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 during 2013, 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 Blake Mevis, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 5 February 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Blake Mevis who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
(Note: Gene Watson photo in background)
(Photo courtesy of Country Music Foundation)
Blake Mevis
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 5 February 2013.
‘I do not know Gene personally, but he has surely left a mark that all that have come after him, can look up to’
Thank you, Blake Mevis, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Blake Mevis…
Blake Mevis hailed from Plymouth, Indiana; his career spanned some three decades and played a key roll in the sales of over seventy-five million albums.
As a songwriter, Blake Mevis penned such great songs as ‘If You Think You Need A Stranger’ (co-written with David Wills) and ‘Fool Hearted Memory’ (co-written with Alan R. Mevis and Byron Hill) for George Strait, ‘Brokenheartsville’ (co-written with Donny Kees, Randy Boudreaux and Clint Daniels) for Joe Nichols, and ‘Night Games’, which was co-written with Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017) for Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020).
Blake Mevis’ producer credits include the multi-platinum selling albums, ‘Strait Country’ (MCA Records,1981) and ‘Strait From The Heart’ (MCA Records, 1982) from George Strait.
Blake Mevis also produced Keith Whitley’s ‘LA To Miami’ (RCA Records, 1985).
Having a great eye for spotting talent, Blake Mevis played a crucial roll in developing the careers of Trace Atkins, Billy Currington and Suzy Bogguss.
Blake Mevis was a well respected publisher within the country music community, having opened Blake Mevis Music in 1983.
England Dan Seals (Sunday 8 February 1948 – Wednesday 25 March 2009) & John Ford Coley recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘If The World Ran Out of Love Tonight’ (co-written with Michael Garvin, Admiral S. Clay Wilson and Kelly Wilson) and included the track on ‘Some Things Don’t Come Easy’ (Big Tree Records, 1978).
On Thursday 12 June 1975, Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘His Lovin’ Told Me He Was Gone’ (co-written with William C. Hall and Bill Haymes); the track was subsequently included on ‘Out of My Head & Back In My Bed’ (MCA Records, 1978).
Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 – Thursday 11 June 2015) and Helen Cornelius recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘If The World Ran Out of Love Tonight’ (co-written with Michael Garvin, Admiral S. Clay Wilson and Kelly Wilson) and included track on ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’ (RCA Records, 1979).
Charlie Rich (Wednesday 14 December 1932 – Tuesday 25 July 1995) recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘I Love My Lady’ (co-written with James Dowell) and included the track on ‘Once A Drifter’ (Elektra Records, 1980).
Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017) recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘I’ve Got You To Thank For That’, which was co-written with Don Pfrimmer (Thursday 9 September 1937 – Monday 7 December 2015), and included the track on ‘Especially For You’ (MCA Records, 1981).
On Friday 4 September 1981, George Strait saw the release of his debut album, ‘Strait Country’ (MCA Records, 1981), which was produced by Blake Mevis, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Unwound’, which was written by Dean Dillon and Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) (No.6, 1981)
‘Down & Out’, which was written by Dean Dillon and Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) (No.16, 1981)
‘If You’re Thinking You Want A Stranger (There’s One Coming Home)’ (written by Blake Mevis and David Wills) (No.3, 1982)
George Strait’s ‘Strait Country’ (MCA Records, 1981) also included the following tracks:
‘Honky Tonk Downstairs’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘I Get Along With You’, which was written by Dean Dillon, Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012), Murray F. Cannon, Raleigh Squires and Jimmy Darrell
‘Friday Night Fever’, which was written by Dean Dillon, Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) and Blake Mevis
‘She’s Playing Hell Trying To Get Me To Heaven’, which was written by Dean Dillon, David Wills and Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022)
‘Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heart’, which was written by Dean Dillon and Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012)
On Thursday 3 June 1982, George Strait saw the release of ‘Strait From The Heart’ (MCA Records, 1982), which was produced by Blake Mevis, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Fool Hearted Memory’ (written by Byron Hill and Alan R. Mevis) (No.1 for one week in August / September 1982)
‘Marina Del Rey’, which was written by Dean Dillon and Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) (No.6, 1982)
‘Amarillo By Morning’ (written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser) (No.4, 1983)
‘A Fire I Can’t Put Out’ (written by Darryl Staedtler) (No.1 for one week in September 1983)
George Strait’s ‘Strait From The Heart’ (MCA Records, 1982) also included the following tracks:
‘Honky Tonk Crazy’, which was written by Dean Dillon and Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012)
‘I Can’t See Texas From Here’ (written by George Strait)
‘Lover In Disguise’ (written by Blake Mevis and Jim Dowell)
‘Heartbroke’, which was written by Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016)
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘Night Games’, which was co-written with Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017), and included the track on ‘Night Games’ (RCA Records, 1983); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1983.
