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 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 Bobby Lewis, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 11 August 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Bobby Lewis who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Bobby Lewis
This quote was submitted on Sunday 11 August 2013.
‘Thanks for inviting me to say a few words about my friend Gene Watson.
He sings so good! and always does a great show.
It only takes a few words I guess, awesome sums it all up for the great Gene Watson.
Best wishes from Bobby Lewis, the artist who plays the Lute’
Thank you, Bobby Lewis, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Bobby Lewis…
Bobby Lewis was born on Saturday 9 May 1942 in Hodgenville, Kentucky.
Between 1963 and 1985, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ten albums and charted more than twenty-five songs on the Billboard country music singles chart.
Bobby Lewis used the title ‘The Boy With The Lute’, being perhaps the only country music singer to use this instrument, although it was a 6-string guitar-lute.
In the early 1960s, Bobby Lewis saw the release of three non-album singles, none of which entered the Billboard country music singles chart; ‘I Miss All of You’ in 1963, ‘Forty Dollars A Week’ (written by Bobby Lewis) in 1963, and ‘Crying In Public’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) in 1964.
In May 1966, Bobby Lewis saw the release of his debut album, ‘Little Man With The Big Heart’ (United Artists Records, 1966), which included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Crying In Public’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) / this track was released as a single in 1966, but it did not chart
‘Everybody’s Baby’ (written by Willie Nelson) / this track was released as a single in 1966, but it did not chart
Bobby Lewis’ debut album, ‘Little Man With The Big Heart’ (United Artists Records, 1966), also included the following tracks:
‘Six Days A Week (& Twice on Sunday)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Fred Carter (Sunday 31 December 1933 – Saturday 17 July 2010)
‘What You Were Looking For In Me’, which was written by Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020)
‘You Wouldn’t Cross The Street To Say Goodbye’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘Perfect Example of A Fool’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘Why Me’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘The Local Memory’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘Moment Isn’t Very Long’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘Sweethearts In Heaven’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
In 1966, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘I Hope You Find In Him What You Were Losing In Me’, a non-album single, which did not chart.
In May 1967, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘How Long Has It Been’ (United Artists Records, 1967), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘How Long Has It Been’ (written by Jim Throckmorton and David Snyder) (No.6, 1966)
‘Two of The Usual’, which was written by Fred Carter (Sunday 31 December 1933 – Saturday 17 July 2010) (No.49, 1967)
Bobby Lewis’ ‘How Long Has It Been’ (United Artists Records, 1967), also included the following tracks:
‘It’s Such A Pretty World Today’, which was written by Dale Emerson Noe (Saturday 31 December 1927 – Thursday 4 November 2004)
‘One Bridge At A Time’ (written by Karon Penning)
‘Easy To Say Hard To Do’ (written by Chuck Howard)
‘There Goes My Everything’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘Misty Blue’, which was written by Bob Montgomery (Wednesday 12 May 1937 – Thursday 4 December 2014)
‘Love Me & Make It All Better’, which was written by Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 – Thursday 7 May 1998)
‘Happy Tracks’, which was written by Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020)
‘Walk Through This World With Me’, which was written by Sandra Noreen Seamons (Friday 31 May 1935 – Friday 22 August 2014) and Kaye Jeanne Savage (who passed away on Friday 18 December 2009)
‘You Remind Me of Myself’ (written by Bobby Lewis)
‘It Didn’t Take Me Long’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
Bobby Lewis’ ‘How Long Has It Been’ (United Artists Records, 1967) reached No.39 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1967.
In November 1967, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘A World of Love From Bobby Lewis’ (United Artists Records, 1967), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Love Me & Make It All Better’, which was written by Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 – Thursday 7 May 1998) (No.12, 1967)
Bobby Lewis’ ‘A World of Love’ (United Artists Records, 1967), also included the following tracks:
‘Cause I Love You’, which was written by Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985) and Don Sessions
‘All The Time’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) and Wayne Paul Walker (Sunday 13 December 1925 – Tuesday 2 January 1979)
‘Put A Little Sweetnin’ In Your Love’, which was written by Johnny Bond (Tuesday 1 June 1915 – Monday 12 June 1978) and Joe Maphis (Thursday 12 May 1921 – Friday 27 June 1986)
‘Too Much of You’ (written by Gene Hood)
‘Leave Me Running’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018)
‘These Are The Things I Miss’ (written by Billy Smith)
‘Turn The World Around’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005)
‘Laughing Girl, She Not Happy’, which was written by Jan Crutchfield (Saturday 26 February 1938 – Thursday 1 November 2012)
‘Here We Go Again’ (written by Russell Steagall and Don Lanier)
‘Throw A Little Love My Way’
Bobby Lewis’ ‘A World of Love’ (United Artists Records, 1967) reached No.35 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1967.
