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 Con Hunley, which he submitted to this site on Saturday 27 November 2010.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Con Hunley who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Con Hunley
This quote was submitted on Saturday 27 November 2010.
‘Gene Watson is the best true country singer I’ve ever heard in my life.
You can quote me on it!’
Thank you, Con Hunley, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Con Hunley…
Con Hunley was born Conard Logan ‘Con’ Hunley in Knoxville, Tennessee on Monday 9 April 1945.
One of six children, Con Hunley had music in his life from birth. His first entrance into the music world was singing gospel songs at church with his family. Con Hunley was overjoyed when his parents bought him a used ‘Stella’ guitar for Christmas when he was nine years old; his parents taught him basic chords (G,C,D and A) and some simple songs.
Con Hunley’s first professional gig came in 1964 at The Eagles Club in downtown Knoxville. Con Hunley played in a band which was headed up by Gene Hammock, who was a well-known local singer, who sang in the style of Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964) and Eddie Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008).
After high school, Con Hunley began playing with local bands, maturing musically and gaining his first fans. Con Hunley joined the United States Air Force in May 1965 and spent most of his service on a military base in Illinois, teaching aircraft mechanics; he also played music in area clubs whenever possible.
After his tour of duty had finished in 1968, Con Hunley returned to Knoxville and began performing weekly at a local nightclub called The Corner Lounge on Central Avenue, where he met businessman Sam Kirkpatrick, who formed the independent record label Prairie Dust Records to showcase Con Hunley’s talents.
In 1975, Con Hunley travelled to Nashville for the first time.
Between 1976 and 1978, Con Hunley saw the release of a number of non-album singles, including the following:
‘Misery Loves Company’, which was written by Jerry Reed Hubbard (Saturday 20 March 1937 – Monday 1 September 2008) / this track was released in 1976, but it did not chart
‘Loving You Is A Habit I Can’t Break’ / this track was released in 1976, but it did not chart
‘Pick Up The Pieces’ (No.96, 1977)
‘I’ll Always Remember That Song’, which was written by Charlie Daniels (Wednesday 28 October 1936 – Monday 6 July 2020) (No.75, 1977) / this single was released on Prairie Dust Records
‘Breaking Up Is Hard To Do’ (written by Con Hunley) (No.67, 1977) / this single was released on Prairie Dust Records
‘Cry, Cry, Darling’, which was written by Jimmy C. Newman (Monday 29 August 1927 – Saturday 21 June 2014) and Joseph Denton ‘Jay’ Miller (Friday 5 May 1922 – Saturday 23 March 1996) (No.34, 1978) / this single was released on Warner Bros. Records
After some minor success on the Billboard country music singles chart, Con Hunley caught the attention of Warner Bros. Records, who signed him to a recording contract in 1978.
In 1979, Con Hunley saw the release of his debut album for Warner Bros. Records; ‘No Limit’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1979), which was produced by Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017), and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Week-End Friend’, which was written by Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 – Monday 27 January 2020) (No.13, 1978)
‘You’ve Still Got A Place In My Heart’, which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 – Thursday 11 September 1969) (No.14, 1978)
‘I’ve Been Waiting For You All of My Life’ (written by Mark Sherrill and Linda Kimball) (No.14, 1979)
‘Since I Fell For You’, which was written by Woodrow Wilson ‘Buddy’ Johnson (10 January 1915 – Wednesday 9 February 1977) (No.20, 1979)
Con Hunley’s debut album for Warner Bros. Records, ‘No Limit’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1979), also included the following tracks:
‘Livin’ On The Funky Side’, which was written by Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 – Monday 27 January 2020)
‘That’s All That Matters To Me’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘Let’s Try Again’ (written by Roger Riley and Troy Seals)
‘Honky Tonk Heart’ (written by Troy Seals)
‘I’ll Be Blue’ (written by Wayland D. Holyfield)
‘Only The Strong Survive’ (written by Jerry Butler, Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff)
In 1980, Con Hunley saw the release of ‘I Don’t Want To Lose You’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980), which was produced by Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017), and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Don’t Want To Lose You’, which was written by Carl Davis, Stephen Allen Davis (Tuesday 4 October 1949 – Monday 26 December 2022) and Karl Tarleton (No.20, 1980)
‘You Lay A Whole Lot of Love On Me’ (written by Hank Beach and Forest Borders II) (No.19, 1980)
