Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2007, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Amber Digby, which she submitted to this site on Wednesday 30 May 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Amber Digby who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Amber Digby
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 30 May 2007.
‘Gene has one of the most distinctive and purest voices in country music. He is the consummate entertainer.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with him and had first-hand experience witnessing his showmanship and professionalism.
Check out his schedule and you’ll see that he’s still one of the most popular singers in our music’
Thank you, Amber Digby, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Amber Digby…
Amber Digby was born and raised in Nashville, and her musical influences include a number of acclaimed country music artists, including Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022), Connie Smith, Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998), George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), Ronnie Milsap and Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993).
Amber Digby was surrounded by country music when growing up. When she was born, her father, Dennis Digby, had just left his job as road manager and bassist for Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013) to start playing bass for Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022).
While growing up, Amber Digby would go on the road with her Dad, ride the band bus – the same bus which was used in the movie, ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ – and watch the shows from the side of the stage.
Meanwhile, Amber Digby’s mom, Donna, was a backup singer for Connie Smith, a slot she relinquished when Amber was two years old, and she later went to work for Ronnie Milsap‘s Ronnie Milsap Enterprises.
Amber Digby’s uncle is well-established country artist Darrell McCall, and her aunt Diane McCall had her own solo career in the 1960s and also worked with Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011).
The youngest McCall, Amber’s Uncle Dennis, played bass for Barbara Mandrell in the 1970s.
When Amber Digby was nine years old, her mother, Donna, remarried; the groom was legendary steel guitar player Dicky Overbey (Monday 11 May 1942 – Saturday 4 October 2014), who was a member of Ronnie Milsap‘s band at the time.
Dicky Overbey (Monday 11 May 1942 – Saturday 4 October 2014) had also played with a number of country music legends, including Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996), Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020), Sammi Smith (Thursday 5 August 1943 – Saturday 12 February 2005), Connie Smith and Hank Williams Jr.
Amber Digby started performing with bands in clubs when she was fifteen years old.
In 1997, Amber Digby performed at Tulsa Bluegrass Festival.
In 1998, Amber Digby sang at Iowa State Rodeo.
It was also in 1998 when Amber Digby recorded a 4-track demo in Branson, Missouri, which featured musicians from the road shows of both Moe Bandy and Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017); the 4-track demo was produced by her stepfather, and famed steel guitar player, Dicky Overbey (Monday 11 May 1942 – Saturday 4 October 2014).
In 2002, Amber Digby’s first album, ‘Music From The Honky Tonks’ (Amber Digby Independent Release, 2002), was recorded in Austin, Texas and was co-produced by Amber Digby and Justin Trevino, led to international tours of Sweden, Slovenia and Australia.
Amber Digby’s first album, ‘Music From The Honky Tonks’ (Amber Digby Independent Release, 2002), was subsequently released by Brady, Texas-based Heart of Texas Records in 2005, and included the following tracks:
‘I’m Ashamed of You’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘It’s A Cowboy Lovin’ Night’ (written by Ronnie Rogers)
‘If You See My Baby’ (written by Eddie Miller and Bob Morris)
‘Close Up The Honky Tonks’, which was written by Red Simpson (Tuesday 6 March 1934 – Friday 8 January 2016)
‘Here I Am Again’, which was written by Shel Silverstein (Thursday 25 September 1930 – Monday 10 May 1999)
‘So Easy To Forgive Him (So Hard To Forget)’, which was written by Dicky Overbey (Monday 11 May 1942 – Saturday 4 October 2014)
‘Somebody Somewhere (Don’t Know What He’s Missin’ Tonight)’ (written by Lola Jean Dillon)
‘Three Years’, which was written by Dicky Overbey (Monday 11 May 1942 – Saturday 4 October 2014)
‘The One You Slip Around With’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Charles Owen
‘Into My Arms Again’, which was written by Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992)
‘You’re Still On My Mind’ (written by Luke McDaniel)
‘Foolin’, which was written by Ralph E. Mooney (Sunday 16 September 1928 – Sunday 20 March 2011)
‘Threshold’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘Just Get Up & Close The Door’, which was written by Linda Hargrove (Thursday 3 February 1949 – Sunday 24 October 2010)
On Thursday 27 July 2006, Amber Digby saw the release of ‘Here Come The Teardrops’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2006), which was recorded at Justin Trevino‘s studio in Martindale, Texas, released by the Brady, Texas-based Heart of Texas Records, and included the following tracks:
‘Hinges On The Door’ (written by Baker Knight)
Connie Smith recorded ‘Hinges On The Door’ (written by Baker Knight) and included the track on ‘Connie Smith’ (RCA Victor Records, 1965).
