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 Dennis Knutson, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 26 November 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Dennis Knutson who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Dennis Knutson (pictured right) with David Frizzell
Dennis Knutson
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 26 November 2013.
‘I never met Gene, but I think he probably has one of the smoothest voices in the business and I am a big fan of his talent.
I was honoured that he cut mine and ‘Doodle’ Owens’ songs, ‘Cold Summer Day In Georgia‘ and ‘I Don’t Think She’d Really Mind At All‘.
Best of luck to Gene in the future!’
Thank you, Dennis Knutson, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Dennis Knutson…
(photo courtesy of byronhillmusic.com)
Dennis Knutson was an old fashioned blue collar songwriter who wrote songs for all the right reasons.
Over the years, Dennis Knutson put together quite a resume of genuine craft, from cutting his teeth writing for Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) with an exclusive writing deal, to loading up the truck to head to Nashville and penning a thread of hit singles for George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013).
Never at a loss for a great story, Dennis Knutson bared his soul, writing honest lyrics that went on paper for scores of the all-time great country music singers.
The year was 1951; Dennis Knutson was around the age of seven years old when a moment of faith would articulate what would become his calling in this life.
A father / son drive in a 1939 Buick Century, with the radio playing a Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) song, a fresh faced youngster would take notice to the resonance in Lefty’s tone of voice that made the dashboard chrome grill buzz. It was a moment in time that would plant a seed for a fruitful labour of love in songwriting.
Around the same time, a friend of the family brought over a 45rpm vinyl single record by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953).
Dennis Knutson held these two icons, Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), in his heart, as the focal two that would begin it all musically for him.
After a gift of an upright piano and taking lessons for a year, it was all becoming ‘a gravy train with biscuit wheels’ for the soon to be renowned songwriter.
By the time he was sixteen years old, things began to fall in place for Dennis Knutson. ‘I was in a five-piece band and we would rent local dance halls and pack ‘em out’, recalled Dennis, who would later put pen to paper and write ‘Wine Colored Roses’, a classic song, which was recorded by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), reaching No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.
The Berlin Crisis of 1961 was grounds of the building of The Berlin Wall, causing a country to be divided. Culture was promptly altering and Dennis Knutson, now eighteen years old, was in the United States Army, posted in Hanau, Germany and began to experience the loneliness, which is the basic structure for many country music songs.
Back home, in the United States, The Beatles had played The Carven Club for the first time, ‘Stand By Me’ was No.1 on the Billboard pop music singles chart and Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 – Tuesday 5 March 1963) had a crossover hit with ‘I Fall To Pieces’, while she was in hospital, following a car accident.
But, in frigid, lonely Germany, temperatures would reach twenty degrees below zero, while soldiers were on constant alert and that meant the weekend passes were taken from them all the time. Dennis Knutson established a little salvation from the radio and began to write melodies from the songs that would inspire him to create his very own.
‘I could type over a hundred words a minute’, Dennis recalled, ‘so I was changed from an artillery grunt to a court recorder in the Battalion headquarters…it made my stay a little easier, but still lonesome for home’.
Dennis Knutson also recalled, ‘It was so nice to get out of the service on the troop ship back across the Atlantic’.
Meanwhile, across the pond, Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) had made the transition from rock music to country music. Dennis Knutson, however, was making the transition from soldier to civilian.
‘I guess my attempt to start writing songs was around late 1964…I was dumb as bag of rocks, but I stayed with it’, recalled Dennis.
Civilian life had brought Dennis Knutson back to where he was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington and where the beer joints he hung out in would make for some good material. Writing songs for his friends in Washington State, Dennis Knutson began to get notoriety from the musician friends he had met.
Bonnie Guitar (Sunday 25 March 1923 – Sunday 13 January 2019) was the stage name for Bonnie Buckingham, who lived in Seattle, Washington and she took Dennis Knutson under her wing.