Con Hunley’s ‘I Don’t Want To Lose You’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980) also included the following tracks:
‘Fire In The Morning’ (written by Steve Dorff, Gary Harju and Larry Herbstritt)
‘The Loneliness In Me’, which was written by Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 – Monday 27 January 2020)
‘Straight To My Heart’ (written by Larry Gatlin)
‘Lover’s Lullaby’, which was written by Stephen Allen Davis (Tuesday 4 October 1949 – Monday 26 December 2022), Con Hunley and Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017)
‘Rhythm & Blues’ (written by Roger Riley and Troy Seals)
‘When It Hurts You Most’ (written by Don Cook and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘Lady Got Soul’ (written by Joe New and Troy Seals)
‘Take It Easy’ (written by Delbert McClinton)
It was also in 1980 when Con Hunley saw the release of ‘Don’t It Break Your Heart’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980), which was produced by Tom Collins, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘They Never Lost You’, which was written by Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022) and David Wills (No.19, 1980)
‘What’s New With You’, which was written by Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022) and Dean Dillon (No.11, 1980)
Con Hunley’s ‘Don’t It Break Your Heart’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980) also included the following tracks:
‘It Wasn’t Me’ (written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan)
‘Someone I Used To Love’, which was written by Gary Harrison and Kent M. Robbins (Wednesday 23 April 1947 – Saturday 27 December 1997)
‘I Wanta Wake Up With You’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005)
‘Foolish Feelings’ (written by John Schweers and Marty Yonts)
‘I’m Losing My Life’, which was written by Dean Dillon, Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022) and David Wills
‘Too Big For Words’ (written by Suzy Storm and Barbara Wyrick)
‘This Ol’ Cowboy’s Going Home’ (written by David Rosson)
‘Don’t It Break Your Heart’, which was written by Mack David (Friday 5 July 1912 – Thursday 30 December 1993) and Archie Jordan
In 1981, Con Hunley saw the release of ‘Ask Any Woman’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1981), which was produced by Tom Collins, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘She’s Steppin’ Out’ (written by Walt Aldridge and Tom Brasfield) (No.17, 1981)
‘No Relief In Sight’, which was written by Rory Bourke, Eugene David Dobbins (Monday 19 March 1934 – Sunday 23 November 2008) and Johnny Wilson (No.20, 1982)
Con Hunley’s ‘Ask Any Woman’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1981) also included the following tracks:
‘He Will Break Your Heart’ (written by Jerry Butler, Calvin Carter and Curtis Mayfield)
‘Don’t It Break Your Heart’, which was written by Mack David (Friday 5 July 1912 – Thursday 30 December 1993) and Archie Jordan
‘When It’s Over’, which was written by Kye Fleming and Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022)
‘I’m Back To Putting Up A Front Again’ (written by Ken Jones and John Schweers)
‘Table For One’, which was written by Ken Jones, Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022) and Mike Reid
‘Ask Any Woman’, which was written by Don Pfrimmer (Thursday 9 September 1937 – Monday 7 December 2015)
‘Would You Let A Fool Come In’, which was written by Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021), Rory Bourke and Jerry Gillespie
‘Tryin’ To Love Two’ (written by Paul Mitchell)
In 1982, Con Hunley saw the release of ‘Oh Girl’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1982), which was produced by Steve Dorff, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Oh, Girl’, which was written by Eugene Booker Record (Monday 23 December 1940 – Friday 22 July 2005) (No.12, 1982)
‘Confidential’ (written by Dorinda Morgan) (No.43, 1982)
Con Hunley’s ‘Oh Girl’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1982) also included the following tracks:
‘Just Like Old Times’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy and Deborah Allen)
‘My Heart Will Know’, which was written by Keith Stegall and Peter James McCann (Saturday 6 March 1948 – Thursday 26 January 2023)
‘Stop, You’re Killing Me’ (written by Jerry Fuller)
‘Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got)’ (written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter)
‘Tonight I Took Your Memory Off The Wall’ (written by Steve Dorff and Milton Brown)
‘It Used To Be Me’ (written by Roy Freeland and Bill LaBounty)
‘She Never Laid Love On Me’ (written by Chester Lester)
‘I Still Have Dreamin’ (written by Steve Dorff, Dan Stalker and Steve Berg)
It was during his tenure at Warner Bros. Records when Con Hunley was nominated for ‘Male Vocalist of The Year’ and ‘Newcomer of The Year’ by both the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and the Country Music Association (CMA).
