‘Back In The Fire & At Last’
Morello Records WMRLL66 (2016)
Gene Watson’s ‘Back In The Fire & At Last’ (Morello Records, 2016) was officially released by Morello Records on Friday 11 November 2016.
This special CD brings together two pivotal albums from Gene Watson’s brief, but extraordinary time, with Warner Bros. Records; ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) and ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).
Gene Watson’s ‘Back In The Fire & At Last’ (Morello Records, 2016) discography information is presented on the Gene Watson Fan Site for educational purposes only and no infringement of copyright is intended.
‘Back In The Fire & At Last’
Morello Records WMRLL66 (2016)
Sleeve Notes by Tony Byworth
‘Whenever there’s talk about country music – the genuine, hard-core variety, that is – it’s pretty inevitable that Gene Watson’s name will soon come into the conversation, his being synonymous with pure country music.
Gene Watson is a godsend to all country music fans who like their music true and honest, and that’s the way it’s always been for this entertainer over the course of five decades, ever since his name first appeared in the country music charts some 50 hits ago.
Born Gary Gene Watson in Palestine, Texas in 1943 but raised in Paris, Texas within a musical family where his father and brother both played guitar. He also learned the instrument and first sang performing professionally in local clubs as a thirteen year old. He soon picked up a reputation as one of the area’s finest singers with his strong tenor vocals and slight nasal tone making him a very popular attraction at Houston’s honky-tonk night spots, including The Dynasty, where he was resident for several years.
With songs that run the gamut of emotions, and a voice that convinces he lived them, ‘Back in the Fire‘ (1988) produced four chart singles: ‘Don’t Waste It On The Blues’ (written by Sandy Ramos and Jerry Vandiver) reached No.5 in 1988, ‘Back In The Fire’ (written by Rory Bourke and Mike Reid) reached No.20 in 1988, ‘The Jukebox Played Along’, which was written by Ken Bell and Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022), reached No.25 in 1988, and ‘The Great Divide’ (written by John Lindley and Randy Travis) reached No.41 in 1988.
Two more hits came with ‘At Last‘ (1991), the first being the title track, which was written by Jay Booker and Jack Keller (Wednesday 11 November 1936 – Friday 1 April 2005) (No.61, 1991), and the second, ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was written by Larry Cordle, Larry Shell and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017) (No.67, 1991).
With around 50 country chart hits, Gene was voted into The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002 and was one of the first inductees into Houston’s Music Hall of Fame in 2013‘
‘Back In The Fire & At Last’
Morello Records WMRLL66 (2016)
Sleeve Notes by Tony Byworth
‘Back In The Fire & At Last’
Morello Records WMRLL66 (2016)
1 ‘Don’t Waste It On The Blues’
Writers: Sandy Ramos and Jerry Vandiver
Publishers: Wrensong Publishing Corp. / Miller’s Daughter Music Corp. / Love This Town Music ASCAP
Gene Watson re-recorded ‘Don’t Waste It On The Blues‘ (written by Sandy Ramos and Jerry Vandiver) and included the track on ‘Best of the Best: 25 Greatest Hits‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2012).
Gene Watson recorded ‘I Picked A San Antone Rose’, which was written by James Dean Hicks and Bobby Paul Barker (Sunday 19 November 1944 – Friday 20 November 2015), and included the track as the ‘B’ side of the ‘Don’t Waste It On The Blues’ 45rpm vinyl single, which was released on Warner Bros. Records (catalogue number 27692) in 1989.
However, Gene Watson’s version of ‘I Picked A San Antone Rose’, which was written by James Dean Hicks and Bobby Paul Barker (Sunday 19 November 1944 – Friday 20 November 2015), was not included on the original release of ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988).
Keith Palmer (Sunday 23 June 1957 – Thursday 13 June 1996) recorded ‘I Picked A San Antone Rose’, which was written by James Dean Hicks and Bobby Paul Barker (Sunday 19 November 1944 – Friday 20 November 2015), and included the track on ‘Keith Palmer’ (Epic Records, 1991).
Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007) recorded ‘I Picked A San Antonio Rose’, which was written by James Dean Hicks and Bobby Paul Barker (Sunday 19 November 1944 – Friday 20 November 2015), and included the track on ‘Hank Thompson & Friends’ (Curb Records, 1997); the track featured guest vocals from Bekka Bramlett.
2 ‘Dreams of A Dreamer’
Writer: David Hugh ‘Jug’ Brown (Tuesday 28 July 1936 – Tuesday 7 May 2013)
Publishers: Mull-Ti-Hit Music Company BMI
Darrell McCall & The Tennessee Volunteers recorded ‘Dreams of A Dreamer’, which was written by David Hugh ‘Jug’ Brown (Tuesday 28 July 1936 – Tuesday 7 May 2013), and included the track on ‘Reunion’ (BGM Records, 1986).
Jesse Jones recorded ‘Dreams of A Dreamer’, which was written by David Hugh ‘Jug’ Brown (Tuesday 28 July 1936 – Tuesday 7 May 2013), and included the track on ‘Meanwhile In This Honky Tonk’ (Jesse Jones Independent Release, 2019).
3 ‘Somewhere Over You’
Writers: Gene Watson, Dave Lindsey and Jim Rushing
Publishers: Hall-Clement Publications / Booth and Watson Music BMI / Jack and Bill Music Co. / Little Will Music / Amanda-Lin Music (c/o The Welk Music Group) ASCAP
Gene Watson’s ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) is unique in that it is the only album which features a song which Gene Watson had a hand in writing.
4 ‘Back In The Fire’
Writers: Rory Bourke and Mike Reid
Publishers: Jack & Bill Music Company / Songs De Burgo (c/o The Welk Music Group) / Lodge Hall Music Inc. ASCAP
Mike Reid recorded ‘Back In The Fire’ (written by Rory Bourke and Mike Reid) and included the track on ‘Twilight Town’ (Columbia Records, 1992).
Gene Watson re-recorded ‘Back In The Fire’ (written by Rory Bourke and Mike Reid) and included the track on ‘Gene Watson: Then & Now‘ (Koch Records Nashville, 2005).
Gene Watson re-recorded ‘Back In The Fire’ (written by Rory Bourke and Mike Reid) and included the track on ‘Best of the Best: 25 Greatest Hits‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2012).
5 ‘Ain’t No Fun To Be Alone In San Antone’
Writers: Buddy Cannon and Luke Reed
Publishers: Buddy Cannon Music / Polygram Music Publishing Inc. ASCAP / Polygram Songs Inc. BMI
Jeffrey Barosh Sr. (Jeff Chance) (Monday 13 December 1954 – Friday 12 December 2008) recorded ‘Ain’t No Fun To Be Alone In San Antone’ (written by Buddy Cannon and Luke Reed) and included the track on ‘Walk Softly On The Bridges’ (Mercury Records, 1992).
6 ‘The Great Divide’
Writers: John Lindley and Randy Travis
Publishers: Tennessee Hills Music BMI / Three Story Music ASCAP
Josh Williams recorded ‘The Great Divide’ (written by John Lindley and Randy Travis) and included the track on ‘Modern Day Man’ (Rounder Records, 2016).
7 ‘Just How Little I Know’
Writers: Wayland Patton and Jim Rushing
Publishers: Jack and Bill Music Co. / Amanda-Lin Music (c/o The Welk Music Group) ASCAP
8 ‘She Found The Key’
Writers: Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
Publishers: Acuff-Rose Music Inc. BMI
Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) recorded ‘She Found The Key’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019), and included the track on ‘The Classic Style of Lefty Frizzell’ (ABC Records, 1975); the track was subsequently included on Lefty Frizzell’s ‘The ABC Collection’ (ABC Records, 1977).
9 ‘The Jukebox Played Along’
Writers: Ken Bell and Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022)
Publishers: Next o Ken Music / Ensign Music Corporation BMI / BMG Songs Inc. ASCAP
Gene Watson re-recorded ‘The Jukebox Played Along’, which was written by Ken Bell and Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022), and included the track on ‘Gene Watson: Then & Now‘ (Koch Records Nashville, 2005).
