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 2025, 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 A.V. Mittelstedt, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 22 April 2025.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to A.V. Mittelstedt who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
A.V. Mittelstedt
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 22 April 2025.
‘In my opinion, right now, Gene Watson is the best, pure country singer on the market’
Thank you, A.V. Mittelstedt, for your support of Gene Watson.
About A.V. Mittelstedt…
A.V. Mittelstedt was born Arnold Victor Mittelstedt on Tuesday 9 August 1938, and has been a leader in the music industry for more than 45 years.
A.V. Mittelstedt started in a neighbourhood garage band and honed his skills on guitar.
As a gifted studio sound engineer and producer, A.V. Mittelstedt owned the renowned Soundmasters Studios on Jensen Drive, until he relocated the studio to Friendly Road in Houston, Texas and later to Huntsville, Texas.
A.V. Mittelstedt has recorded and produced a number of acclaimed artists, including Fiddlin’ Frenchie Burke (November 1933 – Saturday 10 December 2016), Randy Cornor (Wednesday 28 July 1954 – Thursday 24 March 2022), Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020), Clint Black, Mark Chesnutt, George Strait, Clay Walker, Tracy Byrd, Clay Blaker, Brian Collins, The Picks, who were the backup singers for Buddy Holly (Monday 7 September 1936 – Tuesday 3 February 1959), Gene Thomas, Roy Head, Jerry Nail, Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022), and many more national and local singers, songwriters, musicians and bands.
Recording for Capitol Records, ABC Dot Records, Twentieth Century Records, his own Cherry Records, along with many other record labels, A.V. Mittelstedt has won numerous music industry awards, and has charted on Billboard, Cash Box and Record World reporting radio stations.
A.V. Mittelstedt can usually be found in his studio, listening and recording some of the best music around.
A.V. Mittelstedt can also be found relaxing in his favourite spot, enjoying the day or fishing.
Steve Palousek and Randy Cornor (Wednesday 28 July 1954 – Thursday 24 March 2022) saw the release of ‘The Way We Wanted It’ (Not On Label), which was recorded at Sound Masters Studios in Houston, Texas and included the following tracks:
‘Overdub From Hell’
‘Now You Know How It Feels To Be Me’ / this track featured vocals from Randy Cornor (Wednesday 28 July 1954 – Thursday 24 March 2022)
‘It’s Me’
‘Steel Dreaming’
‘Cornor Stone’
‘April’s Fool’
‘Palooka’s Bounce’
‘Misdirection’
’90 Proof’
‘Spoain’
‘Sometimes I talk In My Sleep’
Personnel involved in the recording of Steve Palousek and Randy Cornor’s ‘The Way We Wanted It’ (Not On Label) included the following:
Larry Slezak and Martin Langford (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone)
Ron Rebstock (banjo)
Dave Foster and Roy Young (bass)
Doug Boggs, J.P. Morrison and Randy Reeves (drums)
A.V. Mittelstedt (engineering, backing vocals)
Kevin Carter (fiddle, violin)
Buz Smith (piano)
Randy Cornor (Wednesday 28 July 1954 – Thursday 24 March 2022) (production, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals)
Steve Palousek (production, steel guitar, bass, mixer, engineering)
Don Carroll (tenor saxophone)
Reggie Goebel (trombone)
Gary Weldon (trumpet)
In 1976, Randy Cornor (Wednesday 28 July 1954 – Thursday 24 March 2022) saw the release of ‘My First Album’ (ABC Records / Dot Records, 1976), which was produced by A.V. Mittelstedt at Sound Masters Studios in Houston, Texas and Capitol Studios, and included the following tracks:
‘Sometimes I Talk In My Sleep’ (written by Eddy Raven)
‘Heart Don’t Fail Me Now’ (written by D. L. Jones)
‘Love Doesn’t Live Here Anymore’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016)
‘Silver Wings & Golden Rings’ (written by G. Sklerov and M.A. Leikin)
‘Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall’ (written by Larry Gatlin)