In April 1968, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘An Ordinary Miracle’ (United Artists Records, 1968), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Doubt It’, which was written by Johnny MacRae (1929 – Wednesday 3 July 2013) (No.26, 1967)
‘An Ordinary Miracle’ (written by Jim Throckmorton) (No.29, 1968)
Bobby Lewis’ ‘An Ordinary Miracle’ (United Artists Records, 1968) also included the following tracks:
‘Only For Me’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011)
‘Promises Promises’ (written by Wiley Smith and Carlisle Hughey)
‘It’s Gonna Rain Today’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘Before Your Time’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018)
‘My Mind Is A Bridge For Your Memory’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘You Mean The World To Me’, which was written by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015) and Glenn Sutton (Tuesday 28 September 1937 – Tuesday 17 April 2007)
‘Just For You’, which was written by Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012)
‘Before The Next Teardrop Falls’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005) and Vivian Keith
Bobby Lewis’ ‘An Ordinary Miracle’ (United Artists Records, 1968) reached No.40 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1968.
In December 1968, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘From Heaven To Heartache’ (United Artists Records, 1968), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘From Heaven To Heartache’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005) (No.10, 1968)
Bobby Lewis’ ‘From Heaven To Heartache’ (United Artists Records, 1968) also included the following tracks:
‘Come Home To My Heart’, which was written by Country Johnny Mathis (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 27 September 2011)
‘With Pen In Hand’ (written by Bobby Goldsboro)
‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006)
‘Every Step of The Way’, which was written by Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016)
‘Too Close To A Memory’ (written by Billy Ed Wheeler, Jody Rowe and Frank Henderson)
‘That’s How High A Man Can Go’ (written by Kent Westberry and Rusty Adams)
‘Already It’s Heaven’, which was written by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015) and Glenn Sutton (Tuesday 28 September 1937 – Tuesday 17 April 2007)
‘Want Is All You Ever Let Me Do’, which was written by Bobby Harden (Thursday 27 June 1935 – Tuesday 30 May 2006) and Dan Lomax
‘Long Enough To Forget’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018)
‘My (Is Such A Lonely Word)’ (written by Bobby Lewis)
‘I’m Only A Man’ (written by Billy Shane and T. Dale)
In 1969, Bobby Lewis saw the release of a non-album single, ‘Each & Every Part of Me’, which was written by Doc Pomus (Saturday 27 June 1925 – Thursday 14 March 1991) and George Fischoff; the single reached No.27 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
In August 1969, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘Things For You & I’ (United Artists Records, 1969), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Til Something Better Comes Along’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018) (No.41, 1969)
‘Things For You And I’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018) and Earl Sinks (No.25, 1969)
Bobby Lewis’ ‘Things For You & I’ (United Artists Records, 1969) also included the following tracks:
‘I May Never Be Free’ (written by Maurice Bower and Elinor Abend)
‘Somebody Lied To Me’ (written by Bud Reneau and Doyle Marsh)
‘My Special Angel’ (written by Jimmy Duncan)
‘Just For Me’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018)
‘Days of Sand & Shovels’ (written by Bud Reneau and Doyle Marsh)
‘If Not For You’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018)
‘Every Turn of The World’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005)
‘Sweet Bird of Youth’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016)
‘When I Stop Dreaming’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965)
‘Over You’, which was written by Bob Montgomery (Wednesday 12 May 1937 – Thursday 4 December 2014)
In 1970, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘The Best of Bobby Lewis’ (United Artists Records, 1970), which included the following tracks:
‘How Long Has It Been’ (written by Jim Throckmorton and David Snyder) (No.6, 1966)
‘An Ordinary Miracle’ (written by Jim Throckmorton) (No.29, 1968)
‘Two of The Usual’, which was written by Fred Carter (Sunday 31 December 1933 – Saturday 17 July 2010) (No.49, 1967)