10 ‘When A Fool Learns’
Writers: Steve Clark and Rick Peoples
Publishers: Intersong U.S.A. Inc. / Hide-A-Bone Music / Chappell and Company Inc. ASCAP
11 ‘At Last’
Writers: Jay Booker and Jack Keller (Wednesday 11 November 1936 – Friday 1 April 2005)
Publishers: Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc. BMI / Colgems-EMI Music Inc. ASCAP
12 ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’
Writers: Larry Cordle, Larry Shell and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017)
Publishers: Polygram International Publishing Inc. / Amanda-Lin Music ASCAP / Peer Five Music Inc. / Friendly Finley Music BMI
Ricky Skaggs recorded ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was written by Larry Cordle, Larry Shell and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), and included the track on ‘My Father’s Son’ (Epic Records, 1991).
Larry Cordle, Glen Duncan & Lonesome Standard Time recorded ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was written by Larry Cordle, Larry Shell and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), and included the track on ‘Lonesome Standard Time’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1992).
Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time recorded ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was written by Larry Cordle, Larry Shell and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), and included the track on ‘All Star Duets’ (MightyCord Records, 2014); the track featured guest vocals from Dierks Bentley.
Odd Jarle Hanssen recorded ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was written by Larry Cordle, Larry Shell and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), and included the track on ‘On Fire’ (Odd Jarle Hanssen Music, 2014).
13 ‘A Gifted Hand’
Writers: Doug Crider and Billy Spencer
Publishers: Warner Tamerlane Publishing Corporation BMI / WB Music Corporation / Two Sons Music ASCAP
14 ‘You Can’t Get Arrested In Nashville’
Writer: Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024)
Publishers: Careers Music Inc. (BMG) BMI
15 ‘She’s Leavin’ Looking Good’
Writer: Lewis Anderson
Publishers: Music Corporation of America Inc. / Leighton Music BMI
Odd Jarle Hanssen recorded ‘She’s Leavin’ Looking Good’ (written by Lewis Anderson) and included the track on ‘On Fire’ (Odd Jarle Hanssen Music, 2014).
16 ‘This Could Go On Forever’
Writers: Jerry Vandiver and Sandy Ramos
Publishers: Love This Town Music / Wrensong Publishing Corporation / Miller’s Daughter Music ASCAP
17 ‘I Catch Myself’
Writer: Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022)
Publishers: Ensign Music Corporation BMI
Gene Watson re-recorded ‘I Catch Myself’, which was written by Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022), and included the track on ‘Gene Watson: Then & Now‘ (Koch Records Nashville, 2005).
18 ‘The Workin’ End of A Hoe’
Writer: Jim Rushing
Publishers: Polygram International Publishing Inc. / Amanda-Lin Music ASCAP
Doug Stone recorded ‘The Workin’ End of A Hoe’ (written by Jim Rushing) and included the track on ‘From The Heart’ (Epic Records, 1992).
Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 – Saturday 30 June 2001) & Doug Stone recorded ‘The Workin’ End of A Hoe’ (written by Jim Rushing) and included the track on ‘Chet Atkins & Doug Stone’ (Echo Bridge Records, 2000).
Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time recorded ‘The Workin’ End of A Hoe’ (written by Jim Rushing) and included the track on ‘Songs from The Workbench’ (Shell Point Records, 2002).
19 ‘Only Yesterday’
Writer: Bob Regan
Publishers: AMR Publications Inc. ASCAP
Gene Watson re-recorded ‘Only Yesterday’ (written by Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘Gene Watson: Then & Now‘ (Koch Records Nashville, 2005).
20 ‘This Country’s Bigger Than Texas’
Writer: Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024)
Publishers: Careers Music Inc. (BMG) BMI
Odd Jarle Hanssen recorded ‘This Country’s Bigger Than Texas’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024), and included the track on ‘On Fire’ (Odd Jarle Hanssen Music, 2014).
‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988)
Original Album Sleeve Notes
FROM GENE
‘Very special thanks to Lib Hatcher for all her concern and encouragement.
Without her my career would have probably ended.
She gave me a new ‘beginning’.
I can’t begin to thank her enough for everything.