Bonnie Guitar (Sunday 25 March 1923 – Sunday 13 January 2019) was most known for being the first to have a country song crossover to pop radio with her hit, ‘Dark Moon’, which was written by Ned Miller (Sunday 12 April 1925 – Friday 18 March 2016); second only to legendary Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 – Tuesday 5 March 1963) with a crossover hit single.
Bonnie Guitar’s ‘Dark Moon’, which was written by Ned Miller (Sunday 12 April 1925 – Friday 18 March 2016), was a major hit single, reaching No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1957, and No.6 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1957.
Dennis Knutson recalled, ‘I learned a lot from Bonnie Guitar (Sunday 25 March 1923 – Sunday 13 January 2019). My one and only time as an artist was on an indie label; it was with a duo called Jerry & Denny that sounded in the same vein as The Everly Brothers – Phil Everly (Thursday 19 January 1939 – Friday 3 January 2014) and Don Everly (Monday 1 February 1937 – Saturday 21 August 2021). It was shipped to five states in the northwest and got a small amount of airplay, but that was the end of that’.
Dennis Knutson’s first major cut was on Dot Records, the label to which Bonnie Guitar (Sunday 25 March 1923 – Sunday 13 January 2019) was signed and she helped him get the cut; the song was ‘Dawn Holds Another Day’ and it became a hit for eleven year old Browning Bryant. The teen heart-throb was a fixture in ’16 Magazine’ and he played the song on the variety show, ‘The Kraft Music Hall’, by the side of Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) and June Carter Cash (Sunday 23 June 1929 – Thursday 15 May 2003).
One of Dennis Knutson’s songs got into the hands of a female singer who asked could she have some of his songs to use for a voice try out for Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006).
Dennis Knutson arranged a few songs together for her to present to Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006).
‘The next thing I know, I received a call from Buck, who told me he was not going to sign her, but he wanted to sign me to an exclusive writing deal’.
The content of this feature, which was originally titled ‘Dennis Knutson: The Story of A Blue Collared Songwriter’, was written by Jason Wallace Robinson, who hails from Spartanburg, South Carolina; the feature was published (online) on Tuesday 12 June 2012 in ‘Outlaw Magazine’.
Additional information used within this article was kindly supplied by Eddie Burton.
Susan Raye recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Motherhood, Apple Pie & The Flag’ and included the track on ‘Pitty Pitty Patter’ (Capitol Records, 1971).
Susan Raye recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Cheating Game’, which was co-written with Bonnie Guitar (Sunday 25 March 1923 – Sunday 13 January 2019), and included the track on ‘Cheating Game’ (Capitol Records, 1973); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973.
Tony Booth recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Happy Hour’, which was co-written with Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006), and included the track on ‘Happy Hour’ (Capitol Records, 1974); the track, which reached No.49 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973, was subsequently included on ‘The Essential Tony Booth’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2009).
Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ’41st Street Lonely Hearts Club’ (co-written with Jim Shaw) and included the track on ’41st Street Lonely Hearts Club’ (Capitol Records, 1975); the track reached No.19 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975.
Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Run Him To The Round House, Nellie’ (co-written with Buck Owens) and included the track on ’41st Street Lonely Hearts Club’ (Capitol Records, 1975).
Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Feel Good Again’ and included the track on ‘Our Old Mansion’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1977); the track featured guest vocals from Dennis Knutson.
Rose Maddox (Saturday 15 August 1925 – Wednesday 15 April 1998) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Reckless Love & Bold Adventure’ and included the track on ‘Reckless Love & Bold Adventure’ (Takoma Records, 1977); the album was re-issued, on CD, by Ace Records, in the United Kingdom, on Monday 26 November 2007.
Billy ‘Crash’ Craddock recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Ain’t No Easy Way To Lose’ (co-written with Eddie Burton) and included the track on ‘Changes’ (Capitol Records, 1980).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Night Fires’ (co-written with Eddie Burton) and included the track on ‘Heart & Soul’ (MCA Records, 1980).
