About Gene Watson

It is difficult to imagine the world of country music without the vast contribution which Gene Watson has made to it.

Between his major record label debut on Capitol Records in 1975, and the present day, Gene Watson has excelled with his traditional slant within country music.

Gene Watson is a singer in country music’s grand tradition and has the skill to give powerful vocal performances and draw all the emotion from his selected material effortlessly.  Gene Watson has remained true to his Texas music roots for the best part of 50 years and is a standard bearer for honest, traditional country music.

Following years of honing his country music craft around Texas, Gene Watson emerged on the American country music scene in July 1975.

Gene Watson immediately earned himself a reputation as one of the best of the new ‘real country’ singers to emerge on the scene and for adhering to a traditional country sound, characterised by prominent steel guitar and swirling fiddle.

Since 1975, Gene Watson has been an artist who has adhered to, and remained faithful to, a ‘hard’ traditional country sound.

Gene Watson is truly a ‘Lone Star Hero’, not only within the state boundary of Texas, but also around the wider country music world.

The music of Gene Watson is part of the very constitution of country music.

It is in Gene Watson’s country music recordings that the tradition of heartfelt, genuine country music is preserved for all time.

Gene Watson’s ‘Beautiful Country’ speaks for itself.  It is a music of the people, for the people and ultimately by one of the people.

Gary Gene Watson never intended becoming a professional singer within the country music genre.  Apparently, Gene Watson didn’t go searching for music – music found him.

For those of us who love traditional country music, we have a lot to be thankful to Gene Watson for.

When you consider the vast catalogue of classic country songs which Gene Watson has recorded since the early 1960s, his absence from the country music world would have left a gaping hole.

Of course, other artists could have recorded these tracks, but not with the same passion, emotion and genuine feeling which Gene Watson has brought to them.

Gene Watson was born Gary Gene Watson in Palestine, Texas on Monday 11 October 1943.

As a child, Gene Watson lived and traveled in a re-modeled school bus with his parents and six brothers and sisters.

The Watson family eked out a living doing farm labour, moving from crop to crop.

Gene Watson’s father also earned a living in various east Texas towns as a sawmill worker.  Gene Watson’s family eventually settled in Paris, Texas where most of Gene’s mother’s family originally hailed from and where his father switched to selling car parts.

Gene Watson attended school, until he dropped out in the ninth grade in order to earn vital money for his family by working in the auto salvage business.  Gene Watson learned how to repair cars and he developed a love for automobiles.

As far back as he can remember talking, Gene Watson can remember singing.

Music was a part of everyday life for the Watson family.  The family members sang in the local Pentecostal Church and also with each other for their own pure enjoyment of music.

Gene Watson also learned to appreciate blues music because his father played it at home.  Gene Watson, however, took his singing, in church and with his six siblings, for granted.  Gene Watson never believed for one moment that, one day, music would be his profession and that it would prove to play a major part in the life of Gene Watson.

Gene Watson’s younger brother, Jessie Elbert Watson (Sunday 11 August 1946 – Monday 6 February 2012), played steel guitar and Gene was the singer, and they would entertain at a lot of school functions and local get-togethers – they even appeared on Fort Worth’s ‘Cowtown Hoedown’.

However, music at this time was not one of Gene Watson’s goals – all he ever dreamed of was working on cars, a love of which he no doubt attributes to his father who used to deal in selling car parts.

In 1961, when he was seventeen years old, Gene Watson lied about his age in order to get a job building missile silos in Abilene, Texas.

Five years later, in 1966, Gene Watson moved to Dallas, Texas where an uncle helped him get his first professional job as a singer at a club called The Palms.

However, Gene Watson still didn’t take the possibility of making a living at music seriously, until he moved to Houston in Texas where he formed a band called Gene Watson & The Other Four, a band which included one of his brothers (Eddie Watson on vocals) and three of his cousins (George Watson on drums, Pat Watson on bass guitar, and Donnie Watson on vocals, rhythm guitar and bass).

Gene Watson & The Other Four landed a recording deal with Houston-based Tonka Records, for whom they recorded the songs, ‘If You Can’t Come, Just Call’, ‘You’re What’s Happened to Me’ (written by Gene Watson) and ‘Please Don’t Laugh at Me’.  According to the information displayed on the Tonka Records label, the first two tracks were written by Gene Watson.

It was also at this time when Gene Watson decided to drop Gary from his name.  Gene Watson maintained that people were calling him Larry and Gerry, so he decided to use his middle name, Gene, instead – even then, people assumed his name was Eugene, which it wasn’t.  The band, Gene Watson & The Other Four, however, did not last very long and was soon disbanded.

Gene Watson
autobody repair shop in Houston, Texas
1961

While in Houston, Gene Watson found work as an auto body repairman and auto body painter in order to support his wife and two children.  It was at this time when Gene Watson experienced lots of lean times, and lived from hand to mouth and from apartment to apartment.  In order to make some extra money, Gene Watson decided to form a new group which he called Hailball Express, in honour of a Ford automobile that he drove; ‘Hailball’ is a local Texas expression for a hailstone.

It was while singing and performing with Hailball Express at The Dynasty Club in Houston, Texas when Gene Watson came to the attention of two Houston businessmen, who were very impressed with Gene’s vocal prowess; Gene had been performing at The Dynasty Club in Houston, Texas for most of the 1960s.

Russ Reeder was a record distributor and Roy Stone owned a record store.  Together, they formed Wide World Records, which was based in Houston, Texas.  Wide World Records’ full address was 2817 Laura Koppe, Houston, Texas 77016.

Russ Reeder and Roy Stone persuaded Gene Watson to record, initially in Houston, and later in Nashville.

Gene Watson’s initial release for Wide World Records was ‘I’ll Run Right Back to You’, which was coupled with ‘Autumn in June’ in 1969; the latter track was written by Gene Watson’s cousin Bill Watson.  Both tracks were pleasant country ballads, which were produced by the legendary producer Cowboy Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 – Thursday 8 August 2013).

Gene Watson’s next single release coupled ‘John’s Back in Town’, a song composed by Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) and Bill Mack (Saturday 4 June 1932 – Friday 31 July 2020), with ‘Florence Jean’, which was written by Country Johnny Mathis (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 27 September 2011).

As it turned out, it was Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) who had been one of the artists who had recorded ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, which was written by Kent Westberry and Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003), before Gene Watson’s rendition of the song emerged in 1975.

Waylon Jennings’ version of ‘Love in the Hot Afternoon’, was never released as a single, but his version of the song can be found on the 6-CD box set ‘Journey: Six Strings’ (Bear Family Records, 1999); this box set also included Waylon Jennings’ version of ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007).

Waylon Jennings’ version of his own composition, ‘John’s Back in Town’, which he co-wrote with Bill Mack (Saturday 4 June 1932 – Friday 31 July 2020), can be found on the 6-CD box set ‘Journey: Destiny’s Child’ (Bear Family Records, 1999); this box set featured Waylon Jennings’ recordings made between 1958 and 1968.

Details of further Gene Watson single releases, including ‘The Birds & The Bees’, which was coupled with ‘My Eyes are Jealous’, can be found within Gene Watson’s 45rpm vinyl singles discography.

The quality of these initial vinyl singles from Gene Watson was first rate, in terms of musicianship, vocal prowess and production values.  Gene Watson’s choice of song material from the very beginning of his career could never be faulted.

The popularity of Gene Watson, at least within the Houston area of Texas, was growing apace at this time, thanks to Houston radio stations KENR, KIKK and KNUS, all of which played his records on a regular basis, and because of Gene Watson’s various personal appearances in the area.

It was while Gene Watson was working at Wide World Records that he saw the release of his first full album of material – Gene Watson’s self-titled debut album, ‘Gene Watson‘ (Wide World Records, 1969 / Stoneway Records, 1973), was recorded and released in 1969, and included some of the material previously released as vinyl singles, along with some new tunes.  ‘Gene Watson‘ (Wide World Records, 1969 / Stoneway Records, 1973), which is a first class release, containing as it does, some truly authentic, traditional country music, is very much a collectors’ item, so if you see it in a record store, do snap it up.  You will find that it’s a worthy addition to your country music collection.

The release of ‘Gene Watson‘ (Wide World Records, 1969 / Stoneway Records, 1973) did little more than further Gene Watson’s loyal local Texas following, but over the next couple of years, he continued to record and release further fine vinyl singles, this time for a new label called Resco Records which, like Wide World Records, was also based in Houston, Texas.

The formation of Resco Records came about as a result of differences between Russ Reeder and Roy Stone, who both decided to go their separate ways.  When the two managers split, Roy Stone chose to take the masters they had recorded and subsequently re-released ‘Gene Watson‘ (Wide World Records, 1969 / Stoneway Records, 1973) under his own label, Stoneway Records, in 1973.

Russ Reeder was happy to assume full management control of Gene Watson’s career.  Russ Reeder’s belief in Gene Watson remained so strong that Russ formed Resco Records specifically for him.

While being interviewed some years later, in 1978, Gene Watson spoke highly of Russ Reeder, stating that Russ had devoted a great deal of faith in Gene, so much so that Gene felt that he (Russ) was very much the guiding light in the early days of his career.

Gene Watson’s debut single for Resco Records was ‘Bad Water’ (written by Jackie DeShannon and Holiday and Myers), a song previously recorded by The Raeletts (Ethel – Darlene – McCrea, Margie Hendricks, Patricia Lyles and Gwendoly Berry), who were Ray Charles’ backing singers.

The Raeletts recorded ‘Bad Water’ (written by Jackie DeShannon and Holiday and Myers) in 1971, and saw the track included on ‘Ray Charles Presents The Raeletts…Yesterday…Today…Tomorrow’ (Tangerine Records, 1972).

‘Bad Water’ (written by Jackie DeShannon and Holiday and Myers), which Gene Watson loved, and was his first chart single on the Billboard country music singles chart, made its debut on Saturday 25 January 1975, but it only reached a lowly position of No.87.  The track came to the attention of Ed Keeley, the then promotional executive at Capitol Records.

Ed Keeley was impressed with the fact that an independent single had managed to make its way into the Billboard (national) country music singles chart.  Ed Keeley liked the song and was so impressed with Gene Watson’s performance of it that he flew to Houston and immediately negotiated a recording contract with Russ Reeder.

The outcome for Gene Watson was that he had procured a five-year recording contract with Capitol Records, a major league record company, and the outcome for the country music industry was that it now had a new country music star.

Gene Watson had already recorded ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, which was written by Kent Westberry and Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003), for Resco Records and it was already in circulation, when he signed his recording contract with Capitol Records.

‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, which was written by Kent Westberry and Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003), had been recorded by several others, including Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 – Thursday 11 June 2015), and became a regional hit.

The other artists who had recorded the song had all changed the lyrics around, because it was felt that the song was too risqué, for 1974, to gain vital radio airplay.

However, following discussions with Russ Reeder, Gene Watson decided to record the song exactly the way that it had been written.

‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, which was written by Kent Westberry and Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003), would turn out to be one of Gene Watson’s best loved tunes.

‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, which was written by Kent Westberry and Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003), was also recorded by Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002).

Waylon Jenning’s version of ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, which was written by Kent Westberry and Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003), was never released as a single, but his version of the song can be found on the 6-CD box set ‘Journey: Six Strings’ (Bear Family Records, 1999); this box set also included Waylon Jennings’ version of ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), but his version of the song was never released as a single.

Gene Watson later recorded Waylon Jenning’s little known composition ‘John’s Back In Town’; this latter track was co-written by Waylon Jennings along with legendary songwriter and country music disc jockey Bill Mack (Saturday 4 June 1932 – Friday 31 July 2020).

Waylon Jennings’ version of ‘John’s Back In Town’ was included on the 6-CD box set ‘Journey: Destiny’s Child’ (Bear Family Records, 1999); this box set features Waylon Jennings’ recordings made between 1958 and 1968.

Gene Watson’s Resco Records-issued single of ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, which was written by Kent Westberry and Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003), became extremely popular throughout a wide area of Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.

However, by the time Capitol Records re-issued the song on their own label, it had already become a major hit in those market areas and was beginning to descend the charts.

Ultimately, this fact thwarted the song from going to the top of the charts, but ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’ did reach No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart and was also pronounced the No.4 song in America for the entire year of 1975.

All of a sudden Gene Watson had a glorified country music career!

Gene Watson is held in such high esteem that ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, which was written by Kent Westberry and Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003), was recorded by a fellow Texan country music artist some twenty-five years later; Mark Chesnutt recorded ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’ and included the track on ‘Lost in The Feeling’ (MCA Records, 2000).

On a sad note, Vincent Wesley Matthews, one of the co-writers of ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, passed away on Saturday 22 November 2003; Vincent Wesley Matthews was sixty-three years old.

‘Love in the Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975) was also the title of Gene Watson’s debut album for Capitol Records in 1975.

On Tuesday 3 September 2002, England’s Hux Records released Gene Watson’s ‘Love in the Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975), along with Gene Watson’s ‘Paper Rosie‘ (Capitol Records, 1977), as a special 2-for-1 CD set.

Gene Watson would be the first to admit that he felt scared to death at this time.  Gene Watson wasn’t so concerned about the success of ‘Love in the Hot Afternoon’ – he loved the success naturally – but he was equally concerned about what song he was going to come up with as his next release.

Gene Watson has always been a stickler for material and has always had the freedom to pick and choose his own songs.

Russ Reeder was his producer, but he never told Gene what to record or what not to record. Russ might suggest something or bring Gene a particular song, but he never once told Gene that he was going to record a certain song and that he (Gene) didn’t have a choice in the matter. Russ worked inside the control room and Gene worked inside the studio with the musicians.

As far as the arrangements on songs were concerned, 99% of that was Gene Watson’s doing.  Gene would work up the arrangements with the musicians who, at this time, would have included such Nashville session greats as fiddle players Lisa Silver and Buddy Spicher, Lloyd Green and Sonny Garrish on steel guitar, Junior Husky on bass, Tommy Allsup (Tuesday 24 November 1931 – Wednesday 11 January 2017) on guitar, along with Dominic Joseph (D.J.) Fontana (Sunday 15 March 1931 – Wednesday 13 June 2018), Buddy Harman (Sunday 23 December 1928 – Thursday 21 August 2008) and Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) on drums.

In  those early days of recording, Gene Watson would reschedule his sessions if Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022), his favourite piano player, was not available.

After his explosive introduction to radio, life changed quite dramatically for Gene Watson, a man who had never considered music a viable way to earn a living.  Gene Watson still didn’t take things for granted, though.  He realised that he now had a major recording contract with a big record label, but he was also aware of the fact that he could be dropped from Capitol Records as quickly as they had signed him.

So, instead of selling his auto tools, he rolled them up and put them away safely in his garage.  Gene Watson felt that, if things didn’t work out for him in the world of country music, then he could always return home to Texas and continue with the auto body repair work instead.  Luckily, for Gene Watson and for the rest of us who enjoy heartfelt, traditional country music the way it should be performed and recorded, he has never had to.

Things, however, were not easy for Gene Watson in those early days.  For a time, he didn’t even have a regular tour bus like most of his contemporaries and had to rely on his four-wheeler.  Gene Watson did, however, have the respect of established country music stars that were more than willing to assist and encourage this new artist from the Lone Star State.

In these early days, Gene Watson toured regularly with country music legends Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) and Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993).  Gene Watson rode on their respective touring buses and was also backed on stage by their backing bands.

Gene Watson also toured extensively with The Wilburn Brothers – Doyle Wilburn (Monday 7 July 1930 – Saturday 16 October 1982) & Teddy Wilburn (Monday 30 November 1931 – Monday 24 November 2003) – in these early years of his country music career and also performed with them on the hallowed stage of Ryman Auditorium in Nashville during the 1960s.

Gene Watson followed the phenomenal success of the sultry ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, which was written by Kent Westberry and Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003), with a song which was as equally erotic as its predecessor.

The song, ‘Where Love Begins’, was written by Canada’s Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016) and became Gene Watson’s second Top 5 hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975, reaching No.5.

After a recording session one night, Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016) took Gene Watson to his office to play him some demo tapes. ‘Where Love Begins’ was one of those songs on the demo tapes.

Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016) came to be a major contributor of first-rate material to Gene Watson’s music career in the years that followed.

