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 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 Jim McBride, which he submitted to this site on Monday 14 July 2014.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Jim McBride who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Jim McBride
This quote was submitted on Monday 14 July 2014.
‘Gene Watson is country music to me.
It’s proper to mention his name in the same breath as Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003), Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and all the other greats.
When sitting down to co-write with a young writer for the first time, I would often ask them to name their two favourite Gene Watson songs.
If they couldn’t name some of Gene’s titles, other than ‘Farewell Party‘, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), I knew they were not true country music fans and therefore unfit to be a country music songwriter’
Thank you, Jim McBride, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jim McBride…
Jim McBride hails from Huntsville, Alabama where he was born on Monday 28 April 1947.
Jim McBride was a full-time postman and part-time songwriter until 1981 when he left the United States postal service to pursue his songwriting career full time; Jim McBride left the United States postal service on Friday 26 December 1980.
Jim McBride’s first hit song on the Billboard country music singles chart came in 1981, with the release by Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993), of ‘A Bridge That Just Won’t Burn’, which reached No.2.
Jim McBride is a Country Music Association (CMA) Award-winning, Grammy-nominated songwriter and former President of Nashville Songwriters Association International.
Jim McBride’s writing career spans over thirty years and includes over 100 album cuts, 18 Billboard Top 40 singles, 10 Billboard Top 10 singles and 6 Billboard No.1 singles.
Originally from Huntsville, Alabama Jim McBride grew up in a house which was filled with music from his mother’s radio.
Jim McBride absorbed every note of every country song he heard and began writing songs at an early age.
When he was twenty-one years old, Jim McBride traded a pistol for his first guitar and took lessons from his uncle. Jim McBride eventually contacted another songwriter from North Alabama, the legendary Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016), to get advice and guidance.
Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) encouraged Jim McBride to continue to write and send his songs to Nashville.
Jim McBride had several cuts over the next few years, but his big break had yet to come.
Jim McBride had been urged to move from Huntsville to Nashville to be part of the country music scene, but he was reluctant to give up his steady job at the United States Post Office to pursue his dream.
Jim McBride told himself that, if he ever had a song reach the Billboard country music Top 10 singles chart, he would move his family to Nashville.
In 1981, that is exactly what happened when Conway Twitty’s release of ‘A Bridge That Just Won’t Burn’ reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart. Shortly afterwards, this was followed by Jim McBride’s first Billboard No.1 song, with the release of Johnny Lee’s recording of ‘Bet Your Heart On Me’ (No.1 for one week in December 1981).
The next ten years brought many album cuts by major artists, ranging from Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) to Alabama.
In 1987, Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) reached No.1 for the last time in his long career with ‘Rose In Paradise’, which was written by Jim McBride and Stewart Harris (Tuesday 12 August 1958 – Sunday 30 April 2023) (No.1 for one week in April / May 1987).
In the early 1990s, Jim McBride met a young singer, who was looking for a record deal – Alan Jackson – and an instant friendship was born.
Jim McBride and Alan Jackson collaborated on a number of hit songs, including ‘Chasing That Neon Rainbow’, ‘Who Says You Can’t Have It All’ and ‘Someday’, all of which became No.1 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart.
Jim McBride and Alan Jackson’s biggest hit came in 1993 with the smash hit, ‘Chattahoochee’, which received the honour of ‘Song of The Year’ from the Country Music Association (CMA), ASCAP, American Songwriter Magazine, British Country Music Association and the Canadian Country Music Association, as well as Billboard Magazine’s most performed song of the year. The song was also nominated for a Grammy and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award.
Other notable achievements for Jim McBride include the ‘Creator Award’ from the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the musical heritage of his home state, which he received in 1995. Jim McBride also received an Academy of Country Music (ACM) ‘Song of The Year’ nomination for ‘Angels In Waiting’, which was recorded by Tammy Cochran. Numerous ASCAP and other organisational awards have been bestowed upon Jim McBride throughout his career.
