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 Bruce C. Bouton, which he submitted to this site on Wednesday 23 January 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Bruce C. Bouton who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Bruce C. Bouton
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 23 January 2013.
‘Gene Watson is one of the top singers in my country music book and has been a big influence to me.
I was thrilled when he included my song, ‘This Wanting You’, which I co-wrote with T. Graham Brown and Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022), on the marvelous duet album he did with the fabulous Rhonda Vincent‘
Thank you, Bruce C. Bouton, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Bruce C. Bouton…
photo © Michael Weintrob Photography
Bruce C. Bouton was born in South Carolina, but was raised in Virginia outside of District of Columbia.
Bruce C Bouton played regular guitar for awhile and then started playing steel guitar while attending college in Richmond, Virginia. His first guitar was a double neck Emmons, and the lap steel guitar came later.
During his high school days, Bruce C. Bouton sang in the choir and madrigals.
In the early days of his music career, Bruce C. Bouton worked with Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 – Wednesday 4 September 1991), Freddie Hart (Tuesday 21 December 1926 – Saturday 27 October 2018), Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Ray Flacke, Jimmy C. Newman (Monday 29 August 1927 – Saturday 21 June 2014) and Lacy J. Dalton, prior to his work with Ricky Skaggs, who was Bruce’s first opportunity to participate in recording sessions.
This was, in effect, the beginning of Bruce C. Bouton’s recording career.
During the 1980s, the name of steel guitar player Bruce C. Bouton was synonymously linked to Ricky Skaggs and his band.
Although famous steel guitar players such as Buddy Emmons (Wednesday 27 January 1937 – Wednesday 29 July 2015), Lloyd Green and Weldon Myrick (Monday 10 April 1939 – Monday 2 June 2014) were on a number of Ricky Skaggs’ early recordings, Bruce C. Bouton drew everyone’s attention with his tasteful backings, solos, licks and creamy sounds on his Emmons push-pull D10, which contributed a lot to Ricky Skaggs success.
Bruce C. Bouton was a major part of the Ricky Skaggs album ‘Ricky Skaggs: Live In London’ (Epic Records, 1986). Later on, Bruce C. Bouton became an in-demand steel guitar player for studio session work and became involved in several recording sessions for Garth Brooks and Shania Twain.
In 2000, Bruce C. Bouton was invited by Dutch steel player and teacher Johan Jansen to take part in a steel seminar during the ‘Steeldays 2000’ event, which was held near Arnhem, in the south-eastern part of The Netherlands; it was at this time that Bruce C. Bouton achieved fame with his skillful instruction on the Homespun videotape ‘Learn To Play E9th’.
In the years between 2008 and 2011, Bruce C. Bouton toured, and recorded with, Reba McEntire.
Please Note
Segments of the information above about Bruce C. Bouton were taken from an interview, conducted with Bruce C. Bouton, by Jan Visser in The Netherlands, in January 2011.
Bruce C. Bouton played steel guitar, on all tracks, on Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Waitin’ For The Sun To Shine’ (Epic Records, 1981), which was released in May 1981, and was produced by Ricky Skaggs.
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Waitin’ For The Sun To Shine’ (Epic Records, 1981) included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Don’t Get Above Your Raising’, which was written by Lester Flatt (Friday 19 June 1914 – Friday 11 May 1979) and Earl Scruggs (Sunday 6 January 1924 – Wednesday 28 March 2012) (No.16, 1981)
‘You May See Me Walking’ (written by Tom Uhr) (No.9, 1981)
‘Crying My Heart Out Over You’, which was written by Carl Butler (Thursday 2 June 1927 – Friday 4 September 1992), Lester Flatt (Friday 19 June 1914 – Friday 11 May 1979), Earl Scruggs (Sunday 6 January 1924 – Wednesday 28 March 2012) and Earl Sherry (No.1 for one week in April / May 1982)
‘I Don’t Care’, which was written by Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991) and Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) (No.1 for one week in July / August 1982)
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Waitin’ For The Sun To Shine’ (Epic Records, 1981) also included the following tracks:
‘If That’s The Way You Feel’, which was written by Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 – Thursday 23 June 2016), Peggy Stanley and Carter Stanley (Thursday 27 August 1925 – Thursday 1 December 1966)
‘Your Old Love Letters’, which was written by Johnny Bond (Tuesday 1 June 1915 – Monday 12 June 1978)
‘Low & Lonely’, which was written by Fred Rose (Floyd Jenkins) (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954)
‘Waitin’ For The Sun To Shine’ (written by Sonny Throckmorton)
‘Lost To A Stranger’ (written by Frankie Brown)
‘So Round, So Firm, So Roundly Packed’, which was written by Merle Travis (Thursday 29 November 1917 – Thursday 20 October 1983), Cliffie Stone (Thursday 1 March 1917 – Saturday 17 January 1998) and Edward Merle Kirk (Friday 21 March 1919 – Friday 27 June 1997)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Waitin’ For The Sun To Shine’ (Epic Records, 1981) included the following:
Ricky Skaggs (vocal, guitar, mandolin, violin)
Ray Flacke and Sonny Curtis (guitar)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar)
Joe Osborne (bass)
Jerry Kroon (drums)
Bobby Hicks (fiddle)
Dennis Burnside and Buck White (piano, keyboards)
Lea Jane Berinati, Cheryl White and Sharon White (vocals)
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Waitin’ For The Sun To Shine’ (Epic Records, 1981) reached No.2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1981, and No.77 on the Billboard Top pop music albums chart in 1981.
On Sunday 16 May 1982, Ricky Skaggs became the youngest member of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Bruce C. Bouton, Lloyd Green and Weldon Myrick (Monday 10 April 1939 – Monday 2 June 2014) played steel guitar, on all tracks, on Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Highways & Heartaches’ (Epic Records, 1982), which was released in September 1982.
