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 2004, 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 Spicher, which he submitted to this site on Friday 29 October 2004.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Buddy Spicher who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Buddy Spicher
This quote was submitted on Friday 29 October 2004.
‘Gene Watson is one of the best country singers to arrive on the scene since Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996).
He is a true country artist and respects his field.
What an honour it was to play on his recordings and be a part of what I feel true country music should sound like.
Gene could learn a song and sing it in one take in the studio. What a wonderful characteristic to have!
Gene Watson has a great ear for country music’
Thank you, Buddy Spicher, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Buddy Spicher…
Buddy Spicher is a native of Dubois, Pennsylvania and he performed on the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia. From there, he went to work with some of the great country show bands, including Judy Lynn’s noted Western Swing aggregation in Las Vegas and Tahoe prior to making Nashville his home in 1958.
Having been aptly called ‘the Jascha Heifetz of the country fiddle’, Buddy Spicher’s genius for arrangements and harmony made him a favourite with Nashville record producers, while his state-of-the-art perfection with gutsy, straightforward solo work established him in the role model of America’s best-known quintessential country fiddle player.
Buddy Spicher was one of Nashville’s most in-demand studio musicians for three decades; his versatile and precise fiddle style has made enormous contributions to the commercial success of classic recordings by a number of country music artists, including the following:
• Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991)
• Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013)
• Bill Monroe (Wednesday 13 September 1911 – Monday 9 September 1996)
• Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012)
• Jimmy Martin (Wednesday 10 August 1927 – Saturday 14 May 2005)
• Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975)
• George Strait
• Linda Ronstadt
• Hank Thompson (Thursday 3 September 1925 – Tuesday 6 November 2007)
• Dan Fogelberg (Monday 13 August 1951 – Sunday 16 December 2007)
• Crystal Gayle
• The Osborne Brothers
• Garth Brooks
Along with his imaginative arrangements, Buddy Spicher is well known as being a master of ‘double stops’ (playing two notes at the same time and literally harmonising with himself).
On Wednesday 25 September 1974, Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017) saw the release of ‘Don Williams: Volume 3’ (ABC / Dot Records, 1974), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Wouldn’t Want To Live if You Didn’t Love Me’ (written by Alan Turney) (No.1 for one week in September 1974)
‘The Ties That Bind’, which was written by Clyde Otis (Thursday 11 September 1924 – Tuesday 8 January 2008) and Vin Corso (No.4, 1974)
Don Williams‘ ‘Don Williams: Volume 3’ (ABC / Dot Records, 1974), also included the following tracks:
‘Fly Away’, which was written by Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017)
‘Ghost Story’ (written by Joe Allen)
‘Goodbye Really Isn’t Good At All’, which was written by Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017)
‘Such A Lovely Lady’, which was written by Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017)
‘When Will I Ever Learn’ (written by Jim Rushing and Wayland D. Holyfield)
‘Why Lord Goodbye’, which was written by Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017)
‘I’ve Turned You To Stone’ (written by Jim Rushing)
‘Lovin’ Understandin’ Man’ (written by Jim Rushing)
Musicians who were involved in the recording of Don Williams‘ ‘Don Williams: Volume 3’ (ABC / Dot Records, 1974), included the following:
Joe Allen (bass)
Jimmie Colvard (1943 – 1977) (electric guitar)
Lloyd Green (steel guitar, Dobro)
Shane Keister (keyboard, Moog)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums, marimba)
Tommy Smith (trumpet)
Buddy Spicher (fiddle)
Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017) and Jimmie Colvard (1943 – 1977) (acoustic guitars)
Don Williams‘ ‘Don Williams: Volume 3’ (ABC / Dot Records, 1974), reached No.3 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1974.