With the release of ‘You Could Know As Much About A Stranger’ (written by Nadine Bryant) in the early part of 1976, a song that also reached the Top 10 of the Billboard country music singles chart, Gene Watson consolidated his position in the country music charts and put his auto body repair work on the ‘back burner’.

Gene Watson concentrated his efforts on his now burgeoning country music career and, luckily for him, he had the support and encouragement of his wife Mattie and his two children, Terri and Gary Wayne.

Gene Watson’s success on the Billboard country music singles chart continued with ‘Because You Believed In Me’, which was written by Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), Shorty Hall (Walter Harrison Hall) (Tuesday 5 April 1927 – Thursday 21 March 2002) and Gene Vowell, which reached No.20 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976.

‘Because You Believed In Me’ was also the title track of Gene Watson’s second album for Capitol Records.  The title of the album said it all, Gene Watson expressing a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all those people who purchased his first album and showed great belief in him as a person and as a country music performer.

On Tuesday 26 September 2005, England’s Hux Records released Gene Watson’s ‘Because You Believed in Me‘, along with Gene Watson’s ‘Beautiful Country‘ (Capitol Records, 1977), as a special 2-for-1 CD set.

‘Her Body Couldn’t Keep You (Off My Mind)’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016), was Gene Watson’s last vinyl single of 1976, it was not as big a success as previous releases, reaching No.52 in 1976.

In 1977, Gene Watson came back strongly with the Billboard Top 3 hit, ‘Paper Rosie’, which was written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019), the story of a beggar woman and the title track of Gene Watson’s third album for Capitol Records.

‘Paper Rosie’, which was written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019), turned out to be the song which would help endear Gene Watson to a whole new country music audience in Europe, particularly in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

‘Paper Rosie‘ (Capitol Records, 1977), the album, also gained a release in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, and helped to garner Gene Watson rave reviews and a whole new audience of listeners and admirers.

It’s ironic that, when he first heard ‘Paper Rosie’, which was written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019), Gene Watson felt that the song didn’t suit him.  He recorded it, however, but he still felt that it wasn’t really a song for him.  Everyone who listened to the track felt that it would be a hit song, but Gene, for whatever reason, didn’t feel the same way.

Frank Jones (Sunday 4 March 1928 – Thursday 3 February 2005), an executive working at Capitol Records, had heard the song in Canada, where it had been a big hit for its writer, Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019).

While he was on tour in Chicago, Gene Watson received a call from Frank Jones (Sunday 4 March 1928 – Thursday 3 February 2005), advising him to re-evaluate the song upon his return.

Gene Watson returned to Nashville and re-recorded the song, this time adding a flute part.

On this second occasion in the recording studio, ‘Paper Rosie’, which was written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019), came together and the outcome was another Top 5 hit on the Billboard country music singles chart for Gene Watson.

The song, ‘Paper Rosie’, which was written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019), was featured in the opening sequence of the 1990 movie ‘Another 48 Hours’, which starred Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte.

In the November 2006 issue of England’s highly influential Country Music People, CMP contributor Spencer Leigh discussed song-writing with Kevin Welch and Kieran Kane.

Kieran Kane stated, ‘I loved it when there were a lot of story songs around.  Gene Watson did a lot of them and ‘Paper Rosie’ is like a little movie’.

In 1977, ‘Beautiful Country‘ (Capitol Records, 1977) was released and the album lived up to its title!  The album included the hit singles, ‘The Old Man & His Horn’, which was written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019). and ‘I Don’t Need A Thing At All’ (written by Joe Allen), both of which were hit singles in 1977, and ‘Cowboys Don’t Get Lucky All The Time’, which was written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019), which was a hit in 1978.

‘Cowboys Don’t Get Lucky All The Time’, which was written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019), was also included on the soundtrack of the movie, ‘Convoy’, which was directed by Sam Peckinpah (Saturday 21 February 1925 – Friday 28 December 1984) and starred Kris Kristofferson in a leading role.  It was due to the encouragement of Kris Kristofferson that the song was included on the soundtrack album in the first place.

On Tuesday 26 September 2005, England’s Hux Records released Gene Watson’s ‘Beautiful Country‘, along with Gene Watson’s ‘Because You Believed in Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976), as a special 2-for-1 CD set.

Like ‘Paper Rosie’ before them, both ‘The Old Man & His Horn’ and ‘Cowboys Don’t Get Lucky All The Time’ were written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019), further strengthening his stature as a writer of some lyrical substance.

Despite the fact that the ‘Paper Rosie‘ (Capitol Records, 1977) album had sold reasonably well in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, ‘Beautiful Country‘ (Capitol Records, 1977) did not gain a similar release, nor did a subsequent ‘Best of Gene Watson‘ (Capitol Records, 1978) collection, which only gained a release in the United States.

On Wednesday 7 June 1978, Gene Watson, Willie Nelson, Narvel Felts, Jerry Lee Lewis (Sunday 29 September 1935 – Friday 28 October 2022) and Joe Stampley were inducted into The Country Music Hall of Fame’s ‘Walkway of Stars’.

On Wednesday 28 June 1978, ‘Convoy’, a movie based on C.W. McCall’s No.1 Billboard country music hit single, opened with Kris Kristofferson starring.  The ‘Convoy’ soundtrack album included music from Crystal Gayle, Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 – Wednesday 14 December 2011), Doc Watson (Saturday 3 March 1923 – Tuesday 29 May 2012), Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020), Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), Anne Murray, Gene Watson and Billy ‘Crash’ Craddock.

It was also on Wednesday 28 June 1978 when Gene Watson recorded ‘Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy)’ (written by Joe Allen) and ‘Nothing Sure Looked Good On You’ (written by Jim Rushing) at Cowboy Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 – Thursday 8 August 2013) Studios in Nashville, both of which were subsequently included on Gene Watson’s ‘Should I Come Home‘ (Capitol Records, 1979), which was released in 1979.

On Tuesday 27 January 2009, England’s Hux Records released Gene Watson’s ‘Should I Come Home‘ (Capitol Records, 1979), along with Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978), as a special 2-for-1 CD.

On Thursday 7 August 1978, Capitol Records released Gene Watson’s ‘One Sided Conversation’ (written by Joe Allen) as a single from ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978); the single reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978, and reached No.6 on the Canadian RPM Country Music Chart in 1978.

The release of ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978) in 1978 also yielded a number of hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart, including ‘One Sided Conversation’ (written by Joe Allen), which reached the Billboard Top 10.

‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978) also gained a release in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland in June 1979 to coincide with Gene Watson’s first tour there in June / July 1979.

Gene Watson undertook an eighteen-date tour, visiting Belfast (Northern Ireland), Merseyside (England), Maidstone (England), Derbyshire (England), Middlesbrough (England), Harrow (England), Whitby (England), Carlisle (England), Hull (England), Bristol (England), Kenton (England), Hampshire (England), The Shetland Islands (Scotland), Aberdeen (Scotland), Prescott (England), Kendal (England) and Colchester (England).

The tour, which was organised by Mike and Margaret Storey Entertainments of Huddersfield in Yorkshire, was a resounding success.

In 1979, Gene Watson enjoyed a stellar year, scoring three hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart.

1979 began on a high with the release of ‘Farewell Party’, a highly emotional suicide saga of unrequited love, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and was originally included on Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978).

On Tuesday 13 March 1979, Gene Watson recorded ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), in one take, at ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement Studios in Nashville; ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 – Thursday 8 August 2013).  When released as a single, with catalogue number Capitol 4680, Gene Watson’s version of ‘Farewell Party’ reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979, and would later become Gene Watson’s signature tune and the name of his touring band.

Lawton Williams‘ ‘Farewell Party’ has a long recording history.

Lawton Williams, composer of the track, recorded the song himself in 1960 for the Houston, Texas-based All Star Records (catalogue number 7212).

Lawton Williams‘ ‘Farewell Party’ was recorded by Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) as the B-side to his ‘Talking To The Wall’ vinyl single (catalogue number: 4-42013) in May 1961, with Walter Haynes (Friday 14 December 1928 – Thursday 1 January 2009) playing the steel guitar part.

Lawton Williams‘ ‘Farewell Party’ was recorded by fellow Texan, Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020), with Jimmy Day (Tuesday 9 January 1934 – Friday 22 January 1999) on steel guitar, and included on ‘Sound of a Heartache’ (Stop Records, 1963).

Gene Watson’s version of Lawton Williams‘ ‘Farewell Party’, thought by many to be the definitive version, featured Lloyd Green playing the legendary steel guitar part.

Lawton Williams‘ ‘Farewell Party’ was the last song Lloyd Green recorded with Gene Watson, having played on most of the recordings Gene Watson did for Capitol Records.  The song should have been the foundation on which the recording session was based, but the track was apparently a last minute addition to the recording session.

Lawton Williams‘ ‘Farewell Party’ was also recorded, by Gene Watson, in one take!

Alan Jackson, a long-time admirer of Gene Watson, honoured Gene with his tasteful rendition of Lawton Williams‘ ‘Farewell Party’, which he recorded, with Paul Franklin on steel guitar, and included on ‘Under The Influence’ (Arista Records, 1999), an album of ‘covers’, which was produced by Keith Stegall.

Joe Nichols, another long-time admirer of Gene Watson, honoured Gene with his tasteful rendition of Lawton Williams‘ ‘Farewell Party’, which he recorded and included on ‘Revelation’ (Universal South Records, 2004).

Gene Watson followed Lawton Williams‘ ‘Farewell Party’ with ‘Pick The Wildwood Flower’ (written by Joe Allen), which reached the Top 5 of the Billboard country music singles chart.

‘Should I Come Home (or Should I Go Crazy)’ (written by Joe Allen), which reached the Billboard Top 3, was also the title track of yet another successful album release for Capitol Records.

Although ‘Pick The Wildwood Flower’ was written by noted songwriter Joe Allen, the song appears to be slightly autobiographical in nature as it is the only song in Gene Watson’s country music repertoire that actually mentions his first name, which is Gary.

It was also in 1979 when Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) saw the release of ‘The Legend & The Legacy’ (First Generation Records, 1979), the initial release of which was issued on LP as ‘The Legend & The Legacy, Volume 1’.

Ernest Tubb’s ‘The Legend & The Legacy’ (First Generation Records, 1979) was released on First Generation Records, but due to legal issues, was withdrawn and released on Cachet Records, a record label based in Canada.

In 1977 and 1978, producer and pedal steel guitarist Pete Drake (Saturday 8 October 1932 – Friday 29 July 1988) brought Ernest Tubb and his then current line-up of The Texas Troubadours into his recording studio, Pete’s Place in Nashville, to record basic tracks.

Unknown to Ernest Tubb, Pete Drake later secretly brought in other famous country music singers and musicians to overdub vocals and instruments to the already recorded tracks.

Special guests on Ernest Tubb’s ‘The Legend & The Legacy’ (First Generation Records, 1979) included the following artists:

• Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 – Saturday 30 June 2001)
• Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003)
• Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
• Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022)
• Willie Nelson
• Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003)
• Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 – Thursday 17 March 2011)
• Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002)
• George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013)
• Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982)
• Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993)
• Charlie Rich (Wednesday 14 December 1932 – Tuesday 25 July 1995)

Pete Drake (Saturday 8 October 1932 – Friday 29 July 1988) intended to have two editions of Ernest Tubb’s ‘The Legend & The Legacy’ (First Generation Records, 1979) released, hence the ‘Volume 1’ title but, as a result of poor distribution and sales, the album quickly went out of print.

Subsequent re-issues of Ernest Tubb’s ‘The Legend & The Legacy’ (First Generation Records, 1979) on CD included additional tracks.

Ernest Tubb’s ‘The Legend & The Legacy’ (First Generation Records, 1979) was re-issued again on the 20th anniversary of its release, in 1999, by First Generation Records in a limited run.

The Pete Drake Music Group also made the project available, as both a download and a physical CD, via Drake’s First Generation Records online store at Bandcamp.

On Saturday 19 January 1980, T.G. Sheppard, Gene Watson and The Stoneman Family were special guests on the television show, ‘Hee Haw’; Gene Watson performed ‘Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy)’ (written by Joe Allen) and ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007).

‘Hee Haw’ was an American television variety show, which featured country music and humour with fictional rural Kornfield Kounty as a backdrop; the show aired on CBS television between 1969 and 1971 before a twenty-year run in local television syndication.

In 1980, Gene Watson celebrated five years with Capitol Records.

Many agree that Gene Watson’s tenure with Capitol Records, between 1975 and 1980, produced some exquisite country music and that these years of Gene’s musical life are considered to be his ‘glory days’.

Gene Watson began 1980 with ‘Nothing Sure Looked Good On You’ (written by Jim Rushing), which reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart.

However, Gene Watson’s next three single releases, ‘Bedroom Ballad’ (written by Joe Allen), ‘Raisin’ Cane In Texas’ (written by Joe Allen and D. Lay) and ‘No One Will Ever Know’, which was written by Mel Foree (Tuesday 25 July 1911 – Sunday 28 October 1990) and Fred Rose (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954), only achieved Top 20 status on the Billboard country music singles chart:

‘Bedroom Ballad’ (written by Joe Allen) (No.18, 1980)

‘Raisin’ Cane In Texas’ (written by Joe Allen and D. Lay) (No.15, 1980)

‘No One Will Ever Know’, which was written by Mel Foree (Tuesday 25 July 1911 – Sunday 28 October 1990) and Fred Rose (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954) (No.13, 1980)

It was at this time when Gene Watson expressed an opinion that these latter recordings for Capitol Records could have attained a higher chart position than they did had the label promoted them adequately.  Gene Watson also felt aggrieved that Capitol Records appeared to be unwilling to properly promote him the way he felt they should have been.

Capitol Records apparently felt that there was no need to invest heavily in promoting Gene Watson as his records were selling consistently and his concert appearances were sell-out events.

Gene Watson was so annoyed at the attitude of Capitol Records that he was simply uninterested as to what the label called his last album; as it turned out, the album in question was called ‘No One Will Ever Know‘ (Capitol Records, 1980).

Gene Watson felt that he was at a crossroads as far as his career was concerned and so he took some time off to contemplate his options.

A number of record labels, including MCA Records and Curb Records, became interested in adding Gene Watson to their respective artists roster.

Gene Watson decided that his next musical home would be MCA Records, so he signed to the label in 1981.

However, before Gene Watson’s career got underway at MCA Records, the single ‘Any Way You Want Me’ (written by Leo Ofman), which was included on the Warner Bros. Records / Viva Records soundtrack of Clint Eastwood’s movie, ‘Any Which Way You Can’, reached the Top 40 of the Billboard country music singles chart.

Somewhere along the way, Clint Eastwood had heard the song as a demo recording by its writer, Leo Ofman.  However, Clint Eastwood insisted that Gene Watson should record the song.

Gene Watson flew to Los Angeles, California to record the track ‘Any Way You Want Me’ (written by Leo Ofman), which was co-produced by Gene Watson, Thomas Leslie ‘Snuff’ Garrett (Wednesday 5 July 1939 – Thursday 17 December 2015) and Russ Reeder.

On Monday 17 November 1980, Warner Bros. Records / Viva Records released the soundtrack for Clint Eastwood’s ‘Any Which Way You Can’, which featured music from David Frizzell & Shelly West, Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), Gene Watson, Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004) & Clint Eastwood, Fats Domino (Sunday 26 February 1928 – Tuesday 24 October 2017), Johnny Duncan (Wednesday 5 October 1938 – Monday 14 August 2006), Jim Stafford and Cliff Crofford (Thursday 12 December 1929 – Sunday 22 November 2009).

On Friday 12 December 1980, Clint Eastwood’s movie ‘Any Which Way You Can’, which was directed by Wayne ‘Buddy’ Van Horn (Monday 20 August 1928 – Tuesday 11 May 2021), made its cinema debut.  The movie included a role for Jim Stafford, who was featured on the soundtrack, alongside Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004), Gene Watson, Johnny Duncan (Wednesday 5 October 1938 – Monday 14 August 2006), Fats Domino (Sunday 26 February 1928 – Tuesday 24 October 2017), Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), and David Frizzell & Shelly West.

On Tuesday 18 February 2014, Clint Eastwood’s ‘Any Which Way You Can’ was re-issued, on CD, by Varese-Sarabande Records.