In all, Jim McBride’s songs have been recorded by more than eighty major label artists, including George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003), Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002), Travis Tritt, Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003), Randy Travis, Alabama, Jerry Lee Lewis (Sunday 29 September 1935 – Friday 28 October 2022), Trace Adkins, Crystal Gayle, Diamond Rio, Lonestar, and many others.
Jim McBride’s songs have been included on over seventy million albums sold.
At the time of the acquisition of this ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson, in July 2014, Jim McBride was continuing to write and was still active in the songwriter community.
Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘I Don’t Think Like No Hero Tonight’ and included the track on ‘The Songs We Made Love To’ (Epic Records, 1979).
In 1979, Ruby Falls (Wednesday 16 January 1946 – Sunday 15 June 1986) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘I’m Getting Into Your Love’ (co-written with Roger Murrah); when released as a non-album single, the track reached No.56 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979.
Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Mothers & Daddies’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Mickey Gilley’ (Epic Records, 1979).
The Hagers recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Love Won’t Let Me Go’ and included the track on ‘Music On The Country Side’ (Barnaby Records, 1972), an album which was re-released by Piccadilly Records in 1980.
The Hagers recorded Jim McBride’s ‘The Cost of Love Is Getting Higher’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Music On The Country Side’ (Barnaby Records, 1972), an album which was re-released by Piccadilly Records in 1980.
The Hagers recorded Jim McBride’s ‘The Next Thing I’ll Remember’ and included the track on ‘Music On The Country Side’ (Barnaby Records, 1972), an album which was re-released by Piccadilly Records in 1980.
Mel McDaniel (Sunday 6 September 1942 – Thursday 31 March 2011) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘If I Keep On Going Crazy’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘I’m Countrified’ (Capitol Records, 1980).
Mel McDaniel (Sunday 6 September 1942 – Thursday 31 March 2011) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Ten Years, Three Kids, Two Loves, Too Late’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘I’m Countrified’ (Capitol Records, 1980).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘A Bridge That Just Won’t Burn’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Rest Your Love On Me’ (MCA Records, 1980); the track, which reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981, earned a Nashville Songwriters Association’s ‘Achievement Award’ and a BMI ‘Airplay Award’ / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Real.Country.Music‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2016).
Leon Everette recorded Jim McBride’s ‘If I Keep On Going Crazy’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘If I Keep On Going Crazy’ (RCA Records, 1981); the track reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
Johnny Lee recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Bet Your Heart On Me’, which was co-written with Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023), and included the track on ‘Bet Your Heart On Me’ (Asylum Records, 1981); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in December 1981.
In 1982, Gary Wolf recorded Jim McBride’s ‘The Perfect Picture (To Fit My Frame of Mind)’ (co-written with Roger Murrah), as a non-album single, for Columbia Records; the track reached No.64 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982.
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Down In Louisiana’ (co-written with Keith Stegall) and included the track on ‘Night Games’ (RCA Victor Records, 1983).
Alabama recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Dixie Boy’ and included the track on ‘The Closer You Get’ (RCA Victor Records, 1983).
Johnny Rodriguez recorded Jim McBride’s ‘First Time Burned’ and included the track on ‘Foolin’ With Fire’ (Epic Records, 1984); the track reached No.63 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1984.
John Anderson recorded Jim McBride’s ‘I Wish I Had Loved Her That Way’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Eye of A Hurricane’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1984).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Living Like There’s No Tomorrow (Finally Got To Me Tonight)’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘A Hard Act To Follow’ (RCA Records, 1984).
The Osborne Brothers – Sonny Osborne (Friday 29 October 1937 – Sunday 24 October 2021) and Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 December 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) – recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Always You’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Some Things I Want To Sing About’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1984).
Louise Mandrell recorded Jim McBride’s ‘This Bed’s Not Big Enough’, which was co-written with Charlie Monk (Saturday 29 October 1938 – Monday 19 December 2022), and included the track on ‘I’m Not Through Loving You Yet’ (RCA Victor Records, 1984); the track reached No.52 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985.
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Those Kind of Memories’, which was co-written with Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023), and included the track on ‘Turn The Page’ (RCA Victor Records, 1985).
Reba McEntire recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Whose Heartache Is This Anyway’ and included the track on ‘Have I Got A Deal For You’ (MCA Records, 1985).
