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 2010, 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 Razzy Bailey, which he submitted to this site on Monday 18 January 2010.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Razzy Bailey who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Razzy Bailey
This quote was submitted on Monday 18 January 2010.
‘I love Gene Watson’s music; you can depend on it’
Thank you, Razzy Bailey, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Razzy Bailey…
Razzy Bailey was born Rasie Michael ‘Razzy’ Bailey, on Tuesday 14 February 1939, near Five Points, Alabama and was raised on a farm in Lafayette, Alabama.
Razzy Bailey got his first experience of musical performance as a member of his high school’s Future Farmers of America String Band.
After graduation, Razzy Bailey married and had children immediately and had little time to pursue his career, but he spent many years playing occasional gigs at honky tonks in Georgia and Alabama and developing his song-writing.
In 1966, Razzy Bailey took his material to Bill Lowery at Atlantic Records, who arranged for him to record ‘9,999,999 Tears’, which was backed by a studio band featuring Billy Joe Royal (Friday 3 April 1942 – Tuesday 6 October 2015), Joe South (Wednesday 28 February 1940 – Wednesday 5 September 2012) and Freddy Weller.
‘9,999,999 Tears’ failed to hit the Billboard chart in 1966, but Razzy Bailey was encouraged, forming the pop trio Daily Bread which saw the release of a pair of albums on small record labels.
In May 1976, Dickey Lee saw the release of ‘Angels, Roses & Rain’ (RCA Victor Records, 1976), which included Razzy Bailey’s ‘9,999,999 Tears’; the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976, and No.52 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1976.
Mel Street (Saturday 21 October 1933 – Saturday 21 October 1978) recorded Razzy Bailey’s ‘Now She’s Anybody’s Song’ (co-written with Mel Street) and included the track on ‘Two Way Street’ (GRT Records, 1974).
In 1977, Dickey Lee repeated the success of recording Razzy Bailey’s ‘9,999,999 Tears’ with another Razzy Bailey tune, ‘Peanut Butter’, which reached No.21 on the Billboard country music singles chart, in 1977.
As his song-writing talents became known, Razzy Bailey signed with RCA Records, where he worked with producer Bob Montgomery (Wednesday 12 May 1937 – Thursday 4 December 2014) and, in 1978, began releasing singles of his own songs.
Razzy Bailey’s first hit as a singer-songwriter was ‘What Time Do You Have To Be Back In Heaven?’, which reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978; the track was included on ‘If Love Had A Face’ (RCA Records, 1979), an album which was released in May 1979.
Razzy Bailey’s ‘If Love Had A Face’ (RCA Records, 1979) also included the following tracks, all of which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Tonight She’s Gonna Love Me (Like There Was No Tomorrow)’ (No.6, 1978)
‘If Love Had A Face’ (No.6, 1979)
‘I Ain’t Got No Business Doin’ Business Today’ (No.10, 1979)
Razzy Bailey’s ‘If Love Had A Face’ (RCA Records, 1979) reached No.33 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1979.
In August 1980, Razzy Bailey saw the release of a self-titled album, ‘Razzy Bailey’ (RCA Records, 1980), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Can’t Get Enough of You’ (No.5, 1979)
‘Too Old To Play Cowboy’ (No.13, 1980)
‘Loving Up A Storm’, which was written by Danny Morrison (Sunday 22 April 1945 – Tuesday 14 February 2012) and Johnny Slate (No.1 for one week in October 1980)
‘I Keep Coming Back’, which was written by Johnny Slate, Jim Hurt (1939 – Sunday 26 September 2004) and Larry Keith / ‘True Life Country Music’, which was written by Danny Morrison (Sunday 22 April 1945 – Tuesday 14 February 2012), Jeff Silbar and Sam Larber (No.1 for week in February 1981)
Razzy Bailey’s self-titled album, ‘Razzy Bailey’ (RCA Records, 1980), reached No.12 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1980.
Razzy Bailey achieved three double-sided No.1s in succession on the Billboard country music singles charts:
‘I Keep Coming Back’, which was written by Johnny Slate, Jim Hurt (1939 – Sunday 26 September 2004) and Larry Keith / ‘True Life Country Music’, which was written by Danny Morrison (Sunday 22 April 1945 – Tuesday 14 February 2012), Jeff Silbar and Sam Larber (No.1 for one week in February 1981)
‘Friends’, which was written by Danny Morrison (Sunday 22 April 1945 – Tuesday 14 February 2012) and Johnny Slate / ‘Anywhere There’s a Jukebox’ (written by Razzy Bailey) (No.1 for one week in June 1981)
‘Midnight Hauler’ (written by Wood Newton and Tim DuBois) / Scratch My Back (& Whisper In My Ear)’ (written by Raymond Moore, Marcell Strong and Earl Cage Jr.) (No.1 for one week in October 1981)
Razzy Bailey became the first artist to take a trio of back-to-back hits to No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart since Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) achieved a similar feat in 1965 / 1966.