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Highways & Heartaches’ (Epic Records, 1982), which was produced by Ricky Skaggs, included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Heartbroke’, which was written by Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) (No.1 for one week in November 1982)
‘Highway 40 Blues’ (written by Larry Cordle) (No.1 for one week in July 1983)
‘I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could’ (written by Paul Jones and Arthur Q. Smith) (No.1 for one week in March 1983)
‘You’ve Got A Lover’ (written by Shake Russell) (No.2, 1982)
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Highways & Heartaches’ (Epic Records, 1982) also included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Think I’ll Cry’ (written by Wayland Patton)
‘Don’t Let Your Sweet Love Die’ (written by Clarke VanNess and Zeke Clements)
‘Nothing Can Hurt You’ (written by John Salz)
‘Can’t You Hear Me Calling’, which was written by Bill Monroe (Wednesday 13 September 1911 – Monday 9 September 1996)
‘Let’s Love The Bad Times Away’ (written by Wayland Patton)
‘One Way Rider’ (written by Rodney Crowell)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Highways & Heartaches’ (Epic Records, 1982) included the following:
Ricky Skaggs (vocal, guitar, mandolin, violin)
Ray Flacke (guitar)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Lloyd Green, Weldon Myrick (Monday 10 April 1939 – Monday 2 June 2014) and Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar)
Joe Osborne, Jesse Chambers and Ernie Ball (bass)
Jerry Kroon, Eddie Bayers and Rod Price (drums, percussion)
Bobby Hicks (fiddle)
Bela Fleck (banjo)
Dennis Burnside, Buck White and Mickey Merritt (piano, keyboards)
Lea Jane Berinati, George Grantham and Sharon White (vocals)
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Highways & Heartaches’ (Epic Records, 1982) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1982, and No.61 on the Billboard Top pop music albums chart in 1982.
Bruce C. Bouton, Hank DeVito and Weldon Myrick (Monday 10 April 1939 – Monday 2 June 2014) played steel guitar, on all tracks, on Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown’ (Epic Records, 1983), which was released in October 1983.
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown’ (Epic Records, 1983), which was produced by Ricky Skaggs, included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown’, which was written by Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020) and Roy E. Marcum (No.1 for one week in February 1984)
‘Honey (Open That Door)’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) (No.1 for one week in June 1984)
‘Uncle Pen’, which was written by Bill Monroe (Wednesday 13 September 1911 – Monday 9 September 1996) (No.1 for one week in October 1984)
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown’ (Epic Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘A Wound Time Can’t Erase’ (written by Bill D. Johnson)
‘Vision of Mother’, which was written by Carter Stanley (Thursday 27 August 1925 – Thursday 1 December 1966) and Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 – Thursday 23 June 2016)
‘Head Over Heels In Love With You’, which was written by Lester Flatt (Friday 19 June 1914 – Friday 11 May 1979)
‘Don’t Step Over An Old Love’ (written by Fred Stryker) / this track was a duet with Dolly Parton
‘She’s More To Be Pitied’ (written by Ruby Rakes)
‘Keep A Memory’, which was written by Carter Stanley (Thursday 27 August 1925 – Thursday 1 December 1966)
‘Children, Go Where I Send Thee’ (traditional)
Personnel involved iin the recording of Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown’ (Epic Records, 1983) included the following:
Ricky Skaggs (vocal, guitar, mandolin, violin)
Brian Ahern, Ray Flacke and Albert Lee (guitar)
Bruce C. Bouton and Hank DeVito (steel guitar)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Emory Gordy, Ernie Ball and Jesse Chambers (bass)
George Grantham and John Ware (drums)
Glenn D. Hardin, Mickey Merritt and Buck White (piano)
Bobby Hicks (fiddle)
Lou Reid and Marc Pruett (banjo)
Bobby Hardin, Dolly Parton, Cheryl White and Sharon White (vocals)
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Don’t Cheat In Our Hometown’ (Epic Records, 1983) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
Bruce C. Bouton, Lloyd Green and Buddy Gene Emmons (Wednesday 27 January 1937 – Wednesday 29 July 2015) played steel guitar, on all tracks, on Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Country Boy’ (Epic Records, 1984), which was released in October 1984.
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Country Boy’ (Epic Records, 1984), which was produced by Ricky Skaggs, included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Something In My Heart’ (written by Wayland Patton) (No.2, February 1985)
‘Country Boy’ (written by Tony Colton, Ray Smith and Albert Lee) (No.1 for one week in June 1985)
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Country Boy’ (Epic Records, 1984) also included the following tracks:
‘Patiently Waiting’ (written by Larry Cordle)
‘Two Highways’ (written by Larry Cordle)
‘Wheel Hoss’, which was written by Bill Monroe (Wednesday 13 September 1911 – Monday 9 September 1996) (instrumental)
‘Rendezvous’ (written by Peter Rowan)
‘Brand New Me’ (written by Carl Chambers)
‘Window Up Above’, which was written by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013)
‘Baby, I’m In Love With You’ (written by Cliff Massey and Arbie Gibson)
‘I’m Ready To Go’ (written by William York)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Country Boy’ (Epic Records, 1984) included the following:
Ricky Skaggs (vocal, guitar, mandolin, violin)
Albert Lee (guitar)
Lloyd Green, Bruce C. Bouton and Buddy Gene Emmons (Wednesday 27 January 1937 – Wednesday 29 July 2015) (steel guitar)
Joe Osborne and Jesse Chambers (bass)
Eddie Bayers and George Grantham (drums)
Dennis Burnside, Gary Smith and Buck White (piano)
Bobby Hicks (fiddle)
Lou Reid (banjo, vocals)
Bill Monroe (Wednesday 13 September 1911 – Monday 9 September 1996) (mandolin)
Crom Tidwell (kazoo)
Molly Bright (vocals)
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Country Boy’ (Epic Records, 1984) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1984, and No.182 on the Billboard Top 200 pop music albums chart in 1984.
Bruce C. Bouton played steel guitar and Dobro, on all tracks, on Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Ricky Skaggs: Live In London’ (Epic Records, 1985), which was recorded ‘live’ in Dominion Theatre in London, England in early 1985; the album was released in October 1985.
