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 Skip Ewing, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 13 September 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Skip Ewing who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Skip Ewing
This quote was submitted on Thursday 13 September 2007.
‘Gene Watson is the real thing and a true talent.
His voice immediately evokes the very heart and tradition of country music to me.
I am honoured that he would record some of my songs’
Thank you, Skip Ewing, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Skip Ewing…
Skip Ewing was born Donald Ralph ‘Skip’ Ewing in Redlands, California on Friday 6 March 1964 and grew up in a military family and moved around often as a child.
Skip Ewing discovered country music through listening to a number of country music legends, including Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and took up the guitar at a young age. Skip Ewing began writing songs as a teenager.
Skip Ewing also learned to play the banjo, which he played at bluegrass festivals. Skip Ewing took a job performing in a country show at Busch Gardens theme park in Virginia. From there, Skip Ewing moved to Nashville at the age of nineteen, where he took a similar job at Opryland theme park.
Now that he was in Nashville, Skip Ewing branched out into demo and commercial singing. Skip Ewing worked diligently at his song-writing, so much so, that he landed a staff job with the famous Acuff-Rose music publishing house.
It was soon evident that Skip Ewing was an accomplished songwriter and he began to supply material to some of country music’s most distinguished artists, including George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), George Strait and Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020).
In 1987, Skip Ewing landed a recording deal of his own with MCA Records, and saw the release, on Monday 4 April 1988, of his debut album, ‘The Coast of Colorado’ (MCA Records, 1988), which was produced by Jimmy Bowen and Skip Ewing, and included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Your Memory Wins Again’ (written by Skip Ewing, Mike Geiger and Woody Mullis) (No.17, 1988)
‘I Don’t Have Far To Fall’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson) (No.8, 1988)
‘Burnin’ A Hole In My Heart’ (written by Skip Ewing, Mike Geiger and Woody Mullis) (No.3, 1988)
‘The Gospel According To Luke’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson) (No.10, 1989)
‘The Coast of Colorado’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.15, 1989)
Skip Ewing’s debut album, ‘The Coast of Colorado’ (MCA Records, 1988), also included the following tracks:
‘Lighter Shade of Blue’, which was written by Skip Ewing, Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Troy Seals
‘Autumn’s Not That Cold’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Dad’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Don’t Mind If I Do’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson)
‘Still Under The Weather’, which was written by Skip Ewing, L.E. White (1930 – Tuesday 7 September 2004) and Michael White
Personnel involved in the recording of Skip Ewing’s debut album, ‘The Coast of Colorado’ (MCA Records, 1988), included the following:
David Hungate (bass)
Rick Marotta (drums)
Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (electric guitar, acoustic guitar)
Kirk ‘Jelly Roll’ Johnson (harmonica)
Matt Rollings (piano)
Mike Lawler (synthesizer)
Claire Lynch (background vocals)
Skip Ewing’s debut album, ‘The Coast of Colorado’ (MCA Records, 1988), reached No.29 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1988.
George Strait recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Don’t Mind If I Do’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘If You Ain’t Lovin’, You Ain’t Livin’ (MCA Records, 1988).
Ricky Van Shelton recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Let Me Live With Love (& Die With You)’, which was co-written with Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015), and included the track on ‘Loving You’ (Columbia Records, 1988).
Sawyer Brown recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘It Wasn’t His Child’ and included the track on ‘Wide Open’ (Capitol Records / Curb Records, 1988).
Dana McVicker recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Rock-A-Bye Heart’ (co-written with Michael White) and included the track on ‘Dana McVicker’ (Capitol Records Nashville, 1988); the track reached No.65 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1988.
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Pieces of You’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘House On Old Lonesome Road’ (MCA Records, 1989).