In April 1981, Razzy Bailey saw the release of ‘Makin’ Friends’ (RCA Victor Records, 1981), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Friends’, which was written by Danny Morrison (Sunday 22 April 1945 – Tuesday 14 February 2012) and Johnny Slate / ‘Anywhere There’s A Jukebox’ (written by Razzy Bailey) (No.1 for one week in June 1981)
‘Midnight Hauler’ (written by Wood Newton and Tim DuBois) / ‘Scratch My Back (& Whisper In My Ear)’ (written by Raymond Moore, Marcell Strong and Earl Cage Jr.) (No.1 for one week in October 1981)
Razzy Bailey’s ‘Makin’ Friends’ (RCA Victor Records, 1981) reached No.8 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1981.
In January 1982, Razzy Bailey saw the release of ‘Feelin’ Alright’ (RCA Victor Records, 1982), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘She Left Love All Over Me’ (written by Chester Lester) (No.1 for one week in March / April 1982)
‘Everytime You Cross My Mind (You Break My Heart)’ (No.10, 1982)
Razzy Bailey’s ‘Feelin’ Alright’ (RCA Victor Records, 1982) reached No.10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1982.
In October 1982, Razzy Bailey saw the release of ‘A Little More Razz’ (RCA Victor Records, 1982), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Love’s Gonna Fall Here Tonight’ (written by Kendal Franceschi) (No.8, 1982)
‘Poor Boy’ (No.30, 1982)
Razzy Bailey’s ‘A Little More Razz’ (RCA Victor Records, 1982) reached No.59 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1982.
In April 1983, Razzy Bailey saw the release of ‘Greatest Hits’ (RCA Victor Records, 1983), which included the following tracks:
‘This Is Just The First Day’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Royce Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Saturday 2 June 2018) and Razzy Bailey (No.62, 1983) / this track was new
‘Loving Up A Storm’, which was written by Danny Morrison (Sunday 22 April 1945 – Tuesday 14 February 2012) and Johnny Slate (No.1 for one week in October 1980)
‘If Love Had A Face’ (No.6, 1979)
‘Anywhere There’s A Jukebox’ (written by Razzy Bailey) (No.1 for one week in June 1981)
‘Friends’, which was written by Danny Morrison (Sunday 22 April 1945 – Tuesday 14 February 2012) and Johnny Slate (No.1 for one week in June 1981)
‘Midnight Hauler’ (written by Wood Newton and Tim DuBois) (No.1 for one week in October 1981)
‘After The Great Depression’ (No.19, 1983) / this track was new
‘She Left Love All Over Me’ (written by Chester Lester) (No.1 for one week in March / April 1982)
‘I Keep Coming Back’, which was written by Johnny Slate, Jim Hurt (1939 – Sunday 26 September 2004) and Larry Keith (No.1 for one week in February 1981)
‘9,999,999 Tears’ (written by Razzy Bailey) / this track was a single only release in 1966, but it did not chart on the Billboard country music singles chart
‘Night Life’
Razzy Bailey’s ‘Greatest Hits’ (RCA Victor Records, 1983) reached No.33 on the Billlboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
In February 1984, Razzy Bailey saw the release of ‘The Midnight Hour’ (RCA Victor Records, 1984), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘In The Midnight Hour’, which was written by Wilson Pickett (Tuesday 18 March 1941 – Thursday 19 January 2006) and Steve Cropper (No.14, 1984)
Razzy Bailey’s ‘In The Midnight Hour’ (RCA Victor Records, 1984) reached No.36 on the Billlboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1984.
In January 1985, Razzy Bailey saw the release of ‘Cut From A Different Stone’ (MCA Records, 1985), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Knock On Wood’ (No.29, 1984)
‘Touchy Situation’ (No.43, 1984)
‘Modern Day Marriages’ (No.51, 1985)
Razzy Bailey’s ‘Cut From A Different Stone’ (MCA Records, 1985) reached No.38 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1985.