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Ricky Skaggs: Live In London’ (Epic Records, 1985), which was produced by Ricky Skaggs, included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘You Make Me Feel Like A Man’ (written by Peter Rowan) (No.7, 1985)
‘Cajun Moon’ (written by Jim Rushing) (No.1 for one week in April 1986)
‘I’ve Got A New Heartache’, which was written by Wayne P. Walker and Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) (No.10, 1986)
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Ricky Skaggs: Live In London’ (Epic Records, 1985) also included the following tracks:
‘Uncle Pen’, which was written by Bill Monroe (Wednesday 13 September 1911 – Monday 9 September 1996) (No.1 for one week in October 1984)
‘Heartbroke’, which was written by Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) (No.1 for one week in November 1982)
‘She Didn’t Say Why’ (written by Wayland Patton)
‘Country Boy’ (written by Tony Colton, Ray Smith and Albert Lee) (No.1 for one week in June 1985)
‘Rockin’ The Boat’ (written by Jim Rushing and Ricky Skaggs)
‘Honey (Open That Door)’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) (No.1 for one week in June 1984)
‘Don’t Get Above Your Raising’, which was written by Lester Flatt (Friday 19 June 1914 – Friday 11 May 1979) and Earl Scruggs (Sunday 6 January 1924 – Wednesday 28 March 2012) (No.16, 1981)
Personnel involved in the recording of Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Ricky Skaggs: Live In London’ (Epic Records, 1985) included the following:
Ricky Skaggs (vocal, mandolin, fiddle)
Richard Dennison (guitar, vocal)
Lou Reid (guitar, banjo, fiddle, vocal)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar, Dobro)
Jesse Chambers (bass)
Gary Smith (piano)
Bobby Hicks (fiddle, banjo)
Elvis Costello (vocal)
Ricky Skaggs’ ‘Ricky Skaggs: Live In London’ (Epic Records, 1985) reached No.1 on the Billbaord Top Country Albums Chart in 1985.
T. Graham Brown recorded Bruce C. Bouton’s ‘This Wanting You’, which was co-written with T. Graham Brown and Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022), and included the track on ‘Come As You Were’ (Capitol Records, 1988).
Mark Collie recorded Bruce Bouton’s ‘Deliver Me’ (co-written with Mark Collie) and included the track on ‘Hardin County Line’ (MCA Records, 1990).
Bruce C. Bouton played steel guitar, on all tracks, on Garth Brooks’ self-titled debut album, ‘Garth Brooks’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1989), which was released on Wednesday 12 April 1989.
Garth Brooks’ self-titled debut album, ‘Garth Brooks’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1989), which was produced by Allen Reynolds, included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Much Too Old (To Feel This Damn Old)’ (written by Randy Taylor and Garth Brooks) (No.8, 1989)
‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ (written by Kent Blazy and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in December 1989)
‘Not Counting You’ (written by Garth Brooks) (No.2, 1990)
‘The Dance’ (written by Tony Arata) (No.1 for two weeks in July 1990)
Garth Brooks’ self-titled debut album, ‘Garth Brooks’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1989), also included the following tracks:
‘I’ve Got A Bad Thing Going’ (written by Larry Bastian, Sandy Mahl and Garth Brooks)
‘Everytime That It Rains’ (written by Garth Brooks and Ty England)
‘Alabama Clay’, which was written by Ronny Scaife (1947 – Wednesday 3 November 2010) and Larry Cordle
‘Cowboy Bill’ (written by Larry Bastian and Ed Berghoff)
‘Nobody Gets Off In This Town’, which was written by Dewayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021) and Larry Bastian
‘I know One’, which was written by ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 – Thursday 8 August 2013)
Personnel involved in the recording of Garth Brooks’ self-titled debut album, ‘Garth Brooks’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1989), included the following:
Chris Leuzinger and Mark Casstevens (guitar)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar)
Mike Chapman (bass)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Bobby Wood (keyboards)
Nashville String Machine (George Binkley, John Borg, Roy Christensen, Carl Gorodetzky, Dennis Molchan, Pamela Sixfin and Gary Vanosdale) (strings)
Trisha Yearwood, Hurshel Wayne Wiginton (Saturday 29 January 1938 – Monday 6 March 2017), Curtis Young, Wayland Patton, Kathy Chiavola, Jennifer O’Brien and Wendy Suits Johnson (vocals)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) (arrangements)
Garth Brooks’ self-titled debut album, ‘Garth Brooks’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1989), reached No.2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1989, and No.13 on the Billboard Top 200 pop music albums chart in 1989.
Bruce C. Bouton played steel guitar and provided background vocals, on all tracks, on Garth Brooks’ ‘No Fences’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1990), which was released on Monday 27 August 1990.
Garth Brooks’ ‘No Fences’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1990), which was produced by Allen Reynolds, included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Friends In Low Places’, which was written by Dewayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021) and Earl Bud Lee (No.1 for three weeks in October 1990)
‘Unanswered Prayers’ (written by Pat Alger, Larry Bastian and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in January 1991)
‘Two of A Kind, Workin’ On A Full House’ (written by Dennis Robbins, Bobby Boyd and Warren Haynes) (No.1 for one week in March / April 1991)
‘The Thunder Rolls’ (written by Pat Alger and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in June 1991)
‘Wild Horses’ (written by Bill Shore and Earl Bud Lee) (No.7, 2000) / this track, which was a re-recording, also reached No.50 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2000
Garth Brooks’ ‘No Fences’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1990) also included the following tracks:
‘New Way To Fly’, which was written by Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks
‘Victim of The Game’ (written by Mark D. Sanders and Garth Brooks)
‘Same Old Story’ (written by Tony Arata)
‘Mr. Blue’, which was written by Dewayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021)
‘Wolves’ (written by Stephanie Davis)
Personnel involved in the recording of Garth Brooks’ ‘No Fences’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1990) included the following:
Chris Leuzinger, Steve McClure, Pat Alger, Mark Casstevens, Johnny Christopher and Ty England (guitar)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar)
Mike Chapman, Edgar Meyer and Tim Bowers (bass)
Mike Palmer and Milton Sledge (drums, percussion)
Rob Hajacos, Dave Gant and James Garver (fiddle)
Bobby Wood (piano, keyboards)
Nashville String Machine (George Binkley, John Borg, Carl Gorodetzky, Lee Larrison, Dennis Molchan, Pamela Sixfin, Gary Vanosdale, Kristin Wilkinson and Mark Tanner) (strings)
Trisha Yearwood, Hurshel Wayne Wiginton (Saturday 29 January 1938 – Monday 6 March 2017), Curtis Young, Wendy Suits Johnson and Jennifer O’Brien (vocals)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) (arrangements)
Garth Brooks’ ‘No Fences’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1990) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1990, and No.3 on the Billboard Top pop music albums chart in 1990.
Bruce C. Bouton played lap steel and pedal steel guitars, and Dobro, on all tracks, on Garth Brooks’ ‘Ropin’ The Wind’ (Liberty Records, 1991), which was released on Tuesday 10 September 1991.