Gene Watson’s first release for MCA Records was the title track of ‘Between This Time & The Next Time‘ (MCA Records, 1981), which was another exquisite song written by Canadian Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016), and which reached No.17 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981; the track was followed by ‘Maybe I Should Have Been Listening’ (written by Buzz Rabin), which reached No.23 in 1981.

Gene Watson began 1982 on the ultimate high when he achieved his first, and only, No.1 hit on the Billboard country music charts; ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’, which was co-written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Larry Lee Favorite (1939 – Saturday 26 May 2001), was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1982.

On Saturday 26 May 2001, Larry Lee Favorite, who was a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away at his home in Lebanon, Tennessee as the result of a heart attack.

Sheer determination though was responsible for Gene Watson even hearing the demo of ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Larry Lee Favorite (1939 – Saturday 26 May 2001).

One night, while his Farewell Party Band members were asleep, Gene Watson was spending his time listening to demo tapes.  In the bottom of a large box of demo tapes, Gene discovered that someone had sent him a song on a reel-to-reel tape.  Gene wondered who in the world would have sent him a demo in such an antiquated format.

However, Gene Watson was determined to hear the track, so he dug out an old reel-to-reel machine and managed to thread the tape up.

Upon hearing the opening sixteen bars of ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’, Gene Watson knew that he had a hit song on his hands and was determined to record it as soon as he could.

It was also around this time, in the early 1980s, when Gene Watson’s entire appearance changed, from the slicked-back ‘Elvis’ look, to the longer-haired, facial haired presence of today.

It was such a radical change, that it became the focal point of nearly every interview and article printed about him at the time.

Gene Watson & his Farewell Party Band had been playing in Lake Norman, North Carolina, when the police arrived and impounded his tour bus.  Someone had booked Gene in North Carolina and he had to cancel the gig because he was ill and was on medication.

Someone else informed this guy that Gene Watson was playing somewhere else the same night, so he filed a suit against Gene.  A warrant was issued stating that, if Gene Watson came into the state of North Carolina, his bus would be seized and he would be taken to court.

The police officers allowed Gene Watson and his Farewell Party Band members to get a few changes of clothes, along with whatever instruments they could carry off the bus.  Gene’s next gig was at the Lone Star Café in New York City, but he and the band had to fly there because the engine of the impounded tour bus froze.

With all the commotion going on as a result of the incident, which was thrown out of court, and the impounded bus engine freezing, Gene Watson forgot all his shaving gear, so he decided to quit shaving and stopped getting his hair cut.  The next time Gene’s fans went to buy his next album release, ‘Old Loves Never Die‘ (MCA Records, 1981), they didn’t even recognise who was on the cover.

Promotional photo from a 1982 photo shoot for Gene Watson’s ‘This Dream’s on Me‘ (MCA Records, 1982)
photos for the album were taken at Beds of Brass in Nashville

Gene Watson’s brand of ‘beautiful country’ produced three more hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982, all of which were included on Gene Watson’s ‘This Dream’s on Me‘ (MCA Records, 1982):

‘Speak Softly (You’re Speaking To My Heart)’ (written by Steve Spurgin and J.D. Mendenhall) / this track was released on Friday 29 January 1982, and reached No.9 in 1982

‘This Dream’s On Me’ (written by Fred Koller) / this track was released on Friday 4 June 1982, and reached No.8 in 1982

‘What She Don’t Know Won’t Hurt Her’ (written by Dave Lindsey and Ernie Rowell) / this track reached No.5 in 1983

On Friday 1 October 1982, Tony Booth became the leader of Gene Watson’s Farewell Party Band.

It was also in 1982 when Gene Watson, Larry Booth and Russ Reeder produced The Farewell Party Band’s ‘The Farewell Party Band Plays Country Plus’ (BRW Records, 1982) (catalogue number LP-1001), which included the following tracks:

‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007) / this track was an instrumental version

‘I’ll Go Back To Her’, which was written by Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) / this track featured vocals from Larry Booth

‘Beg For It’ (written by Chris ‘Tiny’ Olson)

‘Sad Songs’ (written by Doug Boggs) / this track featured vocals from Doug Boggs

‘Honky Tonk Man’, which was written by Ronnie Coleman and Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 – Tuesday 16 December 2003) / this track featured vocals from Norman Richard ‘Norm’ Kastner (Sunday 2 September 1945 – Wednesday 18 July 2012)

‘Stagger Lee’ (written by H. Logan Lloyd Price) / this track featured vocals from Larry Booth

‘The Best Memory In Town’ (written by A.V. Mittlestedt) / this track featured vocals from Daniel T. Rainwater (who passed away on Friday 28 December 2018)

‘Shotgun Blues’ (written by Don Walsh and Rick Walsh) / this track featured vocals from Chris ‘Tiny’ Olson

‘Play Me A Song That I Can Can Cry To’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018) / this track featured vocals from Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009)

‘610 By Pass’, which was written by Daniel ’Danny’ T. Rainwater (who passed away on Friday 28 December 2018)

The Farewell Party Band’s ‘The Farewell Party Band Plays Country Plus’ (BRW Records, 1982) (catalogue number LP-1001) was released by BRW Records, a record label which was based in Spring, Texas.

Personnel involved in the recording of The Farewell Party Band’s ‘The Farewell Party Band Plays Country Plus’ (BRW Records, 1982) included the following:

Larry Booth (bass, vocals)
Chris ‘Tiny’ Olson (steel guitar, vocals)
Doug Boggs (drums, vocals)
Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009) (piano, vocals)
Daniel ’Danny’ T. Rainwater (who passed away on Friday 28 December 2018) and Norman Richard ‘Norm’ Kastner (Sunday 2 September 1945 – Wednesday 18 July 2012) (guitar, vocals)

In 1983, Gene Watson’s reign at American country music radio continued with the following Billboard country music hit singles:

‘You’re Out Doing What I’m Here Doing Without’ (written by Allen Frizzell and Bo Roberts) / this track was released on Friday 18 February 1983, and reached No.2 in 1983

‘Sometimes I Get Lucky’, which was written by Ernie Rowell and Bobby Lee House (Friday 11 February 1949 – Thursday 25 November 2004) / this track reached No.9 in 1983

‘Drinkin’ My Way Back Home’, which was written by Don Scaife, Ronny Scaife (1947 – Wednesday 3 November 2010) and Phil Thomas (1944 – Saturday 5 January 2019) / this track was released on Monday 7 November 1983, and reached No.10 in 1984

Gene Watson’s other Billboard country music hit singles in 1984 included the following tracks:

‘Forever Again’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) / this track reached No.10 in 1984

‘Little By Little’, which was written by Danny Morrison (Sunday 22 April 1945 – Tuesday 14 February 2012) and Larry Keith / this track reached No.33 in 1984

On Saturday 26 February 1983, Gene Watson, Hoyt Axton (Friday 25 March 1938 – Tuesday 26 October 1999) and Irlene Mandrell were special guests on ‘Hee Haw’, an American television variety show, which featured country music and humour with fictional rural Kornfield Kounty as a backdrop; the show aired on CBS-TV between 1969 and 1971 before a twenty-year run in local television syndication.

On Saturday 14 January 1984, T.G. Sheppard performed ‘Slow Burn’ and ‘I Loved ‘Em Every One’ on that week’s edition of ‘Hee Haw’.  Guests also included Gene Watson and The Vic Willis Trio.

In 1984, when they were both guests on the ‘Nashville Now’ television show, which was hosted by Ralph Emery (Friday 10 March 1933 – Saturday 15 January 2022), Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) pitched ‘Got No Reason Now For Goin’ Home’ to Gene Watson.

Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) was one of Gene Watson’s best friends in the music business and he said he wanted Gene to take a tape of the song back to Houston, learn it and come back to Nashville and record it.

Gene Watson told Johnny Russell that he would listen to it.  Johnny Russell replied by saying that he could get anyone to listen to it and insisted that he wanted Gene to take the song, learn it and immediately record it.

Gene Watson did indeed record Johnny Russell’s ‘Got No Reason Now For Goin’ Home’ and included the track on ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984).

On Thursday 20 September 1984, MCA Records released Gene Watson’s ‘Got No Reason Now For Goin’ Home’ as a single; the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in the early part of 1985.

In 1985, Gene Watson moved to Epic Records and returned to the Top 5 of the Billboard country music singles chart with the western swing-influenced ‘Memories to Burn’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), which was also the title of Gene’s first album for Epic Records.

Gene Watson’s ‘Memories to Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1984) also included ‘Cold Summer Day In Georgia’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018) and Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999); the track featured Leona Williams on backing vocals, along with the exquisite guitar work of Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004).

Leona Williams was married to Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) between 1978 and 1983.

Sadly, Dave Kirby passed away on Saturday 17 April 2004; he was sixty-three years old.

Dave Kirby, a native of Brady in Texas, where he was born on Sunday 10 July 1938, was a masterful songwriter and had the privilege of having twenty-four of his compositions recorded by Gene Watson.

Leona Williams recorded ‘Memories To Burn’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), and included the track on ‘Honorary Texan’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2003).

Teea Goans recorded ‘Memories To Burn’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), and included the track on ‘Memories To Burn’ (Crosswind Corporation, 2015).

In 1986, Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band made a number of concert appearances in Europe.

On Sunday 30 March 1986, Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band made an appearance at Wembley Arena in London, England.

On Tuesday 1 April 1986, Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band made an appearance at The Silk Cut Country Music Festival at King’s Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland; the compere was George Hamilton IV (Monday 19 July 1937 – Wednesday 17 September 2014).

Other artists who appeared at the event included Mark Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016), Bill Monroe (Wednesday 13 September 1911 – Monday 9 September 1996), Carroll Baker, Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Connie Smith and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013).

On Saturday 5 April 1986, Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band made an appearance at The Festhall in Frankfurt, Germany.

On Sunday 6 April 1986 and Monday 7 April 1986, Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band made an appearance at The Hallen Stadium in Zurich, Switzerland.

Subsequent Gene Watson album releases for Epic Records included ‘Starting New Memories‘ (Epic Records, 1986) and ‘Honky Tonk Crazy‘ (Epic Records, 1987).

Although Gene Watson maintained a heavy touring schedule with his Farewell Party Band, none of his other record releases got as high as the Top 20 of the Billboard country music singles chart.

It was at this time when Epic Records devoted their energies and resources toward ‘younger’ artists and, as a result, Gene Watson didn’t seem to quite ‘fit’ the record label image any longer.

After a three-year absence from the Top 10 of the Billboard country music singles chart, Gene Watson’s disillusionment with his country music career grew and he seriously considered retirement.

It was during his heavy touring schedule with his Farewell Party Band that Gene Watson began playing dates with a new, young artist called Randy Travis.  It was Randy Travis‘ manager, Lib Hatcher, who convinced Gene Watson to stay in the business.

Lib Hatcher began managing Gene Watson –  Gene signed a personal management / booking contract with her – and secured a recording contract for him with Warner Brothers Records, the same label which had Randy Travis on its roster.

In order to secure the deal for Gene Watson with Warner Brothers Records, he and Lib recorded a four-song demo tape.  Ironically, these recordings have, to date, not seen the light of day.

On Tuesday 23 January 2007, Gene Watson informed Sean Brady at the Original Gene Watson Fan Site that, in order to secure the deal for him with Warner Bros. Records in 1988, he and Lib Hatcher recorded a four-song demo tape.

Gene Watson could, however, only remember the titles of three of these tracks; ‘Reasons I Cheat’ (written by Randy Travis), ‘The Strength To Lose Control’ and ‘A Fallen Star’.

The track, ‘Reasons I Cheat’ (written by Randy Travis) was included on Randy Travis’ debut album.  ‘Storms of Life’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1986) was No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart, for twelve weeks, in 1986; the album subsequently went on to sell four million copies.



Special thanks to Sarah Brosmer, Gene Watson’s Day-to-Day Manager at Lytle Management in Brentwood, TN for the acquisition of this information

Gene Watson’s debut album for Warner Brothers Records, ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988), is unique in that it is the only Gene Watson release which features a song which Gene Watson had a hand in writing; the track in question was ‘Somewhere Over You’ and it was co-written by Gene Watson, along with Jim Rushing and Dave Lindsey.

On Saturday 15 April 2006, Gene Watson’s Fan Site received an email from songwriter Dave Lindsey in Nashville, with the information that ‘Somewhere Over You’ was one of Dave Lindsey’s favourite songs that he had written.

Dave Lindsey had co-written ‘Somewhere Over You’ with Jim Rushing.

When Dave Lindsey sent the song to Gene Watson, he loved the song, but he thought that the chorus could be simpler and asked if he could rewrite it.  Dave Lindsey and Jim Rushing agreed that Gene could rewrite it, so that is how Gene Watson earned a song-writing credit on the track ‘Somewhere Over You’.

On Monday 17 October 1988, Gene Watson saw the release of the debut single from ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988); ‘Don’t Waste It On The Blues’ (written by Sandy Ramos and Jerry Vandiver) reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1988 – the Gene Watson name was back on the Billboard country music Top 10 singles chart after a three year absence.

Gene Watson’s revived career also introduced him to a new generation of country music fans.  Two further singles from ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) charted: ‘Back In The Fire’ (written by Rory Bourke and Mike Reid) reached No.20 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989, while ‘The Jukebox Played Along’, which was written by Ken Bell and Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022), reached No.24 on the Billboard country music singles chart, also in 1989.

Subsequent releases on Warner Brothers Records failed to break the Billboard country music Top 40 singles chart.

On Friday 8 June 1990, the movie, ‘Another 48 Hours’, starring Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte, opened in cinemas.

The soundtrack for ‘Another 48 Hours’ included Gene Watson’s recording of ‘Paper Rosie’, which was written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019), ‘Drinking Them Beers’ performed by Tompall Glaser (Sunday 3 September 1933 – Tuesday 13 August 2013), and a remake of ‘I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive’, which was originally written and recorded by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953).

Gene Watson, however, felt that things were, at long last, going his way.

Gene Watson had begun work on ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991), his second album for Warner Bros. Records, when the relationship between himself and Lib Hatcher ran into some problems.

In the latter part of 1990, it was reported that Gene Watson and Lib Hatcher had both issued suits against one another over management fees.

The legal wrangle with Lib Hatcher lasted for about a year, during which time Gene Watson could not sign any management / booking deals with anyone else.  Warner Bros. Records became aware of the situation and, following the release of ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991), they dropped Gene Watson from their roster.

The major record label recording career of a country music legend had ended – something which the country music industry should never have allowed to happen and something that they should be thoroughly ashamed of.

Gene Watson then turned to veteran manager Jack McFadden (1927 – Tuesday 16 June 1998) in Nashville.  Jack, who had established himself in Nashville in 1983, was renowned as a formidable talent manager and had worked with Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), Freddie Hart (Tuesday 21 December 1926 – Saturday 27 October 2018), Susan Raye, Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) and Lorrie Morgan.

It was also Jack McFadden (1927 – Tuesday 16 June 1998) who brought Billy Ray Cyrus, and the ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ phenomenon, to the world of country music.  Jack McFadden (1927 – Tuesday 16 June 1998) was aware of Gene Watson’s situation, but he agreed to manage him.

Jack McFadden (1927 – Tuesday 16 June 1998) approached a number of major record labels in Nashville, but none of them were willing to take a chance on Gene Watson, an artist with a lawsuit hanging over his head.

However, an independent recording project was agreed with Canadian record producer and former recording artist Gary Buck (Thursday 21 March 1940 – Tuesday 14 October 2003).

There were several provisions within the contract, which meant that, if no major label acquired the rights to the recording, Gary Buck could release it on Mercury Records / Polygram Records in Canada.

The recording sessions for ‘In Other Words‘ (Canada: Mercury Records, 1992 / United States: Broadland International Records, 1992) took place in Nashville on various dates in December 1991 and February 1992; the album initially gained a release only in Canada on Gary Buck’s own Broadland International Records through a deal with Mercury Records Canada.

‘In Other Words‘ (Canada: Mercury Records, 1992 / United States: Broadland International Records, 1992) later gained a release, on Broadland International Records, in the United States in 1993, when a single from it, ‘One & One & One’ (written by Buddy Cannon and John Northrup), managed to make its way onto the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart, stopping a little outside the Top 50 at No.66.