In 1989, Skip Ewing saw the release of ‘The Will To Love’ (MCA Records, 1989), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘It’s You Again’ (written by Skip Ewing, Mike Geiger and Woody Mullis) (No.5, 1989)
‘If A Man Could Live On Love Alone’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) (No.70, 1990)
Skip Ewing’s ‘The Will To Love’ (MCA Records, 1989) also included the following tracks:
‘The Will To Love’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson)
‘Please Don’t Leave Me Now’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson)
‘Karen’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson)
‘The Door’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘It Wasn’t His Child’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Age Doesn’t Matter At All’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Ain’t That The Way It Always Ends’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson)
‘She’s Makin’ Plans’ (written by Skip Ewing)
Skip Ewing’s ‘The Will To Love’ (MCA Records, 1989), reached No.44 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1989.
Willie Nelson recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘If I Were A Painting’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘A Horse Called Music’ (Columbia Records, 1989).
Sweethearts of The Rodeo (Kristine Arnold & Janis Oliver) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘You Look At Love That Way’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘Buffalo Zone’ (Columbia Records, 1990).
On Tuesday 24 July 1990, Skip Ewing saw the release of ‘Healin’ Fire’ (MCA Records, 1990), which included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘I’m Your Man’, which was written by Leonard Norman Cohen (Friday 21 September 1934 – Monday 7 November 2016) (No.69, 1990)
‘The Dotted Line’ (written by Skip Ewing) / this track was released as a single in 1990, but it did not chart
Skip Ewing’s ‘Healin’ Fire’ (MCA Records, 1990) also included the following tracks:
‘A Healin’ Fire’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson)
‘I’m Okay (& Gettin’ Better)’ (written by Skip Ewing and Max T. Barnes)
‘It Never Would’ve Worked Out’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘Never ‘Til I Loved You’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Dancin’ To The Radio’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Let’s Pretend We’re Strangers’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘Rebecca Lynn’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson)
‘Love’s Alright’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘A Healin’ Fire’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson) (reprise)
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Listen To The Rain’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘Love Is Strange’ (Reprise Records, 1990).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘If I Were A Painting’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘Love Is Strange’ (Reprise Records, 1990).
Shelby Lynne recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Lighter Shade of Blue’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Troy Seals, and included the track on ‘Soft Talk’ (Epic Records, 1991).
Keith Palmer (Sunday 23 June 1957 – Thursday 13 June 1996) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘If You Want To Find Love’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘Keith Palmer’ (Epic Records, 1991).
Lorrie Morgan recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Autumn’s Not That Cold’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘Something In Red’ (RCA Records, 1991).
Andy Williams (Saturday 3 December 1927 – Tuesday 25 September 2012) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Still Under The Weather’, which was co-written with L.E. White (1930 – Tuesday 7 September 2004) and Michael White, and included the track on ‘Nashville’ (Curb Records, 1991).
On Tuesday 10 June 1991, Skip Ewing saw the release of ‘Naturally’ (Liberty Records, 1991), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘I Get The Picture’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) (No.73, 1991)
‘Naturally’ (written by Skip Ewing and Rick Bowles) (No.71, 1992)
Skip Ewing’s ‘Naturally’ (Liberty Records, 1991) also included the following tracks:
‘Yodelin’ Blues’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘I Wish I Was Somebody Else’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘Hangin’ Around With You’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘I Love Your Love In My Life’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘No Reason At All’ (written by Skip Ewing and Rick Bowles)
‘One Step Out of Time’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘I Could Not Send You Me’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
‘What I Wouldn’t Give’ (written by Skip Ewing and Rick Bowles)
Personnel involved in the recording of Skip Ewing’s ‘Naturally’ (Liberty Records, 1991) included the following:
Carlos Vega (drums, percussion)
Tom Roady (percussion)
Leland Sklar (bass)
John Barlow Jarvis (piano, DX-7)
Mike Lawler (synthesiser)
Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Mark O’Connor (fiddle)
Rick Bowles, Claire Lynch, Harry Stinson, Dennis Wilson and Lonnie Wilson (background vocals)
On Tuesday 13 August 1991, Skip Ewing saw the release of ‘Greatest Hits’ (MCA Records, 1991), which included the following tracks:
‘Your Memory Wins Again’ (written by Skip Ewing, Mike Geiger and Woody Mullis) (No.17, 1988)