Garth Brooks’ ‘Ropin’ The Wind’ (Liberty Records, 1991), which was produced by Allen Reynolds, included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Rodeo’ (written by Larry Bastian) (No.3, 1991)
‘Shameless’ (written by Billy Joel) (No.1 for one week in November 1991)
‘What She’s Doing Now’ (written by Pat Alger and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for three weeks in February / March 1992)
‘Papa Loved Mama’, which was written by Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks (No.3, 1992)
‘The River’ (written by Victoria Shaw and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in July 1992)
Garth Brooks’ ‘Ropin’ The Wind’ (Liberty Records, 1991) also included the following tracks:
‘Against The Grain’ (written by Bruce C. Bouton, Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson)
‘Burning Bridges’ (written by Stephanie Brown and Garth Brooks)
‘Cold Shoulder’, which was written by Kent Blazy, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks
‘We Bury The Hatchet’ (written by Royal Wade Kimes and Garth Brooks)
‘In Lonesome Dove’ (written by Cynthia Limbaugh and Garth Brooks)
Personnel involved in the recording of Garth Brooks’ ‘Ropin’ The Wind’ (Liberty Records, 1991) included the following:
Chris Leuzinger, Steve McClure, James Garver, Mark Casstevens and Ty England (guitar)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Mike Chapman and Edgar Meyer (bass)
Betty Smittle (bass guitar)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021), Milton Sledge and Mike Palmer (drums, percussion)
Rob Hajacos and Dave Gant (fiddle)
Bobby Wood (keyboards)
Sam Bush (mandolin)
George Binkley, Robert Mason, David Angell, John Catchings, Roy Christensen, David Davidson, Connie Ellisor, Carl Gorodetzky, Anthony LaMarchina, Lee Larrison, Ted Madsen, Thomas McAninch, Dennis Molchan, Craig Nelson, Kathryn Plummer, Pamela Sixfin, Bruce Sweetman, Julia Tanner, Alan Umstead, Catherine Umstead, Gary Vanosdale, Kristin Wilkinson, Joann Cruthirds, Richard Grosjean, Paul Tobias, Antoine Silverman, Monisa Angell, Elizabeth Stewart, Karen Winkelmann, Bruce Christensen, Randall Olson, Cate Myer, Jocelyn Jones and Janet Askey (strings)
Trisha Yearwood, Susan Ashton, Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson (vocals)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) (arangements)
Garth Brooks’ ‘Ropin’ The Wind’ (Liberty Records, 1991) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991, and No.1 on the Billboard Top pop music albums chart in 1991.
Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) recorded Bruce Bouton’s ‘Who’s Minding The Garden’ (co-written with Alice Randall) and included the track on ‘Wings of Victory’ (New Haven Records, 1992).
Bruce C. Bouton played steel guitar, on all tracks, on Garth Brooks’ ‘Beyond The Season’ (Liberty Records, 1992), which was released on Tuesday 25 August 1992.
Garth Brooks’ ‘Beyond The Season’ (Liberty Records, 1992), which was produced by Allen Reynolds, included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘The Old Man’s Back In Town’ (written by Larry Bastian, Randy Taylor and Garth Brooks) (No.48, 1992)
‘White Christmas’, which was written by Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – Friday 22 September 1989) (No.70, 1995)
‘Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) and Don Rich (Friday 15 August 1941 – Wednesday 17 July 1974) (No.56, 1998)
‘The Old Man’s Back In Town’ (written by Larry Bastian, Randy Taylor and Garth Brooks) (No.59, 1998) / this track was a Billboard re-entry
‘Go Tell It On The Mountain’ (traditional) (No.72, 1999)
Garth Brooks’ ‘Beyond The Season’ (Liberty Records, 1992) also included the following tracks:
‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ (traditional)
‘The Gift’ (written by Stephanie Davis)
‘Until You This Night’ (written by Steve Gillette and Rex Benson)
‘Friendly Beasts’ (traditional)
‘Silent Night’, which was written by Franz Xaver Gruber (25 November 1787 – 7 June 1863) and Joseph Mohr (11 December 1792 – 4 December 1848)
‘Mary’s Dream’ (written by Bobby Wood and Mark Casstevens) / this track was an instrumental
‘What Child Is This’ (written by William Dix)
Personnel involved in the recording of Garth Brooks’ ‘Beyond The Season’ (Liberty Records, 1992) included the following:
Chris Leuzinger and Mark Casstevens (guitar)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar)
Mike Chapman (bass)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Bobby Wood (piano, keyboards)
Joey Miskulin (accordion)
Cynthia Reynolds Wyatt (harp)
Carl Gorodetzky, Pamela Sixfin, Gary Vanosdale and Bob Mason (strings)
Trisha Yearwood, Pat Alger, Stephanie Davis, Larry Bastian, Victoria Shaw, Tony Arata, Allen Reynolds, Jim Rooney, Christ Church Choir, Donna McElroy, Bob Bailey, Vicki Hampton, Howard Smith, Yvonne Hodges, Johnny Cobb, Jana King, Dennis Wilson, Emily Harris, Gary Chapman and Donna Morris) (vocals)
Garth Brooks’ ‘Beyond The Season’ (Liberty Records, 1992) reached No.2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1992, and No.2 on the Billboard Top pop music albums chart in 1992.
Bruce C. Bouton played steel guitar, on all tracks, on Garth Brooks’ ‘The Chase’ (Liberty Records, 1992), which was released on Tuesday 22 September 1992.