Thanks to: Randy Travis (for remaining a friend for twelve years and for giving me my favourite song: ‘The Great Divide’), Martha Sharp (Tuesday 9 February 1937 – Wednesday 11 December 2024) (for signing me to Warner Bros.), Gregg Brown (for taking time out of his busy schedule and working with me for days on end, selecting and reviewing my music), and to Paul Worley and Nick Hunter and the entire staff at Warner Bros. Records (for being so warm and enthusiastic).
It’s the first time in my career that I’ve had people care so much.
This is a brand new start and career for Gene Watson’
Special Thanks from Paul Worley to Fred Cameron for ‘Hot Rod Mics’.
Overview
‘Following the release of three Gene Watson albums on Epic Records, ‘Memories to Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985), ‘Starting New Memories‘ (Epic Records, 1986) and ‘Honky Tonk Crazy‘ (Epic Records, 1987), the label began to devote their resources toward ‘younger’ artists.
As a result, Gene Watson didn’t seem to quite ‘fit’ the record label image.
After a three-year absence from the Top 10, Gene’s disillusionment with his career grew and he seriously considered retirement.
It was during his heavy touring schedule with his Farewell Party Band that he began playing dates with a new, young artist (at the time) called Randy Travis.
It was Randy Travis‘ (then) manager, Lib Hatcher, who convinced Gene to stay in the business. Lib Hatcher began managing Gene (he signed a personal management / booking contract with her) and secured a recording contract for him with Warner Bros. Records.
Gene Watson’s ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) was his debut album for Warner Bros. Records and was released on Monday 17 October 1988.
The debut single from the album, ‘Don’t Waste It On The Blues’ (written by Sandy Ramos and Jerry Vandiver), climbed to No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
Three further singles were also released; ‘Back In The Fire’ (written by Rory Bourke and Mike Reid) reached No.20 in 1988, ‘The Jukebox Played Along’, which was written by Ken Bell and Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022) reached No.25 in 1988, and ‘The Great Divide’ (written by John Lindley and Randy Travis) reached No.41 in 1988′.
Gene Watson’s ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) was produced by Paul Worley, Ed Seay and Gregg Brown. The Production Assistant was Sharon Eaves (1961 – Friday 25 September 2015).
Gene Watson’s ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) was recorded and mixed by Ed Seay with assistance from Mike Poole, Clarke Schleicher and Gary Paczosa. Additional Engineering was undertaken by Clarke Schleicher.
Gene Watson’s ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) was recorded at Treasure Isle Recorders, with overdubs undertaken at The Money Pit.
Gene Watson’s ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) was mixed at Nightingale Studio and was recorded and mixed using Monster Cable; the album was mastered at Georgetown (Masters by Denny Purcell).
Gene Watson’s ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) reached No.42 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1989.
‘Back in the Fire‘
Warner Bros. Records 9 25832-2 (1988)
• Read a Country Music People review of Gene Watson’s ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988)
The review, which was written by Craig Baguley, was published in the March 1989 issue of the United Kingdom monthly publication Country Music People.
‘Back in the Fire‘
Warner Bros. Records 9 25832-2 (1988)
Personnel involved in the recording of Gene Watson’s ‘Back In The Fire’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) included the following:
Eddie Bayers and Steve Turner (drums)
Mike Brignardello (bass)
Steve Gibson, John Jorgenson, Paul Worley and Gregg Brown (electric guitar)
Larry Byrom, Paul Worley, Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020) and Pete Wade (Sunday 16 December 1934 – Tuesday 27 August 2024) (acoustic guitar)
Dennis Burnside, Barry Beckett and Michael Rojas (piano)
Mark O’Connor (fiddle)
Sonny Garrish (steel guitar)
‘At Last‘
Warner Bros. Records 9 26329-2 (1991)
Original Album Sleeve Notes
‘Gregg Brown would like to thank all the musicians and engineers for their endless endurance and creativity; the songwriters, publishers and pluggers who contributed to this record; and most of all Gene for his trust and willingness to go around a few new corners – thank you for your belief.
Gene Watson would like to say ‘Thank you Jim Ed Norman, Martha Sharp (Tuesday 9 February 1937 – Wednesday 11 December 2024), Nick Hunter and all the fine people at Warner Bros. Nashville for the opportunity.