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘I Could Let Her Get Close To Me’ (co-written with Bill Shore and David Wills) and included the track on ‘Night Games’ (RCA Records, 1983).
Charley Pride‘s ‘Night Games’ (RCA Records, 1983) also included ‘Down In Louisiana’, which was written by Keith Stegall and Jim McBride.
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘My Heart Is In Good Hands’ (co-written with Bill Shore) and included the track on ‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong’ (Compleat Records, 1983).
In 1983, The Kendalls – Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) & Jeannie Kendall – in an experimental move, recorded their album ‘Movin’ Train’ (Mercury Records, 1983) with three different producers. Brian Ahern cut four tracks in California, while additional sessions were directed by Jerry Gillespie in Muscle Shoals and Blake Mevis in Nashville.
One of the tracks produced by Blake Mevis on The Kendalls’ ‘Movin’ Train’ (Mercury Records, 1983) was ‘Thank God For The Radio’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Robert John Jones (No.1 for one week in April 1984).
In January 1984, David Wills saw the release of ‘New Beginnings’ (RCA Victor Records, 1984), which was produced by Blake Mevis, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Those Nights, These Days’ (written by Bill Shore and David Wills) (No.52, 1983)
‘Eyes of A Stranger’, which was written by Stephen Allen Davis (Tuesday 4 October 1949 – Monday 26 December 2022) (No.19, 1983)
‘Miss Understanding’ (written by Blake Mevis, Bill Shore, Byron Gallimore and David Wills) (No.26, 1984)
‘Lady In Waiting’ (written by Bill Shore and David Wills) (No.31, 1984)
David Wills‘ ‘New Beginnings’ (RCA Victor Records, 1984) also included the following tracks:
‘Too Good To Be Blue’ (written by Blake Mevis, Bill Shore, Byron Gallimore and David Wills)
‘One More Shot’ (written by Paul Kennerley)
Personnel involved in the recording of David Wills‘ ‘New Beginnings’ (RCA Victor Records, 1984) included the following:
Fred Newell, Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020), Bobby Thompson (Monday 5 July 1937 – Wednesday 18 May 2005) and Chip Young (guitar)
Sonny Garrish (steel guitar)
Larry Paxton and David Hungate (bass)
Jerry Kroon (drums)
David Briggs and Mitch Humphries (piano)
Shane Keister (synthesizer)
The Nashville String Machine (strings)
Donna Hazard, Donna McElroy, Lisa Silver and Curtis Young (vocals)
David Wills‘ ‘New Beginnings’ (RCA Victor Records, 1984), which was recorded, in November 1983, at Music City Music Hall in Nashville, reached No.62 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1984.