On Monday 27 March 2006, England’s Hux Records released Connie Smith‘s ‘Connie Smith & Cute ‘n’ Country’ (Hux Records, 2006) as a special 2-for-1 CD set.
‘If You Were Me’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018) and Hal Bynum (Saturday 29 September 1934 – Thursday 2 June 2022)
‘Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall’ (written by Larry Gatlin)
Larry Gatlin recorded ‘Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall’ (written by Larry Gatlin) and included the track on ‘The Pilgrim’ (Capitol Records, 1976); Gene Watson recorded this track and included it on ‘Because You Believed in Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976), and re-recorded it for inclusion on ‘Real Country Music‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2016).
‘Flame In My Heart’, which was written by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Bernard Spurlock
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded ‘Flame In My Heart’ (written by George Jones and Bernard Spurlock) and included the track on ‘White Lightning’ (Mercury Records, 1959).
‘Another Man Loved Me Last Night’ (written by Peggy Sue Wells and Lorene Allen)
Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded ‘Another Man Loved Me Last Night’ (written by Lorene Allen and Peggy Sue Wells) and included the track on ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ (Decca Records, 1970).
‘Jealously Insane’, which was written by Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020)
‘Just In Case’ (written by Hugh Moffatt)
‘Weak In The Knees’ (written by Guyanne McCall and Justin Trevino)
‘Man I Hardly Knew’, which was written by Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022)
Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded the original version of ‘A Man I Hardly Knew’ (written by Loretta Lynn) and included the track on ‘You Ain’t Woman Enough’ (Decca Records, 1966); Loretta Lynn‘s version of the track reached No.72 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966.
‘Moment of Weakness’ (written by Guyanne McCall)
‘If Anyone Ought To Know’, 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 (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded the original version of ‘If Anyone Ought To Know’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘1996’ (Curb Records, 1996).
‘Loser’s Game’ (written by Guyanne McCall)
Artists and musicians involved in the recording of Amber Digby’s ‘Here Come The Teardrops’ (Heart Of Texas Records, 2006) included the following:
Dave Biller (former guitar player with Dale Watson) and Justin Trevino (guitar)
Dicky Overbey (Monday 11 May 1942 – Saturday 4 October 2014) (steel guitar, Dobro)
Jake Hooker (bass)
Jim Loessberg (drums)
Bobby Flores (Sunday 18 June 1961 – Thursday 23 June 2022) (fiddle)
Ron Huckabee (piano)
Leona Williams (vocals)
It was also in 2006 when Amber Digby was nominated as ‘Female Vocalist of The Year’ by Academy of Western Artists.
In 2008, Amber Digby saw the release of ‘Passion, Pride & What Might Have Been’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2008), which immediately received rave reviews.
The project, which was recorded at Justin Trevino‘s Soundlabs Studio in Martindale, Texas featured Amber Digby’s band members, and showcased Amber Digby’s talents as a producer; she shared co-producing duties with Justin Trevino.