‘I Don’t Have Far To Fall’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson) (No.8, 1988)
‘Burnin’ A Hole In My Heart’ (written by Skip Ewing, Mike Geiger and Woody Mullis) (No.3, 1988)
‘The Gospel According To Luke’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson) (No.10, 1989)
‘The Coast of Colorado’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.15, 1989)
‘It’s You Again’ (written by Skip Ewing, Mike Geiger and Woody Mullis) (No.5, 1989)
‘It Wasn’t His Child’ (written by Skip Ewing) / this track was originally included, as an album track, on Skip Ewing’s ‘The Will To Love’ (MCA Records, 1989), and was later included on Skip Ewing’s ‘Following Yonder Star’ (Universal Records, 1995)
‘If A Man Could Live On Love Alone’ (written by Skip Ewing) (No.70, 1990)
‘I’m Your Man’, which was written by Leonard Norman Cohen (Friday 21 September 1934 – Monday 7 November 2016) (No.69, 1990)
‘Let’s Begin With Goodbye’ / this track was a new track
‘The Dotted Line’ (written by Skip Ewing) / this track was released as a single in 1990, but it did not chart
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘If You Want To Find Love’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Kenny Rogers, and included the track on ‘Back Home Again’ (Reprise Records, 1991); the track, which reached No.11 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1992, featured backing vocals from Linda Davis and The Branson Brothers.
Collin Raye recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Love, Me’ (co-written with Max T. Barnes) and included the track on ‘All I Can Be’ (Epic Records, 1991); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for two weeks in January 1992 and, in 1992, received a ‘Song of The Year’ nomination from the Country Music Association (CMA).
Hank Williams Jr. recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Cut Bank, Montana’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘Maverick’ (Curb Records / Capricorn Records, 1992).
Reba McEntire recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Lighter Shade of Blue’, which was co-written with Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘It’s Your Call’ (MCA Records, 1992).
Randy Travis recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘If I Didn’t Have You’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Saturday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘Greatest Hits: Volume 1’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1992); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in October 1992.
Clinton Gregory recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘If I Were A Painting’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘Master of Illusion’ (Step One Records, 1993).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘If Only My Heart Had A Voice’ (co-written with Rick Bowles and Kenny Rogers) and included the track on ‘If Only My Heart Had A Voice’ (Giant Records, 1993).
Shania Twain recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Still Under The Weather’, which was co-written with L.E. White (1930 – Tuesday 7 September 2004) and Michael White, and included the track on ‘Shania Twain’ (Polygram Records / Mercury Records, 1993); the album was released in England in May 1994, and in Europe in March 2000.
In 1993, Skip Ewing saw the release of ‘Homegrown Love’ (Liberty Records, 1993), which was produced by Jerry Crutchfield (Friday 10 August 1934 – Tuesday 11 January 2022), and included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Losing You Is New To Me’, which was written by Eugene David Dobbins (Monday 19 March 1934 – Sunday 23 November 2008), Michael Huffman and Bob Morrison / this track was released as a single in 1993, but it did not chart
‘Grandma’s Garden’ (written by Skip Ewing and Donny Kees) / this track was released as a single in 1993, but it did not chart
Skip Ewing’s ‘Homegrown Love’ (Liberty Records, 1993) also included the following tracks:
‘Homegrown Love’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson)
‘You Only Come Up When I’m Down’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson)
‘Rodeo Romeo’ (written by Skip Ewing and Pat Alger)
‘Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word’ (written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin)
‘Don’t You Want My Love’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson)
‘A Man Who Wants To Work’ (written by Mickey Cates)
‘Big Decision’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson)
‘The Way Love Ought To Be’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson)
Personnel involved in the recording of Skip Ewing’s ‘Homegrown Love’ (Liberty Records, 1993) included the following:
Paul Leim (drums, percussion)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass)
Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Steve Gibson (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin)
John Barlow Jarvis (piano, DX-7)
Sonny Garrish (steel guitar)
Kenny Sears (fiddle)
Mike Lawler (synthesiser)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007) (harmonica, percussion, bubble gum machine)
Curtis Young, Wayland Patton, Claire Lynch and Skip Ewing (background vocals)
Roger Ballard recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘A Little Piece of Heaven’ (co-written with Don Sampson and Michael White) and included the track on ‘A Little Piece of Heaven’ (Atlantic Records, 1993); the track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1993, but it did not chart.