In April 1984, Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) saw the release of ‘There Is A Season’ (Compleat Records, 1984), which was produced by Blake Mevis, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Can Tell By The Way You Dance (You’re Gonna Love Me Tonight)’ (written by Sandy Pinkard and Robb Strandlund) (No.1 for one week in June / July 1984)
‘What Would Your Memories Do’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Dean Dillon (No.10, 1984)
‘Slow Burnin’ Memory’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) (No.10, 1984)
Vern Gosdin‘s ‘There Is A Season’ (Compleat Records, 1984) also included the following tracks:
‘Love Me Right To The End’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009)
‘How Can I Believe In You (When You’ll Be Leavin’ Me)’, which was written by Buddy Cannon and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009)
‘Slow Healing Heart’ (written by Jim Rushing)
‘Dead From The Heart On Down’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009)
‘Stone Cold Heart’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009)
‘I’ve Got A Heart Full of You’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009)
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘Missin’ Mississippi’ (co-written with Bill Shore and Byron Gallimore) and included the track on ‘The Power of Love’ (RCA Records, 1984); the track reached No.32 on the Billboard country music singles chart in late 1984.
In 1984, Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley saw the release of ‘Alive & Well’ (Columbia Records, 1984), which was produced by Blake Mevis, and reached No.21 on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart; the album included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Where’s The Dress’ (written by Tony Stampley, Hoy Lindsey and George Cummings) (No.8, 1984)
‘Boy’s Night Out’ (written by Joe Stampley, Tony Stampley and David Rosson) (No.36, 1984)
‘Daddy’s Honky Tonk’, which was written by Bobby Keel, Buck Moore (Wednesday 3 January 1934 – Tuesday 10 September 2013) and Gordon Evans (No.48, 1984)
‘Still On A Roll’ (written by Blake Mevis, John Greenbaum and Becky Hobbs) (No.58, 1984)
Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley‘s ‘Alive & Well’ (Columbia Records, 1984) also included ‘He’s Back In Texas Again’ (written by Troy Seals and Wood Newton) and ‘Wildfire Sanctuary’ (written by Blake Mevis and Byron Gallimore).
Gene Watson recorded ‘He’s Back In Texas Again’ (written by Troy Seals and Wood Newton) and included the track on ‘Uncharted Mind‘ (Step One Records, 1993).
On Monday 1 October 1984, Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) saw the release of ‘A Hard Act To Follow’ (RCA Records, 1984), a 5-track Extended Play (EP) disc, which was produced by Blake Mevis, and included two tracks, which hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Turn Me To Love’, which was written by Wayland D. Holyfield and Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017) (No.59, 1984)
‘A Hard Act To Follow’ (written by Gary Nicholson and David Chamberlain) (No.76, 1984)
Keith Whitley’s ‘A Hard Act To Follow’ (RCA Records, 1984) also included the following tracks:
‘Living Like There’s No Tomorrow (Finally Got To Me Tonight)’ (written by Jim McBride and Roger Murrah)
‘If A Broken Heart Could Kill’, which was written by Wayland D. Holyfield, Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017) and Allen Henson
‘If You Think I’m Crazy Now (You Should Have Seen Me When I Was A Kid)’ (written by Bob McDill)
‘Don’t Our Love Look Natural’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Don Cook
On Monday 28 October 1985, Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) saw the release of ‘L.A. To Miami’ (RCA Records, 1985), which was produced by Blake Mevis, and included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I’ve Got The Heart For You’ (written by Larry Boone and John Greenebaum) (No.57, 1985)
‘Miami, My Amy’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Dean Dillon and Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018) (No.14, 1985)
‘Ten Feet Away’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), Troy Seals and Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015) (No.9, 1986)
‘Homecoming ’63’, which was written by Dean Dillon and Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018) (No.9, 1986)
‘Hard Living’ (written by David Halley) (No.10, 1987)
Keith Whitley’s ‘L.A. To Miami’ (RCA Records, 1985) also included the following tracks:
‘I Get The Picture’ (written by Don Cook and Fred Koller)
‘On The Other Hand’ (written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz)
‘That Stuff’ (written by Sonny Curtis and Ron Hellard)
‘Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her’ (written by Dean Dillon)
In 1987, Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) & Earl Thomas Conley (Friday 17 October 1941 – Wednesday 10 April 2019) recorded ‘Brotherly Love’ (written by Jimmy Stewart and Tim Nichols), as a duet, but the track was not included on an album until it concurrently appeared on Keith Whitley’s (posthumous) ‘Kentucky Bluebird’ (RCA Records, 1991) and Earl Thomas Conley‘s ‘Yours Truly’ (RCA Records, 1991).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) & Earl Thomas Conley‘s ‘Brotherly Love’ (written by Jimmy Stewart and Tim Nichols), which was produced by Blake Mevis and James Stroud, was released on Monday 26 August 1991, charted for twenty weeks on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart, peaking at No.2 in 1991, holding the position for one week.
