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 2014, 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 Aaron Barker, which he submitted to this site on Friday 16 May 2014.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Aaron Barker who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Aaron Barker
This quote was submitted on Friday 16 May 2014.
‘Gene Watson is one of the defining artists of an entire era of Texas-based mainstream country music.
He helped pave the way for many of us who have since followed in his footsteps.
Thank you, Gene’
Thank you, Aaron Barker, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Aaron Barker…
Aaron Barker was born Aaron Gayle Barker in San Antonio, Texas on Thursday 5 March 1953 and began his musical career in a ‘variety band’ when he was thirteen years old. Aaron Barker stayed with his band for many years and played everything from Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) to Bob Seger.
Aaron Barker drove his bus from place to place, playing with original melodies and lyrics in the hope that he could create his own songs.
Aaron Barker’s first attempt, ‘Baby Blue’, was recorded by George Strait, who included the track on ‘If You Ain’t Lovin’, You Ain’t Livin’ (MCA Records, 1988); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in August 1988.
Aaron Barker continued to work in the band and played songs for anyone who would listen until he got his first cheque. Aaron Barker began to develope his own sound, refining his original material in small clubs and cafes where he would play on weekends.
One night, after a long father and son talk, Aaron Barker wrote ‘Love Without End, Amen’.
Aaron Barker believed that ‘Love Without End, Amen’ would be a song that he would play for his family, but he decided to see what would happen if he sent it to George Strait.
George Strait recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Love Without End, Amen’ and included the track on ‘Livin’ It Up’ (MCA Records, 1990); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for five consecutive weeks in 1990.
George Strait recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Is It Already Time’ and included the track on ‘Chill of An Early Fall’ (MCA Records, 1991).
In 1992, Aaron Barker signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records, and saw the release, on Tuesday 4 August 1992, of his debut album, ‘The Taste of Freedom’ (Atlantic Records, 1992), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘The Taste of Freedom’ (written by Aaron Barker) (No.73, 1992)
Aaron Barker’s debut album, ‘The Taste of Freedom’ (Atlantic Records, 1992), also included the following tracks:
‘God Still Lives In Tennessee’, which was written by Kerry Michael Chater (Tuesday 7 August 1945 – Tuesday 1 February 2022), Danny ‘Bear’ Mayo (Monday 2 October 1950 – Saturday 2 October 1999) and James Dean Hicks
‘Fast Water’ (written by Aaron Barker)
‘No Sleep Tonight’ (written by Aaron Barker)
‘Crazy Again’ (written by Bob McDill)
‘Three Nickels & A Dime’ (written by Wayne Perry and Tommy Barnes)
‘Is It Already Time’ (written by Aaron Barker)
‘World Is Flat’ (written by Aaron Barker)
‘Your Old Stompin’ Grounds’ (written by Aaron Barker and Curtis Wayne)
‘What Love Has To Say’ (written by Aaron Barker)
Personnel involved in the recording of Aaron Barker’s debut album, ‘The Taste of Freedom’ (Atlantic Records, 1992), included the following:
Aaron Barker (vocals, guitar)
Brent Rowan, Steve Gibson and Chris Leuzinger (electric guitars)
Ken Bell and Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitars)
Sonny Garrish (steel guitar, Dobro)
Rob Hajacos and Glen Duncan (fiddles)
Clayton Ivey and Gary Prim (keyboards)
Gary Lunn and Bob Wray (bass)
Jerry Kroon and Milton Sledge (drums)
Ron ‘Snake’ Reynolds (percussion)
Lisa Silver, Michael Black, Lon Wilson, Harry Stinson, Kim Morrison, John Wesley Ryles, Dennis Wilson, Wendy Suits and Bergen White (background vocals)
Following his unsuccessful time with Atlantic Records, Aaron Barker began his songwriting again.
Doug Supernaw (Monday 26 September 1960 – Friday 13 November 2020) recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Honky Tonkin’ Fool’ and included the track on ‘Red & Rio Grande’ (BNA Records, 1993); the track reached No.50 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1993.
George Strait recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ (co-written with Dean Dillon) and included the track on ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ (MCA Records, 1993); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for two weeks in October / November 1993.
George Strait recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘I’d Like To Have That One Back’ (co-written with Bill Shore and Rick West) and included the track on ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ (MCA Records, 1993); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in February 1994.