In 1983, Con Hunley saw the release, on MCA Records, of the following non-album single:
‘Once You Get The Feel of It’, which was written by Dean Dillon and Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012) (No.42, 1983)
Con Hunley’s passionate vocals won him a devoted and enthusiastic fan base; he moved to MCA Records, where he issued a 1983 version of Porter Wagoner‘s classic song, ‘Satisfied Mind’, which was written by Joe ‘Red’ Hayes (Sunday 4 April 1926 – Friday 2 March 1973) and Jack Rhodes (1908 – 1968), and reached No.84 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983; the track featured guest vocals from Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007).
In 1984 and 1985, Con Hunley saw the release of a number of non-album singles:
‘Deep In The Arms of Texas’ (written by Kelly Bach) (No.75, 1984)
‘All American Country Boy’, which was written by Keith Stegall and Charlie Craig (Friday 30 September 1938 – Friday 1 July 2011) (No.57, 1984)
‘I’d Rather Be Crazy’, which was written by Don Pfrimmer (Thursday 9 September 1937 – Monday 7 December 2015), Byron Gallimore and Paul Worley (No.54, 1985) / this single was released on Capitol Records
‘Nobody Ever Gets Enough Love’, which was written by D. Morgan and Stephen Allen Davis (Tuesday 4 October 1949 – Monday 26 December 2022) (No.49, 1985) / this single was released on Capitol Records
After a major shakeup at MCA Records, Jim Fogelsong, who signed Con Hunley to MCA Records, moved to Capitol Records.
Con Hunley followed Jim Fogelsong to Capitol Records and began recording a new album, resulting in a new string of singles, including the much-aired ‘What Am I Gonna Do About You’, which reached No.48 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985.
Con Hunley also saw the release of a further two singles on Capitol Records, ‘Blue Suede Blues’, which was written by Richard Fagan (Thursday 24 April 1947 – Friday 5 August 2016) (No.49, 1986) and ‘Quittin’ Time’ (written by Ron Hellard, Michael Garvin and Bucky Jones) (No.55, 1986).
Con Hunley also toured throughout the United States, playing large venues around the country with a number of artists, including Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys, Larry Gatlin, George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998).
Although he continued to perform in a variety of venues, including a 1996 performance at The White House and a performance at the World Heavyweight Championship fight in South Africa, Con Hunley recorded no new music for over a decade after his last release for Capitol Records.
In 2003, having signed a recording contract with IMMI Records, Con Hunley saw the release of his comeback album, ‘Sweet Memories’ (IMMI Records, 2003), which was embraced by thousands of people who’d never forgotten the blue-eyed country singer.
Major national retailers, including KMart and Wal-Mart, opened rack space to stock Con Hunley’s comeback album, ‘Sweet Memories’ (IMMI Records, 2003), which included four tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
Still’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was released as a single in 2004, but it did not chart
‘Only Time Will Tell’ (written by Dean Dillon, John Northrup and Tommy Rocco) / this track was released as a single in 2005, but it did not chart
‘She Ain’t You’ (written by Monty Holmes and Donny Kees) / this track was released as a single in 2005, but it did not chart
‘Sweet Memories’, which was written by Mickey Newbury (Sunday 19 May 1940 – Sunday 29 September 2002) / this track was released as a single in 2005, but it did not chart
Con Hunley’s comeback album, ‘Sweet Memories’ (IMMI Records, 2003), also included the following tracks:
‘Over Getting, Over You’ (written by Dean Dillon)
‘A Chance’, which was written by Dean Dillon and Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018)
‘Since I Fell For You’ (written by Buddy Johnson)
‘She Thinks I Still Care’ (written by Dicky Lee and Steve Duffy)
‘That’s All That Matters To Me’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) / this track was originally included on ‘No Limit’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1979), Con Hunley’s debut album for Warner Bros. Records
‘Don’t Touch Me’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘Something You Got’ (written by Chris Kenner)
‘If You Ever Have Forever In Mind’ (written by Vince Gill and Troy Seals) / the original version of this track was recorded by Vince Gill, who included it on ‘The Key’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1998); Vince Gill‘s version of the track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1998
‘No Relief In Sight’, which was written by Rory Bourke, Eugene David Dobbins (Monday 19 March 1934 – Sunday 23 November 2008) and Johnny Wilson / this track was originally included on Con Hunley’s ‘Ask Any Woman’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1981), and reached No.20 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982
‘Dedication To Mama’
‘Amazing Grace’
Billboard, Country Weekly and other periodicals published ecstatic reviews of Con Hunley’s comeback album, ‘Sweet Memories’ (IMMI Records, 2003); Music Row magazine not only raved about the album, it featured Con Hunley on its cover.
