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 Collin Raye, which he submitted to this site on Friday 28 September 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Collin Raye, who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Collin Raye
This quote was submitted on Friday 28 September 2007.
‘I believe Gene Watson possesses one of the most natural, smoothest, pure and authentic voices in the history of the country genre.
He influenced everybody from my generation of singers.
‘Fourteen Carat Mind‘ and ‘I Don’t Need A Thing At All‘ have been like essential listening for me.
And ‘Farewell Party’ should be required, mandatory study, for anyone wanting to do this for a living’
Thank you, Collin Raye, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Collin Raye…
Collin Raye is a native of DeQueen, Arkansas where he was born Floyd Collin Wray on Monday 22 August 1960.
Both of Collin Raye’s parents were musical and Collin’s mother, Lois Wray, was a regionally popular performer in east Texas who was the opening act for several Sun Records artists, including Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977), Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003), Jerry Lee Lewis (Sunday 29 September 1935 – Friday 28 October 2022) and Carl Perkins (Saturday 9 April 1932 – Monday 19 January 1998) in the 1950s.
Later, Lois Wray became a solo musician in her own right and she would occasionally bring both Floyd and his brother Scott onstage to sing harmony vocals.
By the 1980s, Floyd and Scott began a country-rock band called The Wray Brothers Band, in which Collin assumed the stage name Bubba Wray.
The Wray Brothers Band performed primarily in the state of Texas, Corvallis, Oregon and later in Reno, Nevada, eventually releasing singles on independent record labels.
By 1986, The Wray Brothers Band, which had shortened its name to The Wrays, signed a recording contract with Mercury Records, and saw the release of four singles. After the singles performed poorly on the Billboard country music singles chart, The Wrays disbanded.
Collin Raye grew up, steeped in traditional country music, and regularly heard the music of Johnny Horton (Thursday 30 April 1925 – Saturday 5 November 1960), Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007), Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020), Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993), Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) and Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013).
In 1990, Collin Raye signed a recording contract with Epic Records and saw the release, on Tuesday 27 August 1991, of his highly acclaimed debut album, ‘All I Can Be’ (Epic Records, 1991), which was produced by Jerry Fuller and John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘All I Can Be (Is A Sweet Memory)’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.29, 1991)
‘Love, Me’ (written by Skip Ewing and Max T. Barnes) (No.1 for two weeks in January 1992) / this track received a ‘Song of The Year’ nomination from the Country Music Association (CMA) in 1992
‘Every Second’ (written by Gerald Smith and Wayne Perry) (No.2 in May 1992)
Collin Raye’s highly acclaimed debut album, ‘All I Can Be’ (Epic Records, 1991), also included the following tracks:
‘Faithful Old Flame’ (written by Brent Mason and Lonnie Wilson)
‘Scuse Moi, My Heart’ (written by Steve Stone and Jerry Fuller)
‘Any Old Stretch of Blacktop’ (written by Frank Myers and Bernie Nelson)
‘Blue Magic’, which was written by Collin Raye, John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) and Jerry Fuller
‘It Could’ve Been So Good’ (written by Chris Waters and Lonnie Wilson)
‘Sadly Ever After’, which was written by Mark Collie and Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022)
‘If I Were You’, which was written by Richard Fagan (Thursday 24 April 1947 – Friday 5 August 2016) and Rick Peoples
Personnel involved in the recording of Collin Raye’s highly acclaimed debut album, ‘All I Can Be’ (Epic Records, 1991), included the following:
Dennis Belfield and Joe Chemay (bass)
Ron Krasinski and Paul Leim (drums)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (keyboards)
Paul Franklin and Jay Dee Maness (steel guitar)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Steve Gibson, Dean Parks, Fred Tackett and Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar)
Steve Gibson, Kraig Hutchens, Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) and Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar)
Collin Raye (lead vocals)
Beth Anderson, Jerry Fuller, Vince Gill, Herb Pedersen, Collin Raye, Harry Stinson, Dennis Wilson and Bubba Wray (background vocals)
Collin Raye’s highly acclaimed debut album, ‘All I Can Be’ (Epic Records, 1991), reached No.7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991, and No.54 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1991, and achieved ‘Platinum’ certification in the United States for sales of one million copies.