Keith Stegall recorded Jim McBride’s ‘California’, which was co-written with Charlie Craig (Friday 30 September 1938 – Friday 1 July 2011) and Keith Stegall, and included the track on ‘Keith Stegall’ (Epic Records, 1985).
Shelly West recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Don’t Make Me Wait On The Moon’ and included the track on ‘Don’t Make Me Wait On The Moon’ (Viva Records, 1985).
Shelly West recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Do I Have To Say Goodbye’, which was co-written with Peter James McCann (Saturday 6 March 1948 – Thursday 26 January 2023), and included the track on ‘Don’t Make Me Wait On The Moon’ (Viva Records, 1985).
Moe Bandy recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Just Can’t Leave That Woman Alone’, which was co-written with Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024), and included the track on ‘Keepin’ It Country’ (Columbia Records, 1986).
Crystal Gayle recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Do I Have To Say Goodbye?’, which was co-written with Peter James McCann (Saturday 6 March 1948 – Thursday 26 January 2023), and included the track on ‘Straight To The Heart’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1986).
Del Reeves (Thursday 14 July 1932 – Monday 1 January 2007) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘I Wish I Had Loved Her That Way’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Here’s Del Reeves’ (Playback Records, 1986).
Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 – Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘The Best Thing We Could Do Is Say Goodbye’ (co-written with Brent Mason) and included the track on ‘Billie Jo Spears’ (Dot Records / MCA Records, 1986).
In 1986, Darlene Austin recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Guilty Eyes’ (co-written with Brent Mason); the track, which reached No.81 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986, was subsequently included on Darlene Austin’s ‘Holding On’ (BSW Records, 2000).
Louise Mandrell recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Do I Have To Say Goodbye’, which was co-written with Peter James McCann (Saturday 6 March 1948 – Thursday 26 January 2023), and included the track on ‘Dreamin’ (RCA Victor Records, 1987); the track reached No.28 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Lonely Town’ and included the track on ‘Borderline’ (MCA Records, 1987).
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Rose In Paradise’, which was co-written with Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023), and included the track on ‘Hangin’ Tough’ (MCA Records, 1987); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April / May 1987.
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘The Crown Prince’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Hangin’ Tough’ (MCA Records, 1987).
John Conlee recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Living Like There’s No Tomorrow (Finally Got To Me Tonight)’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘American Faces’ (Columbia Records, 1987); the track reached No.55 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.
Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Heavy Metal Don’t Mean Rock & Roll To Me’ and included the track on ‘Johnny Cash Is Comin’ To Town’ (Mercury Records, 1987).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘I’m A Survivor’ (co-written with Keith Stegall) and included the track on ‘Too Wild Too Long’ (Epic Records, 1987); the track reached No.52 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1988.
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Heavy Metal’ (co-written with Guy Clark) and included the track on ‘Old Friends’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1988).
Josh Logan recorded Jim McBride’s ‘I Was Born With A Broken Heart’ (co-written with Aaron Tippin) and included the track on ‘Somebody Paints The Wall’ (Curb Records, 1988); the track reached No.75 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.
David Ball recorded Jim McBride’s ‘I Was Born With A Broken Heart’ (co-written with Aaron Tippin) and included the track on ‘David Ball’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1989); the album, however, was not released by RCA Nashville Records until Tuesday 22 November 1994.
Lacy J. Dalton recorded Jim McBride’s ‘I’m A Survivor’ (co-written with Keith Stegall) and included the track on ‘Survivor’ (Universal Records, 1989); the track reached No.57 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.
Travis Tritt recorded Jim McBride’s ‘The Road Home’, which was co-written with Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023), and included the track on ‘Country Club’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990).