Doug Stone recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Little Houses’ (co-written with Mickey Cates) and included the track on ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 1’ (Epic Records, 1994); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994.
Cleve Francis recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘What I Wouldn’t Give’ (co-written with Rick Bowles) and included the track on ‘You’ve Got Me Now’ (Liberty Records, 1994).
Lisa Brokop recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Who Needs You’ (co-written with Mickey Cates) and included the track on ‘Every Little Girl’s Dream’ (Patriot Records / Liberty Records, 1994); the track reached No.58 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995, and No.60 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995.
Davis Daniel recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Someone Else’s Star’, which was co-written with Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021), and included the track on ‘Davis Daniel’ (Polydor Records, 1994).
Bryan White recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Someone Else’s Star’, which was co-written with Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021), and included the track on ‘Bryan White’ (Elektra Records, 1994); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in September 1995.
Bryan White recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Rebecca Lynn’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘Bryan White’ (Elektra Records, 1994); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in January 1996.
Linda Davis recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘When You Took Your Love Away’ (co-written with Liz Hengber) and included the track on ‘Shoot For The Moon’ (Arista Records, 1994).
Linda Davis recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Don’t You Want My Love?’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘Shoot For The Moon’ (Arista Records, 1994).
Lisa Brokop recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Who Needs You’ (co-written with Mickey Cates) and included the track on ‘Every Little Girl’s Dream’ (Patriot Records, 1994); the track reached No.58 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995, and No.60 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995.
Neal McCoy recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Please Don’t Leave Me Now’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘You Gotta Love That’ (Atlantic Records, 1995).
On Tuesday 1 June 1995, Skip Ewing saw the release of ‘Following Yonder Star’ (Universal Records, 1995), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘A Christmas Carol’ (No.68, 1996) / (No.60, 1998) (re-entry) / (No.44, 2000) (re-entry)
Skip Ewing’s ‘Following Yonder Star’ (Universal Records, 1995) also included the following tracks:
‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ (written by Frederick Oakeley and John Francis Wade)
‘Alleluia (A Christmas lullaby)’
‘The Little Drummer Boy’ (written by Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone)
‘I Trust You’
‘Silent Night’, which was written by Franz Xaver Gruber (25 November 1787 – 7 June 1863) and Joseph Mohr (11 December 1792 – 4 December 1848)
‘Following Yonder Star’
‘It Wasn’t His Child’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Mrs. Santa Claus’
‘White Christmas’, which was written by Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – Friday 22 September 1989)
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Back To The Cave’, which was co-written with Tim Johnson (Wednesday 27 January 1960 – Sunday 21 October 2012), and included the track on ‘Life’s So Funny’ (Epic Records, 1995).
Kenny Chesney recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Me & You’ (co-written with Ray Herndon) and included the track on ‘All I Need To Know’ (BNA Records, 1995).
Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘A Love That Never Died’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on his self-titled album, ‘Daryle Singletary’ (Giant Records, 1995).
Kenny Chesney recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Me & You’ (co-written with Ray Herndon) and included the track on ‘Me & You’ (BNA Records, 1996); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
James Bonamy recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘All I Do Is Love Her’ (co-written with Wayland Patton) and included the track on ‘What I Live To Do’ (Epic Records, 1996); the track reached No.27 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
James Bonamy recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Heartbreak School’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘What I Live To Do’ (Epic Records, 1996).