George Strait recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Down Louisiana Way’, which was co-written with Donny Kees and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019), and included the track on ‘Lead On’ (MCA Records, 1994).
George Strait recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘I’ll Always Be Loving You’, which was co-written with Donny Kees and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019), and included the track on ‘Lead On’ (MCA Records, 1994).
Doug Supernaw (Monday 26 September 1960 – Friday 13 November 2020) recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Not Enough Hours In The Night’, which was co-written with Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Ron Harbin, and included the track on ‘You Still Got Me’ (Giant Records, 1995); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
George Strait recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘I Know She Still Loves Me’ (co-written with Monty Holmes) and included the track on ‘Strait Out of The Box’ (MCA Records, 1995); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in March 1996.
George Strait recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘I Can Still Make Cheyenne’ (co-written with Erv Woolsey) and included the track on ‘Blue Clear Sky’ (MCA Records, 1996); this track, which reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996, was also included on George Strait’s ‘For The Last Time: Live From The Astrodome’ (MCA Records, 2003) and George Strait’s ’50 Number Ones’ (MCA Records, 2004).
George Strait recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘I’s Just As Soon Go’ (co-written with Dean Dillon) and included the track on ‘Blue Clear Sky’ (MCA Records, 1996).
Clay Walker recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Watch This’ (co-written with Ron Harbin and Anthony L. Smith) and included the track on ‘Rumor Has It’ (Giant Records, 1997); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in November 1997.
In 1998, Aaron Barker & Curtis Wayne saw the release of ‘Straight From The Horse’s Mouth’ (BSW Records, 1998), which was produced by Aaron Barker and Curtis Wayne, and included the following tracks:
‘All The Sleep I Need’, which was written by Aaron Barker, Curtis Wayne and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016)
‘Baby Blue’ (written by Aaron Barker) / this track was also recorded by George Strait, who included it on ‘If You Ain’t Lovin’, You Ain’t Livin’ (MCA Records, 1988); George Strait’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in August 1988
‘Love Bug’, which was written by Curtis Wayne and Wayne Kemp (Sunday 1 June 1941 – Monday 9 March 2015) / this track was also recorded by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), who included it on ‘New Country Hits’ (Musicor Records, 1965); George Jones‘ version of this track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965
‘Daytime Honky-Tonkin’, which was written by Aaron Barker and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
‘What A Friday Night Is For’ (written by Aaron Barker)
‘Just Look At Me’ (written by Aaron Barker and Gerald Smith)
‘Love Without End, Amen’ (written by Aaron Barker) / this track was also recorded by George Strait, who recorded included it on ‘Livin’ It Up’ (MCA Records, 1990); George Strait’s version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for five consecutive weeks in 1990
‘Next In Line’, which was written by Curtis Wayne and Wayne Kemp (Sunday 1 June 1941 – Monday 9 March 2015) / this track was also recorded by Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993), who included it on ‘Next In Line’ (Decca Records, 1968); Conway Twitty’s version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in 1968
‘Good Ol’ Boy Like Me’ (written by Curtis Wayne)
‘Bigger Man Than Me’ (written by Curtis Wayne)
‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ (written by Aaron Barker and Dean Dillon) / this track was also recorded by George Strait, who included it on ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ (MCA Records, 1993); George Strait’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for two weeks in October / November 1993
‘We Just Came Here To Have A Good Time’ (written by Aaron Barker and Dean Dillon)
Personnel involved in the recording of Aaron Barker & Curtis Wayne’s ‘Straight From The Horse’s Mouth’ (BSW Records, 1998) included the following:
J.T. Corenflos (Wednesday 6 November 1963 – Saturday 24 October 2020) (lead guitar)
Walt Cunningham (piano, strings)
Scott Merry (bass)
Paul Scholten (drums)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
John Hurley (steel guitar)
Danny Parks (acoustic guitar)
Mike Rojas (piano)
John Wesley Ryles and Judy Rodman (background vocals)
Neal McCoy recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Love Happens Like That’ (co-written with Ron Harbin and Anthony L. Smith) and included the track on ‘Be Good At It’ (Atlantic Records, 1997); the track reached No.29 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.
Clay Walker recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘You’re Beginning To Get To Me’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Greatest Hits’ (Giant Records, 1998); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in January 1999, No.7 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1999, and No.39 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1999.