On Tuesday 27 February 1990, Alan Jackson saw the release of his debut album, ‘Here In The Real World’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1990), which was produced by Scott Hendricks and Keith Stegall, and included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Blue Blooded Woman’ (written by Alan Jackson, Roger Murrah and Keith Stegall) (No.45, 1989) / this track also reached No.86 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1989
‘Here In The Real World’ (written by Mark Irwin and Alan Jackson) (No.3, 1990) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1990
‘Wanted’, which was written by Alan Jackson and Charlie Craig (Friday 30 September 1938 – Friday 1 July 2011) (No.3, 1990) / this track also reached No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1990
‘Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride) (No.2, 1990) / this track also reached No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1990
‘I’d Love You All Over Again’ (written by Alan Jackson) (No.1, 1991) / this track, which was Alan Jackson’s first Billboard No.1 country music hit single, also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1991
Alan Jackson’s debut album, ‘Here In The Real World’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1990), also included the following tracks:
‘Ace of Hearts’ (written by Carson Chamberlain, Ron Moore and Lonnie Wilson)
‘She Don’t Get The Blues’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride)
‘Dog River Blues’ (written by Alan Jackson)
‘Home’ (written by Alan Jackson) / this track ‘Home’ served as the B-side for several of Alan Jackson’s later singles, before he re-released the song in 1995 and included it on ‘The Greatest Hits Collection’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1995), and finally issued it as a single in 1996
‘Short Sweet Ride’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride)
Shane Barmby (Monday 1 February 1954 – Thursday 27 October 2022) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘She Won’t Be Lonely For Long’, which was co-written with Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024), and included the track on ‘Jukebox Symphony’ (Mercury Records, 1990).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Shadow of A Distant Friend’ (co-written with Roger Murrah and Steve Dean) and included the track on ‘Crazy In Love’ (MCA Records, 1990).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘One Bridge I Didn’t Burn’ (co-written with Steve Dean) and included the track on ‘Crazy In Love’ (MCA Records, 1990); the track reached No.57 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991.
Randy Travis recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Allergic To The Blues’ (co-written with Alan Jackson) and included the track on ‘High Lonesome’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).
On Tuesday 14 May 1991, Alan Jackson saw the release of ‘Don’t Rock The Jukebox’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1991), which was produced by Scott Hendricks and Keith Stegall, and included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Don’t Rock The Jukebox’ (written by Alan Jackson, Roger Murrah and Keith Stegall) (No.1, 1991) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1991
‘Someday’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride) (No.1, 1991) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1991
‘Dallas’ (written by Alan Jackson and Keith Stegall) (No.1, 1991) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1991
‘Midnight In Montgomery’ (written by Alan Jackson and Don Sampson) (No.3, 1992) / this track, which was a tribute to Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), also reached No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1992
‘Love’s Got A Hold On You’ (written by Carson Chamberlain and Keith Stegall) (No.1, 1992) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1992
Alan Jackson’s ‘Don’t Rock The Jukebox’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1991), also included the following tracks:
‘That’s All I Need To Know’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride)
‘Just Playin’ Possum’ (written by Alan Jackson, Jim McBride and Gary Overton) / the last line of this track was sung by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) (‘The Possum’ was one of George Jones‘ nicknames)
‘From A Distance’ (written by Alan Jackson and Randy Travis)
‘Walkin’ The Floor Over Me’ (written by Alan Jackson and Don Sampson)
‘Working Class Hero’ (written by Alan Jackson and Don Sampson)
Joy Lynn White recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Bittersweet End’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004), and included the track on ‘Between Midnight & Hindsight’ (Columbia Records, 1992).