In 1992, Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) and Earl Thomas Conley‘s ‘Brotherly Love’ (written by Jimmy Stewart and Tim Nichols) was nominated by the Country Music Association (CMA) for ‘Vocal Event of The Year’.
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘You Took Me There’ (co-written with Byron Gallimore and Bill Shore) and included the track on ‘After All This Time’ (16th Avenue Records, 1987).
On Tuesday 31 May 1988, Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) saw the release of ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ (RCA Records, 1988), which was produced by Garth Fundis, Blake Mevis and Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989), and included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Would These Arms Be In Your Way’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015) (No.36, 1987)
‘Some Old Side Road’ (written by Roger Ferris) (No.16, 1987)
‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ (written by Bob McDill) (No.1 for one week in August 1988)
‘When You Say Nothing At All’ (written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz) (No.1 for two weeks in December 1988 / January 1989)
‘I’m No Stranger To The Rain’ (written by Sonny Curtis and Ron Hellard) (No.1 for one week in April 1989)
Keith Whitley’s ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ (RCA Records, 1988) also included the following tracks:
‘Flying Colors’ (written by Kim Morrison and Gary Talley)
‘It’s All Coming Back To Me Now’, which was written by Don Cook, Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989)
‘Lucky Dog’, which was written by Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023) and Verlon Thompson
‘The Birmingham Turnaround’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
‘Day In The Life of A Fool’ (written by Mike Dekle and Byron Hill)
‘Honky Tonk Heart’ (written by Johnny Neel and Lonnie Wilson)
Dean Dillon recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘Holed Up In Some Honky Tonk’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) and Dean Dillon, and included the track on ‘Out of Your Ever Lovin’ Mind’ (Atlantic Records, 1991).
Dean Dillon recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘Holed Up In Some Honky Tonk’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) and Dean Dillon, and included the track on ‘Hot, Country & Single’ (Atlantic Records, 1991).
On Wednesday 16 January 1991, Martin Delray saw the release of his debut album, ‘Get Rhythm’ (Atlantic Records, 1991), which was produced by Blake Mevis, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Get Rhythm’, which was written by Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) (No.27, 1991) / this track featured guest vocals from Johnny Cash, who also appeared in the promotional video for the song
‘Lillie’s White Lies’ (No.58, 1991)
‘Who, What, Where, When, Why, How’ (No.51, 1992)
On Tuesday 10 November 1992, Martin Delray saw the release of his second album, ‘What Kind of Man’ (Atlantic Records, 1992), which was produced by Blake Mevis, and included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘What Kind of Man’ (No.61, 1992)
Martin Delray’s second album, ‘What Kind of Man’ (Atlantic Records, 1992), also included one tracks:
‘Sometimes She Forgets’
‘Twang’
‘What Was I Thinkin’
‘Trying To Keep A Few Things Warm’
‘Solid Rock’
‘The Wound’
‘Nobody Wants You’
‘Settlin’ Up’
‘Ring Around The Moon’
On Tuesday 27 September 1994, BNA Records saw the release of ‘Keith Whitley: A Tribute’ (BNA Records, 1994), a various artists compilation album, which was dedicated to Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) and was produced by Blake Mevis.