Garth Brooks’ ‘The Chase’ (Liberty Records, 1992), which was produced by Allen Reynolds, included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘We Shall Be Free’ (written by Garth Brooks and Stephanie Davis) (No.12, 1992)
‘Somewhere Other Than The Night’ (written by Kent Blazy and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in January 1993)
‘Learning To Live Again’ (written by Don Schlitz and Stephanie Davis) (No.2, 1993)
‘That Summer’ (written by Pat Alger, Sandy Mahl and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in July 1993)
‘Dixie Chicken’ (written by Lowell George and Martin Kibbee) (No.73, 1993)
Garth Brooks’ ‘The Chase’ (Liberty Records, 1992) also included the following tracks:
‘Mr. Right’ (written by Garth Brooks)
‘Every Now & Then’ (written by Buddy Mondlock and Garth Brooks)
‘Walking After Midnight’, which was written by Don Hecht (1930 – Friday 18 October 2002) and Alan W. Block
‘Night Rider’s Lament’ (written by Michael Burton)
‘Face To Face’ (written by Tony Arata)
Personnel involved in the recording of Garth Brooks’ ‘The Chase’ (Liberty Records, 1992) included the following:
Chris Leuzinger, Steve McClure, James Garver, Mark Casstevens, Ty England and Jess Leary (guitar)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar)
Mike Chapmana and Betty Smittle (bass)
Milton Sledge and Mike Palmer (drums, percussion)
Bobby Wood (piano, keyboards)
Rob Hajacos and Dave Gant (fiddle)
David Davidson, Connie Elliso, Carl Gorodetzky, Robert Mason, John Catchings, Lee Larrison, Ted Madsen, Laura Molyneaux, Craig Nelson, Pamela Sixfin, Christian Teal, Alan Umstead, Gary Vanosdale and Kristin Wilkinson (strings)
Trisha Yearwood, Debbie Nims, Donna McElroy, Howard Smith, Gary Chapman, Johnny Cobb, Vicki Hampton and Yvonne Hodges (vocals)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) (arrangements)
Garth Brooks’ ‘The Chase’ (Liberty Records, 1992) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1992, and No.1 on the Billboard Top pop music albums chart in 1992.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Bruce C. Bouton’s ‘Walls Can Fall’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) and Billy Yates, and included the track on ‘Walls Can Fall’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1992).
The Dillards recorded Bruce C. Bouton’s ‘Against The Grain’ (co-written with Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson) and included the track on ‘Take Me Along For The Ride’ (Vanguard Records, 1992).
Bruce C. Bouton played steel guitar, on all tracks, on Garth Brooks’ ‘In Pieces’ (Liberty Records, 1993), which was released on Tuesday 31 August 1993.
Garth Brooks’ ‘In Pieces’ (Liberty Records, 1993), which was produced by Allen Reynolds, included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til The Sun Comes Up)’, which was written by Kent Blazy, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks (No.1 for one week in September 1993)
‘American Honky-Tonk Bar Association’ (written by Bryan Kennedy and Jim Rushing) (No.1 for one week in December 1993)
‘Standing Outside The Fire’ (written by Jenny Yates and Garth Brooks) (No.3, 1994)
‘One Night A Day’ (written by Gary Burr and Pete Wasner) (No.7, 1994)
‘Callin’ Baton Rouge’, which was written by Dennis Linde (Thursday 18 March 1943 – Friday 22 December 2006) (No.2, 1994)
‘The Red Strokes’ (written by James Garver, Lisa Sanderson, Jenny Yates and Garth Brooks) (No.49, 1995)
Garth Brooks’ ‘In Pieces’ (Liberty Records, 1993) also included the following tracks:
‘The Night I Called The Old Man Out’, which was written by Pat Alger, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks
‘Kickin’ & Screaming’ (written by Tony Arata)
‘The Night Will Only Know’ (written by Stephanie Davis, Jenny Yates and Garth Brooks)
‘Cowboy Song’ (written by Roy Robinson)
Personnel involved in the recording of Garth Brooks’ ‘In Pieces’ (Liberty Records, 1993) included the following:
Chris Leuzinger, James Garver, Steve McClure, Mark Casstevens, Ty England and Pat Flynn (guitar)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997), Mike Chapman and Betty Smittle (bass)
Mike Palmer and Milton Sledge (drums)
Sam Bush (fiddle, mandolin)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Bobby Wood and Dave Gant (piano, keyboards)
Bobby Emmons (organ)
Bela Fleck (banjo)
Farrell Morris and Sam Bacco (percussion)
Jim Horn (sax)
The Nashville String Machine (strings)
Trisha Yearwood, Kathy Chiavola, John Cowan and Helen Darling (vocals)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) (arrangements)
Garth Brooks’ ‘In Pieces’ (Liberty Records, 1993) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1993, and No.1 on the Billboard Top pop music albums chart in 1993.
On Tuesday 11 October 1994, Bruce C. Bouton saw the release of ‘Mama’s Hungry Eyes: A Tribute To Merle Haggard’ (Arista Records, 1994); Bruce C. Bouton served as mastermind and executive producer of the project, which was a multi-artist tribute album to Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), and a fund-raiser for Second Harvest Food Banks.
‘Mama’s Hungry Eyes: A Tribute To Merle Haggard’ (Arista Records, 1994) included the following tracks:
‘The Bottle Let Me Down’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was performed by Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn)
‘I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was performed by Clint Black
‘Silver Wings’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was performed by Pam Tillis
‘Everybody’s Had The Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was performed by Randy Travis
‘The Farmer’s Daughter’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was performed by Vince Gill
‘Workin’ Man Blues’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was performed by Diamond Rio, Lee Roy Parnell and Steve Wariner
‘The Running Kind’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was performed by Radney Foster
‘Sing Me Back Home’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was performed by Alabama
‘Trying Not To Love You’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was performed by Alan Jackson
‘I Threw Away The Rose’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was performed by Lorrie Morgan
‘Mama Tried’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was performed by John Anderson and Marty Stuart
‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006) / this track was performed by Willie Nelson
‘Mama’s Hungry Eyes’ (written by Merle Haggard) / this track was performed by Emmylou Harris
Bruce C. Bouton played steel guitar, on all tracks, on Garth Brooks’ ‘Fresh Horses’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1995), which was released on Tuesday 21 November 1995.
Garth Brooks’ ‘Fresh Horses’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1995), which was produced by Allen Reynolds, included eight tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘She’s Every Woman’ (written by Victoria Shaw and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in October 1995)
‘The Fever’ (written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry) (No.23, 1995)
‘The Ol’ Stuff’ (written by Dan Roberts, Bryan Kennedy and Garth Brooks) (No.64, 1995)
‘Rolling’, which was written by Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011), Allen Reynolds and Garth Brooks (No.71, 1995)
‘The Beaches of Cheyenne’ (written by Dan Roberts, Bryan Kennedy and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in March 1996)
‘The Change’ (written by Tony Arata and Wayne Tester) (No.19, 1996)
‘It’s Midnight Cinderella’, which was written by Kent Blazy, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks (No.5, mid-1996)
‘That Ol’ Wind’ (written by Leigh Reynolds and Garth Brooks) (No.4, 1996)
Garth Brooks’ ‘Fresh Horses’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1995) also included the following tracks:
‘Cowboys & Angels’, which was written by Kent Blazy, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks
‘Ireland’ (written by Stephanie Davis, Jenny Yates and Garth Brooks)
Personnel involved in the recording of Garth Brooks’ ‘Fresh Horses’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1995) included the following:
Chris Leuzinger, Gordon Kennedy, Mark Casstevens and Leigh Reynolds (guitar)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar)
Mike Chapman (bass)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Sam Bacco (percussion)
Rob Hajacos and Jimmy Mattingly (fiddle)
Bobby Wood (keyboards)
The Nashville String Machine (strings)
Trisha Yearwood and Susan Ashton (vocals)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) (arrangements)
Garth Brooks’ ‘Fresh Horses’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1995) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1995, and No.2 on the Billboard Top pop music albums chart in 1995.