On Tuesday 6 October 1992, Alan Jackson saw the release of ‘A Lot About Livin’ (& A Little ‘Bout Love)’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1992), which included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘She’s Got The Rhythm (& I Got The Blues)’ (written by Alan Jackson and Randy Travis) (No.1, 1992) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1992
‘Tonight I Climbed The Wall’ (written by Alan Jackson) (No.4, 1993) / this track also reached No.4 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1993
‘Chattahoochee’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride) (No.1, 1993) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1993, and No.46 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1993
‘Mercury Blues’, which was written by K.C. Douglas (Friday 21 November 1913 – Saturday 18 October 1975) and Bob Geddins (Thursday 6 February 1913 – Saturday 16 February 1991) (No.2, 1993) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1993
‘(Who Says) You Can’t Have It All’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride) (No.4, 1994) / this track also reached No.11 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
Alan Jackson’s ‘A Lot About Livin’ (& A Little ‘Bout Love)’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1992), also included the following tracks:
‘I Don’t Need The Booze (To Get A Buzz On)’ (written by Toni Dae and Joy Swinea)
‘Up To My Ears In Tears’ (written by Alan Jackson and Don Sampson)
‘Tropical Depression’, which was written by Charlie Craig (Friday 30 September 1938 – Friday 1 July 2011), Alan Jackson and Jim McBride
‘She Likes It Too’ (written by Zack Turner and Tim Nichols)
‘If It Ain’t One Thing (It’s You)’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride)
Keith Stegall produced all of Alan Jackson’s ‘A Lot About Livin’ (& A Little ‘Bout Love)’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1992), and worked with Scott Hendricks on the track ‘Tonight I Climbed The Wall’.
Aaron Tippin recorded Jim McBride’s ‘I Was Born With A Broken Heart’ (co-written with Aaron Tippin) and included the track on ‘Read Between The Lines’ (RCA Records, 1992); the track reached No.38 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1992.
Diamond Rio recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Sawmill Road’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Dan Truman, and included the track on ‘Close To The Edge’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1992); the track reached No.21 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1993.
Shawn Camp recorded Jim McBride’s ‘I’m Not Just Passing Through’ (co-written with Jeff Stevens and Shawn Camp) and included the track on ‘Shawn Camp’ (Warner Reprise Records, 1993).
Patty Loveless recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Love Builds The Bridges (Pride Builds The Walls)’ (co-written with Jerry Salley) and included the track on ‘Only What I Feel’ (Epic Records, 1993).
Collin Raye recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Angel of No Mercy’ (co-written with Chapin Hartford) and included the track on ‘Extremes’ (Epic Records, 1994).
Travis Tritt recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Southern Justice’, which was co-written with Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023), and included the track on ‘Ten Feet Tall & Bulletproof’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1994).
Prairie Oyster – John P. Allen (fiddle, mandolin, acoustic guitar, background vocals), Joan Besen (piano, organ, background vocals), Russell deCarle (bass guitar, lead vocals), Dennis Delorme (pedal steel guitar), Keith Glass (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, electric sitar, background vocals) and Bruce Moffet (drums, percussion) – recorded Jim McBride’s ‘She Don’t Get The Blues’ (co-written with Alan Jackson) and included the track on ‘Only One Moon’ (Canada: Arista Records, 1994 / United States: Zoo Entertainment, 1995).
Greg Holland recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Hurts Don’t It’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Greg Holland, and included the track on ‘Let Me Drive’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1994).
On Tuesday 28 June 1994, Alan Jackson saw the release of ‘Who I Am’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1994), which was produced by Keith Stegall, and included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Summertime Blues’, which was written by Jerry Capehart (Wednesday 22 August 1928 – Sunday 7 June 1998) and Eddie Cochran (Monday 3 October 1938 – Sunday 17 April 1960) (No.1, 1994) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
‘Livin’ On Love’ (written by Alan Jackson) (No.1, 1994) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
‘Gone Country’ (written by Bob McDill) (No.1, 1994) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
‘Song For The Life’ (written by Rodney Crowell) (No.6, 1995) / this track also reached No.11 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995
‘I Don’t Even Know Your Name’ (written by Alan Jackson, Ron Jackson and Andy Loftin) (No.1, 1995) / this track also reached No.4 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995
Alan Jackson’s ‘Who I Am’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1994), also included the following tracks:
‘Hole in The Wall’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride)
‘Who I Am’, which was written by Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011) and Mel Besher
‘You Can’t Give Up On Love’ (written by Alan Jackson)
‘Thank God For The Radio’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Robert John Jones
‘All American Country Boy’, which was written by Charlie Craig (Friday 30 September 1938 – Friday 1 July 2011) and Keith Stegall
‘Job Description’ (written by Alan Jackson)
‘If I Had You’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride)
‘Let’s Get Back To Me & You’ (written by Alan Jackson)
Personnel involved in the recording of Alan Jackson’s ‘Who I Am’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1994) included the following:
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Stuart Duncan and Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Robbie Flint (acoustic slide guitar)
Paul Franklin and John Hughey (Wednesday 27 December 1933 – Sunday 18 November 2007) (pedal steel guitar)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (upright bass)
John Kelton (tic tac bass)
Brent Mason (electric guitar, six-string bass, acoustic guitar solo on ‘I Don’t Even Know Your Name’)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano)
John Wesley Ryles (background vocals)
Keith Stegall (acoustic guitar, piano)
Bruce Watkins (acoustic guitar)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
Wade Hayes recorded Jim McBride’s ‘What I Meant To Say’, which was co-written with Don Cook and Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004), and included the track on ‘Old Enough To Know Better’ (Columbia Records, 1995); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1996.
