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 2013, 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 Rex Allen Jr., which he submitted to this site on Monday 27 May 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Rex Allen Jr. who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Rex Allen Jr.
This quote was submitted on Monday 27 May 2013.
‘Gene Watson is a legend in country music.
Gene should be, not only a member of The Grand Ole Opry, but he should be a member of The Country Music Hall of Fame.
Gene Watson is a great talent and someone we all, in this business, should or do recognise’
Thank you, Rex Allen Jr., for your support of Gene Watson.
About Rex Allen Jr…
Rex Allen Jr. was born on Saturday 23 August 1947 in Chicago, Illinois and started singing at the age of six; he had followed in the footsteps of his father, Rex Allen (Friday 31 December 1920 – Friday 17 December 1999), a singing cowboy and the narrator of many Walt Disney films.
Rex Allen Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps as a film narrator when he lent his voice as narrator of the Jim Carrey movie, ‘Me, Myself & Irene’.
Rex Allen Jr. performed in a ‘countrypolitan’ style and enjoyed numerous hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart during the 1970s and early 1980s.
In 1971, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘Today’s Generation’ (SSS International Records, 1971), which included the following tracks:
‘The Younger Generation’
‘I Back Up’
‘The Children’
‘You Weren’t There’
‘Other Husbands & Wives’
‘Home Song (Dreams of What May Come)’
‘Wake Up Morning’
‘The Father Needs A Man’
‘Push To The Ground’
‘Black Skies’
‘The Corners of My Life’
In 1974, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘Another Goodbye Song’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1974), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Great Mail Robbery’ (written by Joe Allen) (No.63, 1973)
‘Goodbye’ (No.19, 1974)
‘Another Goodbye Song’, which was written by Martha Sharp (Tuesday 9 February 1937 – Wednesday 11 December 2024) and Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012) (No.31, 1974)
‘Never Coming Back Again’ (No.36, 1974)
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘Another Goodbye Song’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1974) also included the following tracks:
‘I Can See Clearly Now’
‘Sunshine On My Shoulder’
‘The Same Old Way’
‘A Love Song’
‘The Midnight Oil’ (written by Joe Allen)
‘Yes, We Have Love’
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘Another Goodbye Song’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1974) reached No.45 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1974.
In 1975, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of a non-album single, ‘Lying In My Arms’ (written by Joe Allen), which reached No.70 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975.
In 1976, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘Ridin’ High’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1976), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Play Me No Sad Songs’ (No.34, 1976)
‘Can You Hear Those Pioneers’ (written by Judy Maude and Rex Allen Jr.) (No.17, 1976)
‘Teardrops In My Heart’ (written by Vaughn Horton) (No.18, 1976)
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘Ridin’ High’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1976) also included the following tracks:
‘Since I Lost Her To You’
‘I Love Everything I Get My Hands On’
‘I Gotta Remember To Forget You’
‘While The Feeling’s Good’, which was written by Freddie Hart (Tuesday 21 December 1926 – Saturday 27 October 2018) and Roger D. Bowling (Sunday 3 December 1944 – Sunday 26 December 1982)
‘Home Made Love’
‘Streets of Laredo’
‘You’re The Only One I’ll Ever Love’
‘San Antonio Rose’
‘Crying In The Rain’
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘Ridin’ High’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1976) reached No.31 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1976.