Joe Sun (James Joseph Paulsen) (Saturday 25 September 1943 – Friday 25 October 2019) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Bombed, Boozed & Busted’ and included the track on ‘Livin’ On Honky Tonk Time’ (Ovation Records, 1980); the track reached No.21 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980.
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Love Salvation’ (co-written with Jerry Barlow) and included the track on ‘Mr. T’ (MCA Records, 1981).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘If I Didn’t Have A Heart’ (co-written with Robert Dawdry and Jerry Taylor) and included the track on ‘Soft Touch’ (Epic Records, 1982).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Another Chance’ (co-written with Jerry Taylor and Linda Juma) and included the track on ‘Soft Touch’ (Epic Records, 1982); the track reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982.
David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Survivor’ (co-written with Eddie Burton) and included the track on ‘On My Own Again’ (Viva Records, 1983).
David Frizzell & Shelly West recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘You Still Do It For Me’ (co-written with Eddie Burton and David Frizzell) and included the track on ‘David Frizzell: In Session’ (Viva Records, 1983).
Red Jenkins (Tuesday 11 November 1947 – Sunday 26 December 2021) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Bombed, Boozed & Busted’, which was co-written with Joe Sun (James Joseph Paulsen) (Saturday 25 September 1943 – Friday 25 October 2019), and included the track on ‘Red Jenkins In Nashvile’ (Sonet Records, 1983).
Reba McEntire recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Poison Sugar’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Just A Little Love’ (MCA Records, 1984).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Daisy Chain’ (co-written with Eddie Burton and Roger Alan Wade) and included the track on ‘Ladies Choice’ (Epic Records, 1984); the track was a duet with Barbara Mandrell.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Somebody Wants Me Out of The Way’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes’ (Epic Records, 1985); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘If Only You’d Love Me Again’ (co-written with Eddie Burton) and included the track on ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes’ (Epic Records, 1985).
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘I Spent All My Love On You’ (co-written with Eddie Burton) and included the track on ‘Jan Howard’ (Dot Records / MCA Records, 1985).
Gene Watson recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Cold Summer Day In Georgia’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Memories to Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985); the track, which reached No.24 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985, featured backing vocals from Leona Williams and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), along with the exquisite guitar work of Dave Kirby.
On Monday 9 May 2011, in the United Kingdom & Ireland, and on Tuesday 17 May 2011 (worldwide), England’s Hux Records released Gene Watson‘s ‘Memories To Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985), along with Gene Watson‘s ‘Starting New Memories‘ (Epic Records, 1986), a special ‘2-on-1’ CD set, ‘Memories to Burn & Starting New Memories‘ (Hux Records, 2011), as HUX 124.
Gene Watson‘s recording of Dennis Knutson’s ‘Cold Summer Day In Georgia’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), was subsequently included on Gene Watson’s ‘Ultimate Collection‘ (Universal / Hip-O Records, 2001).
Jeanne Pruett recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘I’ll Be In Love’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Jerry Barlow, and included the track on ‘Jeanne Pruett’ (Dot Records, 1985).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Wine Colored Roses’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Wine Colored Roses’ (Epic Records, 1986); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘The Right Left Hand’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Wine Colored Roses’ (Epic Records, 1986); the track reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘The Bird’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Too Wild Too Long’ (Epic Records, 1987); the track reached No.26 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.
In 1987, George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘I’m Goin’ Home Like I Never Did Before’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999); the track was the ‘B’ side of the single, ‘The Bird’.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Pretty Little Lady From Beaumont, Texas’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘One Woman Man’ (Epic Records, 1989).
Doug Stone recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Fourteen Minutes Old’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Doug Stone’ (Epic Records, 1990); the track reached No.6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1990, and No.5 on the Canadian RPM Tracks Chart in 1990.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘It Hurts As Much In Texas (As It Did In Tennessee)’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Friends In High Places’ (Epic Records, 1991); the track was a duet with Ricky Van Shelton.