A special thanks to Gregg Brown for his faith and hard work, I really enjoyed making this album.
Thanks to Stan, Mark, Jo, Holly and Bonnie at the agency and D.H. and Larry for their extra effort’.
Gene Watson’s ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991) was produced by Gregg Brown.
Gene Watson’s ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991) reached No.74 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991.
‘At Last’
Warner Bros. Records 9 26329-2 (1991)
Musician Credits
1 ‘At Last’, which was written by Jay Booker and Jack Keller (Wednesday 11 November 1936 – Friday 1 April 2005)
Acoustic Guitar: Mark Casstevens
Piano: Matt Rollings
Bass: Mike Brignardello
Drums: Steve Turner
Steel Guitar: Terry Crisp
Fiddle: Mark O’Connor
Keyboards: Dennis Burnside
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith and Steve Gibson
Percussion: Sam Bacco
Background Vocals: Curtis Young, Dennis Wilson and Lisa Silver
String Arrangements: Bergen White
Strings: The Nashville String Machine
Recorded by Chris Hammond at Omnisound, Nashville
Mixed by Scott Hendricks at the Castle, Franklin, Tennessee
2 ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was written by Larry Cordle, Larry Shell and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017)
Acoustic Guitar: Gregg Galbraith, Bill Hullett and Carl Jackson
Electric Guitar: Brent Mason
Piano: Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022)
Bass: Dave Pomeroy
Drums: Steve Turner
Acoustic Lap Steel: Paul Franklin
Fiddle and Mandolin: Stuart Duncan
Background Vocals: Curtis Young and Dennis Wilson
Recorded by Mike Poole at Treasure Isle, Nashville, Tennessee
Additional Recording by Chris Hammond
Mixed by Scott Hendricks at the Castle, Franklin, Tennessee
3 ‘A Gifted Hand’ (written by Doug Crider and Billy Spencer)
Acoustic Guitar: Mark Casstevens and Chris Leuzinger
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith and Brent Mason
Piano and Keyboards: Dennis Burnside
Bass: Dave Pomeroy
Drums: Steve Turner
Steel Guitar: Paul Franklin
Fiddle: Rob Hajacos
Background Vocals: Curtis Young and Dennis Wilson
Recorded by Mike Poole at Treasure Isle, Nashville, Tennessee
Additional Recording by Chris Hammond
Mixed by Scott Hendricks at the Castle, Franklin, Tennessee
4 ‘You Can’t Get Arrested In Nashville’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024)
Acoustic Guitar: Mark Casstevens and Chris Leuzinger
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Piano: Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022)
Bass: Dave Pomeroy
Drums: Steve Turner
Steel Guitar: Paul Franklin
Fiddle: Stuart Duncan
Harmonica: Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007)
Hammond B-3: Mitch Humphries
Percussion: Sam Bacco
Background Vocals: Curtis Young and Dennis Wilson
Recorded by Mike Poole at Treasure Isle, Nashville, Tennessee
Additional Recording by Chris Hammond
Mixed by Scott Hendricks at the Castle, Franklin, Tennessee
5 ‘She’s Leavin’ Looking Good’ (written by Lewis Anderson)
Acoustic Guitar: Mark Casstevens and Chris Leuzinger
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith and Brent Mason
Piano: Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022)
Bass: Dave Pomeroy
Drums: Steve Turner
Steel Guitar: Paul Franklin
Fiddle: Rob Hajacos
Keyboards: Dennis Burnside
Background Vocals: Curtis Young and Dennis Wilson
Recorded by Mike Poole at Treasure Isle, Nashville, Tennessee
Additional Recording by Chris Hammond
Mixed by Scott Hendricks at the Castle, Franklin, Tennessee
6 ‘This Could Go On Forever’ (written by Jerry Vandiver and Sandy Ramos)
Acoustic Guitar: Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020), Pete Wade (Sunday 16 December 1934 – Tuesday 27 August 2024) and Steve Gibson
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Piano: Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022)
Bass: Larry Paxton
Drums: Steve Turner
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle: Mark O’Connor and Stuart Duncan