‘From Heaven To Heartache’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005) (No.10, 1968)
‘Love Me & Make It All Better’, which was written by Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 – Thursday 7 May 1998) (No.12, 1967)
‘Til Something Better Comes Along’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018) (No.41, 1969)
‘I Doubt It’, which was written by Johnny MacRae (1929 – Wednesday 3 July 2013) (No.26, 1967)
‘Each & Every Part of Me’, which was written by Doc Pomus (Saturday 27 June 1925 – Thursday 14 March 1991) and George Fischoff (No.27, 1969)
‘Things For You & I’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018) and Earl Sinks (No.25, 1969)
‘I May Never Be Free’ (written by Maurice Bower and Elinor Abend) / this track, which was originally included on Bobby Lewis’ ‘Things For You & I’ (United Artists Records, 1969), was not released as a single
‘I’m Going Home’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) / this track was new to this collection
‘All The Time’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) and Wayne Paul Walker (Sunday 13 December 1925 – Tuesday 2 January 1979) / this track, which was originally included on Bobby Lewis’ ‘A World of Love’ (United Artists Records, 1967), was not released as a single
Between 1970 and 1973, Bobby Lewis saw the release of a number of singles, some of which charted on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Hello Mary Lou’, which was written by Gene Pitney (Monday 17 February 1941 – Wednesday 5 April 2006) and Father Cayet Mangiaracina (No.14, 1970) / this track also reached No.9 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970
‘Simple Days & Simple Ways’ (No.67, 1970)
‘He Gives Us All His Love’ / this track was released in 1971, but it did not chart
‘If I Had You’ (No.51, 1971)
‘Today’s Teardrops’ (No.45, 1971)
‘We Ran Out of Time’ / this track was released as a single in 1972, but it did not chart
‘Already Gone To My Heart’ / this track was released as a single in 1973, but it did not chart
‘Here With You’ (No.95, 1973)
In 1973, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘Too Many Memories’ (Ace of Hearts Records, 1973), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Too Many Memories’ (written by Rory Bourke and Gayle Barnhill) (No.21, 1973)
‘I Never Get Through Missing You’ (written by Arthur Kent and Frank Stanton) (No.32, 1974)
‘Lady Lover’ (No.47, 1974)
‘I See Love’ (No.78, 1974)
Bobby Lewis’ ‘Too Many Memories’ (Ace of Hearts Records, 1973) also included the following tracks:
‘Memories of Tulsa’
‘The Ways of A Country Girl’
‘Your Love’
‘Hitchin’ Rides To Memories In My Mind’
‘With Meaning’ (written by Bobby Lewis)
‘Forgive Me When I’m Hard To Love’
‘My Angel’s Only Human’
In 1975, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘Let Me Take Care of You’, a non-album single, which reached No.71 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
In 1976, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘Portrait In Love’ (Red Pony Records, 1976), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘It’s So Nice To Be With You’ (No.79, 1975)
‘For Your Love’ (written by Ed Towsend) (No.52, 1976)
Bobby Lewis’ ‘Portrait In Love’ (Red Pony Records, 1976) also included the following tracks:
‘Your Love’
‘I Never Get Through Missing You’ (written by Arthur Kent and Frank Stanton) (No.32, 1974)
‘Meaning of Love’
‘I See Love’
‘Ways of A Country Girl’
‘Love Me & Make It All Better’, which was written by Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 – Thursday 7 May 1998) (No.12, 1967)
‘With Meaning’ (written by Bobby Lewis)
‘Lady Lover’
‘Already Gone To My Heart’
In 1977, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘A Soul Full of Music’ (Red Pony Records, 1977), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I’m Getting High Remembering’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016) (No.74, 1977)
Bobby Lewis’ ‘A Soul Full of Music’ (Red Pony Records, 1977) also included the following tracks:
‘Too Many Memories’ (written by Rory Bourke and Gayle Barnhill) (No.21, 1973)
‘Memories of Tulsa’ (written by Billy Arr and Bob Hampton)
‘My Angel’s Only Human’ (written by Chuck Rogers, Johnny Wilson and Warren Farrar)
‘Let Me Take Care of You’ (written by Arthur Kent and Frank Stanton)
‘Hello Mary Lou’, which was written by Gene Pitney (Monday 17 February 1941 – Wednesday 5 April 2006) and Father Cayet Mangiaracina (No.14, 1970) / this track also reached No.9 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970