On Tuesday 25 August 1992, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘In This Life’ (Epic Records, 1992), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘In This Life’ (written by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin) (No.1 for one week in October 1992)
‘I Want You Bad (& That Ain’t Good)’ (written by Jackson Leap) (No.7 in March 1993)
‘Somebody Else’s Moon’ (written by Paul Nelson and Tom Shapiro) (No.5 in July 1993)
‘That Was A River’ (written by Rick Giles and Susan Longacre) (No.4 in November 1993)
Collin Raye’s ‘In This Life’ (Epic Records, 1992) also included the following tracks:
‘What They Don’t Know’ (written by Stan Munsey and Tony Haselden)
‘Big River’, which was written by Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003)
‘You Can’t Take it With You’, which was written by Kix Brooks, Don Cook and Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 – Friday 21 January 2022)
‘Latter Day Cowboy’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024)
‘Many A Mile’ (written by Mark D. Sanders and Bob Regan)
‘Let It Be Me’ (written by Gilbert Bécaud, Mann Curtis and Pierre Delanoë)
Personnel involved in the recording of Collin Raye’s ‘In This Life’ (Epic Records, 1992) included the following:
Sam Bush (mandolin)
Joe Chemay, Garth Fundis, Gene LeSage, Harry Stinson and Sammy Wray (harmony vocals)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (piano)
Kraig Hutchens and Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Weldon Myrick (Monday 10 April 1939 – Monday 2 June 2014) (steel guitar)
Dave Pomeroy (bass guitar)
Collin Raye (lead vocals, harmony vocals)
Steve Turner (drums)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar)
Nashville String Machine / strings arranged by John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019)
Collin Raye’s ‘In This Life’ (Epic Records, 1992) reached No.10 on the included the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1992, No.42 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1992, and No.12 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1992.
On Tuesday 25 January 1994, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘Extremes’ (Epic Records, 1994), which included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘That’s My Story’ (written by Lee Roy Parnell and Tony Haselden) (No.6 in March 1994)
‘Little Rock’ (written by Tom Douglas) (No.2 in July 1994)
‘Man of My Word’ (written by Gary Burr and Allen Shamblin) (No.8 in November 1994)
‘My Kind of Girl’, which was written by Debi Cochran, John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001) and Monty Powell (No.1 for one week in February 1995)
‘If I Were You’, which was written by John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) and Chris Farren (No.4, 1995)
Collin Raye’s ‘Extremes’ (Epic Records, 1994) also included the following tracks:
‘A Bible & A Bus Ticket Home’ (written by James Dean Hicks and Craig Wiseman)
‘Nothin’ A Little Love Won’t Cure’ (written by Larry Boone, Rick Bowles and Don Cook)
‘To The Border & Beyond’ (written by Collin Raye)
‘Angel of No Mercy’ (written by Jim McBride and Chapin Hartford)
‘Dreaming My Dreams With You’ (written by Allen Reynolds)
Personnel involved in the recording of Collin Raye’s ‘Extremes’ (Epic Records, 1994) included the following:
Eddie Bayers, Paul Liem and Lonnie Wilson (drums)
Larry Byrom, Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) and Paul Worley (electric guitar)
Robert Charles and Carl Gorodetzky (strings)
Joe Chemay (bass guitar, background vocals)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar, lap steel guitar)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (piano, string arrangements, synthesizer, background vocals)
Anthony Martin, John Wesley Ryles, Dennis Wilson, Sammy Wray, Scotty Wray and Curtis Young (background vocals)
The Nashville String Machine (strings)
Collin Raye (lead vocals, background vocals)
Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Collin Raye’s ‘Extremes’ (Epic Records, 1994) reached No.12 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1994, and No.73 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1994.
