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 2019, 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 Tomberlin, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 27 June 2019.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Bobby Tomberlin who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Bobby Tomberlin
This quote was submitted on Thursday 27 June 2019.
‘Gene Watson…How can I possibly put all of my feelings of admiration for Gene in one quote? I’ll try.
When I was a kid, I heard ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘ and I was hooked. From that moment on, I was begging my folks to buy me the new Gene Watson record. I have them all.
Songs like ‘Fourteen Karat Mind’, ‘Paper Rosie‘, ‘The Old Man & His Horn’, ‘Pick The Wildwood Flower’, ‘Should I Go Home’ and ‘Raising Cane In Texas’ are the reasons that I wanted to be a songwriter.
I was a disc jockey at the age of 11, in my hometown of Luverne, Alabama and I played all of his singles, plus album cuts.
I saw him for the first time at the Hank Williams Memorial Show.
I got to go on Gene’s bus and interview him. I couldn’t believe that I was meeting one of my heroes.
I’ve seen him many times since then and was honored to be on the same Country’s Family Reunion Show earlier this year.
Now, having Gene record one of my songs is on my bucket list. You never know. Dreams come true’
Thank you, Bobby Tomberlin, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Bobby Tomberlin…
Bobby Tomberlin is an Alabama native, and serves on the Legislative Committee and is NSAI’s liaison to the California Songwriters Association.
Bobby Tomberlin began working locally in country music radio at the age of twelve, before moving to Nashville in 1990 to focus on a songwriting career.
Bobby Tomberlin was given his first publishing contract by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) and is currently a staff songwriter for Curb Music Publishing in Nashville.
Since then, Bobby Tomberlin’s songwriting credits include Diamond Rio‘s ‘One More Day’ and Darryl Worley‘s ‘A Good Day To Run’, as well as enjoying cuts from, amongst others, Faith Hill, Terri Clark, Chely Wright, Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020), Joe Nichols, Josh Turner, Rodney Atkins, Russ Taff, Ty Herndon, Lee Greenwood, Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008), The Oak Ridge Boys, and Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007).
In 2002, ‘One More Day’ was nominated for Grammy, Country Music Association (CMA) and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards and spawned an inspirational book by the same name.
Bobby Tomberlin also does voiceover work, and his voice can be heard on DVD projects for Michael McDonald, Peter Frampton, Trace Adkins and The B52s.
Don Cox recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘A Month of Somedays’ (co-written with Mike McGuire) and included the track on ‘All Over Town’ (Step One Records, 1994).
Linda Davis recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Love Didn’t Do It’ (co-written with Steven Dale Jones) and included the track on ‘Shoot For The Moon’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1994); the track, which reached No.58 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994, was subsequently included on Linda Davis‘ ‘I’m Yours’ (DreamWorks Records, 1998).
Russ Taff recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘One & Only Love’ (co-written with Steven Dale Jones) and included the track on ‘Winds of Change’ (Reprise Records, 1995); the track reached No.51 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995.
Chely Wright recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘The Love He Left Behind’ (co-written with Steven Dale Jones) and included the track on ‘Right In The Middle of It’ (Polydor Records, 1996).
Diamond Rio recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘She Misses Him On Sunday The Most’ (co-written with Steven Dale Jones) and included the track on ‘IV’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1996); the track was released as a single in Germany only.
Diamond Rio recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘She Sure Did Like To Run’ (co-written with Walt Aldridge) and included the track on ‘IV’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1996).
Tammy Graham recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Houdini’ (co-written with Mark Marmore and Mark D. Sanders) and included the track on ‘Tammy Graham’ (Career Records, 1997).
Darryl Worley recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘A Good Day To Run’ (co-written with Darryl Worley) and included the track on ‘Hard Rain Don’t Last’ (DreamWorks Nashville Records, 2000); the track reached No.12 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2000, and No.76 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2000.
Diamond Rio recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘One More Day’ (co-written with Steven Dale Jones) and included the track on ‘One More Day’ (Arista Nashville Records, 2001); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for two non-consecutive weeks in March / April 2001, No.6 on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks Chart in 2001, and No.29 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2001.
In 2002, Diamond Rio‘s recording of Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘One More Day’ (co-written with Steven Dale Jones) was nominated for Grammy, Country Music Association (CMA) and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards and spawned an inspirational book by the same name.
Moore & Moore (Debbie Moore and Carrie Moore) recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Let’s Forget While The Forgetting’s Good’ (co-written with Debbie Moore) and included the track on ‘Million Roses’ (DOV Records, 2001).
Ty Herndon recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘A Few Short Years’ (co-written with Sonny Tillis) and included the track on ‘This Is Ty Herndon: Greatest Hits’ (Epic Records, 2002); the track reached No.55 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2002.
Ronnie McDowell recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘When A Woman’s In Love’ (co-written with Gilles Godard) and included the track on ‘Country’ (Curb Records, 2002).