Ricochet recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘The Truth Is, I Lied’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘Ricochet’ (Columbia Records, 1996).
Mindy McCready (Sunday 30 November 1975 – Sunday 17 February 2013) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Without Love’, which was co-written with Tim Johnson (Wednesday 27 January 1960 – Sunday 21 October 2012), and included the track on ‘Ten Thousand Angels’ (BNA Records, 1996).
Lorrie Morgan recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘I Can Buy My Own Roses’ (co-written with Victoria Shaw) and included the track on ‘Greater Need’ (BNA Records, 1996).
Lorrie Morgan recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Back Among The Living’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Greater Need’ (BNA Records, 1996).
Randy Travis recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Ants On A Log’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Full Circle’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1996).
Diamond Rio recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Just Another Heart’, which was co-written with Tim Johnson (Wednesday 27 January 1960 – Sunday 21 October 2012), and included the track on ‘Four’ (Arista Records, 1996).
Mark Wills recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Leavin’ Comin’ On’ (co-written with Jerry Kilgore) and included the track on ‘Mark Wills’ (Mercury Records, 1996).
Billy Dean recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘In The Name of Love’ (co-written with Doug Stone) and included the track on ‘It’s What I Do’ (Capitol Records, 1996).
Bryan White recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘I’m Not Supposed To Love You Anymore’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Between Now & Forever’ (Asylum Records / Elektra Records, 1996); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996, and No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1996.
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020)recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘I Trust You’ (co-written with Don Schlitz) and included the track on ‘The Gift’ (Magnatone Records, 1996).
Kevin Sharp (Thursday 10 December 1970 – Saturday 19 April 2014) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘There’s Only You’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Measure of A Man’ (Asylum Records, 1996); the track reached No.43 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.
On Tuesday 20 May 1997, Skip Ewing saw the release of ‘Until I Found You’ (Word Records, 1997), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Mary Go Round’ (written by Skip Ewing and Phil Vassar) (No.58, 1997)
‘Answer To My Prayer’ (written by Skip Ewing and Victoria Shaw) (No.66, 1997)
Skip Ewing’s ‘Until I Found You’ (Word Records, 1997) also included the following tracks:
‘All That Matters To Me’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Sliver of The Moon’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Tim Johnson (Wednesday 27 January 1960 – Sunday 21 October 2012)
‘The Hole’ (written by Skip Ewing and James Dean Hicks)
‘Until I Found You’ (written by Skip Ewing and Dave Gibson)
‘Make Time’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017)
‘Some Fools’ (written by Skip Ewing and Donny Kees) / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Outside The Box‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022), the official release of which took place on Friday 16 September 2022
‘I Got A Job To Do’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Half Life of A Heart’ (written by Skip Ewing and Donny Kees)
Tim McGraw recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Ain’t That The Way It Always Ends’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘Everywhere’ (Curb Records, 1997).
Bryan White recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Leave My Heart Out of This’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero) and included the track on ‘The Right Place’ (Asylum Records, 1997).
Bryan White recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Tree of Hearts’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘The Right Place’ (Asylum Records, 1997).
Claire Lynch recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Safe Haven’ (co-written with Paul Overstreet) and included the track on ‘Silver & Gold’ (Rounder Records, 1997).
Ricochet recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Connected At The Heart’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Blink of An Eye’ (Columbia Records, 1997); the track reached No.44 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
James Bonamy recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Roots & Wings’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘Roots & Wings’ (Epic Records, 1997).
James Bonamy recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Long As I Got You’ (co-written with Don Sampson) and included the track on ‘Roots & Wings’ (Epic Records, 1997).
Sammy Kershaw recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Matches’ (co-written with Roger Springer) and included the track on ‘Labor of Love’ (Mercury Records, 1997); the track, which reached No.22 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997, was subsequently included on the England-released ‘Ultimate Collection’ (Hump Head Country, 2008).