On Tuesday 24 October 1995, Alan Jackson saw the release of ‘The Greatest Hits Collection’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1995), which included the following tracks:
‘Chattahoochee’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride) (No.1, 1993) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1993, and No.46 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1993 / this version was an extended mix
‘Gone Country’ (written by Bob McDill) (No.1, 1994) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
‘She’s Got The Rhythm (& I Got The Blues)’ (written by Alan Jackson and Randy Travis) (No.1, 1992) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1992
‘Midnight In Montgomery’ (written by Alan Jackson and Don Sampson) (No.3, 1992) / this track, which was a tribute to Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), also reached No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1992
‘Tall, Tall Trees’, which was written by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992) / this track was previously unreleased
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Tall, Tall Trees’ included the following:
Alan Jackson (lead vocals)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (upright bass)
Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano)
John Wesley Ryles (background vocals)
Jo-El Sonnier (Wednesday 2 October 1946 – Saturday 13 January 2024) (accordion)
Bruce Watkins (acoustic guitar)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
‘Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride) (No.2, 1990) / this track also reached No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1990
‘I’ll Try’ (written by Alan Jackson) / this track was previously unreleased
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘I’ll Try’ included the following:
Alan Jackson (lead vocals)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (upright bass)
Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano)
John Wesley Ryles (background vocals)
Bruce Watkins (acoustic guitar)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
‘Don’t Rock The Jukebox’ (written by Alan Jackson, Roger Murrah and Keith Stegall) (No.1, 1991) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1991
‘Livin’ On Love’ (written by Alan Jackson) (No.1, 1994) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
‘Summertime Blues’, which was written by Jerry Capehart (Wednesday 22 August 1928 – Sunday 7 June 1998) and Eddie Cochran (Monday 3 October 1938 – Sunday 17 April 1960) (No.1, 1994) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
‘Love’s Got A Hold On You’ (written by Carson Chamberlain and Keith Stegall) (No.1, 1992) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1992
‘(Who Says) You Can’t Have It All’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride) (No.4, 1994) / this track also reached No.11 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994
‘Home’ (written by Alan Jackson) / this track was originally included on Alan Jackson’s ‘Here In The Real World’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1990)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Home’ included the following:
Alan Jackson (lead vocals)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020) (acoustic guitar)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Steve Gibson (electric guitar)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Dennis Henson (background vocals)
Larry Paxton (bass guitar)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano)
‘Wanted’, which was written by Alan Jackson and Charlie Craig (Friday 30 September 1938 – Friday 1 July 2011) (No.3, 1990) / this track also reached No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1990
‘I Don’t Even Know Your Name’ (written by Alan Jackson, Ron Jackson and Andy Loftin) (No.1, 1995) / this track also reached No.4 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995
‘Dallas’ (written by Alan Jackson and Keith Stegall) (No.1, 1991) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1991
‘Here In The Real World’ (written by Mark Irwin and Alan Jackson) (No.3, 1990) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1990
‘Someday’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride) (No.1, 1991) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1991
‘Mercury Blues’, which was written by K.C. Douglas (Friday 21 November 1913 – Saturday 18 October 1975) and Bob Geddins (Thursday 6 February 1913 – Saturday 16 February 1991) (No.2, 1993) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1993
‘I’d Love You All Over Again’ (written by Alan Jackson) (No.1, 1991) / this track, which was Alan Jackson’s first Billboard No.1 country music hit single, also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1991
Ken Mellons recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Where Forever Begins’ (co-written with Carson Chamberlain and Ken Mellons) and included the track on ‘Where Forever Begins’ (Epic Records, 1995).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Jim McBride’s ‘The Night Before Christmas’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Nelson Larkin (1943 – Monday 18 November 2013), and included the track on ‘Christmas To Christmas’ (Polydor Records, 1995).