In October 1985, Razzy Bailey saw the release of ‘Arrival’ (MCA Records, 1985), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Fighting Fire With Fire’, which was written by Bobby Harden (Thursday 27 June 1935 – Tuesday 30 May 2006) (No.78, 1985) / the original version of this track was recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘This Dream’s on Me‘ (MCA Records, 1982)
‘Old Blue Yodeler’ (No.48, 1985)
‘Rockin’ In The Parkin’ Lot’ (No.63, 1986)
In 1989, Razzy Bailey saw the release of ‘Blues Juice’ (King Snake Records, 1989), which included the following tracks:
‘Blues Juice’
‘I Hate Hate’
‘This Is Now’
‘Louisiana Style’
‘Don’t Let Love Kick Your Ass’
‘Last Stop (On A Dead End Street)’
‘But You Will’
‘When Your Heart’s Been Stepped On’
‘Watch It Grow’
‘Caboose of Your Love Life’
In 1991, Razzy Bailey saw the release of ‘Razzy Unwrapped’ (SOA Records, 1991), which included the following tracks:
‘She’s Coming Unwrapped’
‘Unattended Fire’
‘Starting All Over Again’
‘My Heart Is Fragile’
‘I Am The Blues’
‘She’s Something’
‘This Eagle’s Flying Home’
‘Things’
‘Blue Monday’
‘Long Black Veil’, which was written by Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008) and Marijohn Wilkin (Wednesday 14 July 1920 – Saturday 28 October 2006)
‘In The Midnight Hour’, which was written by Wilson Pickett (Tuesday 18 March 1941 – Thursday 19 January 2006) and Steve Cropper
‘Sandcastles’
‘Midnight Hauler’ (written by Wood Newton and Tim DuBois)
‘Night Life’
‘If You’ve Got The Nerve’
Curt Ryle recorded Razzy Bailey’s ‘I Ain’t Gonna Mess This One Up’ (co-written with Curt Ryle) and included the track on ‘Lifetime Guarantee’ (Universal Sound Records / Bob Grady Records, 1999).
In October 1999, Razzy Bailey saw the release of ‘Anthology’ (Renaissance Records, 1999), which included the following tracks:
‘Midnight Hauler’ (written by Wood Newton and Tim DuBois) (No.1 for one week in October 1981)
‘Tonight She’s Gonna Love Me (Like There Was No Tomorrow)’ (No.6, 1978)
‘If Love Had A Face’ (No.6, 1979)
‘I Ain’t Got No Business Doin’ Business Today’ (No.10, 1979)
‘I Can’t Get Enough of You’ (No.5, 1979)
‘Too Old To Play Cowboy’ (No.13, 1980)
‘Loving Up A Storm’, which was written by Danny Morrison (Sunday 22 April 1945 – Tuesday 14 February 2012) and Johnny Slate (No.1 for one week in October 1980)
‘I Keep Coming Back’, which was written by Johnny Slate, Jim Hurt (1939 – Sunday 26 September 2004) and Larry Keith (No.1 for week in February 1981)
‘What Time Do You Have To Be Back To Heaven’ (No.9, 1978)
‘Friends’, which was written by Danny Morrison (Sunday 22 April 1945 – Tuesday 14 February 2012) and Johnny Slate / ‘Anywhere There’s A Jukebox’ (written by Razzy Bailey) (No.1 for one week in June 1981)
‘Scratch My Back (& Whisper In My Ear)’ (written by Raymond Moore, Marcell Strong and Earl Cage Jr.) (No.1 for one week in October 1981)
‘She Left Love All Over Me’ (written by Chester Lester) (No.1 for one week in March / April 1982)
‘Everytime You Cross My Mind (You Break My Heart)’ (No.10, 1982)
‘Love’s Gonna Fall Here Tonight’ (written by Kendal Franceschi) (No.8, 1982)
‘After The Great Depression’ (No.19, 1983)
‘In The Midnight Hour’, which was written by Wilson Pickett (Tuesday 18 March 1941 – Thursday 19 January 2006) and Steve Cropper (No.14, 1984)
‘9, 999, 999 Tears’ (written by Razzy Bailey) / this track was released as a single on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966, but it failed to chart
‘True Life Country Music’ (No.1 for week in February 1981)
On Thursday 5 August 2021, it was announced that Razzy Bailey had passed away the previous day (Wednesday 4 August 2021).
Razzy Bailey
Tuesday 14 February 1939 – Wednesday 4 August 2021
• Visit Razzy Bailey’s official site at therazzybailey.com
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