‘Keith Whitley: A Tribute’ (BNA Records, 1994) included renditions of Keith Whitley’s songs by various country music artists, as well as the original track, ‘Little Boy Lost’, co-written and sung by Daron Norwood (Thursday 30 September 1965 – Wednesday 22 July 2015), and four previously unreleased songs from Keith Whitley: ‘I’m Gonna Hurt Her On The Radio’, ‘Charlotte’s In North Carolina’, ‘The Comeback Kid’ and ‘I Just Want You’, the latter track featured his widow, Lorrie Morgan, who was dubbed in as a duet partner.
‘Keith Whitley: A Tribute’ (BNA Records, 1994) included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ (written by Bob McDill) / this track was performed by Alan Jackson
‘Ten Feet Away’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), Troy Seals and Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015) / this track was performed by Diamond Rio
‘I’m Gonna Hurt Her On The Radio’ (written by Tom Brasfield and Mac McAnally) / this track was performed by Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) / this track was previously un-issued
‘I’m Over You’ (written by Tim Nichols and Zack Turner) / this track was performed by Tracy Lawrence
‘When You Say Nothing At All’ (written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz) / this track, which was performed by Alison Krauss, was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995, reaching No.3
‘Charlotte’s In North Carolina’, which was written by Dean Dillon, Blake Mevis, Kent M. Robbins (Wednesday 23 April 1947 – Saturday 27 December 1997) and David Wills / this track was performed by Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) / this track was previously un-issued
‘I Just Want You’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Troy Seals / this track was performed by Lorrie Morgan and Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) / this track was previously un-issued
‘Little Boy Lost’, which was written by Daron Norwood (Thursday 30 September 1965 – Wednesday 22 July 2015) and Wayne Perry / this track was performed by Daron Norwood (Thursday 30 September 1965 – Wednesday 22 July 2015)
‘All I Ever Loved Was You’ (written by Dorothy Skaggs) / this track was performed by Shenandoah and Ricky Skaggs
‘I’m No Stranger To The Rain’ (written by Sonny Curtis and Ron Hellard) / this track was performed by Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020)
‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’, which was written by Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019) / this track was performed by Mark Chesnutt
‘The Comeback Kid’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Dean Dillon and Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) / this track was performed by Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) / this track was previously un-issued
‘A Voice Still Rings True’, which was written by Larry Cordle and Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 – Tuesday 17 April 2018) / this track was performed by All-Star Band (including John Anderson, Steve Wariner, Sawyer Brown, Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) and Ricky Skaggs on lead vocals, with backing vocals from Tanya Tucker, Mark Collie, T. Graham Brown, Deborah Allen, Rhonda Vincent, Dean Dillon, Turner Nichols, Earl Thomas Conley (Friday 17 October 1941 – Wednesday 10 April 2019), Larry Cordle and Ken Mellons)
On Tuesday 27 June 1995, Lorrie Morgan saw the release of ‘Reflections: Greatest Hits’ (BNA Records, 1995), which included tracks produced by Blake Mevis, Barry Beckett, Garth Fundis, Richard Landis, Mike Love, Doug Rich, James Stroud, Joe Thomas and Brian Wilson.