Gary Buck passed away at his home in Didsbury, Alberta in Canada on Tuesday 14 October 2003 – Gary Buck was sixty-three years old.

In the early 1990s, the country music market place was quite different to how it was when Gene Watson emerged on the country music scene in 1975.  Garth Brooks was now the major country music artist, most new country acts were young and Gene Watson’s new manager, Jack McFadden (1927 – Tuesday 16 June 1998), was now busy promoting his new discovery Billy Ray Cyrus.

On Tuesday 16 June 1998, Jack McFadden passed away in Nashville, following a battle with cancer – Jack McFadden was 71 years old.

It was around 1993 when Gene Watson became despondent and seriously considered quitting the country music industry for good.

Gene Watson had no management and felt that he didn’t have anything to look forward to.  Gene Watson had not enjoyed a major hit song since 1989 and felt that the country music industry had turned its back on him.

While Gene Watson was considering retiring from the business he contributed so much to, a name was thrown at him, that of an old friend and booking agent – Allen Whitcomb (Tuesday 11 November 1947 – Tuesday 24 October 2006).

Gene Watson traveled to Nashville to meet with Allen Whitcomb (Tuesday 11 November 1947 – Tuesday 24 October 2006).  They talked, a deal was struck and Gene Watson once again had a recording home.

In September 1993, Gene Watson signed a recording contract with singer / songwriter / producer Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020), and joined the roster at Step One Records in Nashville.

Step One Records, which was based in Nashville, was owned by Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020) and Curtis Potter (Thursday 18 April 1940 – Saturday 23 January 2016); Ray Pennington acted as the company’s chief executive.

Gene Watson’s debut album for Step One Records was ‘Uncharted Mind‘ (Step One Records, 1993) and the first single released from it was ‘Snake in the House’ (written by TW Hale and Royal Wade Kimes).

This track was co-written by a then new artist called Wade Kimes who, in later years, recorded under the name of Royal Wade Kimes.

Once again, Gene Watson brought a new songwriter to prominence.

Gene Watson’s relationship with Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020) at Step One Records was one of mutual respect and admiration.

Gene Watson was now wearing less hats in the recording studio than he had in the 1970s and 1980s.  In the old days, Gene Watson was looking for material, organising the musicians and working on his own musical arrangements.

At Step One Records, Gene Watson simply arrived at the recording studio, and Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020) did all the rest.

The release of Gene Watson’s debut album for Step One Records, ‘Uncharted Mind‘ (Step One Records, 1993), opened some doors for Gene, in that some American country music radio stations were willing to add some of its tracks to their play-lists.

In musical terms, it very much appeared that Gene Watson was back from the dead and that a revival of his country music career looked distinctly possible.

In 1996, Gene Watson saw the release of his second album for Step One Records; ‘The Good Ole Days‘ (Step One Records, 1996) was an album of exquisite Texas swing and tasteful balladry and included a track which would ultimately put the Gene Watson name firmly back on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart, after an absence of some four years.

The song in question, ‘Change Her Mind’, which was written by Danny ‘Bear’ Mayo (Monday 2 October 1950 – Saturday 2 October 1999), Paul Nelson and Larry Boone, entered the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart, on Saturday 25 January 1997.

By March 1997, ‘Change Her Mind’, which was written by Danny ‘Bear’ Mayo (Monday 2 October 1950 – Saturday 2 October 1999), Paul Nelson and Larry Boone, had reached No.44, thanks in no small part by the work carried out by an excellent promotion team at Step One Records.

One of the reasons for the revival in Gene Watson’s career at this time can be attributed to the fact that many of the people programming the song for American country music radio did not know who Gene Watson was and actually thought that he was a new, young artist.

Most listeners to American country music radio thought the same thing.

Larry Boone recorded ‘Change Her Mind’, which was written by Danny ‘Bear’ Mayo (Monday 2 October 1950 – Saturday 2 October 1999), Paul Nelson and Larry Boone, and included the track on ‘One Way to Go’ (Columbia Records, 1991).

Tony Toliver recorded ‘Change Her Mind’, which was written by Danny ‘Bear’ Mayo (Monday 2 October 1950 – Saturday 2 October 1999), Paul Nelson and Larry Boone, and included the track on ‘Half Saint, Half Sinner’ (Rising Tide Records, 1996).

Gene Watson’s follow-up single, ‘No Goodbyes’, which was written by Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020), did not achieve as high a chart position, only reaching No.73 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.

The release of ‘The Good Ole Days‘ (Step One Records, 1996) also afforded Gene Watson the opportunity to re-record three of his hit songs for a new generation of fans, ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, which was written by Kent Westberry and Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003), ‘Speak Softly (You’re Talking To My Heart)’ (written by Steve Spurgin and J.D. Mendenhall) and ‘I Don’t Need A Thing At All’ (written by Joe Allen).

In 1997, Gene Watson saw the release of his third album for Step One Records; ‘Jesus is all I Need‘ (Step One Records, 1997) was an album project which Gene Watson had been wishing to record for some time – a collection made up entirely of religious material.

The recording of ‘Jesus is all I Need‘ (Step One Records, 1997) was also very much a family affair; six of the ten featured tracks were written by Gene Watson’s cousin, Bobbie Joyce Harris Bost (Saturday 10 February 1940 – Saturday 6 April 2002), while his sisters, Virginia Ruth Watson Thompson and Mary Lois Watson Templeton (Friday 28 October 1932 – Friday 9 April 2004), provided wonderful harmony vocals.

‘Jesus is all I Need‘ (Step One Records, 1997) was re-released twice; in 2004, the album was issued as ‘The Gospel Side of Gene Watson‘ (Intersound Records, 2004), and in 2006 as ‘Gene Watson: Gospel At Its Best‘ (Gusto Records, 2006).

Gene Watson’s final album for Step One Records, ‘A Way to Survive‘ (Step One Records, 1997), included seven new tracks, along with a re-recording of ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Larry Lee Favorite (Saturday 6 January 1940 – Saturday 26 May 2001), and was Gene Watson’s first, and only, No.1 hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart (No.1 for one week in January 1982); the original version of this track was included on Gene Watson’s ‘Old Loves Never Die‘ (MCA Records, 1981).

Gene Watson’s ‘A Way to Survive‘ (Step One Records, 1997) also included ‘Class Reunion’ (written by Craig Morris and Don Henry) and ‘Old Porch Swing’, which was written by Joe Allen and Charlie Williams (Friday 20 December 1929 – Thursday 15 October 1992), two tracks which had originally been included on ‘In Other Words‘ (Canada: Mercury Records, 1992 / United States: Broadland International Records, 1993).

Gene Watson’s ‘A Way to Survive‘ (Step One Records, 1997) demonstrated, however, that Gene Watson still possessed his extraordinary vocal ability.

On Sunday 19 July 1998, Gene Watson’s driver, Kenneth Anderson, was killed when Gene’s bus was involved in a crash.  Long-time Gene Watson guitarist and backup vocalist Gary Anderson was injured.

On Sunday 27 September 1998, in Nashville, Gene Watson was honoured by ROPE (Reunion of Professional Entertainers) when they presented him with their Golden ROPE ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.

As far as Gene Watson was concerned, he was the sole entertainment for the evening and, to the best of his knowledge, that was the only reason he was there; this turned out not to be the case.

Upon receiving his Golden ROPE ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, Gene Watson said little as his eyes shone with gratitude – humble as ever!

In 1999, Gene Watson saw the release of ‘Eighteen Greatest Hits‘ (Tee Vee Records, 1999), a compilation album, which included eighteen of Gene’s hit singles and which introduced his unique voice to a whole new audience of listeners.

It would be a further two years, however, before an album of new material would be released bearing the name of Gene Watson.

The country music industry finally recognised Gene Watson for his immense vocal talent and his distinctive contribution to the country music genre, by awarding him with the ‘Male Golden Voice’ Award at the 2nd Annual Golden Voice Awards.

The Annual Golden Voice Awards salute ‘men and women who have given country music their voice’.

The 2nd Annual Golden Voice Awards, which were held on Monday 12 June 2000 at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Centre in Nashville, was hosted by Bill Anderson and Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020).

Ralph Emery (Friday 10 March 1933 – Saturday 15 January 2022), with Gene Watson, as he proudly displays his ‘Golden Voice Award’ trophy in Nashville on Monday 12 June 2000

More than seven hundred people attended the brunch event at Opryland Hotel, with proceeds going to the Performers Benefit Fund, which provided adequate health care for qualifying members of The Grand Ole Opry and was administered through a board of directors elected by Opry members.

On Friday 1 September 2000, during a conversation prior to appearing on the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Gene Watson had the following to say:

‘I feel disappointment at the fact that most country music radio stations in the United States do not play my music and I wish that I could do something about it.

I feel that The Grand Ole Opry is so special because it was where country music began.  I put it above all other places and feel privileged when I play on its hallowed stage.

The first time I played at The Grand Ole Opry was in the 1960s, when I played at The Ryman with The Wilburn Brothers – Doyle Wilburn (Monday 7 July 1930 – Saturday 16 October 1982) & Teddy Wilburn (Monday 30 November 1931 – Monday 24 November 2003).  I performed one song and received a standing ovation.  I then had to perform a second song, which was ‘It Is No Secret’.

I am working on a box set of material and hope to go back to the early labels and others that cannot be found.  I would love to record an album of Christmas material.

I feel that Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) can get more out of a phrase than anyone else and I would like to record with him one day’.

During the course of his country music career, Gene Watson has recorded two compositions, which were written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016):

‘I Must Be Somebody Else’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), was included on Gene Watson’s ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984).

‘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), featured vocal harmonies from Lee Ann Womack and was included on Gene Watson’s ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2008).

Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded ‘I Must be Somebody Else’ and included the track on ‘Swinging Doors & The Bottle Let Me Down’ (Capitol Records, 1966).

Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (Capitol Records, 1968).

In October 2000, Gene Watson was diagnosed with colon cancer.  Gene was, in fact, in Nashville performing on the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry when he got the symptoms.  The guys in his Farewell Party Band got him on the bus and rushed him back to his home state of Texas.

Gene Watson went to the hospital in his hometown of Paris, Texas and went through a series of tests.  It was in Houston, Texas where he received a full diagnosis.  Gene Watson had his cancer removed surgically and spen t some time in hospital recuperating.

The type of surgery performed on Gene Watson was laparoscopic surgery, a procedure where Gene didn’t have to be cut open; the surgeon simply went in through a hole in him and removed the cancer surgically.

For insurance purposes, Gene Watson underwent six months of chemotherapy, which made him feel quite ill to say the least.

In March 2001, Gene Watson went back into hospital for a series of tests, in order to ascertain how his chemotherapy treatment was going.

Everything appeared to be fine and Gene Watson felt good in himself.

Despite all the problems with his own health, Gene Watson was concerned at this time about the musicians in his Farewell Party Band.

Their own livelihoods were also in jeopardy during these frantic few months while Gene Watson was ill and he felt immense loyalty and gratitude towards each and every member of his Farewell Party Band.

On Friday 6 April 2001, Gene Watson signed a recording contract with RMG (Row Music Group) Records, which was owned jointly by fellow country music artist, Eddy Raven, and Texan businessman, Larry Barnett, and their respective wives.

It was through his involvement with RMG Records that Gene Watson began to work alongside George Alfred Collier (Thursday 4 May 1944 – Saturday 21 December 2013).

In June 2001, Gene Watson and his highly acclaimed Farewell Party Band were back on the road and undertook as heavy a work schedule as they had been prior to Gene’s bout of ill health, so much so that Gene’s doctor advised him to take things a little easier.

Gene Watson had to take a few days off and the fact that he was also traveling to Nashville to record his latest album, ‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001), did not help matters.

At the helm, production-wise, once again, was Gene Watson’s long-time friend and legendary singer / songwriter / producer, Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020).

Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020) came out of retirement especially to produce the album for Gene Watson; ‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001) was a fine release and clearly demonstrated that Gene Watson had lost none of his old vocal magic.

‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001) demonstrated that Gene Watson was a man of great strength and character, having undertaken the recording sessions, during what was, a quite traumatic period in his life.

In the latter part of 2001, a compilation album, ‘Ultimate Collection‘ (Universal / Hip-O Records, 2001), was released and afforded listeners the opportunity to enjoy a twenty-three track selection of Gene Watson’s finest recordings from his days with Capitol Records, MCA Records, Epic Records and Warner Bros. Records.

‘Ultimate Collection‘ (Universal / Hip-O Records, 2001) included twenty three classic Gene Watson tracks, fifteen of which were Billboard Top 10 country music hit singles, in chronological sequence, beginning with his breakthrough hit, ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, which was written by Kent Westberry and Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003) from 1975, through to ‘Don’t Waste It On The Blues’ (written by Sandy Ramos and Jerry Vandiver) from 1988.

It has to be said that there are not many award trophies on Gene Watson’s mantelpiece at home in Texas.

However, things changed for the better in 2002.

On Saturday 17 August 2002, Gene Watson was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

It was also on Saturday 17 August 2002 when Gene Watson’s fellow country music artists Tanya Tucker and Nat Stuckey (Sunday 17 December 1933 – Wednesday 24 August 1988) were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

• Ann M. Stuckey submitted a ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson on Saturday 25 January 2014

On Tuesday 3 September 2002, England’s Hux Records released a 2-for-1 CD, which contained the re-mastered versions of Gene Watson’s ‘Love in The Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975) and Gene Watson’s ‘Paper Rosie‘ (Capitol Records, 1977).

This Hux Records release was lovingly produced with the original album artwork and comprehensive liner notes and proved to be a strong and clear indication that there was a need to have all of Gene Watson’s material presented in such a fashion.

On Monday 7 October 2002, The Nashville Chapter of The Recording Musicians Union marked its 100th anniversary with a show at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.

Headline acts included Gene Watson, George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, The Jordanaires, Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) and Charlie McCoy.

On Friday 14 March 2003, The Country Music Foundation published ‘Heartaches By The Number’, which celebrated country music’s ‘500 Greatest Singles’.

Gene Watson placed two records on the list: ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and ‘You Could Know As Much About A Stranger’ (written by Nadine Bryant).

On Wednesday 21 May 2003, Gene Watson signed a recording contract with Intersound Records, one of four record labels which were contained within the Compendia Music Group.

In June 2003, the recording sessions for Gene Watson’s debut album for Intersound Records, ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003), took place in Nashville; ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003) was subsequently released in September 2003.

‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003) featured the cream of Nashville’s session musicians and a wealth of strong, traditional country music.

One of the session musicians featured on Gene Watson’s ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003) was the legendary piano / keyboard player, Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022).

Since Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins’ last recording session took place in 2000, one can safely assume that the tracks included on Gene Watson’s ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003) were recorded at least three years prior to the release of the album.

Nevertheless, Gene Watson’s ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003) was well worth waiting for, as it clearly demonstrated that Gene Watson could certainly hold his own among the country music artists of the day.

On Wednesday 12 April 2006, Gene Watson recorded ‘Pretty Paper’, which was written by Willie Nelson, at Hilltop Recording Studio in Nashville.

The recording session at Hilltop Recording Studio in Nashville was overseen by Dave Lindsey, who produced the session for inclusion in a Christmas compilation project.

The project, ‘Still Believing In Christmas’ (Seasong Records, 2006), which was released on Seasong Recordings on Tuesday 21 November 2006, included the following tracks:

‘Merry Christmas To Me’ / this track featured vocals from Lorrie Morgan

‘Pretty Paper’ (written by Willie Nelson) / this track featured vocals from Gene Watson

‘Ding-A-Ling (The Christmas Bell)’ / this track featured vocals from Lynn Anderson (Friday 26 September 1947 – Thursday 30 July 2015)

‘The First Noel’ / this track featured vocals from Helen Cornelius

‘Happy Birthday, Jesus’ / this track featured vocals from Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007)

‘Christmas In Mexico’ / this track featured vocals from T.G. Sheppard

‘Bethlehem’ / this track featured vocals from David Frizzell

‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!’ / this track featured vocals from Tanya Tucker

‘My First Christmas Without You’ / this track featured vocals from Kelly Lang

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas’ / this track featured vocals from Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015)

‘Winter Wonderland’ / this track featured vocals from Lloyd Knight

‘One Little Star’ / this track featured vocals from Crystal Gayle

‘O Holy Night’ / this track featured vocals from Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018), with The Jordanaires

‘He Would Be King’ / this track featured vocals from Justin Ryan

‘Still Believing In Christmas’ / this track featured vocals from Bill Anderson, with The Jordanaires

Willie Nelson recorded ‘Pretty Paper’ (written by Willie Nelson) and included the track on ‘Pretty Paper’ (Columbia Records, 1979).