Trace Adkins recorded Jim McBride’s ‘A Bad Way of Saying Goodbye’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Trace Adkins, and included the track on ‘Dreamin’ Out Loud’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1996).
Wade Hayes recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Hurts Don’t It’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Greg Holland, and included the track on ‘On A Good Night’ (Columbia Nashville Records, 1996).
On Tuesday 29 October 1996, Alan Jackson saw the release of ‘Everything I Love’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1996), which was produced by Keith Stegall, and included six tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Little Bitty’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) (No.1, 1996) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1996, and No.58 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1996
‘Everything I Love’, which was written by Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011) and Carson Chamberlain (No.9, 1997) / this track also reached No.6 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1997
‘Who’s Cheatin’ Who’ (written by Jerry Hayes) (No.2, 1997) / this track also reached No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1997 / the original version of this track was recorded by Charly McClain, who included it on ‘Who’s Cheatin’ Who’ (Epic Records, 1980); Charly McClain’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1981
‘There Goes’ (written by Alan Jackson) (No.1, 1997) / this track was also No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1997
‘Between The Devil & Me’, which was written by Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011) and Carson Chamberlain (No.2, 1997) / this track also reached No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1997
‘A House With No Curtains’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride) (No.18, 1998) / this track also reached No.14 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1998
Alan Jackson’s ‘Everything I Love’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1996) also included the following tracks:
‘Buicks To The Moon’ (written by Alan Jackson and Jim McBride)
‘Walk On The Rocks’ (written by John E. Swaim)
‘Must’ve Had A Ball’ (written by Alan Jackson)
‘It’s Time You Learned About Good-Bye’ (written by Alan Jackson)
Alabama recorded Jim McBride’s ‘The Night Before Christmas’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Nelson Larkin (1943 – Monday 18 November 2013), and included the track on ‘Christmas 2’ (RCA Victor Records, 1996).
Lonestar recorded Jim McBride’s ‘A Week In Juarez’, which was co-written with Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Phil Barnhart, and included the track on ‘Crazy Nights’ (BNA Records, 1997).
Lorrie Morgan recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Crazy From The Heart’, which was co-written with Wally Wilson and Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and included the track on ‘Shakin’ Things Up’ (BNA Records, 1997).
Bill Anderson recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Way Too Much Time On My Hands’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘Fine Wine’ (Reprise Records / Warner Bros. Records, 1997).
Brent Lamb recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ (co-written with Jerry Salley) and included the track on ‘No Excuses, No Regrets’ (Word Records, 1997).
Wade Hayes recorded Jim McBride’s ‘How Do You Sleep At Night’ (co-written with Jerry Salley) and included the track on ‘When The Wrong One Loves You Right’ (Columbia Records, 1998); the track reached No.11 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in November 1998.
Tammy Cochran recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Angels In Waiting’, which was co-written with Tammy Cochran and Stewart Harris (Tuesday 12 August 1958 – Sunday 30 April 2023), and included the track on ‘Tammy Cochran’ (Epic Records, 2001); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2001, and No.73 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2001.
Adam Harvey recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Call It Love’ (co-written with Adam Harvey and Rod McCormack) and included the track on ‘Cowboy Dreams’ (Universal Music Records, 2003); the track was subsequently included on Adam Harvey’s ‘Best So Far’ (Sony Australia Records, 2010).
In 2003, T. Graham Brown recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Home Free’, which was co-written with Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023); the track was included on ‘Home Free: A Tribute To American Veterans’ (Duke Records, 2003), a various artists project.