Lorrie Morgan’s ‘Reflections: Greatest Hits’ (BNA Records, 1995) included the following tracks:
‘Five Minutes’ (written by Beth Nielsen Chapman) (No.1 for one week in April 1990)
‘Dear Me’, which was written by Carson Whitsett (Tuesday 1 May 1945 – Tuesday 8 May 2007) and Scott Mateer (No.9, 1989)
‘Except For Monday’, which was written by Reed Nielsen (1950 – Saturday 15 November 2014) (No.4, 1991)
‘A Picture of Me (Without You)’, which was written by Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017) and George Richey (Saturday 30 November 1935 – Saturday 31 July 2010) (No.9, 1991)
‘Watch Me’ (written by Tom Shapiro and Gary Burr) (No.2, 1992)
‘Something In Red’ (written by Angela Kaset) (No.14, 1992)
‘Back In Your Arms Again’, which was written by J. Fred Knobloch and Paul Davis (Wednesday 21 April 1948 – Tuesday 22 April 2008) (No.4, 1995)
‘I Didn’t Know My Own Strength’, which was written by Rick Bowles and Robert Byrne (Saturday 10 July 1954 – Monday 27 June 2005) (No.1 for one week in August 1995)
‘Standing Tall’, which was written by Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012) and Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005) (No.32, 1995)
‘What Part of No’, which was written by Darrell ‘Wayne’ Perry (1950 – Sunday 15 May 2005) and Gerald Smith (No.1 for two weeks in February / March 1993)
‘Til A Tear Becomes A Rose’ (written by Bill Rice and Sharon Rice) (No.13, 1990) / this track was a duet with Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989)
On Tuesday 17 September 1996, Mila Mason saw the release of her debut album, ‘That’s Enough of That’ (Atlantic Records, 1996), which was produced by Blake Mevis, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘That’s Enough of That’ (written by Randy Albright, Mark D. Sanders and Lisa Silver) (No.18, 1996)
‘Dark Horse’ (written by Amanda Marshall, Dean McTaggart and David Tyson) (No.21, 1997)
‘That’s The Kinda Love (That I’m Talkin’ About)’ (written by Lew Bakey) (No.59, 1997)
Mila Mason’s debut album, ‘That’s Enough of That’ (Atlantic Records, 1996) also included the following tracks:
‘That’s What I Call Love’ (written by Mickey Cates and Tommy Lee James)
‘Hot To Molly’ (written by Raymond Faulknor, Blake Lasater and Ed Lasater)
‘Tonight I Know I Will’ (written by Daniele Alexander and Gary Scruggs)
‘I Don’t Need A Man To Live With’ (written by Danielle Alexander and Karl Hasten)
‘Heart Without A Past’ (written by Bob DiPiero and John Scott Sherrill)
‘Troublemaker’ (written by Suzy Ragsdale and Verlon Thompson)
‘I Do’ (written by Roberta Schiller)
Personnel involved in the recording of Mila Mason’s debut album, ‘That’s Enough of That’ (Atlantic Records, 1996) included the following:
Larry Byrom (slide guitar)
Mark Casstevens and Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar)
Glen Duncan (fiddle)
Sonny Garrish (pedal steel guitar)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (keyboards)
Christopher James, David James and Liana Manis (background vocals)
Kirk ‘Jelly Roll’ Johnson (harmonica)
Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Mila Mason (lead vocals)
Matt Rollings (piano, keyboards)
Lonnie Wilson (drums)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
Mila Mason’s debut album, ‘That’s Enough of That’ (Atlantic Records, 1996) reached No.43 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1996, No.37 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart in 1996, and No.20 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1996.
On Tuesday 20 January 1998, Mila Mason saw the release of ‘The Strong One’ (Atlantic Records, 1998), which was produced by Blake Mevis, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Closer To Heaven’ (written by Bill Luther and Aimee Mayo) (No.31, 1998)
‘The Strong One’ (written by Byron Hill and Cyril Rawson) (No.57, 1998)
Mila Mason’s ‘The Strong One’ (Atlantic Records, 1998) also included the following tracks:
‘This Heart’ (written by Al Anderson and Robert Ellis Orrall)
‘Don’t Maybe Me’ (written by Kimberlye Gold and Holly Lamar)
‘Let Me Cry’ (written by Buffy Lawson and Tony Marty)
‘Bossa My Heart’ (written by Chapin Hartford)
‘One Thing Led To Another’, which was written by Don Pfrimmer (Thursday 9 September 1937 – Monday 7 December 2015) and Lindy Gravelle
‘You & Only You’ (written by Kostas and Wally Wilson)
’10lb Heart’ (written by Nick Pellegrino and Kenya Walker)
‘Blood Simple’ (written by Susan Longacre and Rick Giles)
Personnel involved in the recording of Mila Mason’s ‘The Strong One’ (Atlantic Records, 1998) included the following:
Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar)
Glen Duncan (fiddle)
Sonny Garrish (pedal steel guitar)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (piano)
David James, Jonell Mosser, Jonell Mosser and Nan Sumrall (background vocals)
Carl Marsh (strings)
Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Mila Mason (lead vocals)
Lonnie Wilson (drums)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
Mila Mason’s ‘The Strong One’ (Atlantic Records, 1998) reached No.38 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1998, and No.31 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart in 1998.