Daniel Rose recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘What I Wouldn’t Give’ (co-written with Candy Cameron) and included the track on ‘Daniel Rose’ (RCD Records, 2002).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘727 East Magnolia Avenue’ (co-written with Steven Dale Jones) and included the track on ‘Back To The Well’ (Dreamcatcher Records, 2003).
Lee Greenwood recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘When A Woman’s In Love’ (co-written with Gilles Godard) and included the track on ‘Stronger Than Time’ (Curb Records, 2003).
Times Five recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘One More Day’ (co-written with Steven Dale Jones) and included the track on ‘Hanapa’a’ (Poi Pounder Records, 2003).
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘This Time Last Year’ (co-written with Gilles Godard and Robbie Wittkowski) and included the track on ‘Tougher Than Nails’ (Broken Bow Records, 2004).
Faith Hill recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘I Want You’ (co-written with Rivers Rutherford) and included the track on ‘Fireflies’ (Warner Bros. Nashville Records, 2005).
Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008) recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘If Only’ and included the track on ‘After All These Years’ (RCA Records, 2005).
Terri Clark recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Everybody’s Gotta Go Sometime’ (co-written with Terri Clark and Gilles Godard) and included the track on ‘Life Goes On’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 2005).
Rodney Atkins recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Angel’s Hands’ (co-written with Rodney Atkins and Nicole Witt) and included the track on ‘If You’re Going Through Hell’ (Curb Records, 2006).
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘A Feeling Like That’ and included the track on ‘Front Row Seats’ (Spring Hill Records, 2006).
Josh Turner recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘The Way He Was Raised’ (co-written with Mark Narmore and Josh Turner) and included the track on ‘Everything Is Fine’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2007).
On Saturday 9 January 2008, Joe Nichols performed Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Why In The Hell Do You Think I Drink’, for the first time, at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, Texas.
Zane Lewis recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Becky Brown’s Daddy’ (co-written with Curt Ryle) and included the track on ‘Zane Lewis’ (Slant Records, 2008).
River County – Derek Wylie (lead vocals), Chris Presley (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, background vocals) and Jake Hehman (keyboards, harmonies) – recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Becky Brown’s Daddy’ (co-written with Curt Ryle) and included the track on ‘Rockin’ The Country’ (River County Music Records, 2008).
Rustie Blue recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Hooked On Honky Tonk’ (co-written with Gilles Godard and Jay Knowles) and included the track on ‘Stronger Than Steel’ (Center Stage Productions, 2008).
Candi Carpenter recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Shaking Loose’ (co-written with Candi Carpenter and Shayne Fair) and included the track on ‘The House of Dysfunction’ (CD Baby, 2008).
On Friday 1 January 2010, Bobby Tomberlin saw the release of ‘Living In The Wild’ (Bobby Tomberlin Independent Release, 2010), which included the following tracks:
‘Introduction’ / this track featured Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015)
‘It Only Happens In The Country’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin, Candi Carpenter and Mark Narmore)
‘Money Tree’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin, Mark Narmore and Josh Turner)
‘Someday’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin, Andrew Dorff and Matt Jenkins)
‘Why Do You Think I Drink’, which was written by Bobby Tomberlin, Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) and Robbie Wittkowski
‘I Want You’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin and Rivers Rutherford)
‘Conversation With The Devil’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin, Candi Carpenter and Mark Narmore)
‘Back of A Cadillac’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin and Jon McElroy)
‘Southern Way’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin and Steve Wariner)
‘Five Forever’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin, Bill Anderson and Candi Carpenter)
‘Wherever She Is’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin, Bill Anderson and Jim Martin)
‘727 East Magnolia Avenue’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin and Steven Dale Jones)
‘I Ain’t Leaving Here Without You’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin, Gilles Godard and Paul Williams)
‘Some Things You Just Shouldn’t Do’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin and Steve Dorff)
‘You’ve Got It Made’, which was written by Bobby Tomberlin, Phil Everly (Thursday 19 January 1939 – Friday 3 January 2014) and Robbie Wittkowski
‘Living In The Wild’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin, Brandon Kinney and Jeff Ross)
‘If Only’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin and Steve Dorff)
‘Little Love Story: The Story of Little Jimmy & Mona Dickens’, which was written by Bobby Tomberlin, Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015) and Robbie Wittkowski / this track was listed as a ‘bonus track’
Rya Ehle recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘You Can’t Hear My Heart Break’ (co-written with Andrew Dorff and Rya Ehle) and included the track on ‘Table No.9’ (Mantra Music Group, 2010).
Katrina Elam recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Dream Big’ (co-written with Steve Dorff) and included the track on ‘Pure Country 2: The Gift’ (WaterTower Music, 2011).
Thompson Square (Kiefer Thompson & Shawna Thompson) recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘If It Takes All Night’ (co-written with Westin Davis, Kiefer Thompson and Shawna Thompson) and included the track on ‘Thompson Square’ (Stoney Creek Records, 2011).