Mark Chesnutt recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Hard Secret To Keep’ (co-written with Jerry Salley) and included the track on ‘Savin’ The Honky Tonk’ (Vivaton Records, 2004); the track, which reached No.59 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2004, was re-recorded by Mark Chesnutt, who included it on ‘Heard It In A Love Song’ (CBUJ Records, 2006).
Elizabeth Cook recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Before I Go That Far’ (co-written with Elizabeth Cook and Jerry Salley) and included the track on ‘This Side of The Moon’ (Hog Country Records, 2005).
Bobby Pinson recorded Jim McBride’s ‘One More Believer’ (co-written with Bobby Pinson) and included the track on ‘Man Like Me’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2005).
Beccy Cole recorded Jim McBride’s ‘To Feel This Free’ (co-written with Rod McCormack and Jerry Salley) and included the track on ‘Feel This Free’ (ABC Music / Universal Music Australia, 2005).
Catherine Britt recorded Jim McBride’s ‘A New Pair of Shoes’ (co-written with Dean Dillon) and included the track on ‘Too Far Gone’ (ABC Country / Universal / ABC, 2006).
Bradley Walker recorded Jim McBride’s ‘He Carried Her Memory’ (co-written with Jerry Salley) and included the track on ‘Highway of Dreams’ (Rounder Records, 2006).
Gina Jeffreys recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Song I Never Heard’ (co-written with Gina Jeffreys and Lyn Bowtell) and included the track on ‘Walks of Life’ (Ocean Road Music / MGM Records, 2006).
Mark Chesnutt re-recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Hard Secret To Keep’ (co-written with Jerry Salley) and included the track on ‘Heard It In A Love Song’ (CBUJ Records, 2006); the track, which had been previously recorded by Mark Chesnutt and included on ‘Savin’ The Honky Tonk’ (Vivaton Records, 2004), reached No.59 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2004.
John D. Hale Band recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Rose In Paradise’, which was co-written with Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023), and included the track on ‘One of A Kind’ (Camel Ranch Records, 2009).
Pam Tillis recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Someone Somewhere Tonight’ (co-written with Walt Wilkins) and included the track on ‘RhineStoned’ (Stellar Cat Records, 2007).
Pam Tillis recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Train Without A Whistle’ (co-written with Jon Randall) and included the track on ‘RhineStoned’ (Stellar Cat Records, 2007).
Luke Bryan recorded Jim McBride’s ‘The Car In Front of Me’ (co-written with Luke Bryan) and included the track on ‘I’ll Stay Me’ (Capitol Records, 2007).
Chris Young recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Rose In Paradise’, which was co-written with Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023), and included the track on ‘The Man I Want To Be’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2009); the track was a duet with Willie Nelson.
Teea Goans recorded Jim McBride’s ‘I Don’t Do Bridges Anymore’ (co-written with Don Poythress and Jerry Salley) and included the track on ‘The Way I Remember It’ (Crosswinds Records, 2010).
In 2011, Kris Kristofferson and Patty Griffin recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Rose In Paradise’, which was co-written with Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023); the track was included on ‘The Music Inside, Volume 1: A Collaboration Dedicated To Waylon Jennings’ (Scatter Records, 2011), a various artists tribute project, which was dedicated to Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002).
Sideline recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Rose In Paradise’, which was co-written with Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023), and included the track on ‘Sessions 2’ (Mountain Fever Records, 2015).
Gene Watson recorded Jim McBride’s ‘A Bridge That Just Won’t Burn’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Real.Country.Music‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2016).
Craig Morgan recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Remind Me Why I’m Crazy’ (co-written with Craig Morgan and Phil O’Donnell) and included the track on ‘A Whole Lot More To Me’ (Black River Records, 2016).
Lonesome River Band recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Rose In Paradise’, which was co-written with Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023), and included the track on ‘Bridging The Tradition’ (Mountain Home Music Company, 2016).
Lorrie Morgan & Pam Tillis recorded Jim McBride’s ‘Rose In Paradise’, which was co-written with Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023), and included the track on ‘Come See Me & Come Lonely’ (Goldenlane Records, 2017).
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