On Thursday 17 August 2006, while visiting Nashville, Gene Watson took a short tour of the new Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum and had the good fortune to run into his old friend, Joe Stampley.

The curator and owner of the new Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville was Joe Chambers (passed away on Wednesday 28 September 2022) whom Gene Watson also knew.

Gene Watson recorded Joe Chambers‘ ‘Ashes To Ashes’ (co-written with Larry Jenkins and Mark Sherrill) and included the track on ‘Honky Tonk Crazy‘ (Epic Records, 1987).

On Thursday 17 August 2006, Joe Stampley, Gene Watson and Joe Chambers (passed away on Wednesday 28 September 2022) enjoyed a nice visit in Nashville.

On Friday 26 February 2016, Gene Watson saw the release of ‘Real.Country.Music‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2016), which included a re-recording of ‘Ashes To Ashes’, which was written by Joe Chambers (passed away on Wednesday 28 September 2022), Larry Jenkins and Mark Sherrill).

Friday 5 January 2007
Gene Watson graced the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

Gene Watson, who used the services of The Opry House Band, instead of his acclaimed Farewell Party Band, performed two songs at 9:30pm (approximately): ‘Nothing Sure Looked Good On You’ (written by Jim Rushing), a track originally included on ‘Should I Come Home‘ (Capitol Records, 1979) and ‘Got No Reason Now For Going Home’, which was written by Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) and was originally included on ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984).

The full line-up on The Grand Ole Opry on the night of Friday 5 January 2007 included Mike Snider, Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016), Blaine Larsen, Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015), Connie Smith, Jim Lauderdale, Jeannie Seely, George Hamilton IV (Monday 19 July 1937 – Wednesday 17 September 2014), Mountain Heart, Riders In The Sky, and Jesse McReynolds (Tuesday 9 July 1929 – Friday 23 June 2023) & The Virginia Boys.

Saturday 13 January 2007 – Saturday 20 January 2007
Gene Watson participated in the Truckin’ Bozo XM Radio Cruise, a cruise which was organised by SS Cruises.

The Cruise was an Eastern Caribbean one (the first stop was San Juan, Puerto Rico then St Thomas and St Maarten). It was a seven-day cruise. During the cruise, Gene Watson and The Farewell Party Band performed onboard on Friday 19 January 2007.

The opening act was Carl Dobkins Jr., a major rock ‘n’ roll star from the 1960s, who enjoyed a number of hit songs on the Billboard (pop) music singles chart.

Gene Watson was the headline act and performed a great number of requested songs, including ‘Carmen’ (written by Steve Spurgin), ‘Paper Rosie’, which was written by Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019), ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Larry Lee Favorite (Saturday 6 January 1940 – Saturday 26 May 2001).

The show was a seventy-five minute performance and the fans gave Gene Watson and The Farewell Party Band a standing ovation at the end of the show.

The audience begged Gene Watson for an encore.  When they all returned to the stage, Gene Watson performed ‘Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy)’ (written by Joe Allen).

As a result of Gene Watson’s outstanding performance, the tour operator is already being bombarded with requests to have Gene and The Farewell Party Band on another cruise very soon.

Friday 16 January 2007
Gene Watson graced the hallowed stage of the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Gene Watson was backed by Opry House Band and performed two of his classic songs, ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Larry Lee Favorite (Saturday 6 January 1940 – Saturday 26 May 2001), and ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007).

Thursday 22 February 2007
It was announced today that music publisher Bob Webster had passed away – he was 77 years old.

Bob Webster was a long-time associate of Cowboy Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 – Thursday 8 August 2013) and had first worked with Jack in Beaumont, Texas during the early 1960s.

Bob Webster had administered a catalogue of hit songs, which had been written by Cowboy Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 – Thursday 8 August 2013), Allen Reynolds, Jim Rushing and Bob McDill.

In Beaumont, Texas Bob Webster had managed a favourite country hangout called The Tap Room.

Bob Webster co-produced, with Russ Reeder, Gene Watson’s first and second albums for Capitol Records, ‘Love in the Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975) and ‘Because You Believed in Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976).

On Tuesday 3 December 2002, England’s Hux Records released Gene Watson’s ‘Love in the Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975), along with Gene Watson’s ‘Paper Rosie‘ (Capitol Records, 1978), as a special ‘2-for-1‘ CD set.

Bob Webster also co-produced, with Russ Reeder, the track ‘Desperation’ (written by G. Simmons and G. Mabry), which was included on Gene Watson’s ‘Paper Rosie‘ (Capitol Records, 1977).

Bob Webster also produced the track, ‘He Little Thinged Her Out of My Arms’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and was included on Gene Watson’s ‘Beautiful Country‘ (Capitol Records, 1978).

On Monday 26 September 2005, England’s Hux Records in England released Gene Watson’s ‘Beautiful Country‘, along with Gene Watson’s ‘Because You Believed in Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1977), as a special ‘2-for-1‘ CD.

Friday 6 April 2007
Gene Watson graced the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville; Gene Watson was onstage in the segment between 9:30pm and 10:00pm.

Prior to his appearance on The Grand Ole Opry, Gene Watson was interviewed on WSM 650AM, a radio station known as ‘Nashville’s Country Legend’.

Monday 9 April 2007
It was announced that Gene Watson had been selected as one of the subjects for inclusion within Marty Stuart‘s second book of photographs.

‘Country Music – The Masters’ by Marty Stuart

Marty Stuart, as well as being one of the most diverse talents in country music, is also known for his passion for photography; Marty Stuart had published his first book of photographs and essays, ‘Pilgrims: Sinners, Saints & Prophets’, in 1999.

Marty Stuart‘s second book of photographs, ‘Country Music: The Masters’, included portraits of legendary country artists, along with photos of people, places and things associated with them.

Gene Watson’s photo session with Marty Stuart took place on Friday 6 April 2007 at the newly renovated Nashville Palace.

Marty Stuart‘s second book of photographs, ‘Country Music: The Masters’, went on sale on Wednesday 6 June 2007.

Tuesday 10 April 2007
Gene Watson signed a recording contract with Shanachie Records; the label, which was founded in 1975 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins, was one of the largest independent record labels in the world.

Shanachie Records specialised in fiddle music, Latin American, African music, soul, ska, jazz, blues and, of course, country music and was named after the Irish word for ‘story teller’.

Gene Watson’s first album for Shanachie Records would include eleven tracks, three of which would be ‘covers’; the album was expected to be released in the fall of 2007.

Tuesday 17 April 2007
Carrie Moore-Reed at Third Coast Talent in Nashville, announced that Gene Watson and his acclaimed Farewell Party Band would undertake a thirteen-date tour of Ireland (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) between Wednesday 3 October 2007 and Thursday 18 October 2007.

Gene Watson’s tour of Ireland would include performance dates in Castlebar, Killarney, Limerick, Belfast, Cookstown, Enniskillen, Armagh, Omagh, Castleblayney, Letterkenny, Ballymena and Dublin.

Gene Watson is widely respected around the world for his traditional take on country music, no more so than in Ireland.

Wednesday 9 May 2007
Shanachie Entertainment released an official statement with regard to the release of Gene Watson’s first album for the label:

Shanachie Entertainment signs Deal with Country Music Hit-maker Gene Watson for New Album

‘Shanachie Entertainment is pleased to announce the signing of an agreement with acclaimed country singer Gene Watson for an album of new recordings, his first CD of all-new country material since 2003’s ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘.

The as-yet untitled album would feature both new songs and Gene’s special versions of some of his favourite country classics.

The recording for the highly anticipated album was scheduled to begin in May in Nashville and will be produced by Brent Rowan (Joe Nichols, Blake Shelton), who, as a producer and musician, has been involved in recordings that have sold collectively in excess of 100,000,000 copies.

‘Gene Watson is widely acknowledged to be one of the finest country singers of the past forty years’, notes Shanachie General Manager Randall Grass.  ‘We strongly believe that a singer of Gene’s talent and classic style embodies the best of country music’s traditions and so we are very proud to enter in this agreement with him.

What’s especially impressive is that even at this stage in his long career, Gene is singing better than ever!’

Gene Watson’s Shanachie Entertainment debut is slated for a September release and will make his 30th album in an impressive career has yielded over 26 Top Twenty country hits, including five No.1 singles.

The singer says, ‘I’m excited to have this opportunity to record a new album for a great label like Shanachie.  I think the fans will find we’ve got some great country songs and I hope they’ll also enjoy my spin on some of my favourite country classics’.

Watson continues to tour extensively both within the United States and abroad’.

Shanachie’s deal with Gene Watson marked an important milestone in the label’s commitment to country music.

Having released new recordings by Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018), David Ball and Confederate Railroad, Shanachie was determined to deliver high-quality recordings by great artists to audiences hungry for ‘real country music’.

Monday 14 May 2007
It was announced that Gene Watson’s photo shoot, in preparation for the release of his first album for Shanachie Records, would take place on Wednesday 16 May 2007.

The photographer was announced as Traci Goudie, who was also a video director.

Traci Goudie has also directed a number of videos, including ‘Out Loud’ for Mindy Smith, ‘River’s Gonna Run’ for Sam Bush, ‘God Only Cries’ for Diamond Rio, ‘America’s First’ for Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), ‘Keep Your Distance’ for Patty Loveless and ‘Don’t Come The Cowboy With Me’ for Kelly Willis.

Traci Goudie worked for Taillight TV, a full service television and music video production company, which was based on Nashville’s Music Row.  Taillight TV was founded by Tom Forrest in August 2000, with Chandra LaPlume-Pereira joining the company in 2004.

Wednesday 16 May 2007
Gene Watson’s photo shoot, in preparation for the release of his first album for Shanachie Records, took place in the very quaint town of Watertown, Tennessee. The picturesque village had a lovely town square with antique shops and cafes.

Photographer Traci Goudie, along with her assistant Danni, took photos inside and outside a warehouse, which was used to store video / theater props.  They also took some exterior shots on location in Watertown, Tennessee.

As an aside, Gene Watson’s friend, Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021), recorded ‘Watertown Tennessee’ (written by Tom T. Hall) and included the track on ‘Homegrown’ (Mercury Records, 1997).

Gene Watson recorded ‘Three’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021), and included the track on ‘Between This Time & The Next Time‘ (MCA Records, 1981).

Thursday 17 May 2007
Gene Watson was in Curb recording studio in Nashville with producer, Brent Rowan, to begin work on tracks for his forthcoming album on Shanachie Records.

The day was what was termed, in recording circles, a ‘tracking day’.  It was on this day when Gene Watson put down ‘scratch vocals’; he was expected to record ‘true vocals’ on Friday 18 May 2007.

The studio musicians involved in the recording sessions on Thursday 17 May 2007 included Shannon Forrest (drums), Sonny Garrish (pedal steel), Bobby All (who passed away on Thursday 19 March 2009) (acoustic guitar), Gregg Galbraith (electric guitar), Aubrey Haynie (fiddle and mandolin), David Smith (bass), Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano) and Brent Rowan (guitar).

Gene Watson was expected to return to Curb recording studio in Nashville on Friday 18 May 2007 and undertake further ‘scratch’ and ‘true’ vocal work.  Further recording sessions were also expected to take place at the end of May 2007.

It was also on Thursday 17 May 2007 when singer / songwriter Hal Ketchum (Thursday 9 April 1953 – Monday 23 November 2020) came to Curb recording studio in Nashville to visit with Gene Watson.

Friday 18 May 2007
Gene Watson was in Curb recording studio in Nashville with producer Brent Rowan, working on vocal tracks for his forthcoming album on Shanachie Records.

The day was what was termed, in recording circles, a ‘true vocal’ day; it was on this day when Gene Watson put down ‘true vocals’, having recorded ‘scratch vocals’ on Thursday 17 May 2007, a day which had been termed a ‘tracking vocal’ day.

It was expected that Gene Watson would return to Curb recording studio in Nashville at the end of May to record further ‘scratch’ and ‘true’ vocal tracks for his debut album on Shanachie Records.

Friday 18 May 2007
Gene Watson graced the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry at Grand Ole Opry House on Opryland Drive in Nashville.

Gene Watson performed two songs on the segment between 9:30pm and 10:00pm; the title track from ‘Love in the Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975), along with ‘Pick The Wildwood Flower’ from ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978).

Gene Watson was given a wonderful introduction by fellow country music artist Jeannie Seely and was backed by his Farewell Party Band (Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens on steel guitar, Staley Rogers on rhythm guitar, Todd Hines on drums, Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009) on piano and Steve Anderson on guitar).

Other country music artists who graced the stage of The Grand Ole Opry on the night of Friday 18 May 2007 included Patty Loveless, Charlie Nagatani, Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018), Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 – Sunday 25 September 2016) and Megan Mullins.

Gene Watson enjoyed a nice visit, backstage at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, with Patty Loveless, Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) and internationally known singer, Charlie Nagatani, from Japan.  Charlie gave Gene a gift of one of his souvenir t-shirts, as well as a delicious Japanese delicacy called Honey Doughnuts.  Gene and the members of The Farewell Party Band sampled those backstage and thought they were wonderful.

Tuesday 29 May 2007
Gene Watson and producer Brent Rowan held a song meeting to listen to and discuss songs to record – Gene Watson’s debut album for Shanachie Records was slated for a September 2007 release.

Preliminary recording sessions for the new album had taken place on Thursday 17 May 2007 and Friday 18 May 2007; further recording sessions were expected to take place in late May / early June 2007.

Wednesday 30 May 2007
Gene Watson was in the recording studio in Nashville with producer Brent Rowan to undertake further work on tracks for his forthcoming album on Shanachie Records.

Gene Watson
Nashville
Wednesday 30 May 2007

The day was what was termed, in recording circles, a ‘tracking day’; it was on this day when Gene Watson put down ‘scratch vocals’; he was expected to record ‘true vocals’ on Thursday 31 May 2007.

The studio musicians involved in the recording sessions on this day included Bobby All (who passed away on Thursday 19 March 2009) (guitar), Gregg Galbraith (guitar), Aubrey Haynie (fiddle), Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano), John Gardner (drums) and David Smith (bass guitar).  Also present on the day were Craig White (main studio engineer) and Greg Strizek (studio assistant).

Monday 4 June 2007
It was announced that Gene Watson’s debut album for Shanachie Records, which was slated for a September 2007 release, would include eleven tracks; three of these tracks would be covers of some of Gene Watson’s favourite classic country songs.

The Original Gene Watson Fan Site exclusively announced that one of the three classic covers would be ‘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).

 

Merle Haggard‘s ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in April / May 1968 (27 April – 11 May); the ‘b’ side of the single was ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’.

Though Merle Haggard‘s version never charted, the song has gone on to become a country music classic and was originally included on ‘The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde’ (Capitol Records, 1968).

In 1975, Sammi Smith (Thursday 5 August 1943 – Saturday 12 February 2005) enjoyed a Top 10 hit on the Billboard country music singles chart with ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’; the track was also the title cut of one of her albums.

Wednesday 6 June 2007
In April 2007, it had been announced that Gene Watson had been selected as one of the subjects for inclusion within Marty Stuart‘s second book of photographs.

Marty Stuart, as well as being one of the most diverse talents in country music, is also known for his passion for photography; Marty Stuart had published his first book of photographs and essays, ‘Pilgrims: Sinners, Saints & Prophets’, in 1999.

Marty Stuart‘s second book of photographs was titled ‘Country Music: The Masters’ and contained portraits of legendary country artists, along with photos of people, places and things associated with them.

Gene Watson at Marty Stuart ‘Country Music Masters’ photo session
Nashville Palace in Nashville
Friday 6 April 2007

Gene Watson’s photo session with Marty Stuart took place on Friday 6 April 2007 at the newly renovated Nashville Palace in Nashville.

Marty Stuart‘s second book of photographs, ‘Country Music: The Masters’, went on sale on Wednesday 6 June 2007.