Cale Moon recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘A Country Song’ (co-written with Steve Dorff and Cale Moon) and included the track on ‘The Beginning’ (Cale Moon Independent Release, 2011).
Bill Anderson recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Wherever She Is’ (co-written with Bill Anderson and Jim Martin) and included the track on ‘Songwriter’ (TWI Records, 2011).
Bobby G. Rice recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Far Cry From Being Over You’ (co-written with Bobby G. Rice and Robbie Wittkowski) and included the track on ‘Down In Texas’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2012).
Chris Rivers recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘New Meaning To Lonesome’ (co-written with Chris Rivers) and included the track on ‘New Meaning To Lonesome’ (CRE Records, 2012).
Mo Pitney recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Country’ (co-written with Bill Anderson and Mo Pitney) and included the track on ‘Behind This Guitar’ (Curb Records, 2014); the track reached No.40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2014, and No.35 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart in 2014.
Barbra Streisand recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘I’d Want It To Be You’ (co-written with Steve Dorff and Jay Landers) and included the track on ‘Partners’ (Columbia Records, 2014); the track was a duet with Blake Shelton.
Waipuna, featuring Nathalie Ai Kamauu, recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘One More Day’ (co-written with Steven Dale Jones) and included the track on ‘E Mau Ke Aloha’ (Poki Records, 2014).
T.G. Sheppard recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘The Killer’ (co-written with Kelly Lang and T.G. Sheppard) and included the track on ‘Legendary Friends & Country Duets’ (Cleopatra Records, 2015); the track was dedicated to Jerry Lee Lewis (Sunday 29 September 1935 – Friday 28 October 2022).
In 2016, Bobby Tomberlin saw the release of ‘Out of Road’ (Curb Music, 2016), which was produced by Bobby Tomberlin and PJ West, and included the following tracks:
‘I’ve Run Out of Road’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin, Dean Dillon and Mo Pitney)
‘The Grand Ole Opry’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin and J.P. Williams) / this track featured guest vocals from Vince Gill and Bill Anderson
‘The Songwriter’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin, Terry Faust and Bobby Bare) / this track featured guest vocals from Bobby Bare
‘One More Day’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin)
‘Wherever She Is’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin)
‘Lightning In A Bottle’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin)
‘Closing Time’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin)
‘I’d Rather Be Here (Than Gone)’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin)
‘Damn This Memory’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin)
‘Looking For Audrey’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin, Linda Davis and Bill Whyte) / this track featured guest vocals from Linda Davis and Hilary Williams
‘A Right Turn’ (written by Bobby Tomberlin and Sylvia) / this track featured guest vocals from Sylvia
At the time of the release of ‘Out of Road’ (Curb Music, 2016), Bobby Tomberlin stated that he was influenced by a number of writers and artists, including Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), Hank Williams Jr., James Taylor, Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021), Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), and Jackson Browne.
Tony Jackson recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘I Didn’t Wake Up This Morning’ (co-written with Bill Anderson and Mo Pitney) and included the track on his self-titled debut album, ‘Tony Jackson’ (DDS Entertainment, 2017).
Tony Jackson recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘They Lived It Up’ (co-written with Bill Anderson and Lance Miller) and included the track on his self-titled debut album, ‘Tony Jackson’ (DDS Entertainment, 2017).
Showing his versatility as an entertainer, Bobby Tomberlin appeared in, and was an executive producer of, ‘Wheeler’ (Momentum Pictures, 2017), a country music film, which starred Stephen Dorff and Kris Kristofferson.
‘Wheeler’ (Momentum Pictures, 2017) was the story of an aspiring musician from Kaufman, Texas who travels to Nashville with the lifelong dream of trying his hand at country music. ‘By embodying the title character under prosthetic make up, actor Stephen Dorff successfully infiltrated Music City and took his character on an authentic singer / songwriter journey’.
Hilary Williams recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Free’ (co-written with Shayne Fair and Hilary Williams) and included the track on ‘My Lucky Scars’ (Hilary Williams Independent Release, 2018).
In June 2019, Rhonda Vincent saw the release, on Upper Management Music, of ‘Like I Could’, a non-album single, which was written by Bobby Tomberlin, Jeannie Seely and Erin Enderlin.
Moe Bandy recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘A Love Like That’ (co-written with Mo Pitney and Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘A Love Like That’ (Spur Records, 2020); the album was produced by Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020).
Moe Bandy recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘Heartache Doesn’t Have A Closin’ Time’ (co-written with Shayne Fair and Candi Carpenter) and included the track on ‘A Love Like That’ (Spur Records, 2020); the album was produced by Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020).
Moe Bandy recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘You Can’t Go Home’ (co-written with Steven Dale Jones and Jim B. Martin) and included the track on ‘A Love Like That’ (Spur Records, 2020); the album was produced by Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020).
Moe Bandy recorded Bobby Tomberlin’s ‘What If’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘A Love Like That’ (Spur Records, 2020); the album was produced by Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020).
• Visit Bobby Tomberlin’s official site at bobbytomberlinmusic.com