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 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 Matt Lindsey, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 21 March 2010.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Matt Lindsey who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Matt Lindsey
This quote was submitted on Sunday 21 March 2010.
‘I will be forever honoured and grateful to Gene Watson because he took me from an amateur songwriter to a professional songwriter by recording ‘I Guess You Had To Be There‘ that I co-wrote with my brother Dave Lindsey and Ernie Rowell.
Gene is one of the greatest singers in the history of country music and I am blessed to know him and call him friend’
Thank you, Matt Lindsey, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Matt Lindsey…
Matt Lindsey is a stalwart of the country music song-writing and publishing worlds in Nashville.
1984 – 1989
Between 1984 and 1989, Matt Lindsey was employed by Mel Tillis Enterprises, where he held the position of Professional Manager.
Mel Tillis Enterprises was an Independent Music Publishing Company, which was later acquired by Universal Music.
Mel Tillis Enterprises country music hit singles included the following:
Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) recorded ‘I Ain’t Never’, which was co-written by Mel Tillis and Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991), and included the track on ‘Heart Over Mind’ (Columbia Records, 1962).
Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) recorded ‘The Long Black Veil’, which was written by Marijohn Wilkin (Wednesday 14 July 1920 – Saturday 28 October 2006) and Danny Dill (Friday 19 September 1924 – Thursday 23 October 2008); the track, which reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1959, was subsequently included on ‘Lefty Frizzell’s Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1966).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Mel Tillis‘ ‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town’ and included the track on ‘First Edition ’69’ (Reprise Records, 1969).
Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) recorded ‘I Believe In You’ (written by Buddy Cannon and Gene Dunlap) and included the track on ‘I Believe In You’ (MCA Records, 1978); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1978.
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded ‘Beautiful You’ (written by Dave Hanner) and included the track on ‘Together’ (MCA Records, 1980); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017) recorded ‘Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good’ (written by Dave Hanner) and included the track on ‘Especially For You’ (MCA Records, 1981); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February / March 1982.
Gene Watson recorded Matt Lindsey’s ‘I Guess You Had To Be There’ (co-written with Dave Lindsey and Ernie Rowell) and included the track on ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984); the track was subsequently included on ‘The Best of Gene Watson‘ (Curb Records, 1996).
1989 – 1992
Between 1989 and 1992, Matt Lindsey was employed by Littleshop of Morgan Songs / Morgan Music in Nashville.
Littleshop of Morgan Songs was an Independent Music Publishing Company, which was owned by Dennis Morgan.
Littleshop of Morgan Songs included the following country music hit:
Garth Brooks recorded ‘The Dance’ (written by Tony Arata) and included the track on ‘Garth Brooks’ (Liberty Records, 1989); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for two weeks in July 1990.
1992 – 2000
Between 1992 and 2000, Matt Lindsey was employed by Forerunner Music Group in Nashville, where he held the position of Vice President.
The Forerunner Music Group was an independent music publishing company, which was owned by Universal Music; previous owners included Allen Reynolds, Mark Miller, Jim Rooney and Terrell Tye.
Forerunner Music Group country music hits included the following:
Kathy Mattea recorded ‘Goin’ Gone’ (written by Pat Alger, Bill Dale and Fred Koller) and included the track on ‘Untasted Honey’ (Mercury Records, 1987); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January / February 1988.
Kathy Mattea recorded ‘She Came From Fort Worth’ (written by Pat Alger and Fred Koller) and included the track on ‘Willow In The Wind’ (Mercury Records, 1989); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1990.
Garth Brooks recorded ‘Unanswered Prayers’ (written by Pat Alger, Larry Bastian and Garth Brooks) and included the track on ‘No Fences’ (Capitol Records, 1989); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in January 1991.
Garth Brooks recorded ‘The Thunder Rolls’ (written by Pat Alger and Garth Brooks) and included the track on ‘No Fences’ (Capitol Records, 1989); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in June 1991.
Trisha Yearwood recorded ‘Like We Never Had A Broken Heart’ (written by Pat Alger and Garth Brooks) and included the track on ‘Trisha Yearwood’ (MCA Records, 1991); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991.
Kathy Mattea recorded ‘A Few Good Things Remain’ (written by Pat Alger and Jon Vezner) and included the track on ‘Time Passes By’ (Mercury Records, 1991).
Hal Ketchum (Thursday 9 April 1953 – Monday 23 November 2020) recorded ‘Small Town Saturday Night’ (written by Pat Alger and Hank DeVito) and included the track on ‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (Curb Records, 1991); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in August 1991.
Hal Ketchum (Thursday 9 April 1953 – Monday 23 November 2020) recorded ‘I Know Where Love Lives’ (written by Hal Ketchum) and included the track on ‘Past The Point of Rescue’ (Curb Records, 1991); the track reached No.13 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1992.
Garth Brooks recorded ‘What She’s Doing Now’ (written by Pat Alger and Garth Brooks) and included the track on ‘Ropin’ The Wind’ (Liberty Records, 1991); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in February / March 1992.
Vince Gill recorded ‘Don’t Let Our Love Start Slipping Away’ (written by Vince Gill and Pete Wasner) and included the track on ‘I Still Believe In You’ (MCA Records, 1992); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in December 1992 / January 1993.
Garth Brooks recorded ‘That Summer’ (written by Pat Alger, Sandy Mahl-Brooks and Garth Brooks) and included the track on ‘The Chase’ (Liberty Records, 1992); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in July 1993.
Hal Ketchum (Thursday 9 April 1953 – Monday 23 November 2020) recorded ‘Mama Knows The Highway’ (written by Pete Wasner and Charles John Quarto) and included the track on ‘Sure Love’ (Curb Records, 1992); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in August 1993.
Garth Brooks recorded ‘One Night A Day’ (written by Gary Burr and Pete Wasner) and included the track on ‘In Pieces’ (Liberty Records, 1993); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994.
Vince Gill recorded ‘Whenever You Come Around’ (written by Vince Gill and Pete Wasner) and included the track on ‘When Love Finds You’ (MCA Records, 1994); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994.
Garth Brooks recorded ‘The Change’ (written by Tony Arata and Wayne Tester) and included the track on ‘Fresh Horses’ (Capitol Records, 1995); the track reached No.19 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
2000 – Present
Employer: Between 2000 and the present day, Matt Lindsey was the owner of Matt Lindsey Music in Nashville.
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded Matt Lindsey’s ‘Lonesome & Dry As A Bone’ (co-written with Shawn Camp, Matt Lindsey and Mel Tillis Jr.) and included the track on ‘Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album’ (Rounder Records, 2010).
Matt Lindsey Music was an independent music publishing company and song-plugging service, with songs recorded by Garth Brooks, Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn), Joe Nichols, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Roy Parnell, Patty Loveless, Chris Ledoux (Saturday 2 October 1948 – Wednesday 9 March 2005), The Grascals, Larry Sparks, Taylor Hicks, Sara Evans, Willie Nelson, Kenny Chesney and George Strait.
• Visit Matt Lindsey’s official site at mattlindseymusic.com
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