Gene Watson recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘I Don’t Think She’d Really Mind At All’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘In Other Words‘ (Canada: Mercury Records / Polygram Records, 1992 / United States: Broadland International Records, 1992).
Cleve Francis recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Run Like The Wind’ (co-written with Roger Alan Wade) and included the track on ‘Waitin’ (Liberty Records / Capitol Records, 1993).
David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘My Life Is Just A Bridge’ and included the track on ‘My Life Is Just A Bridge’ (RCA Records, 1993).
David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘They’d Have To Hold My Arm Up’ and included the track on ‘My Life Is Just A Bridge’ (RCA Records, 1993).
(Wednesday 28 September 1938 – Thursday 30 April 2015)
In 1993, Benjamin Earl King (Wednesday 28 September 1938 – Thursday 30 April 2015) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘If You Need A Miracle’ (co-written with Eddie Cunningham) for Ichiban Records; the track was included on the soundtrack of the film ‘Made In America’ (1993), which starred Whoopi Goldberg, Ted Danson and Will Smith; the film was directed by Richard Benjamin.
Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Last Dance With You’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Eddie Burton, and included the track on ‘Make It Like The First Time’ (Branson Entertainment, 1993).
Moe Bandy recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Picture In A Frame’ and included the track on Picture In A Frame’ (Intersound Records, 1995).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) & Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Just Look What We’ve Started Again’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘One’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1995).
Jacob Lyda recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘The First Stone’ (co-written with Harold Pierce) and included the track on ‘Here We Go Again’ (Bob Grady Records, 1995).
Jacob Lyda recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘He’s Walkin’ In My Tracks’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), and included the track on ‘Here We Go Again’ (Bob Grady Records, 1995).
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘The Number’ (co-written with Vern Gosdin) and included the track on ‘Warning: Contains Country Music (The Great Ballads of Vern Gosdin)’ (American Harvest Recording Society, 1996).
Thrasher Shiver (Neil Thrasher and Kelly Shiver) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Run Like The Wind’ (co-written with Roger Alan Wade) and included the track on ‘Thrasher Shiver’ (Asylum Records, 1996).
Big House recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Cold Outside’ (co-written with Monty Byrom, David Neuhauser and Max Reese) and included the track on ‘Big House’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1997); the track reached No.30 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
IIIrd Tyme Out recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Cold Summer Day In Georgia’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘John & Mary’ (Rounder Records, 1999).
The Derailers recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Play Me The Waltz of The Angels’ (co-written with Rory Lee Feek) and included the track on ‘Full Western Dress’ (Sire Records, 1999).
In 2001, Shane Sellers recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Matthew, Mark, Luke & Earnhardt’, and saw the track released as a single by DreamWorks Nashville Records; the track reached No.58 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in May 2001. In 2003, Shane Sellers saw the release of the album, ‘Matthew, Mark, Luke and Earnhardt’ (Lofton Creek Records, 2003).
David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘She’s Not In My Bed’ (co-written with David Frizzell) and included the track on ‘2001’ (Nashville America Records, 2001).
In 2002, The Cornell Hurd Band recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Big Game Hunter’, which was co-written with Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006); the track was included on ‘Happy Birthday, Buck: A Texas Salute To Buck Owens’ (Texas Roundup Records, 2002), a various artists collection.
Jason Allen recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Body & Fender Man’ (co-written with Jason Allen and Mark Kerr) and included the track on ‘Something I Dreamed’ (D-Records, 2002).
David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘American Nights’ (co-written with Roger Alan Wade) and included the track on ‘Confidentially’ (Nashville America Records / Madacy Records, 2004).
David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Reckless Wind’, which was co-written with Dewayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021) and Roger Alan Wade, and included the track on ‘Confidentially’ (Nashville America Records / Madacy Records, 2004); this track featured guest vocals from John Cowan.
David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘In The Pine’ (co-written with Roger Alan Wade) and included the track on ‘Confidentially’ (Nashville America Records / Madacy Records, 2004).