Arco Bass: Edgar Meyer
Keyboards: Dennis Burnside
Background Vocals: Curtis Young, Dennis Wilson and Lisa Silver
Recorded by Chris Hammond at Omnisound, Nashville, Tennessee
Mixed by Scott Hendricks at the Castle, Franklin, Tennessee
7 ‘I Catch Myself’, which was written by Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022)
Acoustic Guitar: Mark Casstevens
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Piano: Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022)
Bass: Larry Paxton
Drums: Steve Turner
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle and Viola: Mark O’Connor
Keyboards: Dennis Burnside
Background Vocals: Curtis Young and Dennis Wilson
String Arrangements: Bergen White
Strings: The Nashville String Machine
Recorded by Chris Hammond at Omnisound, Nashville, Tennessee
Mixed by John Hampton at Ardent Studios, Memphis, Tennessee
8 ‘The Workin’ End of A Hoe’ (written by Jim Rushing)
Acoustic Guitar: Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020) and Pete Wade (Sunday 16 December 1934 – Tuesday 27 August 2024)
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Piano: Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022)
Bass: Larry Paxton
Drums, Percussion, Knee Slaps and Finger Snaps: Steve Turner
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle and Mandolin: Mark O’Connor
Fiddle Solo: Stuart Duncan
Lap Steel: Jerry Douglas
Pedal Dobro: Terry Crisp
Background Vocals: Curtis Young and Wayland Patton
Recorded by Chris Hammond at Omnisound, Nashville, Tennessee
Mixed by John Hampton at Ardent Studios, Memphis, Tennessee
9 ‘Only Yesterday’ (written by Bob Regan)
Acoustic Guitar: Mark Casstevens
Electric Guitar and Delveccio Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Piano: Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022)
Bass: Larry Paxton
Drums: Steve Turner
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle: Mark O’Connor
Arco Bass: Edgar Meyer
Tic Tac Bass: Steve Gibson
Marimba: Sam Bacco
Background Vocals: Curtis Young and Dennis Wilson
String Arrangements: Bergen White
Strings: The Nashville String Machine
Recorded by Chris Hammond at Omnisound, Nashville, Tennessee
Mixed by Scott Hendricks at the Castle, Franklin, Tennessee
10 ‘This Country’s Bigger Than Texas’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024)
Acoustic Guitar: Mark Casstevens
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Piano: Matt Rollings
Bass: Mike Brignardello
Drums: Steve Turner
Steel Guitar: Terry Crisp
Fiddle: Mark O’Connor
Electric Guitar and Solo Acoustic Guitar: Chris Leuzinger
Keyboards: Dennis Burnside
Accordion: Jay Spell
Percussion: Sam Bacco
Congas and Percussion: Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021)
Background Vocals: Curtis Young, Dennis Wilson and Lisa Silver
Recorded by Chris Hammond at Omnisound, Nashville, Tennessee
Mixed by Scott Hendricks at the Castle, Franklin, Tennessee
The Nashville String Machine
Concertmaster: Carl Gorodetzky
Violins: Carl Gorodetzky, George Binkley, Dennis Molchan, Pamela Sixfin, Lee Larrison, Connie Ellisor, Ted Mansen, Laura Molyneaux, David Davidson and Mary Kathryn Vanosdale
Viola: Kathryn Plummer, Jim Grosjean, Gary Vanosdale and Virginia Christensen
Cello: Bob Mason and Anthony LaMarchina
Additional Recording in Nashville at the Loft, Recording Arts, Masterfonics, Javelina and Syncro Sound.
Assistant and Additional Engineering: Mark Nevers, Carry Summers, Steve Charles, Patrick Kelly, Robert Charles, Scott Gunter, Dave Parker, Jum DeMain, Graham Lewis, Mike Griffith, Pat Hutchinson and Ed Simonton
Mastering: Denny Purcell at Georgetown Masters
Digital Editing: Carlos Grier
• Read a Country Music People review of Gene Watson’s ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991)
The review, which was written by Craig Baguley, was published in the April 1991 issue of the United Kingdom monthly publication Country Music People.
‘Back In The Fire & At Last’
Morello Records WMRLL66 (2016)