On Tuesday 27 March 2001, Clay Walker saw the release of ‘Say No More’ (Giant Records, 2001), which was produced by Byron Gallimore, Brent Mason, Blake Mevis and Clay Walker, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Say No More’ (written by George Teren and Tom Shapiro) (No.33, 2001)
‘If You Ever Feel Like Lovin’ Me Again’ (written by Jeff Stevens, Steve Bogard and Jerry Kilgore) (No.27, 2001)
Clay Walker‘s ‘Say No More’ (Giant Records, 2001) also included the following tracks:
‘Real’ (written by Ron Harbin, Noah Gordon and Richie McDonald)
‘Could I Ask You Not To Dance’ (written by Ron Harbin, Anthony L. Smith and Aaron Barker)
‘La Bamba’, which was written by Ritchie Valens (Tuesday 13 May 1941 – Tuesday 3 February 1959)
‘You Deliver Me’ (written by Brian Ede Nash, David Pearson and Mike Post)
‘I Love It’ (written by Phillip Douglas, Ron Harbin and Jimmy Yeary)
‘She’s Easy To Hold’, which was written by Clay Walker, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Kent Blazy
‘Rough Around The Edges’, which was written by Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), Lance Miller and Darryl Worley
‘Texas Swing’, which was written by Clay Walker, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and L. David Lewis
‘So Much More’ (written by M. Jason Greene and Clay Walker)
Personnel involved in the recording of Clay Walker‘s ‘Say No More’ (Giant Records, 2001) included the following:
Steven R. Conn (squeeze box on ‘La Bamba’)
Shannon Forrest (drums)
Larry Franklin (fiddle on ‘She’s Easy To Hold’ and ‘Rough Around The Edges’)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Tony Harrell and Matt Rollings (piano)
Michael Haynes (horns on ‘La Bamba’)
Aubrey Haynie (fiddle)
Wes Hightower, Gene Miller, Chris Rodriguez and John Wesley Ryles (background vocals)
Dirk Johnson (synthesizer)
B. James Lowry and Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Steve Nathan (keyboards)
Javier Solis (congas on ‘La Bamba’)
Bryan Sutton (acoustic guitar on ‘Rough Around The Edges’ and ‘Texas Swing’)
Clay Walker (lead vocals)
Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Lonnie Wilson (drums)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
Clay Walker‘s ‘Say No More’ (Giant Records, 2001) reached No.14 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2001.
Joe Nichols recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘Brokenheartsville’ (co-written with Donny Kees, Randy Boudreaux and Clint Daniels) and included the track on ‘Man With A Memory’ (Universal South Records, 2002); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in March / April 2003.
On Tuesday 11 March 2003, Craig Morgan saw the release of ‘I Love It’ (Broken Bow Records, 2003), which was produced by Craig Morgan, Phil O’Donnell and D. Scott Miller; the executive producer of the project was Blake Mevis.