Amber Digby’s ‘Passion, Pride & What Might Have Been’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2008) included the following tracks:
‘How You Drink The Wine’ (written by Ronal McCown)
‘Love Is The Foundation’ (written by William Hall)
‘I Can’t Get Used To Being Lonely’ (written by Melba Montgomery)
‘Deep As Your Pocket’, which was written by Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022)
‘She Didn’t Color Daddy’ (written by Scott Turner and Ray Warren)
‘One Kiss Away From Loneliness’ (written by Paul Williams and Sam Humphrey)
‘Soakin’ Wet’, which was written by Don Chapel (1931 – Sunday 6 December 2015)
‘Let Me Be The Judge’, which was written by Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993)
‘Bring Your Love Back To Me’ (written by Carl Trantham)
‘Take Me Back Again’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
‘You Snap Your Fingers (& I’m Back In Your Hands)’ (written by John Schweers)
‘We’re The Kind of People (That Make The Jukebox Play)’, which was written by Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003) and Aubrey Mayhew (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Sunday 22 March 2009)
Artists and musicians involved in the recording of Amber Digby’s ‘Passion, Pride & What Might Have Been’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2008) included the following:
Randy Lindley (guitar)
Dicky Overbey (Monday 11 May 1942 – Saturday 4 October 2014) (steel guitar)
Jake Hooker (bass)
Damion O’Grady, Dave Biller, Rick Price and Tom Lewis (drums)
In 2010, Amber Digby saw the release of ‘Another Way To Live’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2010); the album, which was produced by Justin Trevino and was recorded at Justin Trevino‘s Soundlabs Studio in Martindale, Texas, included the following tracks:
‘There Must Be Another Way To Live’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017)
‘Just Someone I Used To Know’, which was written by ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 – Thursday 8 August 2013)
‘This Heart of Mine (Can Never Say Goodbye)’, which was written by Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 December 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) and Pete Goble
‘Sound of A Heartache’, which was written by Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020)
‘One Step Beyond’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘Soul Survivor’ (written by Dennis McCall and Amber Digby)
‘Lie To Him’ (written by Amber Digby and Justin Trevino)
‘After It Breaks’ (written by Amber Digby and Dani Flowers)
‘I’m Not Your Kind of Girl’, which was written by Glenn Sutton (Tuesday 28 September 1937 – Tuesday 17 April 2007) and Red Steagall
‘Please Be My Love’ (written by Monroe Fields and Carl Sauceman)
‘Wrong Number’, which was written by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Dicky Overbey (Monday 11 May 1942 – Saturday 4 October 2014)
‘Silent Night (After The Fight)’ (written by John Schweers)
Artists and musicians involved in the recording of Amber Digby’s ‘Another Way To Live’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2010) included the following:
Randy Lindley (guitar)
Dicky Overbey (Monday 11 May 1942 – Saturday 4 October 2014) (steel guitar)
Justin Trevino and Jake Hooker (bass)
Tom Lewis (drums)
Reggie Rueffer (fiddle)
Jarrod Bonta (piano)
In May 2010, Amber Digby & Justin Trevino saw the release of ‘Keeping Up Appearances’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2010); the album, which was produced by Justin Trevino, and recorded at Heart of Texas Studios in Brady, Texas, included the following tracks:
‘Keeping Up Appearances’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011)
‘Wish I Didn’t Have To Miss You’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Right Combination’, which was written by Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007)
‘That Makes Two of Us’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011)
‘High As The Mountains’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
‘Lead Me On’ (written by Leon Copeland)
‘Wrong Company’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Just Between The Two of Us’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011)
‘Which One Is To Blame’ (written by Bobby Bare)
‘Slowly But Surely’, which was written by Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020)
‘After The Fire Is Gone’, which was written by L.E. White (1930 – Tuesday 7 September 2004)
‘Kickin’ Our Hearts Around’ (written by Wanda Jackson)
‘How’s The World Treating You’, which was written by Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987) and Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 – Saturday 30 June 2001)
‘Flame In My Heart’, which was written by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) and Bernard Spurlock
Artists and musicians involved in the recording of Amber Digby & Justin Trevino‘s ‘Keeping Up Appearances’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2010) included the following:
Randy Lindley (guitar)
Dicky Overbey (Monday 11 May 1942 – Saturday 4 October 2014) (steel guitar)
Jake Hooker (bass)
Jim Loessberg (drums)
Bobby Flores (Sunday 18 June 1961 – Thursday 23 June 2022) and Reggie Rueffer (fiddle)
Ronnie Huckabee and Jarrod Bonta (piano)
In 2011, Joe Paul Nichols saw the release of ‘Friends In High Places’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2011); one of the included tracks was ‘Someone To Care’, which was written by Jimmie Davis (11 September 1899 – Sunday 5 November 2000), and was a duet with Amber Digby.