David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Confidentially’ and included the track on ‘Confidentially’ (Nashville America Records / Madacy Records, 2004).
David Frizzell recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Run Like The Wind’ (co-written with Roger Alan Wade) and included the track on ‘Confidentially’ (Nashville America Records / Madacy Records, 2004).
Jason Allen recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Must Have Been Meant To Be’ (co-written with Jason Allen and Larry Moore) and included the track on ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice’ (D-Records, 2004).
Trent Tomlinson recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘The Bottle’ (co-written with Trent Tomlinson and Mark Kerr) and included the track on ‘Country Is My Rock’ (Lyric Street Records, 2006).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Tavern Choir’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Burn Your Playhouse Down: The Unreleased Duets’ (Bandit Records, 2008).
Deborah Hightower recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘If You Need A Miracle’ and included the track on ‘Her Name Is Deborah’ (Highest High Records, 2008).
Allen Karl recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Face of Love’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘That’s All Behind Me Now’ (Century II Records, 2010).
Byron Hill recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Out of Your Mind’ (co-written with Byron Hill) and included the track on ‘Radio Songs’ (BHP Music / BHP Recordings, 2011).
Kris Gordon recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Don’t Let Go Tonight’ and included the track on ‘Don’t Let Go Tonight’ (Frio Records, 2011).
Jacob Lyda recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘She Showed Me A Little Bit More’ (co-written with Kostas) and included the track on ‘Back In The Swing’ (Country Discovery Records, 2012).
T.G. Sheppard recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Fifteen Rounds With Jose Cuervo’ (co-written with Tommy Curry and Kostas) and included the track on ‘T.G. Sheppard: Duets With The Legends of Country Music’ (Cleopatra / Goldenlane, 2015); the track featured guest vocals from Delbert McClinton.
Lisa McHugh recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Play Me The Waltz of The Angels’ (co-written with Rory Lee Feek) and included the track on ‘Country’ (Sharpe Music, 2016).
The Blue Mariah Band recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Winter Roses’, which was co-written with Bonnie Guitar (Sunday 25 March 1923 – Sunday 13 January 2019), and included the track on ‘Southern Cross’ (The Blue Mariah Band / distributed by Perry Music Group, 2018).
The Blue Mariah Band recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Yankee Boy’ and included the track on ‘Southern Cross’ (The Blue Mariah Band / distributed by Perry Music Group, 2018).
The Blue Mariah Band recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Mason Dixon Line’ (co-written with C. Arnold) and included the track on ‘Southern Cross’ (The Blue Mariah Band / distributed by Perry Music Group, 2018).
The Blue Mariah Band recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Tail Lights & Tears’ (co-written with T. Curry and J. Hein) and included the track on ‘Southern Cross’ (The Blue Mariah Band / distributed by Perry Music Group, 2018).
The Blue Mariah Band recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘Midnight Train To Memphis’ (co-written with C. Collins) and included the track on ‘Southern Cross’ (The Blue Mariah Band / distributed by Perry Music Group, 2018).
The Blue Mariah Band recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘When I Catch My Breath’ (co-written with C. Hunter and M. Kerr) and included the track on ‘Southern Cross’ (The Blue Mariah Band / distributed by Perry Music Group, 2018).
The Blue Mariah Band recorded Dennis Knutson’s ‘I’ll Take The Weeds’ (co-written with J. Hein and T. Tillman) and included the track on ‘Southern Cross’ (The Blue Mariah Band / distributed by Perry Music Group, 2018).
On Saturday 1 September 2018, Dennis Knutson passed away.
On Sunday 4 November 2018, between 6:00pm and 9:00pm, a celebration of the life and music of Dennis Knutson took place at Hayes Street Hotel, 1909 Hayes Street, Nashville, TN 37206. On the evening, there were performances by Cindy Knutson, Gerald Smith, Troy Martin, Dale Houston, Cass Hunter, and Janelle Arthur.
• Read The No Depression feature on Dennis Knutson