Overstreet) and included the track on ‘Southern Drawl’ (BMG Chrysalis Records, 2015).
Josh Williams recorded Harley Allen’s ‘God’s Plan’ (co-written with Bobby Carmichael) and included the track on ‘Modern Day Man’ (Rounder Records, 2016).
Caleb Daugherty recorded Harley Allen’s ‘King of My Own Castle’ and included the track on ‘Mornings’ (KDM Records, 2021).
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