Thursday 7 June 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Corky Owens, Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Staley Rogers and Steve Anderson – gave an outstanding performance at The Riverfront Stages at the CMA Music Festival (formerly Fan Fair) in Nashville.

Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band
Country Music Association (CMA) Festival in Nashville
Thursday 7 June 2007

Gene Watson performed five of his classic recordings; ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’, ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’, ‘Memories To Burn’, ‘Paper Rosie’ and ‘Farewell Party’.

Thursday 7 June 2007
In between performing at the Country Music Association (CMA) Music Festival and The Nashville Palace, Gene Watson and his producer Brent Rowan visited the recording studio.  Mark Chesnutt dropped by and added his vocals to a track, which would feature on Gene’s debut album for Shanachie Records.

Gene Watson and Mark Chesnutt
Curb Studio in Nashville
Thursday 7 June 2007
(photo courtesy of Sarah Brosmer of Lytle Management in Brentwood, TN)

Mark Chesnutt, a fellow Texan, was one of the artists who put on a benefit concert for Gene Watson when he was suffering from colon cancer and had extraordinary health costs that his insurance would not cover.  Gene Watson has said that he will never forget that gift from Mark Chesnutt and that he considers him to be a truly great friend.

Gene Watson’s debut album for Shanachie Records, which was slated for a September 2007 release, was anticipated to be one of the outstanding country music album releases of the year.

Thursday 7 June 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Corky Owens, Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Staley Rogers and Steve Anderson – gave a rare and outstanding performance at The Nashville Palace (a re-modeled and lovely, spacious club with a full dining menu, located just across from the Opryland Hotel).

Several distinguished individuals attended the performance on this special night; Billy Yates was seated right down front.  Gene Watson was very pleased to see Billy Yates and acknowledged his presence several times from the stage during the course of the evening.

Gene Watson had recorded two of Billy Yates‘ compositions; the tracks ‘Flowers’ and ‘Hold Me’ were included on ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003).

Gene Watson’s new producer Brent Rowan was also in the audience, as was Gene’s good friend, CAA agent Stan Barnett and his manager John Lytle of Lytle Management.

The wonderful bluegrass diva, Rhonda Vincent, made a point of attending the entire performance, so that she too could enjoy the master at work; Gene was not aware that Rhonda was present until after the show.

Gene Watson received a standing ovation for his performance of Marty Robbins’ ‘You Gave Me A Mountain’, a track which Gene had included on ‘Uncharted Mind‘ (Step One Records, 1993); in fact, he received a wonderful reception for each and every song he performed on the night.

Gene Watson also graciously mentioned his legion of fans in Ireland, stating that they knew his album material as well as they knew his hit singles; ‘Carmen’, a track from ‘Memories to Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985) was dedicated to all of Gene’s Irish fans.

Gene Watson also informed the audience that he had recorded Merle Haggard‘s ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’ and that the track would be included on his debut album for Shanachie Records, which was slated for a September 2007 release.

Gene Watson’s performance at The Nashville Palace on Thursday 7 June 2007 lasted for seventy-five minutes during which time he performed exquisite versions of ‘Baby Me Baby’, ‘I Catch Myself’ and ‘This Dream’s On Me’.

Thursday 21 June 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively announced the title of one of the tracks that would grace Gene Watson’s debut album for Shanachie Records, which was slated for a September 2007 release.

Gene Watson & Mark Chesnutt
Curb Studio in Nashville
Thursday 7 June 2007

‘This Side of The Door’, which was written by Tim Menzies and Shawn Camp, featured guest vocals from Mark Chesnutt; the track had been recorded on Thursday 7 June 2007.

Mark Chesnutt recorded ‘This Side of The Door’ (written by Tim Menzies and Shawn Camp) and included the track on ‘What A Way To Live’ (Decca Records, 1994).

Tim Menzies, credited as Tim Mensy, recorded ‘This Side of The Door’ (written by Tim Menzies and Shawn Camp) and included the track on ‘Tim Mensy’ (PJM Records, 2002).

Gene Watson’s debut album for Shanachie Records, which was slated for a September 2007 release, was anticipated to be one of the outstanding country music album releases of the year.

Friday 22 June 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively announced that ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007) would be the title of Gene Watson’s debut album for Shanachie Records.

The title track of ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007) was written by Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011) and Tim Menzies.

Gene Watson’s ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007) was slated for a September 2007 release and was anticipated to be one of the outstanding country music album releases of the year.

Monday 25 June 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site announced that RFD-TV, the United States’ first twenty-four hour television network dedicated to serving the needs and interests of rural America, would broadcast a special edition of ‘Ralph Emery – Live’.

Gene Watson was expected to be the special guest on ‘Ralph Emery – Live’, which would be carried on RFD-TV and broadcast on Monday 10 September 2007.

Wednesday 27 June 2007
Gene Watson’s Site exclusively announced that ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007), Gene Watson’s debut album for Shanachie Records, would be officially released on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007) from Gene Watson was anticipated to be one of the more important country music album releases of 2007.

Monday 2 July 2007 & Tuesday 3 July 2007
Gene Watson was present in Curb recording studios in Nashville working on the mixing process of his new Shanachie Records release; Gene Watson’s ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007) would be officially launched on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Monday 9 July 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site received copies of two promotional ‘flyers’, which were produced in order to promote Gene Watson’s tour of Ireland (Republic of Ireland & Northern Ireland), a tour which was scheduled to take place in October 2007.

Promotional Flyers for Gene Watson’s Irish Tour in 2007

Promotional Flyer 1 and Promotional Flyer 2

Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band would bring their distinctive brand of traditional country music to thirteen venues around Ireland, including Killarney, Castlebar, Letterkenny, Limerick, Belfast, Cookstown, Enniskillen, Omagh, Armagh, Castleblayney, Coleraine, Ballymena, Dublin and Sligo.

Monday 9 July 2007
The mastering of ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007), Gene Watson’s new album on Shanachie Records, took place at Independent Mastering, 114 17th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203.

The mastering was undertaken by Eric Conn, Don Cobb and producer Brent Rowan.

Eric Conn & Don Cobb
Independent Mastering, Nashville

Eric Conn
Eric Conn opened Independent Mastering in Nashville in October 2001, having spent four hours at Georgetown (with Don Cobb), three years at Doug Sax’s Sheffield Lab recording, one year at The Smithsonian and one year at The Airshow.

Eric Conn also spent many years in recording and mastering at facilities in California, Colorado, Washington DC and Nashville.  Eric Conn also spent two years repairing woodwind instruments, brass winds and orchestral string instruments.  Eric Conn holds a degree in music from The University of Massachusetts in Boston.

Don Cobb
Don Cobb has been a recording and mixing engineer for artists such as Take Six, Quincy Jones and Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002).  Don Cobb also managed, edited and mastered at Denny Purcell’s Georgetown Masters for eleven years.  Don Cobb was a multi-instrumentalist and could play mandolin, guitar and bass.

Gene Watson’s ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007) would be officially released by Shanachie Records on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Monday 9 July 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively revealed that there would be six special guest vocalists on ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007), Gene Watson’s new album on Shanachie Records, which would be officially released on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

These special guest vocalists would include Joe Nichols, Rhonda Vincent, Mark Chesnutt, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack and Connie Smith.

Rhonda Vincent & Gene Watson would perform Buck Owens’ ‘Together Again’, which was a No.1 Billboard country music hit single for Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) & The Buckaroos in 1964; the track was also No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1976 for Emmylou Harris.

Mark Chesnutt would join Gene Watson on ‘This Side of The Door’ (written by Tim Menzies and Shawn Camp), a track which was originally recorded by Mark Chesnutt for ‘What A Way To Live’ (Decca Records, 1994) and by Tim Menzies for ‘Tim Mensy’ (PJM Records, 2002).

Gene Watson’s ‘In a Perfect World‘ on Shanachie Records was anticipated to be one of the more important country music releases of 2007.

Friday 13 July 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band traveled from Houston, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee to perform on the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry.

However, their tour bus caught fire on the outskirts of Nashville.  The blaze ignited from a broken axle shaft, which was spewing grease.  Gene Watson’s years as an auto mechanic stood him in good stead as he quickly went to work trying to extinguish the fire.

Sarah Brosmer, Gene Watson’s publicist, said that black smoke and flames had engulfed the back of the bus by the engine.  Gene and the band members kept the fire from spreading under the floorboard and fought the fire for thirty minutes until firefighters arrived.

Gene stated: ‘We used everything we had on the bus to douse the flames, from sodas to water bottles. The firemen arriving on the scene still gave it a good shot, too.  When we say that we were smoldering hot in Nashville, we really mean it’.

No one was harmed, though Gene did singe his hair.  Gene & The Farewell Party Band rented another bus in order to continue their journey to The Grand Ole Opry appearance.  It was expected that it would take several days before Gene’s regular bus was repaired.

Friday 13 July 2007
Following dramatic events earlier in the day, Gene Watson & his acclaimed Farewell Party Band graced the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville at 9:30pm.  Considering the traumatic events earlier in the day, Gene did see the funny side of things when he performed ‘Memories To Burn’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004).

Other country music artists who appeared on The Grand Ole Opry on the night of Friday 13 July 2007 included Chris Young, Jimmy Wayne, The Grascals, Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015), Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 December 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) & The Rocky Top X-Press.

Connie Smith and Gene Watson
The Grand Ole Opry, Nashville
Friday 13 July 2007

The legendary Connie Smith was also present at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on the night of Friday 13 July 2007. Connie Smith and Gene Watson had an opportunity to talk and Gene told her how delighted he was that she sang on his new album.

Monday 16 July 2007
Following the dramatic bus fire on Friday 13 July 2007, Gene Watson traveled to Nashville with the temporary bus to see if the repairs on his bus had been completed.

According to the members of The Farewell Party Band, Gene Watson was the heroic one on Friday 13 July 2007 as he was right up amid the flames, dousing them with everything he could find on the bus.  Obviously, a grease fire couldn’t be put out, but Gene did all he could to contain it, so that it wouldn’t spread further.

The good news is that no one was hurt in the incident on Friday and Gene proved himself to be a Lone Star Hero – we all knew he was!

Monday 16 July 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively revealed that Robert K. Oermann, ‘the dean of Nashville’s entertainment journalists’, was working on a Gene Watson biography.  ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007), Gene Watson’s new album, would be officially released by Shanachie Records on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Tuesday 17 July 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site officially confirmed that Gene Watson would be a special guest on Eddie Stubbs’ radio show on WSM 650AM.  The show would be broadcast ‘live’ from The Country Music Hall of Fame on Wednesday 12 September 2007 between 7:00pm and 9:00pm.

Gene Watson would have copies of ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007), his new album on Shanachie Records, available for sale on that evening only, as a special event promotion, so that those who lived near the Nashville area could have an opportunity to purchase a copy of the CD before the official release date of Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Wednesday 18 July 2007
Following the dramatic bus fire on Friday 13 July 2007, Gene Watson was in Nashville in order to check out the repairs being carried out on his tour bus.

Thursday 19 July 2007
Following the dramatic bus fire on Friday 13 July 2007, Gene Watson was in Nashville and was informed that repairs had been carried out successfully on his tour bus – everything was, once again, in full working order.

Saturday 21 July 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site was proud to receive, and publish, an official Shanachie Records Press Release from Monifa Brown at Shanachie Records, based in Newton, New Jersey:

‘Everybody’s Favourite Country Singer Delivers ‘In a Perfect World‘

‘Gene Watson’s new CD, featuring guest vocals from fans Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Joe Nichols, Mark Chesnutt, Connie Smith and Rhonda Vincent.

Ask any number of country artists (or any fan of real country music) who their favourite country singer is and there’s a good chance they will name Gene Watson, arguably the greatest country singer of his generation.

Having scored a string of over 48 chart singles with 21 Top Ten hits and 5 No.1 hits since his mid-seventies chart debut, Gene Watson’s name is synonymous with real country music.  His deeply-felt, expressive singing is akin to that of the great soul singers; it just so happens that his medium of expression is country music.

Gene’s new CD, ‘In a Perfect World‘, is destined to be one of the country music events of the year, as an impressive list of major talents who happened to be Gene Watson admirers stepped forward to take part in the recording: Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Joe Nichols, Mark Chesnutt, Connie Smith and Rhonda Vincent.

Producer / musician extraordinaire Brent Rowan took on the role of producer on ‘In a Perfect World‘, as a labor of love.  ‘As plans for the album progressed’, relates Gene, ‘my manager John Lytle played some stuff for Brent Rowan and Brent said he wanted to produce it, which I never would have dreamed of.

Word started getting out about the recording and pretty soon we had a bunch of artists inquiring how they could be a part of it, first off Mark Chesnutt, who is my friend, Connie Smith, who has always been one of my favourite female artists and Vince Gill, ‘what can you about Vince Gill?’

The caliber of people like Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Joe Nichols and Rhonda Vincent is just tremendous.  My manager and Brent said it was because they admired me as an artist.  What a great feeling it is to hear that!  I can’t even express it!’

‘In a Perfect World‘ features a mix of new material and classic country songs, with the emphasis on new material in the classic country tradition.  Gene explains, ‘I contacted some of the best writers in the business and we started to get some premium songs.  Tim Menzies, just about everyone in the traditional country field knows him; plus he’s one of the finest singers and musicians around.  Skip Ewing, he’s just fantastic.  I talked to Skip personally and Tim too about the songs’.

Gene Watson played a major role in selecting the material on the CD and all of the cover songs were hand-picked by him.  He reflects, ”Today I Started Loving You Again’ is a song that’s been in my show for quite awhile.  I’m a huge Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) fan and I usually do one of his songs in my shows and people have always responded to ‘Today I Started Loving You Again”.

Other standouts on the album include ‘This Side of The Door’, which Gene performs with Mark Chesnutt and which was written by Tim Menzies and Shawn Camp.  Mark Chesnutt originally recorded the song in 1994 on his album ‘What A Way To Live’.  Mark Chesnutt shares the following, ‘I have been a Gene Watson fan all my life.  He is truly one of country music’s best voices’.

Gene Watson also performs ‘Together Again’, the Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) song, which was a hit for him in 1964, as well as for Emmylou Harris in 1976.  Gene is joined on this gem by Rhonda Vincent who shares, ‘This is one of the greatest duets of my career. His voice is awesome and exquisite!’  Gene adds, ‘Anybody who is anybody in the country field has performed it or recorded it.  The only thing I knew to do was to forget about all the great versions of the song I had heard and to just sing it the way I felt it’.

Gene’s formula proves to be a success as throughout ‘In a Perfect World‘ he renders heartfelt, personal and poignant versions that drive home his ability to bring out the best in any song.  ‘I was just blown away by the sounds we were getting in the studio’, Gene says of his new CD, which was recorded live in the studio in order to capture the spontaneous magic of Gene’s expressiveness as he worked with an A-list of Nashville session men.

He adds, ‘Recording the old way is the only way I know.  The best way for me to capture the song is for me to be in the studio with the musicians and I inspire them and they inspire me.  I have always thrived using this means of recording’.

It is difficult to imagine the world of country music without the vast contribution that Gene Watson has made to it.

Between his major label debut on Capitol Records in 1975 and the present day, Gene Watson has excelled with his traditional slant within country music.

Born one of seven children in Palestine, Texas on October 11 1943, Gene Watson has been singing virtually all his life.  However, working early on in the auto industry, which left Gene with a lifetime affinity for automobiles, Gene did not really consider a career in music for some time.

In the mid-70s, while on Capitol (who Gene recorded with until 1980), he enjoyed success with a string of national hits, ‘Where Love Begins’, ‘Paper Rosie’, ‘Farewell Party’, ‘Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy)’ and ‘Nothing Sure Looked Good On You’.

Before signing with MCA in the ’80s, Gene’s single, ‘Any Way You Want Me’, from the soundtrack of the Clint Eastwood movie, ‘Any Which Way You Can’, reached the Top 40 on the Billboard country music singles chart.  Somewhere along the way, Clint Eastwood had heard the song as a demo recording by its writer, Leo Ofman, but he insisted that Gene should record the song.

Shortly after moving to MCA, Watson recorded ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’ which hit No.1.  A parade of Top Ten hits followed during the early ’80s including ‘Speak Softly (You’re Talking To My Heart)’, ‘You’re Out Doing What I’m Here Doing Without’, ‘Sometimes I Get Lucky’, ‘Drinkin’ My Way Back Home’, ‘Forever Again’ and ‘Little By Little’.