Craig Morgan’s ‘I Love It’ (Broken Bow Records, 2003) included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘God, Family & Country’ (written by Lance McDaniel, Craig Morris and Craig Morgan) (No.49, 2002)
‘Almost Home’ (written by Craig Morgan and Kerry Kurt Phillips) (No.6, 2002)
‘Every Friday Afternoon’ (written by Jimmy Melton and Neal Coty) (No.25, 2003)
‘Look At Us’ (written by Larry Bastian, Buddy Cannon and Craig Morgan) (No.27, 2004)
Craig Morgan’s ‘I Love It’ (Broken Bow Records, 2003) also included the following tracks:
‘I Love It’ (written by Philip Douglas, Ron Harbin and Jimmy Yeary)
‘In The Dream’ (written by Don Koch and Craig Morgan)
‘You Never Know’ (written by Chris Bain, Phil O’Donnell and Craig Morgan)
‘What You Do To Me’ (written by Steve Dean and Wil Nance)
‘Every Friday Afternoon’ (written by Jimmy Melton and Neal Coty)
‘Where Has My Hometown Gone’ (written by Craig Morgan, Phil O’Donnell and Jeff Carson)
‘Always Be Mine’ (written by Jeremy Campbell and Noah Gordon)
‘Money’ (written by Jeremy Campbell, Phil O’Donnell and Noah Gordon)
Personnel involved in the recording of Craig Morgan’s ‘I Love It’ (Broken Bow Records, 2003) included the following:
Tracks 1 – 10 (‘I Love It’, ‘Almost Home’, ‘Look At Us’, ‘In The Dream’, ‘You Never Know’, ‘What You Do To Me’, ‘Every Friday Afternoon’, ‘Where Has My Hometown Gone’, ‘Always Be Mine’ and ‘Money’)
Larry Beaird (acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin)
Mike Brignardello (bass guitar)
Glen Duncan and Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Mike Johnson (steel guitar, Dobro)
Jeff King (electric guitar)
Paul Leim and Chris McHugh (drums)
Craig Morgan (lead vocals, background vocals)
Jimmy Nichols (piano, keyboards, Hammond organ)
Phil O’Donnell (acoustic guitar, harmonica)
Russell Terrell (background vocals)
Track 11 (‘God, Family & Country’)
Randy Hardison (Saturday 11 March 1961 – Tuesday 4 June 2002) (drums)
Larry Paxton (bass guitar)
Jonathan Yudkin (strings)
4 Runner
Jim Chapman (bass vocals)
Lee Hilliard (tenor vocals)
Craig Morris (baritone vocals, piano)
Michael Lusk (baritone vocals)
Craig Morgan’s ‘I Love It’ (Broken Bow Records, 2003) reached No.16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2003, No.124 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart in 2003, No.1 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart in 2003, and No.4 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart in 2003.
Keith Bryant recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘She Danced’ (co-written with Randy Boudreaux) and included the track on ‘Live It Slow’ (S&S Mack Records, 2007); the track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2007, but it did not chart.
Jeff Griffiths recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘Holed Up In Some Honky Tonk’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) and Dean Dillon, and included the track on ‘If It Ain’t One Thing, It’s Another’ (Arrowhead Records, 2007).
Jon Wolfe recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘His New Baby’ (co-written with Tony Ramey and Lane Turner) and included the track on ‘It All Happened In A Honky Tonk’ (Fool Hearted Productions, 2010); the album was re-issued by Warner Bros. Records, as a ‘deluxe edition’, on Tuesday 15 January 2013.
Bucky Covington recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘Hold A Woman’ (co-written with Gordon Bradberry and Tony Ramey) and included the track on ‘Good Guys’ (Entertainment One Music Records, 2012).
Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Blake Mevis’ ‘Christmas Without Mary’ (co-written with William Shore and David Wills) and saw the track included, as one of three bonus tracks, on the CD issue of ‘Christmas In My Home Town’ (Music City Records, 2013); the original LP version of Charley Pride‘s ‘Christmas In My Home Town’ was released by RCA Victor Records in November 1970.
On Wednesday 9 February 2022, Blake Mevis passed away, at the age of 73, from a COVID-related stroke and double pneumonia.
(Note: Gene Watson photo in background)
(Photo courtesy of Country Music Foundation)
• Blake Mevis