Country Music Television (CMT) considered Con Hunley’s ‘Sweet Memories’ (IMMI Records, 2003) to be one of the Top 10 country music albums of the year. Praise poured in from celebrities, including Vince Gill, Kenny Chesney, Ralph Emery (Friday 10 March 1933 – Saturday 15 January 2022) and Bill Anderson.
It was at this time when Con Hunley’s official website at conhunley.com attracted nearly a million hits.
In 2005, Con Hunley’s triumphant return was featured at the Country Music Association Music Festival in Nashville, and Con Hunley performed in concert at The Country Music Hall of Fame and at Ryman Auditorium.
Con Hunley’s new music received airplay at radio stations from coast to coast (in America), as well as on both national satellite country outlets, XM and Sirius.
Following the success of ‘Sweet Memories’ (IMMI Records, 2003), Con Hunley saw the release of ‘The First Time From Studio B’ (IMMI Records, 2006), a compilation of the singer’s earliest recordings made between 1975 and 1977; the compilation included the following tracks, which were originally released on Prairie Dust Records, as 45rpm singles:
‘Misery Loves Company’, which was written by Jerry Reed Hubbard (Saturday 20 March 1937 – Monday 1 September 2008)
‘Loving You Is A Habit (I Can’t Break)’
‘Columbus Stockade Blues’
‘Breaking Up Is Hard To Do’ (written by Con Hunley)
‘It Looks Like A Good Night For Drinking’
‘Pick Up The Pieces of Your Heart’
‘Deep In The Arms of Texas’
‘Never Felt More Like Dying’
‘I’ll Always Remember That Song’
‘Look At Me Loving You Again’
‘Woman To Man, Man To Woman’
In 2006, Con Hunley saw the release of ‘Shoot From The Heart’ (IMMI Records, 2006), which was produced by Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017) and Con Hunley, and included the following tracks:
‘Shoot From The Heart’, which was written by Con Hunley, Harry Smith and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016)
‘Deep In The Arms of Texas’ (written by Kelly Bach)
‘Rockin’ In The Arms of Your Memory’, which was written by Dean Dillon and Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017)
‘The Keys’, which was written by Dean Dillon, Dale Dodson and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘I Can’t Make It Alone’ (written by Neil Thrasher, Kelly Shiver and Kent Blazy)
‘I Can See You With My Eyes Closed’ (written by Larry Bastian)
‘Look At Me Loving You Again’ (written by Kelly Bach and Jeanne Lane)
‘Just Like Old Times’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy and Deborah Allen)
‘Georgia On My Mind’ (Tribute To Ray), which was written by Hoagy Carmichael (22 November 1899 – Sunday 27 December 1981) and Stuart Gorrell
‘That Old Clock’, which was written by Con Hunley, Larry Shell and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016)
‘Words From Con’ (spoken by Con Hunley)
‘Hollow Man’, which was written by Larry Shell, Steve Gulley and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016)
‘Why Me Lord’ (written by Kris Kristofferson)
Personnel involved in the recording of Con Hunley’s ‘Shoot From The Heart’ (IMMI Records, 2006) included the following:
Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar)
B. James Lowry (acoustic guitar)
Larry Paxton (bass)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Gary Prim (piano)
John Hughey (Wednesday 27 December 1933 – Sunday 18 November 2007) (steel guitar)
Randy McCormick (keyboard, B-3 organ)
Tim Hunley, Ruth Akers and Kenny Hunley (background vocals)
• Visit Con Hunley’s official site at conhunley.com