‘How Long Has It Been’ (written by Jim Throckmorton and David Snyder)
‘Hitchin’ Rides To Memories In My Mind’, which was written by Lionel Alton Delmore (Tuesday 19 March 1940 – Monday 20 May 2002)
‘From Heaven To Heartache’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005) (No.10, 1968)
‘Forgive Me When I’m Hard To Love’, which was written by Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016)
Between 1977 and 1985, Bobby Lewis saw the release of the following non-album singles, most of which appeared on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘What A Difference A Day Made’, which was written by Maria Grever (14 September 1885 – Saturday 15 December 1951) and Stanley Adams (14 August 1907 – Thursday 27 January 1994) (No.81, 1977)
‘She’s Been Keepin’ Me Up Nights’ (written by Sam Lorber, John R. Potts and Jeff Silbar) (No.39, 1979)
‘Love Wouldn’t Be Love Without You’ / this track was released as a single in 1979, but it did not chart
‘Love Is An Overload’ (written by Bill Rice and Mary S. Rice) (No.91, 1985)
In 1981, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘I See Love’ (Cookie Records, 1981), which included the following tracks:
‘Too Many Memories’ (written by Rory Bourke and Gayle Barnhill) (No.21, 1973)
‘Memories of Tulsa’ (written by Billy Arr and Bob Hampton)
‘My Angel’s Only Human’ (written by Chuck Rogers, Johnny Wilson and Warren Farrar)
‘Let Me Take Care of You’ (written by Arthur Kent and Frank Stanton)
‘Hello Mary Lou’, which was written by Gene Pitney (Monday 17 February 1941 – Wednesday 5 April 2006) and Father Cayet Mangiaracina (No.14, 1970) / this track also reached No.9 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970
‘I See Love’
‘Ways of A Country Girl’
‘Love Me & Make It All Better’, which was written by Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 – Thursday 7 May 1998) (No.12, 1967)
‘With Meaning’ (written by Bobby Lewis)
‘Lady Lover’
In 1981, Bobby Lewis saw the release of ‘For Your Love’ (Album Globe Distribution Company, 1981), which included the following tracks:
‘How Long Has It Been’ (written by Jim Throckmorton and David Snyder)
‘Hitchin’ Rides To Memories In My Mind’, which was written by Lionel Alton Delmore (Tuesday 19 March 1940 – Monday 20 May 2002)
‘From Heaven To Heartache’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005) (No.10, 1968)
‘Forgive Me When I’m Hard To Love’, which was written by Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016)
‘I’m Getting High Remembering’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016) (No.74, 1977)
‘For Your Love’ (written by Ed Towsend) (No.52, 1976)
‘Your Love’
‘I Never Get Through Missing You’ (written by Arthur Kent and Frank Stanton) (No.32, 1974)
‘The Meaning of Love
‘It’s So Nice To Be With You’
In 2011, Bobby Lewis joined the roster at Heart of Texas Records, based in Brady, Texas, and saw the release of ‘Then & Now’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2011), which included the following tracks:
‘Everything’s Good In Texas’
‘From Heaven To Heartache’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005) / the original version of this track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1968
‘Hello Mary Lou’, which was written by Gene Pitney (Monday 17 February 1941 – Wednesday 5 April 2006) and Father Cayet Mangiaracina / the original version of this track reached No.14 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970, and No.9 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970
‘Love Me & Make It All Better’, which was written by Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 – Thursday 7 May 1998) / the original version of this track reached No.12 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1967
‘There’s Nothing Better’
‘How Long Has It Been’ (written by Jim Throckmorton and David Snyder) / the original version of this track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966
‘Put A Little Sweetnin’ In Your Love’
‘Already Gone To My Heart’
‘Just A Drink Away’
‘Throw A Little Love My Way’
‘She Just Loved You Out of Me’
‘Doggone This Heartache’
Bobby Lewis’ ‘Then & Now’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2011) was produced by Jim Loessberg, who also played drums and steel guitar on the album; other musicians involved in the project included Jake Hooker, Bobby Flores (Sunday 18 June 1961 – Thursday 23 June 2022), T. Jarrod Bonta and Dave Biller.
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