Clint Black recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Something That We Do’ (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on ‘Nothin’ But The Taillights’ (RCA Records, 1997); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Twice Upon A Time’, which was co-written with Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘Twice Upon A Time’ (Epic Records, 1997).
Ty Herndon recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Tears In God’s Eyes’, which was co-written with Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Kent Blazy, and included the track on ‘Big Hopes’ (Epic Records, 1998).
Rhett Akins recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Rest of Forever’ (co-written with Kent Blazy) and included the track on ‘What Living’s All About’ (Decca Records, 1998).
Suzy Bogguss recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘When I Run’ and included the track on ‘Nobody Love, Nobody Gets Hurt’ (Capitol Records, 1998); the track featured background vocals from Kathy Mattea and Doug Crider.
Randy Travis recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘The Hole’ (co-written with James Dean Hicks) and included the track on ‘You & You Alone’ (DreamWorks Nashville Records, 1998); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.
Mark Wills recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ (co-written with Bill Anderson and Debbie Moore) and included the track on ‘Wish You Were Here’ (Mercury Records, 1998).
Mark Wills recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Help Me Fall’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Wish You Were Here’ (Mercury Records, 1998).
Linda Davis recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Make It Through’ (co-written with Tim Menzies) and included the track on ‘I’m Yours’ (DreamWorks Records, 1998); this track was a duet with Randy Travis.
Kevin Sharp (Thursday 10 December 1970 – Saturday 19 April 2014) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Still Love’ (co-written with Chris Farren and Kevin Sharp) and included the track on ‘Love Is’ (Asylum Records, 1998).
Paul Brandt recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘There’s A World Out There’ (co-written with Kent Blazy) and included the track on ‘That’s The Truth’ (Reprise Records, 1999).
Shane Minor recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Sliver of The Moon’, which was co-written with Tim Johnson (Wednesday 27 January 1960 – Sunday 21 October 2012), and included the track on ‘Shane Minor’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 1999).
Mark Chesnutt recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Jolie’, which was co-written with Paul Overstreet and Paul Davis (Wednesday 21 April 1948 – Tuesday 22 April 2008), and included the track on ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’ (Decca Records, 1999).
Kenny Chesney recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘You Had Me From Hello’ (co-written with Kenny Chesney) and included the track on ‘Everywhere We Go’ (BNA Records, 1999).
Kenny Chesney recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘I Might Get Over You’ (co-written with Kent Blazy) and included the track on ‘Everywhere We Go’ (BNA Records, 1999).
Susie Luchsinger recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘It Wasn’t His Child’ and included the track on ‘Raised On Faith’ (New Haven Records, 1999).
Tracy Byrd recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Put Your Hand In Mine’ (co-written with Jimmy W. Barber) and included the track on ‘It’s About Time’ (RCA Records, 1999).
Randy Travis recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘In A Heart Like Mine’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘A Man Ain’t Made of Stone’ (DreamWorks Nashville Records, 1999).
Clint Black recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Love She Can’t Live Without’ (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on ‘D’lectrified’ (RCA Records, 1999); the track reached No.30 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2000.
Mark Wills recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Because I Love You’ (co-written with Chuck Cannon) and included the track on ‘Permanently’ (Mercury Records, 2000).
Chad Brock recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Love Lives (Events of The Heart)’ (co-written with Danny Wilde) and included the track on ‘Yes’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2000).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘I Wish That I Could Say That’ (co-written with James Dean Hicks) and included the track on ‘There You Go Again’ (Dreamcatcher Records, 2000).
Billy Gilman recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Spend Another Night’ (co-written with David Malloy) and included the track on ‘One Voice’ (Epic Records, 2000).