George Strait recorded Bruce C. Bouton‘s ‘I Ain’t Never Seen No One Like You’ (co-written with Mark Chesnutt and Roger Springer) and included the track on ‘Blue Clear Sky’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1996).
George Strait’s ‘Blue Clear Sky’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1996) also included the following tracks:
‘Blue Clear Sky’, which was written by Bob DiPiero, John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001) and Mark D. Sanders (No.1 for one week in June 1996)
‘Carried Away’ (written by Steve Bogard and Jeff Stevens) (No.1 for two weeks in August 1996)
‘Rockin’ In The Arms of Your Memory’, which was written by Dean Dillon and Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017)
‘I’d Just As Soon Go’ (written by Aaron Barker and Dean Dillon)
‘Need I Say More’ (written by Clay Blaker and Roger Brown)
Bruce C. Bouton played steel guitar, on all tracks, on Garth Brooks’ ‘Sevens’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1997), which was released on Tuesday 25 November 1997.
Garth Brooks’ ‘Sevens’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1997), which was produced by Allen Reynolds, included nine tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘How You Ever Gonna Know’ (written by Kent Blazy and Garth Brooks) (No.59, 1997)
‘Cowboy Cadillac’ (written by Bryan Kennedy and Garth Brooks) (No.52, 1997)
‘Take The Keys To My Heart’ (written by Pamela Wolfe, Benita Hill and Tommy Smith) (No.57, 1997)
‘Belleau Wood’ (written by Joe Henry, Garth Brooks and Tommy Smith) (No.41, 1997)
‘Longneck Bottle’ (written by Rick Carnes, Steve Wariner and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for two weeks in December 1997 / January 1998)
‘She’s Gonna Make It’, which was written by Kent Blazy, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks (No.2, 1998)
‘Two Piña Coladas’, which was written by Shawn Camp, Benita Hill and Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) (No.1 for one week in May 1998)
‘You Move Me’ (written by Gordon Kennedy and Pierce Pettis) (No.3, 1998)
‘Do What You Gotta Do’ (written by Pat Flynn) (No.13, 2000)
Garth Brooks’ ‘Sevens’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1997) also included the following tracks:
‘I Don’t Have To Wonder’ (written by Shawn Camp and Taylor Dunn)
‘Fit For A King’ (written by Jim Rushing and Carl Jackson)
‘When There’s No One Around’ (written by Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott)
‘Friend To Me’ (written by Victoria Shaw and Garth Brooks)
Personnel involved in the recording of Garth Brooks’ ‘Sevens’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1997) included the following:
Chris Leuzinger, Mark Casstevens, Shawn Camp, Pat Flynn, Carl Jackson and Steve Wariner (guitar)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar)
Al Perkins (Dobro)
Mike Chapman, Edgar Meyer and Keith Grant (bass)
Randy Hardison (Saturday 11 March 1961 – Tuesday 4 June 2002) and Milton Sledge (drums)
Sam Bush (mandolin, vocals)
Bobby Wood and Catherine Styron (piano, keyboards)
Rob Hajacos and Randy Howard (Sunday 20 November 1960 – Tuesday 29 June 1999) (fiddle)
Bela Fleck (banjo)
Sam Bacco (percussion, conga)
Robert Mason, David Angell, John Catchings, David Davidson, Connie Ellisor, Carl Gorodetzky, Anthony LaMarchina, Lee Larrison, Craig Nelson, Kathryn Plummer, Pamela Sixfin, Bruce Sweetman, Julia Tanner, Alan Umstead, Catherine Umstead, Gary VanOsdale, Mary Kathryn Vanosdale, Kristin Wilkinson, Joann Cruthirds, Richard Grosjean, Paul Tobias, Antoine Silverman, Monisa Angell, Elizabeth Stewart, Karen Winkelmann, Bruce Christensen, Randall Olson, Cate Myer, Jocelyn Jones, Gerald Greer, Janet Askey and Carolyn Demarzio (strings)
Trisha Yearwood, Matt Lindsy, Sam Duczer, Susan Ashton, Kathy Chiavola, John Cowan, Dorothy Robinson, Robert Bailey, Lona Heid, Charles Green, Vicki Hampton, Yvonne Hodges and Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) (background vocals)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) (arrangements)
Garth Brooks’ ‘Sevens’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1997) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1997, and reached No.1 on the Billboard Top pop music albums chart in 1997.
Mark Wills recorded Bruce C. Bouton’s ‘Love Is Alive’, which was co-written with Charlie Craig (Friday 30 September 1938 – Friday 1 July 2011) and Shane Teeters, and included the track on ‘Wish You Were Here’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 1998).
Mark Wills’ ‘Wish You Were Here’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 1998) also included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Think I Won’t’ (written by Ted Hewitt, Rodney Atkins and Max T. Barnes)
‘Wish You Were Here’ (written by Skip Ewing, Bill Anderson and Debbie Moore) (No.1 for one week in May 1999)
‘She’s In Love’ (written by Keith Stegall and Dan Hill) (No.7, 1999)
‘Help Me Fall’ (written by Skip Ewing and Donny Kees)
‘It’s Working’ (written by Bob Regan and Max T. Barnes)
‘I Do (Cherish You)’ (written by Keith Stegall and Dan Hill) (No.2, 1998)
Bruce C. Bouton played Dobro, electric guitar, steel guitar and lap steel guitar on Garth Brooks’ ‘Limited Series’ (Capitol Records / Pearl Records, 1998), which was released on Tuesday 5 May 1998.