On Tuesday 22 August 1995, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘I Think About You’ (Epic Records, 1995), which included six tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘One Boy, One Girl’ (written by Mark Alan Springer and Shaye Smith) (No.2, 1995)
‘Not That Different’ (written by Karen Taylor-Good and Joie Scott) (No.3, 1995)
‘I Think About You’ (written by Don Schlitz and Steve Seskin) (No.3, 1996)
‘Love Remains’ (written by Tom Douglas and Jim Daddario) (No.12 in November 1996)
‘What If Jesus Comes Back Like That’, which was written by Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 – Monday 30 January 2023) and Doug Johnson (No.21 in January 1997)
‘On The Verge’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024) (No.2 in May 1997)
Collin Raye’s ‘I Think About You’ (Epic Records, 1995) also included the following tracks:
‘Sweet Miss Behavin’ (written by Kostas and Wally Wilson)
‘Heart Full of Rain’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024)
‘The Time Machine’ (written by Gary Burr)
‘I Love Being Wrong’, which was written by Billy Kirsch and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001)
‘I Volunteer’ (written by Larry Boone, Will Robinson and Tammy Hyler)
Personnel involved in the recording of Collin Raye’s ‘I Think About You’ (Epic Records, 1995) included the following:
Larry Byrom and Dann Huff (electric guitar)
Joe Chemay (bass guitar, background vocals)
Dan Dugmore and Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar)
Larry Franklin (fiddle)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, synthesizer, accordion)
Paul Leim and Lonnie Wilson (drums)
Anthony Martin, John Wesley Ryles, Dennis Wilson and Curtis Young (background vocals)
Collin Raye (lead vocals, background vocals)
Tom Roady (percussion)
Ed Seay (six-string bass guitar)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (electric guitar, acoustic guitar)
Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Collin Raye’s ‘I Think About You’ (Epic Records, 1995) reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1995, No.40 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1995, and No.13 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1995.
On Tuesday 29 October 1996, Collin Raye saw the release of his first Christmas album, ‘Christmas: The Gift’ (Epic Records, 1996), which included the following tracks:
‘The Christmas Song’ (written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells)
‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ (written by Walter Kent, Kim Gannon and Buck Ram)
‘It Could Happen Again’, which was written by Tamara Hyler, Will Robinson and Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022) / this track featured a spoken introduction by Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003)
‘The First Noel’ (written by William Sandys) (traditional)
‘Away In A Manger’ (traditional)
‘White Christmas’, which was written by Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – Friday 22 September 1989)
‘Winter Wonderland’ (written by Dick Smith and Felix Bernard) / this track featured guest vocals by The Beach Boys
‘Angels We Have Heard On High’ (traditional)
‘The Little Drummer Boy’ (written by Harry Simeone, Katherine Davis and Henry Onorati)
‘Silent Night’, which was written by Franz Xaver Gruber (25 November 1787 – 7 June 1863) and Joseph Mohr (11 December 1792 – 4 December 1848)
‘The First Noel’ (instrumental) (written by William Sandys) (traditional)
‘O Holy Night’ (written by Adolphe Adam and John Sullivan Dwight)
Personnel involved in the recording of Collin Raye’s ‘Christmas: The Gift’ (Epic Records, 1996) included the following:
David Angell, David Davidson, Carl Gorodetzky, Gerald Greer, Lee Larrison, Cate Myer, Randall Olson, Antoine Silverman, Pamela Sixfin, Bruce Sweetman, Christian Teal, Paul Tobias, Alan Umstead, Catherine Umstead, Mary Kathryn Van Osdale and Karen Winkelman (violin)
Monisa Angell, Joann Cruthirds, Jim Grosjean, Kathryn Plummer, Kristin Wilkinson and Clare Yang (viola)
Sam Bacco and Farrell Morris (percussion)
Larry Cansler (orchestration)
Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) (spoken introduction on ‘It Could Happen Again’)
Joe Chemay (bass, background vocals)
Pat Coil and John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (keyboards)
Ernie Collins, Dennis Good, Barry Green and Chris McDonald (trombone)
Cynthia Estill (bassoon)
Phil Hansen, Anthony LaMarchina, Margaret Mason, Bob Mason, Carole Rabinowitz-Neuen, Julia Tanner and David Vankerkooi (cello)
Mike Haynes (trumpet)
Mary Hoepfinger (harp)
Jim Hoke (harmonica)
Dann Huff (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Ron Huff (string arrangements)
Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, Mike Love, Brian Wilson and Carl Wilson (background vocals on ‘Winter Wonderland’)
Jana King, Anthony Martin, Cindy Richardson-Walker, John Wesley Ryles, Dennis Wilson and Brittany Wray (background vocals)
Paul Liem (drums)
Lee Levine (clarinet)
Sam Levine and Ann Richards (flute)
Craig Nelson and Elizabeth Stewart (bass)
Leslie Norton, Calvin Smith, Jill Wilson and Joy Worland (French horn)
Collin Raye (lead vocals, background vocals)
Bobby G. Taylor (oboe)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) and Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Collin Raye’s ‘Christmas: The Gift’ (Epic Records, 1996) reached No.23 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1996, No. 126 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1996, and No.20 on the Billboard Top Holiday Albums Chart in 1996.