In 1985, Gene moved to Epic Records and returned to the Top 5 with the western swing-influenced ‘Memories To Burn’, which was also the title of his first album on the label.  Subsequent albums with Epic included ‘Starting New Memories‘ (Epic Records, 1986) in 1986 and ‘Honky Tonk Crazy‘ (Epic Records, 1987) in 1987.

The following year, Gene Watson made his Warner Bros. debut with ‘Back in The Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1989), which was followed by ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).  Leaving the label in 1991, Gene recorded the album ‘In Other Words‘ (Broadland International Records / Mercury Canada, 1992), which was initially released only in Canada on Gary Buck’s label, Broadland International Records.  It was later released in the United States in 1993.

The same year, Gene made his debut album for Step One Records, ‘Uncharted Mind‘ (Step One Records, 1993) and followed it with the albums ‘The Good Ole Days‘ (Step One Records, 1996), ‘Jesus is All I Need‘ (Step One Records, 1997) and ‘A Way to Survive‘ (Step One Records, 1997).

A brief stint with the RMG (Row Music Group) Records label yielded the title ‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001), which was followed by the recording ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003) on Intersound Records in 2003.

Gene Watson has persevered and survived throughout country music and the music business’ many changes.  But one thing has remained constant, his raw talent, commitment to upholding country music’s grand tradition, his passion and overwhelming emotion and honest approach to singing country music.

With the release of ‘In a Perfect World‘ Gene Watson bears his soul, putting all his talents on the line and proving just why he has managed to stand the test of time.  The result is a testament to Gene’s talents as the greatest country singer of his generation and a true soul singer who knows how to get right to the heart of the matter.

Street Date: September 25, 2007‘

Sunday 22 July 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively revealed the full track listing and full musician credits for ‘In a Perfect World‘, Gene Watson’s new Shanachie Records album.

Vince Gill will be a guest vocalist on ‘Let Me Be The First To Go’
Lee Ann Womack will be a guest vocalist on ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’
Joe Nichols will be a guest vocalist on ‘In A Perfect World’
Rhonda Vincent will be a duet vocalist on ‘Together Again’
Mark Chesnutt will be a duet vocalist on ‘This Side of The Door’
Connie Smith will be a guest vocalist on ‘A Good Place To Turn Around’

Here is a full track listing for Gene Watson’s ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007):

1 ‘Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me’
2 ‘Let Me Be The First To Go’ (with Vince Gill)
3 ‘What Was I Thinking’
4 ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’ (with Lee Ann Womack)
5 ‘In A Perfect World’ (with Joe Nichols)
6 ‘She’s Already Gone’
7 ‘I Buried Our Love’
8 ‘Together Again’ (with Rhonda Vincent)
9 ‘This Side of The Door’ (with Mark Chesnutt)
10 ‘A Good Place To Turn Around’ (with Connie Smith)
11 ‘Like I Wasn’t There’

Here are the musician credits for Gene Watson’s ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007):

Acoustic Guitar: Bobby All (passed away on Thursday 19 March 2009) and Brent Rowan
Drums: Shannon Forrest and John Gardner
Lead Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Piano: Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022)
Fiddle and Mandolin: Aubrey Haynie
Bass: David Smith
Harmony Vocals: Mark Chesnutt, Rhonda Vincent, Vince Gill, Joe Nichols, Lee Ann Womack and Connie Smith

‘In a Perfect World‘ was expected to be officially released by Shanachie Records on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Thursday 26 July 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site was granted permission, courtesy of Sarah Brosmer at Lytle Management in Brentwood, TN and Shanachie Records in Newton, New Jersey, to preview two of the tracks on ‘In a Perfect World‘, Gene Watson’s new album on Shanachie Records, which would be officially released on Tuesday 25 September 2007; the two tracks were ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden) and ‘Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me’.

Thursday 26 July 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively revealed, courtesy of Sarah Brosmer at Lytle Management in Brentwood, TN and Shanachie Records in Newton, New Jersey, that Gene Watson’s new single, ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden), would ship to radio on Monday 20 August 2007.  Besides regular mailings, the single would also be included on the CDX Compilation, which was received by many radio presenters around the world.

‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden) was the featured promotional single from Gene Watson’s new album; Gene Watson’s ‘In a Perfect World‘ would be officially released by Shanachie Records on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Thursday 26 July 2007
Legendary country music songwriter, Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), writer of ‘Farewell Party’, passed away at The Harris Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas at 2:00pm.

Lawton Williams
Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007

‘Farewell Party’ was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007) and was included on Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978).  When released as a single (catalogue number Capitol 4680), ‘Farewell Party’ reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979.

‘Farewell Party’ would go on to become Gene Watson’s signature tune and the name of his highly acclaimed touring band.

Gene Watson’s version of ‘Farewell Party’ is considered by many to be the definitive version of the song, with Lloyd Green playing the legendary steel guitar part – ‘Farewell Party’ was the last Gene Watson track which Lloyd Green played steel guitar on, having played on a number of Gene Watson’s Capitol Records recordings.

‘Farewell Party’ should have been the foundation on which the recording session was based, but the track was apparently a last minute addition to the recording session.  Gene Watson also recorded ‘Farewell Party’ in one take.

Walter Stettner in Austria established a Lloyd Green Tribute Site; without Walter Stettner’s assistance, acquisition of a ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson from Lloyd Green would not have been possible.

Visitation for Lawton Williams took place on Sunday 29 July 2007 between 5:00pm and 7:00pm in Lourel Land Funeral Chapel at 7100 Crowley Road in Fort Worth, Texas.  Lawton Williams‘ funeral service took place on Monday 30 July 2007 at 2:00pm.

Friday 27 July 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively revealed, courtesy of Sarah Brosmer at Lytle Management in Brentwood, TN and Shanachie Records in Newton, New Jersey, that Gene Watson’s new single, ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden), would ship to radio on Monday 20 August 2007.  Besides regular mailings, the single would also be included on the CDX Compilation, which was received by many radio presenters around the world.

‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden) was the featured promotional single from Gene Watson’s new album – ‘In a Perfect World‘ will be officially released by Shanachie Records on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Friday 3 August 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively revealed the cover shot of ‘In a Perfect World‘; Gene Watson’s new album was scheduled to be officially released on Shanachie Records on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Gene Watson’s new single, ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden), was scheduled to be released to radio on Monday 20 August 2007.

Tuesday 7 August 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site proudly announced that a brand new Gene Watson biography had been written by esteemed Nashville country music scribe, Robert K. Oermann.

Dubbed ‘The Dean of Nashville’s music writers, Robert K Oermann is a multimedia figure in Music City and is seen regularly on the Country Music Television (CMT) series ‘Inside Fame’ and on A&E’s ‘Biography’.

Robert K. Oermann is also the Editor-at-Large of ‘Country Music’ magazine, a weekly columnist for the trade publication ‘Music Row’ and has been published in more than one hundred other national magazines.

You can read / download a copy of Robert K. Oermann’s new Gene Watson Biography here, or by clicking on the image above.

In order to view Robert K. Oermann’s biography of Gene Watson, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer – get Adobe Reader.

Saturday 18 August 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively announced that Gene Watson would fly to Minneapolis, MN on Monday 27 August 2007.

This planned trip would involve a photo shoot for No Depression, a magazine which covered all aspects of the alt-country music scene.

No Depression were planning a major feature on Gene Watson, which would be included in a future edition of the magazine.  The No Depression photographer for the Gene Watson photo shoot in Minneapolis, MN was going to be Darin Back.

Monday 20 August 2007
Gene Watson’s new single, ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden), was officially released to radio stations worldwide.

The release of ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden) was a prelude to the release of ‘In a Perfect World‘ – Gene Watson’s new album would be officially released on Shanachie Records on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Wednesday 22 August 2007
Gene Watson took part in an interview with Trevor Campbell (Big T) at Belfast’s Downtown Radio between 7:00pm and 7:30pm (United Kingdom / Ireland time).

Gene Watson with Trevor (Big T) Campbell
Downtown Radio in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Wednesday 22 August 2007

Gene Watson reflected on various aspects of his life and musical career and informed Trevor that he was looking forward to his tour of Ireland in October 2007.

Trevor Campbell had not received his promo copy of Gene Watson’s new album, ‘In a Perfect World‘, at the time of the interview, but thanks to the wonders of technology, he was able to ‘play’ ‘Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden) through links on Gene Watson’s Fan Site.

Wednesday 22 August 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively published a ‘Face to Face‘ interview, courtesy of Monaghan Post, which Gene Watson conducted with the newspaper on Tuesday 21 August 2007.

In order to view Gene Watson’s ‘Face to Face‘ interview with Monaghan Post, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer – get Adobe Reader.

Monaghan Post, County Monaghan’s first full colour tabloid newspaper, was published weekly on Thursdays.  The ‘Face to Face‘ interview with Gene Watson was expected to be published in Monaghan Post on Thursday 24 August 2007.

Thank you to Teresa McGowan, Editor, Monaghan Post for allowing Gene Watson’s Fan Site to publish the interview prior to its publication in their newspaper.

This ‘Face to Face‘ interview with Gene Watson in Monaghan Post was in preparation for Gene Watson’s tour of Ireland, which would take place in October 2007, in venues in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

As a footnote, Monaghan Post ceased publication on Thursday 15 October 2009.

Thursday 23 August 2007
Gene Watson took part in an interview with Jolene Downes, a staff writer for ‘About Country’ website.

Gene Watson was delighted to learn that Jolene Downes was such a fan of his music and to hear that she had attended a number of his performances.

Jolene Downes, in an email to Gene Watson’s Fan Site, stated that she had found the site to be very helpful in preparing for her interview.

Jolene Downes also stated that, as with many of the classic country music artists, Gene Watson’s presence online prior to the launch of Gene Watson’s Fan Site, had not been strong and that it was now interesting to dig up current news about Gene.

Saturday 25 August 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively announced that Gene Watson had been invited to participate in a taping of ‘Country’s Family Reunion’.

The recording was expected to take place in Nashville between Tuesday 22 January 2008 and Thursday 24 January 2008.

Gabriel Communications was started in 1996; owned and operated by long-time disc jockey, Larry Black, the company specialises in ‘Reunion Videos’.  Larry Black first applied the ‘Reunion Video’ concept to the legends of country music.

The idea was simple: ask the great people who shaped country music to get together and talk about their history and sing a few songs; hence Gene Watson had been asked to take part in January 2008.

Monday 27 August 2007
Gene Watson flew to Minneapolis, MN.

This planned trip was undertaken so that Gene Watson could take part in a special photo shoot for No Depression, a magazine which covered all aspects of the alt-country music scene.  The photo shoot was scheduled to take place at 4:00pm on the afternoon of Tuesday 28 August 2007.

No Depression were planning a major feature on Gene Watson, which would be included in a future edition of the magazine.  The No Depression photographer for the Gene Watson photo shoot in Minneapolis, MN was expected to be Darin Back.

Tuesday 11 September 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band graced the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville; Gene’s performance was taped for television transmission and was expected to be aired on the Great American Country (GAC) television network on Saturday 15 September 2007.

Gene Watson performed two songs for the televised portion; he also performed a third song, which would not be televised.  Song choices included ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Larry Lee Favorite (1939 – Monday 26 May 2001) (No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week – Saturday 9 January 1982 – Saturday 16 January 1982 – in January 1982), and ‘Got No Reason Now For Goin’ Home’, which was written by Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985).

Gene Watson also performed, with Rhonda Vincent, a cover of Buck Owens’ 1964 hit single, ‘Together Again’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) (No.1 for two weeks in May 1964); the track was also a Billboard No.1 country music hit for Emmylou Harris, for one week in July 1976.

‘Together Again’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006), would be one of the tracks to be included on Gene Watson’s new Shanachie Records album ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007), which would be officially released on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Wednesday 12 September 2007
About Country Staff Writer Scott Sexton profiled Gene Watson in the September 2007 ‘Legends Corner’.

Wednesday 12 September 2007
Gene Watson was a special guest on the Eddie Stubbs’ radio show on ‘Nashville’s Country Legend’ WSM 650AM.

‘An Intimate Evening’ with Eddie Stubbs & Gene Watson on Nashville’s Country Legend WSM 650AM on Wednesday 12 September 2007.

The show, ‘An Intimate Evening With Eddie Stubbs’, was broadcast ‘live’ from the Ford Theater at The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum on Wednesday 12 September 2007 between 7:00pm and 9:00pm Central.

Gene Watson with host Eddie Stubbs on the set of ‘An Intimate Evening with Eddie Stubbs’
Ford Theater, at The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville
Wednesday 12 September 2007

The show, ‘An Intimate Evening With Eddie Stubbs’, began with a Gene Watson classic, ‘Speak Softly (You’re Talking To My Heart)’, a track originally included on Gene Watson’s ‘Old Loves Never Die‘ (MCA Records, 1981).

Eddie Stubbs, following this opening track, formerly commenced ‘An Intimate Evening’ by stating that the show was being broadcast ‘live’ from the Ford Theater at The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville.

Eddie Stubbs then introduced Gene Watson to the audience.

The Ford Theater at The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum can accommodate two hundred and thirteen patrons; all seats were filled and there were also a number of people standing.

Upon ascending to the stage area, Gene Watson received a standing ovation.

The show, ‘An Intimate Evening With Eddie Stubbs’, was a monthly WSM 650AM broadcast when a legendary artist within the country music community is invited along to discuss their career and music.

Gene Watson’s ‘Intimate Evening With Eddie Stubbs’ coincided with the world premiere of tracks, on ‘Nashville’s Country Legend’ WSM 650AM, from Gene Watson’s new Shanachie Records album – ‘In a Perfect World‘ was due to be officially released on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Eddie Stubbs began the conversation by asking Gene about his continuing desire to travel and entertain his fans although he is now in his early 60s.  Gene responded by stating that he was in Nashville that night (Wednesday 12 September), would travel to Bay Minette in Alabama on Thursday 13 September and would then travel all the way back to Nashville the next day for a show at The Wheel in Nashville on Friday 14 September 2007.

Eddie Stubbs then stated that Gene continues to tour throughout the United States and that he was soon traveling overseas to Ireland.  Gene responded by saying that he and The Farewell Party Band were looking forward to returning to Ireland where fans are so responsive to his music.

Gene added that they would be departing from the United States on Sunday 30 September 2007 and would have one free day (Monday 1 October 2007) before the commencement of the Irish tour on Tuesday 2 October 2007.

The conversation then changed to talk of the new album, ‘In a Perfect World‘.  Gene stated that he was very appreciative of all the hard work being done on his behalf by Sarah Brosmer at Lytle Management, and by the promotional team at Shanachie Records.

Gene also said that he was delighted to have had such talented artists joining him on his new album; it was at this point that Eddie Stubbs introduced the title track of the album (‘In a Perfect World‘), a track which featured special guest vocals from Joe Nichols.

Following the airing of the title track, Eddie Stubbs stated that he was particularly impressed with the clarity of all the guest vocals on the album.  Gene agreed, stating that he trusted producer Brent Rowan completely, while they were present in the recording studio.

Gene informed the attentive audience that it was Shanachie Records who approached him and that they wished to have an album that was very much Gene Watson.  Gene added that he was delighted to have the opportunity to record with some of his favourite musicians, including Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) and Sonny Garrish.

It was at this point in the WSM show that Gene was joined by Rhonda Vincent, Brent Rowan and Clinton Gregory.

A glorious performance of the Buck Owens’ classic, ‘Together Again’, then followed, Gene Watson’s vocal accompanied by Rhonda Vincent on guest vocals (she also played fiddle), Brent Rowan on acoustic guitar and (new Farewell Party Band member) Clinton Gregory on fiddle.

Gene Watson received a standing ovation following this ‘live’ performance of this classic country song.  He was deeply appreciative of Rhonda Vincent‘s visit to ‘Nashville’s Country Legend’ WSM 650AM to be with him, especially since she had an engagement out of town immediately following her appearance in Nashville.

The next track premiered on ‘An Intimate Evening With Eddie Stubbs’ was ‘Let Me Be The First To Go’, which featured guest vocals from Vince Gill.