Garth Brooks’ ‘Limited Series’ (Capitol Records / Pearl Records, 1998) was a box set comprising re-issues of Garth Brooks’ first six albums, with a bonus track added to each:
‘Garth Brooks’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1989)
‘Not Counting You’ (written by Garth Brooks) (No.2, 1990)
‘I’ve Got A Bad Thing Going’ (written by Larry Bastian, Sandy Mahl and Garth Brooks)
‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’ (written by Kent Blazy and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in December 1989)
‘Uptown, Downhome Good Ol’ Boy’, which was written by Dewayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021) and Earl Bud Lee / this track was a bonus track
‘Everytime That It Rains’ (written by Garth Brooks and Ty England)
‘Alabama Clay’, which was written by Ronny Scaife (1947 – Wednesday 3 November 2010) and Larry Cordle
‘Much Too Old (To Feel This Damn Old)’ (written by Randy Taylor and Garth Brooks) (No.8, 1989)
‘Cowboy Bill’ (written by Larry Bastian and Ed Berghoff)
‘Nobody Gets Off In This Town’, which was written by Dewayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021) and Larry Bastian
‘I know One’, which was written by ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 – Thursday 8 August 2013)
‘The Dance’ (written by Tony Arata) (No.1 for two weeks in July 1990)
‘No Fences’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1990)
‘The Thunder Rolls’ (written by Pat Alger and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in June 1991)
‘New Way To Fly’, which was written by Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks
‘Two of A Kind, Workin’ On A Full House’ (written by Dennis Robbins, Bobby Boyd and Warren Haynes) (No.1 for one week in March / April 1991)
‘Victim of The Game’ (written by Mark D. Sanders and Garth Brooks)
‘Friends In Low Places’, which was written by Dewayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021) and Earl Bud Lee (No.1 for three weeks in October 1990)
‘This Ain’t Tennessee & She Ain’t You’ (written by Larry Bastian and James Shaw) / this track was a bonus track
‘Wild Horses’ (written by Bill Shore and Earl Bud Lee) (No.7, 2000) / this track, which was a re-recording, also reached No.50 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2000
‘Unanswered Prayers’ (written by Pat Alger, Larry Bastian and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in January 1991)
‘Same Old Story’ (written by Tony Arata)
‘Mr. Blue’, which was written by Dewayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021)
‘Wolves’ (written by Stephanie Davis)
‘Ropin’ The Wind’ (Liberty Records, 1991)
‘Against The Grain’ (written by Bruce C. Bouton, Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson)
‘Rodeo’ (written by Larry Bastian) (No.3, 1991)
‘What She’s Doing Now’ (written by Pat Alger and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for three weeks in February / March 1992)
‘Burning Bridges’ (written by Stephanie Brown and Garth Brooks)
‘Which One of Them’ (written by Garth Brooks) / this track was a bonus track
‘Papa Loved Mama’, which was written by Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks (No.3, 1992)
‘Shameless’ (written by Billy Joel) (No.1 for one week in November 1991)
‘Cold Shoulder’, which was written by Kent Blazy, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks
‘We Bury The Hatchet’ (written by Royal Wade Kimes and Garth Brooks)
‘In Lonesome Dove’ (written by Cynthia Limbaugh and Garth Brooks)
‘The River’ (written by Victoria Shaw and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in July 1992)
‘The Chase’ (Liberty Records, 1992)
‘We Shall Be Free’ (written by Garth Brooks and Stephanie Davis) (No.12, 1992)
‘Somewhere Other Than The Night’ (written by Kent Blazy and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in January 1993)
‘Mr. Right’ (written by Garth Brooks)
‘Every Now & Then’ (written by Buddy Mondlock and Garth Brooks)
‘Walking After Midnight’, which was written by Don Hecht (1930 – Friday 18 October 2002) and Alan W. Block
‘Dixie Chicken’ (written by Lowell George and Martin Kibbee) (No.73, 1993)
‘Learning To Live Again’ (written by Don Schlitz and Stephanie Davis) (No.2, 1993)
‘That Summer’ (written by Pat Alger, Sandy Mahl and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in July 1993)
‘Something With A Ring To It’ (written by Aaron Tippin and Mark Collie) (No.58, ) / this track was a bonus track
‘Night Rider’s Lament’ (written by Michael Burton)
‘Face To Face’ (written by Tony Arata)
‘In Pieces’ (Liberty Records, 1993)
‘Standing Outside The Fire’ (written by Jenny Yates and Garth Brooks) (No.3, 1994)
‘The Night I Called The Old Man Out’, which was written by Pat Alger, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks
‘American Honky-Tonk Bar Association’ (written by Bryan Kennedy and Jim Rushing) (No.1 for one week in December 1993)
‘One Night A Day’ (written by Gary Burr and Pete Wasner) (No.7, 1994)
‘Kickin’ & Screaming’ (written by Tony Arata)
‘Anonymous’ (written by Tony Arata and Jon Schwabe) / this track was a bonus track
‘Ain’t Goin’ Down (‘Til The Sun Comes Up)’, which was written by Kent Blazy, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks (No.1 for one week in September 1993)
‘The Red Strokes’ (written by James Garver, Lisa Sanderson, Jenny Yates and Garth Brooks) (No.49, 1995)
‘Callin’ Baton Rouge’, which was written by Dennis Linde (Thursday 18 March 1943 – Friday 22 December 2006) (No.2, 1994)
‘The Night Will Only Know’ (written by Stephanie Davis, Jenny Yates and Garth Brooks)
‘Cowboy Song’ (written by Roy Robinson)
‘Fresh Horses’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 1995)
‘The Ol’ Stuff’ (written by Dan Roberts, Bryan Kennedy and Garth Brooks) (No.64, 1995)
‘Cowboys & Angels’, which was written by Kent Blazy, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks
‘The Fever’ (written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry) (No.23, 1995)
‘That Ol’ Wind’ (written by Leigh Reynolds and Garth Brooks) (No.4, 1996)
‘Rolling’, which was written by Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011), Allen Reynolds and Garth Brooks (No.71, 1995)
‘The Change’ (written by Tony Arata and Wayne Tester) (No.19, 1996)
‘The Beaches of Cheyenne’ (written by Dan Roberts, Bryan Kennedy and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in March 1996)
‘To Make You Feel My Love’ (written by Bob Dylan) / this track was a bonus track
‘It’s Midnight Cinderella’, which was written by Kent Blazy, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks (No.5, mid-1996)
‘She’s Every Woman’ (written by Victoria Shaw and Garth Brooks) (No.1 for one week in October 1995)
‘Ireland’ (written by Stephanie Davis, Jenny Yates and Garth Brooks)
Garth Brooks’ ‘Limited Series’ (Capitol Records / Pearl Records, 1998) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1998, and reached No.1 on the Billboard Top pop music albums chart in 1998.