On Tuesday 11 March 1997, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits’ (Epic Records, 1997), which included the following tracks:
‘Little Rock’ (written by Tom Douglas) (No.2 in July 1994)
‘I Think About You’ (written by Don Schlitz and Steve Seskin) (No.3, 1996)
‘Not That Different’ (written by Karen Taylor-Good and Joie Scott) (No.3, 1995)
‘That’s My Story’ (written by Lee Roy Parnell and Tony Haselden) (No.6 in March 1994)
‘If I Were You’, which was written by John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) and Chris Farren (No.4, 1995)
‘One Boy, One Girl’ (written by Mark Alan Springer and Shaye Smith) (No.2, 1995)
‘In This Life’ (written by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin) (No.1 for one week in October 1992)
‘My Kind of Girl’, which was written by Debi Cochran, John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001) and Monty Powell (No.1 for one week in February 1995)
‘That Was A River’ (written by Rick Giles and Susan Longacre) (No.4 in November 1993)
‘What The Heart Wants’ (written by Michael Dulaney) / (No.2, 1997) / this track was previously unreleased
‘The Gift’ (written by Tom Douglas and Jim Brickman) / this track featured guest vocals from Jim Brickman and Susan Ashton / this track was previously unreleased
‘Open Arms’ (written by Jonathan Cain and Steve Perry) / this track was previously unreleased
‘Little Red Rodeo’, which was written by Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021), Phil Vassar and Rory Bourke / No.3 in March 1998) / this track was previously unreleased
‘Love, Me’ (written by Skip Ewing and Max T. Barnes) (No.1 for two weeks in January 1992) / this track received a ‘Song of The Year’ nomination from the Country Music Association (CMA) in 1992
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘What The Heart Wants’ (written by Michael Dulaney), ‘The Gift’ (written by Tom Douglas and Jim Brickman), ‘Open Arms’ (written by Jonathan Cain and Steve Perry), and ‘Little Red Rodeo’, which was written by Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021), Phil Vassar and Rory Bourke, included the following:
Susan Ashton (background vocals on ‘The Gift’)
Jim Brickman (piano on ‘The Gift’)
Larry Byrom (electric guitar on ‘The Gift’, ‘Open Arms’ and ‘Little Red Rodeo’)
Joe Chemay (bass guitar on all tracks, background vocals on ‘What the Heart Wants’, ‘Open Arms’ and ‘Little Red Rodeo’)
Larry Franklin (fiddle on ‘Open Arms’ and ‘Little Red Rodeo’)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar and Dobro on ‘What The Heart Wants’)
Sonny Garrish (steel guitar on ‘The Gift’, ‘Open Arms’ and ‘Little Red Rodeo’)
Steve Gibson (mandolin on ‘What The Heart Wants’)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (keyboards on ‘What The Heart Wants’ and ‘The Gift’)
Dann Huff (electric guitar on ‘What The Heart Wants’ and ‘The Gift’)
Paul Leim (drums, on all tracks)
Anthony Martin (background vocals on ‘What The Heart Wants’)
Gene Miller (background vocals on ‘What The Heart Wants’, ‘Open Arms’ and ‘Little Red Rodeo’)
Steve Nathan (piano on ‘Open Arms’ and ‘Little Red Rodeo’)
Collin Raye (lead vocals, on all tracks)
John Wesley Ryles (background vocals on ‘What The Heart Wants’)
Will Smith (autoharp on ‘What the Heart Wants’)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar on all tracks, electric guitar on ‘Open Arms’ and ‘Little Red Rodeo’)
Biff Watson (acoustic guitar on ‘What The Heart Wants’, ‘Open Arms’ and ‘Little Red Rodeo’)
Dennis Wilson (background vocals on ‘What The Heart Wants’, ‘Open Arms’ and ‘Little Red Rodeo’)
Paul Worley (acoustic guitar on ‘What The Heart Wants’)
Collin Raye’s ‘The Best of Collin Raye: Direct Hits’ (Epic Records, 1997) reached No.4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1997, No.33 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1997, and No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1997.