On Saturday 1 January 1977, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘The Best of Rex Allen Jr.’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1977), which included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Say Goodbye’ (written by Rex Allen Jr.) (No.15, 1977)
‘Teardrops In My Heart’ (written by Vaughn Horton) (No.18, 1976)
‘Whatever I Am Today’ (written by Curtis Allen)
‘Goodbye’, which was written by Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006) and Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012) (No.19, 1974)
‘Don’t It Make You Want To Go Home’, which was written by Joe South (Wednesday 28 February 1940 – Wednesday 5 September 2012)
‘I’m Getting Good At Missing You (Solitaire)’ (written by Wayland D. Holyfield) (No.10, 1977)
‘Lonely Street’, which was written by Carl Robert Belew (Tuesday 21 April 1931 – Wednesday 31 October 1990), Kenny Sowder and W.S. Stevenson (1900 – 1978) (No.8, 1977)
‘The Great Mail Robbery’ (written by Joe Allen) (No.63, 1973)
‘Silver Wings’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) & ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006)
‘Two Less Lonely People’, which was written by Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024) (No.8, 1976)
‘Can You Hear Those Pioneers’ (written by Judy Maude and Rex Allen Jr.) (No.17, 1976)
‘Tumblin’ Tumbleweed & Cool Water’, which was written by Bob Nolan (Monday 13 April 1908 – Monday 16 June 1980)
In 1977, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘Rex’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1977), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Two Less Lonely People’, which was written by Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024) (No.8, 1976)
‘I’m Getting Good At Missing You (Solitaire)’, which was written by Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024) (No.10, 1977)
‘Don’t Say Goodbye’ (written by Rex Allen Jr.) (No.15, 1977)
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘Rex’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1977) also included the following tracks:
‘Lovin’ Arms’
‘Let Me Love You Once Before You Go’
‘There’s No Use Hanging On’
‘Loving You So Long Now’
‘It’s Best I Hit The Road’
‘Mary’s Vineyard’
‘She Just Said Goodbye’
‘Throw Out Your Loveline’
‘Lying In My Arms’
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘Rex’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1977) reached No.42 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977.
In 1978, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘Brand New’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1978), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘No, No, No (I’d Rather Be Free)’ (No.8, 1978)
‘With Love’ (No.10, 1978)
‘It’s Time We Talk Things Over’ (No.12, 1978) / this track featured The Boys
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘Brand New’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1978) also included the following tracks:
‘She Is The Dream’, which was written by Earl Thomas Conley (Friday 17 October 1941 – Wednesday 10 April 2019) and Joe Allen
‘Mem’ries’
‘You Turned It On Again Last Night’ (written by Hoy Lindsey, Joe Allen and Larry Shell)
‘Watch Me Cry’
‘Diary’
‘Kin To The Wind’
‘I Got A Name’
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘Brand New’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1978) reached No.45 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978.
In 1979, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘Me & My Broken Heart’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1979), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Me & My Broken Heart’ (No.9, 1979)
‘If I Fell In Love With You’ (No.18, 1979)
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘Me & My Broken Heart’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1979) also included the following tracks:
‘Lovin’ You Is Everything To Me’
‘Don’t You Ever Tell A Soul’
‘Wonder Working Love’
‘Pick Up The Pieces’
‘Amazing’
‘One Lives In My Life (One Lives In My Heart)’
‘Why Did You Stop Lovin’ Me’
‘Somebody’s Leavin’
In 1980, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘Oklahoma Rose’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Yippy Cry Yi’ (No.25, 1980)
‘It’s Over’ (No.14, 1980)
‘Drink It Down, Lady’ (No.25, 1980)
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘Oklahoma Rose’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980) also included the following tracks:
‘Prairie Moon’
‘Good Time’
‘Hollywood’
‘You’re Gonna Be A Star’
‘She Has My Heart’
‘What Was Your Name?’
‘Oklahoma Rose’
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘Oklahoma Rose’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980) reached No.69 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1980.
In 1981, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘The Cat’s In The Cradle’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1981), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Cup of Tea’ (written by Harlan White) (No.12, 1981) / this track was a duet with Margo Smith (Thursday 9 April 1942 – Tuesday 23 January 2024)
‘Just A Country Boy’ (written by Rex Allen Jr.) (No.35, 1981)
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘The Cat’s In The Cradle’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1981) also included the following tracks:
‘Arizona’ (written by Rex Allen Jr.)
