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 2007, 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 Buddy Owens, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 20 February 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Buddy Owens who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Buddy Owens
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 20 February 2007.
‘Gene is, in my book, one of the best singers to ever live.
He’s a one of a kind stylist who has a way of making even a simple song a work of art.
I have friends who have had lots of songs recorded by Gene and they are always the ones they are most proud of’
Thank you, Buddy Owens, for your support of Gene Watson.
Buddy Owens is a singer / songwriter who was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and raised in Owasso, Oklahoma.
Buddy Owens started singing and song-writing as a teenager, playing in different venues around Owasso. As he gained experience and his reputation as an artist grew, Buddy Owens started performing at shows around the country.
While still in high school, Buddy Owens got the chance to record an album with friends which is still popular in the area. In addition to his music, Buddy Owens was also recognised as one of the top high school track athletes in Oklahoma, with scholarship offers from state and Ivy League schools.
In January 1998, with the support of his parents, Buddy Owens decided that his true calling was in Nashville, making music and pursuing his dream. Following his move, Buddy Owens played numerous writers nights and band gigs around Nashville.
Buddy Owens also had the opportunity to open shows for Kenny Chesney, Rick Trevino, Emerson Drive, Pin Monkey and Billy Yates.
Buddy Owens has also met and spent time with two of his biggest influences, Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009).
After being offered track scholarships to various universities, Buddy Owens decided instead to follow his dream to play music in Nashville.
Eventually, Buddy Owens caught the ear of renowned producer Phil O’Donnell, who signed him to a publishing deal at Anchor Down.
Since his move to Nashville, Buddy Owens has worked with a plethora of other noteworthy Nashville songwriters, including Shane McAnally, Eric Paslay, Monty Holmes, Sunny Sweeney, Kiefer Thompson (of Thompson Square), Mark D. Sanders, Phillip White, Larry Gatlin, Kerry Kurt Phillips, and more.
At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’, in February 2007, Buddy Owens was writing for Anchor Down Entertainment with some of Nashville’s finest songwriters.
Buddy Owens’ great country music influences include the following:
• Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
• Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975)
• Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989)
• Gene Watson
• Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
• Tim Menzies
• George Strait
• Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975) & His Texas Playboys
• George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013)
• Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003)
• Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017)
• Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013)
• Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996)
• Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003)
Craig Morgan recorded Buddy Owens’ ‘Nothin’ Goin’ Wrong Around Here’ (co-written with Phil O’Donnell and Gary Hannan) and included the track on ‘Little Bit of Life’ (Broken Bow Records, 2006).
Mark Chesnutt recorded Buddy Owens’ ‘When I Get This Close to You’ (co-written with Phil O’Donnell and Billy Lawson) and included the track on ‘Rollin’ with the Flow’ (Lofton Creek Records, 2008).
In 2011, Sunny Sweeney recorded Buddy Owens’ ‘One More Christmas Beer’ (co-written with Monty Holmes and Sunny Sweeney); the track was included on ‘Big Machine Records Presents: The Country Christmas Collection’ (Big Machine Records, 2011).
Blake Shelton recorded Buddy Owens’ ‘Red River Blue’ (co-written with Ray Stephenson) and included the track on ‘Red River Blue’ (Warner Bros. Nashville Records, 2011); the track was a duet with Miranda Lambert.
Gord Bamford recorded Buddy Owens’ ‘Leaning On A Lonesome Song’ (co-written with Gord Bamford and Ray Stephenson) and included the track on ‘Is It Friday Yet?’ (Sony Music Canada, 2012), which was produced by Gord Bamford and Byron Hill; the track reached No.79 on the Canadian Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2012, and was also a successful single on the European Country Music Chart in 2012.
In 2013, ‘Leanin’ On A Lonesome Song’ (written by Buddy Owens, Gord Bamford and Ray Stephenson) won ‘Single of The Year’ and ‘Video of The Year’ at The Canadian Country Music Awards. Buddy Owens also took home the award for ‘Songwriter of The Year’.
Gord Bamford recorded Buddy Owens’ ‘One Makes Me Want Another’ (co-written with Gord Bamford and Brice Long) and included the track on ‘Country Junkie’ (Cache / Sony Music Canada, 2013).
Sunny Sweeney recorded Buddy Owens’ ‘Find Me’ (co-written with Jay Clementi and Sunny Sweeney) and included the track on ‘Provoked’ (Thirty Tigers Records / Aunt Daddy Records, 2014).
Sunny Sweeney recorded Buddy Owens’ ‘Sunday Dress’ (co-written with Monty Holmes and Sunny Sweeney) and included the track on ‘Provoked’ (Thirty Tigers Records / Aunt Daddy Records, 2014).
Blake Shelton recorded Buddy Owens’ ‘Just Gettin’ Started’ (co-written with Jenee Fleenor and Phil O’Donnell) and included the track on ‘Bringing Back The Sunshine’ (Warner Bros. Nashville Records, 2014).
Over the years, Buddy Owens has been out on the road to play with friend and former professional bull rider, Justin McBride, and has also played shows with friend and Canadian artist, Gord Bamford.
As well as his musical talent, Buddy Owens is also a gifted painter.
Around 2000, Buddy Owens took a painting class from fellow songwriter and painter, Ray Stephenson.
Since that time, Buddy Owens has painted and sold commissioned work for art lovers all over the world.
• Find Buddy Owens on Facebook