Ilse DeLange recorded Bruce C. Bouton’s ‘I’m Not So Tough’ (co-written with Hillary Lindsey and Robert Ellis Orrall) and included the track on ‘World of Hurt’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1998).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Bruce C. Bouton’s ‘This Wanting You’, which was co-written with T. Graham Brown and Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022), and included the track on ‘Cold Hard Truth’ (Asylum Records, 1999).
Mindy McCready (Sunday 30 November 1975 – Sunday 17 February 2013) recorded Bruce C. Bouton’s ‘I’m Not So Tough’ (co-written with Hillary Lindsey and Robert Ellis Orrall) and included the track on ‘I’m Not So Tough’ (BNA Records, 1999).
Mindy McCready (Sunday 30 November 1975 – Sunday 17 February 2013) recorded Bruce C. Bouton’s ‘Two Different Things’ (co-written with Hillary Lindsey and Gary Burr) and included the track on ‘I’m Not So Tough’ (BNA Records, 1999).
Bruce C. Bouton played steel guitar and slide guitar, on all tracks, on Garth Brooks’ ‘Scarecrow’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2001), which was released on Tuesday 13 November 2001, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘Wrapped Up In You’ (written by Wayne Kirkpatrick) (No.5, 2001)
‘Squeeze Me In’ (written by Delbert McClinton and Gary Nicholson) (No..16, 2002) / this track was a duet with Trisha Yearwood
‘Thicker Than Blood’ (written by Jenny Yates and Garth Brooks) (No.18, 2002)
‘Why Ain’t I Running’ (written by Kent Blazy, Tony Arata and Garth Brooks) (No.24, 2003)
Garth Brooks’ ‘Scarecrow’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2001) also included the following tracks:
‘Beer Run (B Double E Double Are You In?)’, which was written by Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), Amanda Williams, Keith Anderson, George Ducas and Kent Blazy / this track was a duet with George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013)
‘The Storm’, which was written by Kent Blazy, Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016) and Garth Brooks
‘Big Money’, which was written by Shawn Camp, Randy Hardison (Saturday 11 March 1961 – Tuesday 4 June 2002) and Wynn Varble
‘When You Come Back To Me Again’ (theme from the movie ‘Frequency’) (written by Jenny Yates and Garth Brooks)
‘Mr. Midnight’ (written by J.R. Cobb, Buddy Buie and Tom Douglas)
‘Pushing Up Daisies’ (written by John Hadley, Kevin Welch and Gary Scruggs)
‘Rodeo Or Mexico’ (written by Bryan Kennedy, Paul Kennerley and Garth Brooks)
‘Don’t Cross The River’ (written by Dan Peek)
The Larkins recorded Bruce Bouton’s ‘Head Over Heels’ (co-written with Randy Kohrs, Shaunna Larkin and Tina Larkin) and included the track on ‘The Larkins’ (Audium Records, 2003).
For The Larkins project, Audium Records handpicked producer Bruce Bouton, the man who, as his pedal steel guitarist, helped Ricky Skaggs turn country music on its ear in the 1980s with the traditional ‘back to the basics’ sound.
At the time, Bruce Bouton was quoted as saying ‘In The Larkins I see the next generation and the next bright new hope for our music. They’re true to their roots but there’s a new energy that’s turned everything up a notch or two to really reach the listeners of today – being young and beautiful The Larkins will reach kids who are turning on to a more traditional sound for perhaps the first time’.
The Larkins’ self-titled debut album, ‘The Larkins’ (Audium Records, 2003), included the following tracks:
‘Lay Your Memory Down’ (written by Tammy Rogers)
‘One Without The Other’ (written by Janis Carnes, Rick Carnes and Chris Faulk)
‘I Still Believed You Loved Me’ (written by Shaye Smith)
‘Gone’ (written by Buddy Mondlock)
‘Jesus, Daddy & You’, which was written by Rebecca Lynn Howard and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016)
‘Go’ (written by Shaye Smith)
‘Kiss & Tell’, which was written by Rebecca Lynn Howard and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016)
‘Above It All’ (written by Steve Bogard and Tom Shapiro)
‘Steady As The Rain’ (written by Dolly Parton)
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded Bruce Bouton’s ‘Goin’ Against The Grain’ (co-written with Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson) and included the track on ‘The Journey’ (Springhill Records, 2004).
Gene Watson & Rhonda Vincent recorded Bruce Bouton’s ‘This Wanting You’, which was co-written with T. Graham Brown and Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022), and included the track on ‘Your Money & My Good Looks‘ (Upper Management Music, 2011).
Bruce Bouton is one of the instrumental stars on the Nashville studio scene.
Bruce Bouton spent five years playing with Ricky Skaggs, his steel guitar solos can be heard on country music hit singles ‘Heartbroke’ (No.1 for one week in November 1982), ‘Country Boy’ (No.1 for one week in June 1985), ‘You May See Me Walking’ (No.9, 1981) and ‘Highway 40 Blues’ (No.1 for one week in July 1983).
Bruce Bouton has also toured with Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) and Foster & Lloyd (Radney Foster and Bill Lloyd).
Bruce Bouton has also concentrated on session work, playing on albums by Kathy Mattea, Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, Shania Twain, Wynonna, The O’Kanes – Kieran Kane and Jamie O’Hara (Friday 18 August 1950 – Thursday 7 January 2021) – Randy Travis, The Oak Ridge Boys and Pam Tillis.
Bruce Bouton: Timeline
• Bruce Bouton Productions, Nashville: 1990 – Present (president / owner)
• Slide Bar Music, Nashville: 1990 – Present (writer / owner of an independent publishing company)
• Famous Music Publishing, Nashville: 1998 – 2000 (staff writer)
• EMI Music Publishing, Nashville: 1996 – 1998 (staff writer)
• Visit Bruce C. Bouton’s official site at brucebouton.com
• Like Bruce C. Bouton on Facebook