‘Nobody Ever Loves Me Anyway’ (written by Eddy Raven)
‘She’s Just Not Over You Yet’, which was written by Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) and Michael White
‘(Play That Song Again) About The Loser’ (written by A. Dyson and K. Harrison)
‘Sugar Foot Rag Square Dance’, which was written by G. Vaughn and Hank Garland (Tuesday 11 November 1930 – Monday 27 December 2004)
‘Rocky Top’, which was written by Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987) and Felice Bryant (Friday 7 August 1925 – Tuesday 22 April 2003)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘My First Album’ (ABC Records / Dot Records, 1976) from Randy Cornor (Wednesday 28 July 1954 – Thursday 24 March 2022) included the following:
A.V. Mittelstedt and David Kealey (acoustic guitar)
Gordon Marron (string arrangements)
Robbie Rebstock (banjo)
Dale Young and Lynn Jones) (bass)
Chester Vaughn and Randy Reeves) (drums, percussion)
A.V. Mittelstedt, David Kealey, Hugh Davies, Jim D. Johnson and Rex Kramer (engineer)
Fiddlin’ Frenchie Burke (November 1933 – Saturday 10 December 2016) (fiddle)
Randy Cornor (Wednesday 28 July 1954 – Thursday 24 March 2022) (guitar)
The Bowen Sisters (harmony vocals)
Burt Fannette and Rick Harrell (piano, keyboard)
Robbie Springfield (steel guitar)
The Gordon Marron Strings (strings)
Gene Meyers (vibraphone)
In August 1977, Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020) saw the release of his debut album, ‘Bluest Heartache of The Year’ (Capitol Records, 1977), which was produced by A.V. Mittelstedt, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Bluest Heartache of The Year’, which was written by Warren Wilson ‘Rocky’ Wimberly Jr. (Sunday 14 December 1947 – Wednesday 17 April 2013) (No.11, 1977) / this track also reached No.23 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1977
‘Shame, Shame On Me (I Had Planned To Be Your Man)’, which was written by Warren Wilson ‘Rocky’ Wimberly Jr. (Sunday 14 December 1947 – Wednesday 17 April 2013) / (No.11, 1977) / this track also reached No.11 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1977
‘Bluest Heartache of The Year’ (Capitol Records, 1977), the debut album from Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020), also included the following tracks:
‘Crazy’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘This Is A Sad Song’ (written by A.V. Mittelstedt and Meitzen)
‘Tomorrow’ (written by J. Harris)
‘Tell Houston Hello’ (written by R. Moreland)
‘Misty’ (written by E. Garner and J. Burke)
‘Release Me (& Let Me Love Again)’, which was written by Edward Monroe ‘Eddie’ Miller (Wednesday 10 December 1919 – Monday 11 April 1977) and W.S. Stevenson (1900 – 1978)
‘Love Walked In Again’ (written by A.V. Mittelstedt and Meitzen)
‘American Trilogy’, which was written by Mickey Newbury (Sunday 19 May 1940 – Sunday 29 September 2002)
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Bluest Heartache of The Year’ (Capitol Records, 1977), the debut album from Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020), included the following:
Freddie Pate and Ray Abbott (acoustic guitar)
Bobby Beason, David Kealey, Donna Hazard, Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020), Steve Keller, and The Bowen Sisters (backing vocals)
David Kealey and Lynn Jones (bass guitar)
A.V. Mittelstedt, David Kealey, David McCumber and Hugh Davies (engineer)
Fiddlin’ Frenchie Burke (Monday 6 November 1933 – Saturday 10 December 2016), Jimmy Harriss and Randy Cornor (Wednesday 28 July 1954 – Thursday 24 March 2022) (fiddle)
The Senator (harmonica)
Rick Harrell (keyboards)
Randy Cornor (Wednesday 28 July 1954 – Thursday 24 March 2022) (lead guitar)
Randy Reeves (percussion)
Robbie Springfield (steel guitar)
The Gordon Marron Strings (strings)
Gordon Marron (strings arrangements)
Gene Meyers (vibraphone – vibes)
‘Bluest Heartache of The Year’ (Capitol Records, 1977), the debut album from Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020), reached No.29 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977.
