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 Kate Wallace, which she submitted to this site on Monday 16 August 2010.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Kate Wallace who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Kate Wallace
This quote was submitted on Monday 16 August 2010.
‘One of the things I most admire about Gene Watson is his ability to record songs that are slightly outside the predictable country music box – I love ‘Don’t Waste it on The Blues’ (written by Sandy Ramos and Jerry Vandiver) with its wonderful jazz overtones.
And, that voice! Smooth as glass and utterly identifiable – never to be confused with all the standard voices out there’
Thank you, Kate Wallace, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Kate Wallace…
Kate Wallace is one of those remarkable artists you would find if you took that less traveled road.
Kate Wallace possesses the magnetic combination of an extraordinary and powerful voice and remarkable songs that are at once deeply personal and yet universal.
Kate Wallace is often compared to her heroes, who include Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Nanci Caroline Griffith (Monday 6 July 1953 – Friday 13 August 2021) and Stevie Nicks, but her voice and style are completely unique.
Kate Wallace spent several years as a well respected member of the writing and performing community in Nashville where she was a staff writer at Polygram and had her songs recorded by many famous artists and got to hang out with the best players and writers imaginable.
Kate Wallace is truly a musician’s musician and a songwriter’s songwriter, an expressive guitarist, a consummate vocalist with a gorgeous, graceful voice that just fills you up and a warm and engaging entertainer.
Kate Wallace’s songs are deeply intelligent, powerful, beautiful and life-affirming. Kate also organises the popular acoustic music series ‘Trinity Backstage’ in Santa Barbara, California.
Kate Wallace has spent more than twenty years as a welcome member of the most respected songwriter circles in Nashville and Los Angeles.
Known for her remarkable voice and songs that are full of passion and honesty, Kate Wallace has been the New Folk winner at both Napa Folk Festival and Sierra Folk Festival.
Since 1993, Kate Wallace has been a main stage performer at Kerrville Folk Festival and has played most of the great clubs throughout the United States, including Bluebird Café in Nashville, Troubadour in Los Angeles, Club Passim in Boston and Fiddler’s Green in Atlanta.
In 1995, Kate Wallace saw the release of her debut album; ‘Kate Wallace’ (Honest Entertainment Records, 1995), which was originally recorded for RCA Records and completed with Honest Entertainment, included three music videos which were in steady rotation.
Kate Wallace’s self-titled debut album, ‘Kate Wallace’ (Honest Entertainment Records, 1995), included the following tracks:
‘Hard Woman To Love’ (written by Kate Wallace and Sam Weedman) / this track was produced by Brent Rowan, Rocky Schnaars and Kate Wallace
‘Two of A Kind’ (written by Jon Ims) / this track was produced by Brent Rowan, Rocky Schnaars and Kate Wallace
‘Dancin’ On The Edge of A Heartache’ (written by Kate Wallace and Mark Prentice)
‘Saving It All For You’ (written by Kate Wallace and Michael P. Heeney)
‘What Kind of Love (Have I Fallen In)’ (written by Kate Wallace and Sam Weedman) / this track was produced by Butch Curry
‘Every Time Love Falls Apart’ (written by Kate Wallace and T.W. Hale) / this track was produced by Brent Rowan, Rocky Schnaars and Kate Wallace
‘Bill’s Old Truck’ (written by Kate Wallace) / this track was produced by Butch Curry
‘Going Through the Emotions’ (written by Kate Wallace and Luke Reed) / this track, which was produced by Butch Curry, was dedicated to Kate Wallace’s brother, Bob
‘Whisper Something Sweet’ (written by Kate Wallace and Rory Bourke) / this track was produced by Brent Rowan, Rocky Schnaars and Kate Wallace
‘Give It A Push’ (written by Kate Wallace and Alan Rhody) / this track was produced by Brent Rowan, Rocky Schnaars and Kate Wallace
Personnel involved in the recording of Kate Wallace’s self-titled debut album, ‘Kate Wallace’ (Honest Entertainment, 1995), included the following:
Mike Brignardello, Larry Paxton and Mark Prentice (bass)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Sonny Garrish (Dobro, mandolin)
Tony Harrell and Matt Rollings (keyboards)
Paul Leim and Steve Turner (drums)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007) (harmonica, percussion)
Brent Rowan and John Willis (electric guitar, acoustic guitar)
Darrell Scott (Dobro, pedal steel)
Mark Beeson, Ted Hewitt, Jonelle Mosser, Kip Raines, Kate Wallace and Claire West (background vocals)
In 2004, Kate Wallace saw the release of ‘Two Lane America’ (Riozen / New Pair O’ Dimes Records, 2004), which was a collaborative effort with singer / songwriter Michael Camp; the album was recorded in Nashville, was popular at Kerrville Festival and was highly successful on The Gavin Americana Chart.