‘Play Me’ (written by Neil Diamond)
‘The One I Sing My Love Songs To’, which was written by Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024)
‘Wheelin’ Dealin’ (written by Rex Allen Jr. and Judy Maude)
‘Shame On Me’ (written by Denny DeMarco)
‘She’s In Love With The Rodeo Man’ (written by Bob McDill)
‘Memories For Sale’, which was written by Linda Hargrove (Thursday 3 February 1949 – Sunday 24 October 2010), Mary Ann Kennedy and Pam Rose
‘Cats In The Cradle’, which was written by Sandy Chapin and Harry Forster Chapin (Monday 7 December 1942 – Thursday 16 July 1981)
It was also in 1981 when Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘While The Feeling’s Good’, a non-album single, which was a duet with Margo Smith (Thursday 9 April 1942 – Tuesday 23 January 2024), reaching No.26 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
In March 1982, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘The Singing Cowboy’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1982), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Last of The Silver Screen Boys’, which was written by M. Brown, Steve Dorff and Tommy ‘Snuff’ Garrett (Tuesday 5 July 1938 – Wednesday 16 December 2015) (No.43, 1982) / this track featured guest vocals from Roy Rogers (Sunday 5 November 1911 – Monday 6 July 1998) and Rex Allen Sr. (Friday 31 December 1920 – Friday 17 December 1999)
‘Cowboy In A Three Piece Business Suit’, which was written by Dewayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021) (No.44, 1982)
‘Ride Cowboy Ride’ (written by Denny DeMarco, Rex Allen Jr. and C. Allen) (No.85, 1982)
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘The Singing Cowboy’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1982) also included the following tracks:
‘Lullaby In The Cradle’, which was written by Cliff Crofford (Thursday 12 December 1929 – Sunday 22 November 2009), Johnny Durrill and Tommy ‘Snuff’ Garrett (Tuesday 5 July 1938 – Wednesday 16 December 2015)
‘Blue Prairie’, which was written by Bob Nolan (Monday 13 April 1908 – Monday 16 June 1980) and Vernon Harold Timothy (Tim) Spencer (13 July 1908 – Friday 26 April 1974)
‘Round Up Time’ (written by Rex Allen Jr.)
‘Three Friends Have I’, which was written by Bob Nolan (Monday 13 April 1908 – Monday 16 June 1980)
‘Texas Plains’, which was written by Stuart Hamblen (Tuesday 20 October 1908 – Wednesday 8 March 1989)
‘There’s Nobody Home On The Range Anymore’ (written by E. Penney and R. Parsons)
‘Where Are The Heroes’ (written by Denny DeMarco, Rex Allen Jr. and C. Allen)
It was also in 1982 when Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘Country Cowboy’ (Accord Record Corporation, 1982), which included the following tracks:
‘Wake Up Morning’
‘The Children’
‘Other Husbands & Wives’
‘The Corners of My Life’
‘You Weren’t There’
‘Push To The Ground’
‘Blow The Winds Away’
‘I Honky Tonked All The Way Back Home’
In 1984, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘On The Move’ (Moonshine Records, 1984), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Air That I Breathe’, which was written by Albert Hammond and Michael Edward ‘Mike’ Hazlewood (Wednesday 24 December 1941 – Sunday 6 May 2001) (No.37, 1983)
‘Dream On Texas Ladies’ (No.18, 1984)
‘Running Down Memory Lane’ (written by Eddy Raven) (No.24, 1984)
‘When You Held Me In Your Arms’ (written by Hugh Moffatt) (No.62, 1985)
Rex Allen Jr.’s ‘On The Move’ (Moonshine Records, 1984) also included the following tracks:
‘A Good Woman’s Love’, which was written by Bud Reneau, Dobie Gray (Friday 26 July 1940 – Tuesday 6 December 2011) and Wray Chafin
‘Single Again’ (written by Johnny Cymbal and Ray Robinson)
‘Memory Train’ (written by Rick Wayne Cox)
‘You Sure Could Have Fooled Me’
‘Out of Your Mind’
It was also in 1984 when Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘Sweet Rosanna’, a non-album single, which reached No.44 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1984.
In 1987, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘We’re Staying Together’, a non-album single, which reached No.59 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.
Rex Allen Jr. was also the composer and performer of the alternate state anthem of Arizona, entitled ‘Arizona’.
In the 1990s, Rex Allen Jr. was a regular performer on ‘The Statler Brothers Show’ on The Nashville Network (TNN), and he also hosted the spin-off series, ‘Yesteryear’.
