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 2011, 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 Ron Williams, which he submitted to this site on Monday 3 January 2011.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Ron Williams, who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Ron Williams
This quote was submitted on Monday 3 January 2011.
‘The first time hearing Gene Watson sing a country song still stands out in my mind.
Growing up in a music business family, I thought I had heard them all.
His incredible voice gave me the same feeling as when I heard George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) or Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) sing for the first time.
I knew I was listening to true greatness, above and beyond what most other country singers were doing.
You can count on one hand the number of extraordinary talents that made a name for themselves in the history of country music that are ‘real’ artists.
In my opinion, that list would include Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), Merle (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), George (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and, of course…the great Gene Watson’
Thank you, Ron Williams, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Ron Williams…
Ron Williams was born in Hendersonville, Tennessee on Friday 20 September 1968 and comes from an amazing family rich in musical tradition.
The son of singer / songwriter Leona Williams, Ron Williams has been surrounded by legendary artists from the world of country music since his childhood.
Former step-son of both Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) and hit songwriter / guitarist, Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), Ron Williams was given the golden opportunity to grow up surrounded by the legends of the industry.
By the age of seventeen, Ron Williams began polishing his own unique style of country music. With influences including Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982), Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), Larry Gatlin and John Conlee, he has consistently proven that he is a genuine country music artist, one that is worthy of being referred to as ‘the real deal’.
Performing and travelling all over the United States, Ron Williams continues to build a huge fan base and has gathered critical acclaim from many of Music Row’s top executives in Nashville.
Some of Ron Williams’ career highlights include the following:
• Regular host of the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree
• Regular appearances on RFD-TV
• Daily airplay on satellite and conventional radio
• Former front man of show ‘San Antonio Rose Live’ from historic Aztec Theater on riverwalk in downtown San Antonio, Texas
• Successful European tours of Scotland, Ireland and Sweden
• Performances on stage at Ryman Auditorium, Wild Horse Saloon and many others
• Filmed television pilot for new country music show with Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) and Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022)
• Performed on shows featuring artists such as Gene Watson, Bill Anderson, Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020), Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016), Darrell McCall, Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 – Thursday 17 March 2011), Sammy Kershaw, Craig Morgan, Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Lorrie Morgan
Ron Williams’ song-writing credits include the following tracks:
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded Ron Williams’ ‘Somethin’ Like This’ (co-written with Michael Higgins) and included the track on ‘Twice Upon A Time’ (Epic Records, 1997); the track reached No.40 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
Sonny Burgess recorded Ron Williams’ ‘Alone With You’ and included the track on ‘When In Texas’ (Music City Records, 2001).
Justin Trevino recorded Ron Williams’ ‘Before You Say Amen’ and included the track on ‘Before You Say Amen’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2006).
Ron Williams has also seen the release of three highly acclaimed albums; ‘Natural Thing’ (Black Patch Records, 2004), ‘Texas Style’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2007) and ‘Longer You’re Gone’ (Ah Ha Music Group Records, 2009).
At the time of the acquisition of this ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson, in January 2011, Ron Williams was residing in Hermitage, Tennessee and had been married to his wife Amy since 2000; Ron and Amy have two beautiful daughters, Alexis and Olivia.
In 2013, Ron Williams saw the release of ‘Foolproof’ (Loveshine Records, 2013), which included the following tracks:
‘Dead & Gone’
‘Under The Spell’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Things I Almost Had with You’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Foolproof’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Bring It On’
‘Maybe Love will Save The Day’
‘Nadine’
‘I Will’
‘Too Close to The Border’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Dance Till The Cows Come Home’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Let’s Go Back Someday’
‘Shake It Off’
• Visit Ron Williams’ official site at ronwilliamscountry.com