Eddie Stubbs inquired as to Shanachie Records’ plans to release a promo single in order to promote the album and Gene stated that they had released the track ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden) as such.

Following some commercials, ‘This Side of The Door’, featuring a duet vocal from Mark Chesnutt, was played in error instead of ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden).

Gene Watson then spoke of his great admiration for Mark Chesnutt who had given up a lot of his time taking part in various benefit concerts to help Gene with his medical expenses following a diagnosis of colon cancer in 2000.

Gene hoped that Mark Chesnutt was listening to the broadcast, and to expressed a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to Mark for all he had done for him.

Gene Watson then spoke about the promo single, ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden); he said that he loved the song and felt that it had a different groove to the other tracks on the album.  Gene also said that he enjoyed its haunting melody and its use of mandolin and was pleased that a number of radio stations had already taken a chance with the song and had added it to their play-lists.

Gene Watson then spoke of his admiration for the musicians who accompanied him in the recording studio for the ‘In a Perfect World‘ sessions.  Eddie informed Gene that guitarist Gregg Galbraith was particularly honoured to be associated once again with Gene.  Eddie also praised Brent Rowan‘s amazing production skills and the fact that there are large helpings of steel guitar and fiddle on Gene’s new album.

Eddie Stubbs then asked his special guest what it was that motivated Gene Watson to continue to do what he does.

Gene responded by saying that it was the undying loyalty of his fans that kept him going.

Gene also stated that he adored the members of his highly acclaimed Farewell Party Band and he gave a special mention to its latest member, Clinton Gregory, who he said had added wonderful acoustic guitar, fiddle and harmony vocals to the overall sound of the band.

Eddie Stubbs then introduced the Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) classic, ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), featuring guest vocals from Lee Ann Womack.  Gene sounded genuinely pleased that Lee Ann had added her extraordinary vocal talents to his latest recording project.

The latter part of ‘An Intimate Evening With Eddie Stubbs’ on ‘Nashville’s Country Legend’ WSM 650AM concentrated on Gene’s childhood, his early days performing in Texas honky tonks and dance halls, along with his love of country music legends Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013), Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991), Carl Smith (Tuesday 15 March 1927 – Saturday 16 January 2010) and Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975).

‘An Intimate Evening With Eddie Stubbs’ on ‘Nashville’s Country Legend’ WSM 650AM concluded with Gene Watson informing listeners of his desire to live and react to each song he records and performs.  The evening ended as it had begun, with Gene Watson receiving a standing ovation.

Farewell Party Band members Staley Rogers and Todd Hines had copies of ‘In a Perfect World‘, Gene’s new album on Shanachie Records, available for sale on the evening.  This was a unique opportunity for Gene Watson fans present on the evening to purchase a copy of the CD before the official release date of Tuesday 25 September 2007.

Friday 14 September 2007
Gene Watson was interviewed by Bill Cody on ‘Nashville’s Country Legend’ WSM 650AM between 8:00am and 9:00am Central / 2:00pm and 3:00pm in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band had been performing in Bay Minette, Alabama the previous evening and had traveled all night in order to get to Nashville in time for WSM’s early show.

Bill Cody
Nashville’s Country Legend, WSM 650AM

Bill Cody and Gene Watson are old friends and they are also great friends with singer / songwriter Tim Menzies, who contributed five of his compositions to Gene Watson’s new album, ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).

Prior to the commencement of the interview, Bill Cody replayed a recording of Gene’s performance of the Buck Owens classic ‘Together Again’ as broadcast as part of ‘An Intimate Evening With Eddie Stubbs’ on Wednesday 12 September 2007.  This performance also featured Rhonda Vincent on guest vocals and fiddle and (Farewell Party Band member) Clinton Gregory on fiddle.

In his interview with WSM’s Bill Cody, Gene Watson spoke of his high regard for Rhonda Vincent, stating that he was so pleased that she joined him to sing ‘Together Again’ on the previous Wednesday evening.

Gene Watson also announced that Rhonda Vincent would also be appearing with him at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival in Bristol, Tennessee on Saturday 15 September 2007.

During the course of his interview with Bill Cody at WSM, Gene Watson spoke of his love for ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden), the track which had been selected as the first single from ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).  Gene stated that he loved recording the album and found the recording of it to be quite a pleasure and praised the production skills of producer, Brent Rowan.

Gene Watson also praised his fellow Texan, Mark Chesnutt, who sings ‘This Side of The Door’ on the new album, and called him a true friend.

Gene Watson & Mark Chesnutt
Curb Studio in Nashville
Thursday 7 June 2007

Gene Watson stated that he was also highly honoured to have had Vince Gill sing harmony vocals on ‘Let Me Be The First To Go’, which had been written by acclaimed songwriter, Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002).

Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985) recorded ‘Let Me Be The First To Go’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002), and included the track on ‘It’s A Beautiful Day’ (Capitol Records, 1970).

Gene Watson informed the WSM audience that he had recorded the song on a previous occasion, but it was never released.  He said that he was delighted to have had a second opportunity to record, and release, this wonderful track.

In the latter part of the interview with WSM’s Bill Cody, Gene Watson was full of the highest praise for singer / songwriter Tim Menzies – there are no less than five cuts on Gene Watson’s new album which boast Tim Menzies‘ name as one of the co-writers.

Bill Cody and Gene Watson decided to play ‘In A Perfect World’ as the closing song and dedicated it to both Tim Menzies and Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011), who co-wrote the track with Tim Menzies.

Monday 17 September 2007
Gene Watson appeared as a special guest on ‘Ralph Emery – Live’, a show which was carried on the RFD-TV network and was broadcast at 6:00pm Central / 7:00pm Eastern.

Gene Watson with Ralph Emery (Friday 10 March 1933 – Saturday 15 January 2022), on the set of ‘Ralph Emery – Live’, in Nashville on Monday 17 September 2007

RFD-TV, which was launched in December 2000, was the United States’ first twenty-four hour television network dedicated to serving the needs and interests of viewers in rural America.

Under its program banner of ‘Traditional and Ethnic Music’, RFD-TV broadcasts bluegrass, gospel, polka and traditional country music, along with original music specials from venues around the United States.

Tuesday 25 September 2007
Gene Watson’s new Shanachie Records album, ‘In a Perfect World‘, was officially launched worldwide.

Gene Watson fans were asked to request Gene’s new single, ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden), at their local radio station, see Gene on tour in the United States and Ireland (October 2007) and purchase the new ‘In a Perfect World‘ album at the all-new Gene Watson Official Store.

Friday 28 September 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively announced details of the all-new Gene Watson Official Store.

Gene Watson fans now had the opportunity to purchase Gene Watson’s fabulous new album, ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007), along with CDs, t-shirts and baseball caps.

Many more items were expected to be added to the merchandise site as they became available.

Friday 28 September 2007
The all-new Official Gene Watson Site went ‘live’.

The all-new Official Gene Watson Site would be the very best place to find out about all things related to Gene Watson!

The Official Gene Watson Site offered fans the opportunity to buy Gene Watson’s (then latest) album, ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007), as well as many of his past CDs, along with all Gene Watson merchandise.

The Official Gene Watson Site would also offer fans the opportunity to sign up for a newsletter which would be absolutely free and would keep fans up to date with all the latest Gene Watson news.

Gene Watson was also expected to present a personal ‘blog’ for the site and many other exciting features were expected to be added to the site on a regular basis.

Monday 1 October 2007
Gene Watson’s new album, ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007) was afforded the honour of being nominated as ‘CD of The Month’ in the October 2007 issue of Country Music People.

The Country Music People ‘CD of The Month’ review, which was written by Jon Philibert, is reproduced on Gene Watson’s Fan Site, with the permission of the publishers; you can read the review here.

Subscribe to Country Music People!

Tuesday 2 October 2007
Following a day of rest & relaxation, on Monday 1 October 2007, a seven-hour bus journey from Belfast International Airport to his first performance location, which was Killarney in County Kerry, and a good night’s sleep, Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – were in good spirits and were looking forward to the commencement of their 2007 tour of Ireland.

On the evening of Tuesday 2 October 2007, Gene Watson was interviewed by Dermot Moriarty on Radio Kerry between 7:00pm and 9:00pm.

This interview was conducted prior to Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band’s performance at INEC in Killarney, County Kerry.

Wednesday 3 October 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – graced the stage of TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

The support act was Mike Denver.

Thursday 4 October 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – graced the stage of The Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

The support act was Jimmy Buckley.

Friday 5 October 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – graced the stage of The University Concert Hall in the Limerick University Theatre in Limerick.

The support act was intended to be Robert Mizzell; instead Farewell Party Band member, Clinton Gregory, graced the stage and entertained the audience for twenty minutes before joining Gene and the rest of the band for the evening’s performance proper.

Sunday 7 October 2007
Following a day of rest and relaxation, on Saturday 6 October 2007, Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – graced the stage of the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.

The support act was Warren Smyth.

Tuesday 9 October 2007
Gene Watson participated in a ‘live’ interview with Hugo Duncan on BBC Radio Ulster, between 2:00pm and 3:00pm (United Kingdom and Ireland).

Hugo Duncan
BBC Radio Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland
BBC Radio Ulster is Northern Ireland’s national radio service

Tuesday 9 October 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – graced the stage of The Burnavon Theatre in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.

The support act was Philomena Begley.

Wednesday 10 October 2007
Gene Watson participated in a BBC Radio Ulster outside broadcast with Hugo Duncan; the ‘Country Afternoon’ show was broadcast ‘live’ from Meadow Lane Shopping Centre, Moneymore Road in Magherafelt between 1:30pm and 3:00pm (United Kingdom and Ireland).

Hugo Duncan
BBC Radio Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland
BBC Radio Ulster is Northern Ireland’s national radio service

Gene Watson was in magnificent form and, backed by The Country Harmony Band, performed three of his greatest hits, ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’, ‘Got No Reason Now For Going Home’ and ‘Farewell Party’.

Wednesday 10 October 2007 & Thursday 11 October 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – graced the stage of the Ardhowen Theatre in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.

The support acts were Derek Mehaffey and Tony Kerr.

Friday 12 October 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – graced the stage of The Market Place Theatre in Armagh City.

The support act was Philomena Begley.

Saturday 13 October 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – graced the stage of St. Joseph’s Hall in Omagh, Co. Tyrone.

The support acts were Philomena Begley & Country Harmony.

Sunday 14 October 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – graced the stage of The Iontas Theatre in Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan.

The support act was Philomena Begley & Country Harmony, with special guest Margo.

Monday 15 October 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – graced the stage of the Riverside Theatre at The University of Ulster in Coleraine.

The support acts were Philomena Begley and Liam McLaughlin.

Wednesday 17 October 2007
Following a day of rest and relaxation, on Tuesday 16 October 2007, Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – graced the stage of Tullyglass House Hotel in Ballymena, Co. Antrim.

The support acts were Philomena Begley, Liam McLaughlin and Tony Kerr.

Thursday 18 October 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – graced the stage of The Red Cow Hotel in Dublin.

The support act was Philomena Begley.

Friday 19 October 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band – Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009), Clinton Gregory, Todd Hines, Kenneth ‘Corky’ Owens, Staley Rogers and Bryan ‘Woody’ Woodruff – rounded off their highly successful Irish tour by gracing the stage of The Sligo Southern Hotel in Sligo.

The support act was Robert Mizzell.

Tuesday 23 October 2007
CMT staff writer Edward Morris’ interview with Gene Watson, which took place on Thursday 27 September 2007, was published online under the title, ‘Gene Watson gets extra star power for ‘In a Perfect World‘.

Sunday 28 October 2007
Porter Wagoner, a Grand Ole Opry institution and a member of The Country Music Hall of Fame, passed away at 8:25pm at The Alive Hospice in Nashville.

Porter Wagoner
Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007

Known as the Thin Man form West Plains, Porter Wagoner was 80 years old and had been hospitalized since Monday 15 October 2007.  An Opry spokesperson announced on Sunday 21 October 2007 that Porter Wagoner had been diagnosed with lung cancer; he was released to hospice care on Friday 26 October 2007.

An Opry star since 1957, the well-loved Porter Wagoner had been the show’s goodwill ambassador for many years and was photographed by fans millions of times as he clowned onstage in the flashy rhinestone suits that became one of his trademarks.

Funeral services for Porter Wagoner were held on Thursday 1 November 2007 at 11:00am at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, with interment following at Woodlawn Cemetery.  Visitation took place on Wednesday 31 October 2007 between 2:00pm and 8:00pm at Woodlawn Funeral Home; visitation and funeral were open to the public.

Tuesday 6 November 2007
Country Music Hall of Fame member, Hank Thompson, passed away at his home near Fort Worth in Texas, following a battle with lung cancer.

The 82-year old singer, songwriter and bandleader had, the previous week, cancelled all of his tour dates after being hospitalized.

• Hank Thompson submitted a ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson on Sunday 16 July 2006

Hank Thompson played his last concert, on Monday 8 October 2007, in his native Waco, Texas when Hank Thompson Day was declared by Texas Governor Rick Perry and Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy.

According to Hank Thompson’s official website, a celebration of Hank Thompson’s life took place on Wednesday 14 November 2007 at Billy Bob’s, the famed nightspot in Fort Worth, Texas.

Hank Thompson
Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 October 2007

Monday 19 November 2007
The very first Official Gene Watson Newsletter was sent via email.

The Gene Watson Newsletter, which would be issued quarterly, would keep fans posted on Gene’s concert dates, radio and television appearances and when Gene has new merchandise available.

The newsletter would also keep fans informed of all the latest news about Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band.

Get Adobe Reader

Courtesy of Sarah Brosmer at Lytle Management in Brentwood, TN Gene Watson’s very first Newsletter was made available on Gene Watson’s Fan Site and you can read it here.

Tuesday 27 November 2007
Larry Karnowski, who was based in Durham, North Carolina and wrote music reviews for Hickory Wind, sampled Gene Watson’s new album, ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).

Hickory Wind is all about roots music: twang, rock, folk, country, bluegrass, jam & Celtic.

Monday 3 December 2007
Gene Watson’s (then) current single, ‘I Buried Our Love’ (written by Tim Menzies and Tony Haselden), had moved up the Music Row Radio Charts from No.68 to No.64; Gene Watson fans in the United States were invited to contact their local country music radio stations and request that they play Gene Watson’s latest single, ‘I Buried Our Love’.

Friday 7 December 2007
Gene Watson’s Fan Site exclusively announced that rock music critic Ken Tucker had reviewed Gene Watson’s new album, ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007), on Thursday 6 December 2007, for the ‘Fresh Air’ show on radio station WHYY in Philadelphia, PA.

You can listen to the (6 minute, 5 second) review of Gene Watson’s new album, ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007) by Ken Tucker here.

December 2007
In the December 2007 issue of England’s monthly publication, Country Music People, under the feature title, ‘Keepin’ it Real’, Joe Nichols discussed the authenticity of his music, and the demons behind it, with Douglas McPherson.

During the course of the feature, the name of Gene Watson came up in conversation.

Douglas McPherson
Joe Nichols has also been recording recently with one of his honky tonk heroes, singing on the title track of Gene Watson’s new album, ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).

Joe Nichols
That was a great opportunity.  He actually had a couple of pretty great singers on the album and for him to include me was a very big honour.

Douglas McPherson
Recalling the moment when he stood in the vocal booth with Watson’s voice coming through his earphones, Joe Nichols says gleefully, ‘It was like being a little kid and listening to one of his records…only this time we were gonna make music with him.  We never ran across each other in the studio.  We were in town at different times.  But it’s still something I can always say I got to do – sing on one of Gene Watson’s albums’.

Joe Nichols is such a devotee of Gene Watson that he has recorded two of Gene’s classic songs; Joe Nichols recorded ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and included the track on ‘Revelation’ (Universal South Records, 2004).

The original version of ‘Farewell Party’ was recorded by Gene Watson, who included the track on ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978).

Joe Nichols has also recorded Gene Watson’s ‘Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy)’ (written by Joe Allen) and included the track on ‘Joe Nichols III’ (Universal South Records, 2005).

The original version of ‘Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy)’ (written by Joe Allen) was recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Should I Come Home‘ (Capitol Records, 1979).

The full Joe Nichols feature with Douglas McPherson can be found in the December 2007 issue of Country Music People.