It was also in 2004 when Kate Wallace saw the release of ‘Too Long From The Sea’ (Riozen / New Pair O’ Dimes Records, 2004), which is considered by some to be Kate Wallace’s masterpiece; the album is full of great Americana tunes about love, longing and life.
Kate Wallace’s ‘Too Long From The Sea’ (Riozen / New Pair O’ Dimes Records, 2004) included the following tracks:
‘Brave New World’
‘Trophy Girl’
‘Too Long From The Sea’
‘Losing Colorado’
‘You Cross My Mind’
‘He Takes It With Him’
‘I Ain’t Changin’
‘That’s How The River Runs’
‘Wild Blue’
‘It’s Really Comin’ Down’
‘I Carry It Inside’
‘Wherever You Walk’
Personnel involved in the recording of Kate Wallace’s ‘Too Long From The Sea’ (Riozen / New Pair O’ Dimes Records, 2004) included the following:
Kate Wallace (vocals, guitar)
John Gardner (drums, percussion)
Sam Weedman (drums, percussion, mandolin)
Mark Prentice (bass, guitar)
Steven Sheehan and Michael Lille (guitar)
Dana Cooper (harmonica)
Andrea Zonn (fiddle)
Michelle Prentice, Tom Kimmel, Dana Cooper, Michael Camp, Sally Barris, Cindy Greene, Mark Prentice, Marcus Hummon and Michael Lille (background vocals)
In 2007, Kate Wallace saw the release of ‘Politics & Religion’ (Riozen / New Pair O’ Dimes Records, 2007), which included the following tracks:
‘Dry As The Desert’
‘The God In Your Machine’
‘Spirit’, which was written by John Stewart (Tuesday 5 September 1939 – Saturday 19 January 2008) / this track featured guest vocals from John Stewart
‘Before The Fall’
‘Dark Angel’
‘Mercy Brings Mercy’
‘Love Comes To The Simple Heart’
‘Fast Food World’
‘How Can You Turn Away’
‘I Will Carry You’
‘Old Devil Time’
In 2010, Kate Wallace saw the release of ‘Ruby Slippers’ (Riozen / New Pair O’ Dimes Records, 2010), an exquisite collection which was made available through her own record label, and included the following tracks:
‘Simple Life’
‘Fear In All His Faces’
‘I Love You Goodbye’
‘Farewell Babylon’
‘Red Dress’
‘A Friend Like That’
‘Blood From A Stone’
‘Ruby Slippers’
‘Parallel Track’
‘Pray For The Prisoner’
There Will Be More’
‘Beannacht’
Kate Wallace’s songs have been recorded by famous artists, she’s recorded sound tracks for major movies, been featured in two different books on songwriters, been on numerous television shows including ‘Music City Tonight’ and she has won the ‘Johnny Mercer Song-writing Award’ for her song, ‘Going Through The Emotions’.
Kate Wallace has also had the pleasure of doing back-up vocals for some of her favourite artists, including John Stewart (Tuesday 5 September 1939 – Saturday 19 January 2008), Peter Gallway, Tom Kimmel, Michael Lille, Sally Barris, Dana Cooper and Tom Prasada-Rao.
Following the release of her four highly acclaimed albums, all released on her own record label – New Pair O’ Dimes – Kate Wallace saw the release of ‘Artists For Change’, a collection which included songs from some of Kate’s good friends, including Greg Greenway, Michael Lille, Sally Barris, James McVay, John Smith and Caren Armstrong; the album was made to benefit JEM, an organisation which promoted global economic justice.
In 2014, Kate Wallace saw the release of ‘Road To Bethlehem’ (New Pair O’Dimes Records, 2014), an album celebrating the Christmas season, which included the following tracks:
‘Children Go Where I Send Thee’
‘The Road To Bethlehem’
‘Song For A Winter’s Night’
‘Let’s Make A Baby King’
‘Glorious’
‘Silver Bells’
‘The Holly Medley’
‘Christmas Dinner’
‘Peace, Peace, Peace’
‘Christmas (That’s Why There’s A Christmas Day)’
At the time of the release of Kate Wallace’s ‘Road to Bethlehem’ (New Pair O’Dimes Records, 2014), acclaimed Country Music Hall of Fame Songwriter Rory Rourke was noted as saying that ‘this is a knock out piece of work – pure heart and art. The quality of this is easily worth a Grammy nomination. The sound is so magical and peaceful that fits the holiday season perfectly. Loved the original song, ‘The Road to Bethlehem’!’
• Visit Kate Wallace’s official site at katewallace.com