Aaron Tippin recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘I’m Leavin’ (co-written with Ron Harbin and L. David Lewis) and included the track on ‘What This Country Needs’ (Lyric Street Records, 1998); the track reached No.17 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1999.
George Strait recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Old Time Christmas’ (co-written with John Jarvis) and included the track on ‘Merry Christmas, Wherever You Are’ (MCA Records, 1999).
Lonestar recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘What About Now’ (co-written with Ron Harbin and Anthony L. Smith) and included the track on ‘Lonely Grill’ (BNA Records, 1999); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for four weeks in 1999.
George Strait recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Peace of Mind’ (co-written with Dean Dillon) and included the track on ‘Always Never The Same’ (MCA Records, 1999).
Clay Walker recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Could I Ask You Not To Dance’ (co-written with Ron Harbin and Anthony L. Smith) and included the track on ‘Say No More’ (Giant Records, 2001).
In 2002, Aaron Barker saw the release of ‘Lifelines’ (Aaron Barker Independent Release, 2002), which included the following tracks:
‘Story of My Life’
‘Not Enough Hours In The Night’
‘I Can Still Make Cheyenne’ (written by Aaron Barker and Erv Woolsey) / this track was also recorded by George Strait, who included it on ‘Blue Clear Sky’ (MCA Records, 1996); George Strait’s version of this track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996
‘They Just Don’t Make ‘Em Like Dad Anymore’
‘Baby Blue’ (written by Aaron Barker) / this track was also recorded by George Strait, who included it on ‘If You Ain’t Lovin’, You Ain’t Livin’ (MCA Records, 1988); George Strait’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in August 1988
‘Love Without End, Amen’ (written by Aaron Barker) / this track was also recorded by George Strait, who recorded included it on ‘Livin’ It Up’ (MCA Records, 1990); George Strait’s version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for five consecutive weeks in 1990
‘I’m Leavin’ (written by Aaron Barker, Ron Harbin and L. David Lewis) / this track was also recorded by Aaron Tippin, who included it on ‘What This Country Needs’ (Lyric Street Records, 1998); Aaron Tippin‘s version of the track reached No.17 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1999
‘Lady of Mine’
‘I Can See Our House From Here’
‘Is It Already Time’ (written by Aaron Barker) (reprise) / the original version of this track was recorded by Aaron Barker, who included it on his debut album, ‘The Taste of Freedom’ (Atlantic Records, 1992), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
Tracy Lawrence recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘The Questionnaire’ (co-written with Philip Douglas and Ron Harbin) saw the release of ‘Strong’ (DreamWorks Records, 2004).
On Tuesday 17 October 2006, Aaron Barker saw the release of ‘Echoes’ (Aaron Barker Independent Release, 2006), which included the following tracks:
‘Rose’
‘I Wait’
‘Wennaway’
‘Too Much Water’
‘Touch’
‘If I Was The Wind’
‘Angel Unaware’
‘Front Door’
‘Wall’
‘Questionaire’
‘Twelve Texas Angels’
In 2007, Aaron Barker was inducted into The Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Hall of Fame (San Antonio, Texas).
Gary Allan recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘As Long As You’re Looking Back’ (co-written with Dean Dillon and Scotty Emerick) and included the track on ‘Living Hard’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2007).
Kenny Chesney recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Key’s In The Conch Shell’ (co-written with Dean Dillon, Scotty Emerick and Tom Gross) and included the track on ‘Lucky Old Sun’ (Blue Chair Records / BNA Records, 2008).
LoCash Cowboys (Chris Lucas & Preston Brust) recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘Best Seat In The House’ (co-written with Preston Brust and Chris Lucas) and included the track on ‘LoCash Cowboys’ (Average Joes Entertainment Records, 2013); the track reached No.52 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart in 2013.
Please Note
Permission to use artwork for LoCash Cowboys’ ‘LoCash Cowboys’ (Average Joes Entertainment Records, 2013) was granted by Forrest Latta, VP, A&R, Average Joes Entertainment, 3728 Keystone Avenue, Nashville, TN 37211 on Wednesday 12 May 2021.
Philip Claypool recorded Aaron Barker’s ‘I’m Gonna Lie’ (co-written with Gary Hannan and Ira Dean) and included the track on ‘Come On Back Home’ (Heyday Records, 2013); the track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2013, but it did not chart.
In 2016, Aaron Barker was inducted into The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
• Visit Aaron Barker’s official site at aaronbarker.com
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