In January 2013, Amber Digby saw the release of ‘The World You’re Living In’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2013), which was produced by Justin Trevino, and included the following tracks:
‘It’s A Long Way From Heaven (To The World You’re Living In)’ (written by Jimmie Helms and Sharon Higgins)
‘One More Thing I Wished I’d Said’ (written by Amber Digby and Vince Gill)
‘How Can I Unlove You’, which was written by Joe South (Wednesday 28 February 1940 – Wednesday 5 September 2012)
‘She’d Already Won Your Heart’ (written by Amber Digby and Dani Flowers)
‘Saturday Night’ (written by Bill Anderson and Amber Digby)
‘You Leave Again’ (written by Amber Digby and Sean Locke)
‘One I Can’t Live Without’ (written by James Pullman and Alma Rhodes) / this track featured guest vocals from Vince Gill
‘It Won’t Be Long (& I’ll Be Hating You)’, which was written by Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003), Aubrey Mayhew (Sunday 2 October 1927 – Sunday 22 March 2009) and Billy Merrin
‘Where Will You Go’ (written by Amber Digby)
‘My Imagination’ (written by Jimmy Johnson)
‘We Loved It Away’, which was written by Carmol Taylor (Saturday 5 September 1931 – Friday 5 December 1986) and George Richey (Saturday 30 November 1935 – Saturday 31 July 2010) / this track featured guest vocals from Randy Lindley
‘If It Ain’t Love (Let’s Leave It Alone)’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘You Put Me Here’ (written by Dale Dodson and Amber Digby)
‘Little Darlin’ (written by Lloyd Green) / this track featured Lloyd Green
On Wednesday 25 March 2020, Amber Digby saw the release of ‘Heroes, Mentors & Friends: The Legends Project’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2020), which featured duets with some of her most influential heroes and mentors in country music, and included the following tracks:
‘Texas Dancehall Girl’, which was written by Justin Tubb (Tuesday 20 August 1935 – Saturday 24 January 1998) / this track featured guest vocals from Jerry Naill / the original version of this track was recorded, as a non-album single, by Jimmy Naill for Americountry Records in 1973
‘You Go Around’ / this track featured guest vocals from Johnny Rodriguez / the original version of this track was recorded by Johnny Rodriguez, who included it on ‘Introducing Johnny Rodriguez’ (Mercury Records, 1973)
‘It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels’ / this track featured guest vocals from Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) / the original version of this track was also recorded by Loretta Lynn, who included it on ‘Loretta’ (MCA Records, 1980)
‘I’m Hangin’ Around’ / this track featured guest vocals from The Whites / the original version of this track was recorded by The Whites, who included it on ‘Old Familiar Feeling’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983); The Whites’ version of the track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983
‘Today Is Not The Day’ / this track featured guest vocals from Jeannie Seely
‘It Should Be Easier Now’ (written by Willie Nelson) / this track featured guest vocals from Willie Nelson / the original version of this track was recorded by Willie Nelson, who included it on ‘Country Willie – His Own Songs’ (RCA Victor Records, 1965)
‘I’ll Warm By The Flame’ / this track featured guest vocals from Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020) / the original version of this track was recorded by Johnny Bush, who included it on ‘Undo The Right’ (Stop Records, 1968)
‘The Heart He Kicks Around’ / this track featured guest vocals from Jeannie C. Riley / the original version of this track was recorded by Jeannie C. Riley, who included it on ‘Sock & Soul’ (Little Darlin’ Records, 1968)
‘Take Back It’s Over’ / this track featured guest vocals from Larry Gatlin
‘Soft Lights & Hard Country Music’ / this track featured guest vocals from Moe Bandy / the original version of this track was recorded by Moe Bandy, who included it on ‘Soft Lights & Hard Country Music’ (Columbia Records, 1978); Moe Bandy‘s version of the track reached No.13 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978, and No.15 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘Under These Conditions’, which was written by Vince Gill and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) / this track featured guest vocals from Vince Gill/ the original version of this track was recorded by Vince Gill, who included it on ‘I Still Believe In You’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1992)
Although Amber Digby’s success would appear to have sprung up overnight, this is not so.
Amber Digby comes from a musical family. Both her parents have been in country music for decades: Amber’s mother Dee was a harmony singer with Connie Smith, while her father, Dennis Digby, played bass for Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) for almost twenty years.
Amber Digby’s uncle is legendary entertainer Darrell McCall, while her aunt is Diane McCall.
Amber Digby’s stepfather, Dicky Overbey (Monday 11 May 1942 – Saturday 4 October 2014), was considered a steel guitar legend and had played with, amongst others, Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996), Connie Smith, Hank Williams Jr., Ronnie Milsap and Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020).
Amber Digby has also worked on recording sessions with Pretty Miss Norma Jean, Leona Williams, Justin Trevino and Jake Hooker.
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