In July 2001, Skip Ewing, with The Big Kidz Band, saw the release of ‘Indian Elephant Tea’ (Write Records, 2001), which included the following tracks:
‘Indian Elephant Tea’
‘If You’re Happy & You Know It’
‘This Old Man & His Dog’
‘Bingo’
‘Itsy Bitsy Spider Took The ‘A’ Train’
‘Oh, Susannah’
‘Old Joe Clark’
‘Duelling Banjos’
‘Mah Na Mah Na’
‘Side of Aunt B’s Grits’
‘Old McDonald Had A Farm’
‘Whole Sea Full of Stuff’
‘Fare Thee Well Fondly’
Gene Watson recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘The Truth Is, I Lied’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001).
Mark Wills recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Back On Earth’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Loving Every Minute’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 2001).
Diamond Rio recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘You Make Me Feel’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero) and included the track on ‘One More Day’ (Arista Records, 2001).
Lorrie Morgan & Sammy Kershaw recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘I Can’t Think of Anything But You’ (co-written with David Feritta and Alan Rich) and included the track on ‘I Finally Found You’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2001).
Kenny Chesney recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Dreams’ (co-written with Kenny Chesney) and included the track on ‘No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems’ (BNA Records, 2002).
Kenny Chesney recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘I Can’t Go There’ (co-written with Kenny Chesney) and included the track on ‘No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems’ (BNA Records, 2002).
Diamond Rio recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘I Believe’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Completely’ (Arista Records, 2002); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for two weeks in May / June 2003.
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Tears In God’s Eyes’, which was co-written with Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Kent Blazy), and included the track on ‘Back To The Well’ (Dreamcatcher Records, 2003).
Kenny Chesney recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Being Drunk’s A Lot Like Loving You’ (co-written with Kenny Chesney) and included the track on ‘When The Sun Goes Down’ (BNA Records, 2004).
Kenny Chesney recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Outta Here’ (co-written with Kenny Chesney) and included the track on ‘When The Sun Goes Down’ (BNA Records, 2004).
Blaine Larsen recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘If Merle Would Sing My Song’ (co-written with James Dean Hicks) and included the track on ‘In My High School’ (Giantslayer Records, 2004).
Kathy Mattea recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘I Hope You’re Happy Now’ (co-written with Angela Kaset) and included the track on ‘Right Out of Nowhere’ (Narada Records / EMI Records, 2005).
Blaine Larsen recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘If Merle Would Sing My Song’ (co-written with James Dean Hicks) and included the track on ‘Off To Join The World’ (BNA Records / Giantslayer Records, 2005); the track featured guest vocals from Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016).
Gene Watson recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘What Was I Thinking’ (co-written with James Dean Hicks) and included the track on ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).
Reba McEntire recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Every Other Weekend’ (co-written with Connie Harrington) and included the track on ‘Duets’ (MCA Records, 2007); this track was a duet with Kenny Chesney.
On Thursday 10 December 2009, Skip Ewing saw the release of ‘The Hits, Vol.1’ (Write! Records, 2008), which included the following tracks:
‘I’m In’
‘Little Houses’ (written by Skip Ewing and Mickey Cates) / this track was also recorded by Doug Stone, who included it on ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 1’ (Epic Records, 1994); Doug Stone‘s version of the track reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994
‘The Hole’ (written by Skip Ewing and James Dean Hicks) / the original version of this track was recorded by Skip Ewing, who included it on ‘Until I Found You’ (Word Records, 1997) / this track was also recorded by Randy Travis, who included it on ‘You & You Alone’ (DreamWorks Nashville Records, 1998); Randy Travis‘ version of the track reached No.9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998
‘Luke’s ‘Pray-Lude”
‘The Gospel According To Luke’ (written by Skip Ewing and Don Sampson) / the original version of this track was recorded by Skip Ewing, who included it on his debut album, ‘The Coast of Colorado’ (MCA Records, 1988); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989
‘Someone Else’s Star’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021) / this track was recorded by Davis Daniel, who included it on ‘Davis Daniel’ (Polydor Records, 1994) / this track was also recorded by Bryan White, who included it on ‘Bryan White’ (Elektra Records, 1994); Bryan White‘s version of the the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in September 1995
‘Your Memory Wins Again’ (written by Skip Ewing, Mike Geiger and Woody Mullis) / the original version of this track was recorded by Skip Ewing, who included it on his debut album, ‘The Coast of Colorado’ (MCA Records, 1988); the track reached No.17 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1988
‘Stranger In My Mirror’
‘I’m Not Supposed To Love You Anymore’ (written by Skip Ewing and Donny Kees) / this track was also recorded by Bryan White, who included it on ‘Between Now & Forever’ (Asylum Records / Elektra Records, 1996)
‘Love, Me’ (written by Skip Ewing and Max T. Barnes) / this track was also recorded by Collin Raye, who included it on ‘All I Can Be’ (Epic Records, 1991); Collin Raye‘s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for two weeks in January 1992, and received a ‘Song of The Year’ nomination from the Country Music Association (CMA)
‘The Way I Am’
‘Lagrima’ (Variations)
Karen Lynne recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Something That We Do’ (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on ‘Heart Songs, Laugh Lines’ (Shoestring Records, 2011).