In March 1978, Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020) saw the release of ‘Red Hot Memory’ (Capitol Records, 1978), which was produced by A.V. Mittelstedt, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Red Hot Memory’, which was written by Warren Wilson ‘Rocky’ Wimberly Jr. (Sunday 14 December 1947 – Wednesday 17 April 2013) (No.17, 1978)
‘The Loser’ (written by Darrell McCall and Lamar Morris) (No.28, 1978)
‘Two Hearts Tangled In Love’, which was written by Warren Wilson ‘Rocky’ Wimberly Jr. (Sunday 14 December 1947 – Wednesday 17 April 2013) (No.18, 1978) / this track also reached No.31 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘Red Hot Memory’ (Capitol Records, 1978) from Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020) also included the following tracks:
‘For Love’ (written by Theresa Beaty)
‘Sweet Dreams’
‘We Could Be Dancin’
‘I Don’t Feel Like Livin’ Today’
‘Some Kind of Wonderful’ (written by John Ellison)
‘Let’s Make Love’ (written by Jan Owens)
‘Second Hand Lovin’ Hands’
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Red Hot Memory’ (Capitol Records, 1978) from Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020) included the following:
A.V. Mittelstedt and Freddie Pate (acoustic guitar)
Bobby Beason, Donna Hazard, and The Bowen Sisters (backing vocals)
David Kealey (bass guitar)
A.V. Mittelstedt (engineer)
Jimmy Harriss (fiddle)
Rick Harrell (keyboards)
Randy Cornor (Wednesday 28 July 1954 – Thursday 24 March 2022) (lead guitar)
Randy Reeves (percussion)
Robbie Springfield (steel guitar)
The Gordon Marron Strings (strings)
Gene Meyers (vibraslap)
‘Red Hot Memory’ (Capitol Records, 1978) from Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020) reached No.45 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978.
Fiddlin’ Frenchie Burke (Monday 6 November 1933 – Saturday 10 December 2016) recorded A.V. Mittelstedt’s ‘We Came To See A Show’ (co-written with Meltzen) and included the track on ‘Knock, Knock, Knock’ (Capitol Records, 1978).
Gene Watson’s Farewell Party Band recorded A.V. Mittelstedt’s ‘The Best Memory In Town’ and included the track on ‘The Farewell Party Band Plays Country Plus’ (BRW Records, 1982); the track featured vocals from Daniel (‘Danny’) T. Rainwater (passed away on Friday 28 December 2018).
In 1984, Fiddlin’ Frenchie Burke (Monday 6 November 1933 – Saturday 10 December 2016) saw the release of ‘Fiddlin’ Man’ (Delta Records, 1984), which was produced by Fiddlin’ Frenchie Burke, A.V. Mittelstedt and David Stallings.
In 1985, Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020) saw the release of ‘Breakin’ Hearts & Bendin’ Strings’ (Saba Records, 1985), which was produced by A.V. Mittelstedt and Jon Arledge, and included the following tracks:
‘Take It Slow’
‘Two Hearts’, which was written by Keith Stegall and Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023)
‘Breakin’ Hearts & Bendin’ Strings’ (written by E. Moore and B. Pearce)
‘I’m In Over My Heart’, which was written by Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023) and Roger Murrah
‘Look What Love Did To Me’, which was written by Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020)
‘We’re Acting Just Like Lovers’, which was written by Keith Palmer (Sunday 23 June 1957 – Thursday 13 June 1996)
‘Hard On A Loser’ (written by Don Scott Hare)
‘Two Will Be One’, which was written by Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020)
‘One Night Texas Lover’, which was written by Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020)
‘You’ve Always Been A Star In My Eye’, which was written by Kenny Dale (Wednesday 3 October 1951 – Wednesday 15 July 2020)
Fiddlin’ Frenchie Burke (Monday 6 November 1933 – Saturday 10 December 2016) recorded A.V. Mittelstedt’s ‘Hail To The Bayou’ and included the track on ‘Down In Louisiana’ (TNT Records, 1988).
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