The versatile and precise fiddle style of Buddy Spicher has made an enormous contribution to the success of these country music album releases:
Gene Watson’s ‘Love in The Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975)
Gene Watson’s ‘Because You Believed in Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976)
Gene Watson’s ‘Paper Rosie‘ (Capitol Records, 1977)
Gene Watson’s ‘Beautiful Country‘ (Capitol Records, 1977)
Crystal Gayle‘s ‘We Must Believe in Magic’ (United Artists Records, 1977)
Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978)
Gene Watson’s ‘Should I Come Home‘ (Capitol Records, 1979)
Gene Watson’s ‘No One Will Ever Know‘ (Capitol Records, 1980)
Gene Watson’s ‘Between This Time & The Next Time‘ (MCA Records, 1981)
Gene Watson’s ‘Old Loves Never Die‘ (MCA Records, 1981)
Gene Watson’s ‘This Dream’s on Me‘ (MCA Records, 1982)
Gene Watson’s ‘Sometimes I Get Lucky‘ (MCA Records, 1983)
Gene Watson’s ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984)
Gene Watson’s ‘Little by Little‘ (MCA Records, 1984)
On Thursday 20 March 1986, Kathy Mattea saw the release of ‘Walk The Way The Wind Blows’ (Mercury Records, 1986), which was produced by Allen Reynolds, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Love At The Five & Dime’, which was written by Nanci Caroline Griffith (Monday 6 July 1953 – Friday 13 August 2021) (No.3, 1986) / this track, which featured backing vocals from Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017), remained on the charts for twenty-two weeks, and brought Nanci Caroline Griffith wider recognition as a songwriter
‘Walk The Way The Wind Blows’ (written by Tim O’Brien) (No.10, 1986)
‘You’re The Power’ (written by Craig Bickhardt and F.C. Collins) (No.5, 1987)
‘Train of Memories’, which was written by Andy Byrd and Jimbeau Hinson (Wednesday 29 October 1952 – Friday 4 March 2022) (No.6, 1987)
‘Love At The Five & Dime’, which was written by Nanci Caroline Griffith (Monday 6 July 1953 – Friday 13 August 2021) was also recorded by Nanci Caroline Griffith, who included it on ‘The Last of The True Believers’ (Philo Records, 1986).
Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Walk The Way The Wind Blows’ (Mercury Records, 1986) also included the following tracks:
‘Reason To Live’ (written by Joanne Christy, Johnny Pierce and Geoff Levin)
‘Evenin’, which was written by Mitchell Parish (Tuesday 10 July 1900 – Wednesday 31 March 1993) and Harry Alexander White (1 June 1898 – Tuesday 14 August 1962)
‘Leaving West Virginia’ (written by Kathy Mattea)
‘You Plant Your Fields’ (written by Wendy Waldman and Donny Lowery)
‘Back Up Grinnin’ Again’ (written by David Goodman)
‘Song For The Life’ (written by Rodney Crowell)
The original version of ‘Song For The Life’ (written by Rodney Crowell) was recorded by Rodney Crowell, who included it on his debut album, ‘Ain’t Livin’ Long Like This’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1978).
‘Song For The Life’ (written by Rodney Crowell) was also recorded by Alan Jackson, who included the track on ‘Who I Am’ (Arista Records, 1994); Alan Jackson’s version reached No.6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995.
Personnel involved in the recording of Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Walk The Way The Wind Blows’ (Mercury Records, 1986) included the following:
Kathy Mattea (vocals, background vocals)
Charlie Anderson (harmonica)
Bruce Bouton (guitar, pedal steel guitar)
Tommy Cozart and Milton Sledge (drums)
Bill Donohue (piano)
Bessyl Duhon (accordion)
Ray Flacke, Pat Flynn, Brent Rowan, Chris Leuzinger and K. Susan Taylor (guitar)
Béla Fleck (banjo)
Jim Horn, Wayne Jackson and Quitman Dennis (horn)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (percussion)
Tim O’Brien (guitar, mandolin)
Mark O’Connor and Buddy Spicher (fiddle)
Bobby Wood (keyboards)
Bob Wray (bass)
Wendy Waldman, Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017), Craig Bickhardt, Vince Gill and Jim Photoglo (background vocals)
Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Walk The Way The Wind Blows’ (Mercury Records, 1986) reached No.13 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1986. As a result, Kathy Mattea was nominated for the Country Music Association (CMA) ‘Horizon Award’ and won Billboard’s ‘Top New Country Artist’ honour.
• Find Buddy Spicher on Facebook