Jason Green recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Help Me Fall’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Hard Livin’ (Jason Green Independent Release, 2011).
Jason Green recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Sign On The Dotted Line’ (co-written with Don Schlitz) and included the track on ‘Hard Livin’ (Jason Green Independent Release, 2011).
Diamond Rio recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘I Can’t Think of Anything But You’ (co-written with David Feritta and Alan Rich) and included the track on ‘I Made It’ (Rio Hit Records, 2015).
Lonesome River Band recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Your Memory Wins Again’ (co-written with Mike Geiger and Woody Mullis) and included the track on ‘Outside Looking In’ (Mountain Home Music Company, 2019).
On Friday 25 September 2020, Skip Ewing saw the release of ‘Wyoming’ (Write! Records, 2020), which included the following tracks:
‘Railroad’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘The Juggler’, which was written by Skip Ewing and Hal Ketchum (Thursday 9 April 1953 – Monday 23 November 2020)
‘Wyoming’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Petroglyph’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Margolaigne’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Little Jenny’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Wings’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Until It’s Gone’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Santa Fe’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Whiskey Basin’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Cowboy Inside’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Unicorns’ (written by Skip Ewing)
In 2021, Skip Ewing saw the release of ‘Christmas’ (Skip Ewing Independent Release, 2021), which was produced by Kyle Lehning and Skip Ewing, and included the following tracks:
‘Whenever A Child Is Born’ (written by Aaron Barker and Skip Ewing)
‘Better Watch Out’, which was written by Clement Clark Moore (15 July 1779 – 10 July 1863) and Skip Ewing
‘I’ll Be Home (An American Christmas)’, which was written by Buck Ram (Thursday 21 November 1907 – Tuesday 1 January 1991), Katharine Lee Bates (12 August 1859 – Thursday 28 March 1929), Kim Gannon (18 November 1900 – Monday 29 April 1974), Samuel Augustus Ward (1848 – 1903) and Walter Kent (29 November 1911 – Tuesday 1 March 1994) / this track was arranged by Skip Ewing
‘Mister Snowman’ (written by Skip Ewing)
‘Just A Kid’ (written by Kent Blazy and Skip Ewing)
‘Christmas Carol’ (written by Don Sampson and Skip Ewing)
‘Whenever A Child Is Born’ (written by Aaron Barker and Skip Ewing) / this track is an acoustic version
Personnel involved in the recording of Skip Ewing’s ‘Christmas’ (Skip Ewing Independent Release, 2021) included the following:
Larry Hall (arrangement of horns, strings, woodwind)
Bergen White (arrangement of orchestra)
Wes Hightower (backing vocals)
Biff Watson, Skip Ewing and Todd Lombardo (acoustic guitar)
Steve Gibson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Larry Paxton (bass)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Eric Darken (percussion)
Steve Nathan (piano, organ, synth)
Steve Hinson (steel guitar)
Gene Watson recorded Skip Ewing’s ‘Some Fools’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Outside The Box‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022).
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