In 1994, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘The Very Best of Rex Allen Jr.’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1994), which included the following tracks:
‘The Great Mail Robbery’ (written by Joe Allen) (No.63, 1973)
‘Goodbye’, which was written by Buddy Killen (Sunday 13 November 1932 – Wednesday 1 November 2006) and Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012) (No.19, 1974)
‘Two Less Lonely People’, which was written by Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024) (No.8, 1976)
‘I’m Getting Good At Missing (Solitaire)’, which was written by Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024) (No.10, 1977)
‘Don’t Say Goodbye’ (written by Rex Allen Jr.) (No.15, 1977)
‘Lonely Street’, which was written by Carl Robert Belew (Tuesday 21 April 1931 – Wednesday 31 October 1990), Kenny Sowder and W.S. Stevenson (1900 – 1978) (No.8, 1977)
‘No, No, No (I’d Rather Be Free)’ (No.8, 1978)
‘With Love’ (No.10, 1978)
‘Drink It Down, Lady’ (No.25, 1980)
‘It’s Over’ (No.14, 1980)
In 1995, Warner Western Music released Rex Allen Jr. & Rex Allen Sr.’s ‘The Singing Cowboys’ (Warner Western Music, 1995), which included the following tracks:
‘Can You Hear Those Pioneers’ (written by Judy Maude and Rex Allen Jr.) / the original version of this track was recorded by Rex Allen Jr. and reached No.17 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976
‘Tyin’ Knots In The Devil’s Tail’
‘Yippi Cry Yi’
‘Ride Cowboy Ride’
‘Tumblin’ Tumbleweed & Cool Water’, which was written by Bob Nolan (Monday 13 April 1908 – Monday 16 June 1980) / the original version of this track was recorded by Rex Allen Jr. and was an album track in 1977
‘Little Joe The Wrangler’
‘Texas Plains’
‘When The Work’s All Done This Fall’
‘Last of The Silver Screen Cowboys’
‘Arizona’
In 2007, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘The New West’ (BPR Records, 2007), a collection of ‘Western’ themed songs, which included the following tracks:
‘You Are The One of My Dreams’
‘Ride, Cowboy, Ride’
‘Along The Navajo Trail’
‘Round Up Time’
‘Poncho & Lefty’, which was written by Townes Van Zandt (Tuesday 7 March 1944 – Wednesday 1 January 1997)
‘Liberty Valance’
‘Desperado’
‘Back Home Again’
‘Deep In The West’
‘Streets of Laredo
‘Dakota Iron’
In 2008, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘It’s Finally Christmas’ (BPR Records, 2008), his first collection of seasonal songs, which included the following tracks:
‘It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas’
‘Jingle Bells’
‘Away In A Manger’
‘We Three Kings’
‘Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer’
‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’
‘Frosty The Snowman’
‘O, Come All Ye Faithful’
‘Here Comes Santa Claws’
‘The First Noel‘
‘Silent Night‘
‘Jingle Bell Rock‘
‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen‘
‘Winter Wonderland‘
‘Do You Hear What I Hear‘
‘The Christmas Song‘
‘White Christmas’
‘Auld Lang Syne’
In 2009, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘Songs I Wrote’ (BPR Records, 2009), which included the following tracks:
‘Prairie Moon’
‘Country Boy’
‘I Gotta Remember To Forget You’
‘Watch Me Cry’
‘Wheelin’ Dealin’
‘Shame’
‘What Was Your Name’
‘Don’t Say Goodbye’
‘Where Are the Heroes’
‘Oklahoma Rose’
In 2011, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘Other Voices’ (BPR Records, 2011), which included the following tracks:
‘Arizona Waltz’
‘When Payday Rolls Around’
‘Cool Water’
‘Ghost Riders In The Sky’
‘Crying In The Chapel’
‘Don’t Take Your Guns To Town’
‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’
‘Ruidodo’
‘Dreaming My Dreams’
‘Bulletts In The Gun’
‘Last Cowboy Song’
‘Lay Me Down’
In 2012, Rex Allen Jr. saw the release of ‘Garage Songs I’ (BPR Records, 2012), which included the following tracks:
‘Loving Arms’
‘I Recall A Gypsy Woman’
‘Dark As A Dungeon’
‘Lonely Little Robin’
‘Lillies Grow High’
‘The Way I Am’
• Visit Rex Allen Jr.’s official site at rexallenjr.com