On Tuesday 14 July 1998, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘The Walls Came Down’ (Epic Records, 1998), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘I Can Still Feel You’, which was written by Kim Chadwick Tribble (Wednesday 14 November 1951 – Thursday 26 August 2021) and Tammy Hyler (No.1 for two weeks in July / August 1998)
‘Someone You Used to Know’, which was written by Tim Johnson (Friday 29 January 1960 – Sunday 21 October 2012) and Rory Lee Feek (No.3, 1998) / this track also reached No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1998, and No.37 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1998
‘Anyone Else’ (written by Radney Foster) (No.4, 1999) / this track was also No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart for one week in May 1999
‘Start Over Georgia’ (written by Collin Raye and Scotty Wray) (No.39, 1999)
Collin Raye’s ‘The Walls Came Down’ (Epic Records, 1998) also included the following tracks:
‘I Wish I Could’ (written by Tom Douglas and Randy Thomas)
‘Corner of The Heart’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024)
‘All My Roads’ (written by Karen Taylor-Good and Annette Cotter)
‘The Walls Came Down’ (written by Collin Raye)
‘April Fool’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024)
‘Make Sure You’ve Got It All’ (written by Bill Anderson and Steve Wariner)
‘Survivors’ (written by Scotty Wray and Jim Daddario)
‘Dark Secrets’ (written by Larry Cansler) / this track was an instrumental
‘The Eleventh Commandment’ (written by Karen Taylor-Good and Lisa Aschmann) / this track addressed the issue of child abuse; although not released as a single, it was made into a music video, which featured a number for a child abuse hotline at the end
Personnel involved in the recording of Collin Raye’s ‘The Walls Came Down’ (Epic Records, 1998) included the following:
Eddie Bayers (drums, percussion)
Jon Carroll (piano, Wurlitzer)
Joe Chemay and Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass guitar)
Jenna Cowart, Travis Lelesch, Gene Miller, John Wesley Ryles, Dennis Wilson and Curtis Young (background vocals)
Stuart Duncan and Aubrey Haynie (fiddle, mandolin)
Dann Huff, Brent Mason and Brent Rowan (electric guitar)
Paul Franklin and Sonny Garrish (steel guitar)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019), Michael Omartian and Matt Rollings (piano)
Jim Hughart (upright bass)
Paul Leim (drums)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007) (percussion, shaker)
Steve Nathan (piano, synthesizer, Hammond organ)
Collin Raye (lead vocals, background vocals)
Will Smith (autoharp)
Randy Waldman (piano, toy piano)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar, Baby Taylor guitar, electric guitar)
Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Paul Worley (acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar)
String section
Murray Adler, Joel Derouin, Julian French, Eric Gorfain, Endre Granat, Gina Kronstadt, Bob Peterson and Bob Sanov (violins)
Mimi Granat, Jorge Moraga, Carol Muagawa and Harry Shirinian (violas)
Glenn Grab, Suzie Katayama, Ray Kelley and Jerry Kessler (cellos)
Collin Raye’s ‘The Walls Came Down’ (Epic Records, 1998) reached No.8 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1998, No.55 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1998, and No.13 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1998.
It was also in 1998 when Collin Raye appeared on the various artists compilation album, ‘Tribute To Tradition’ (Columbia Records, 1998), with cover versions of ‘Cold Cold Heart’, which was a country music classic recorded by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) in 1951 (No.1), and ‘Honky Tonk Heroes (Like Me)’, which was written by Billy Joe Shaver (Wednesday 16 August 1939 – Wednesday 28 October 2020), which was recorded by Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) in 1973; this latter track was a duet with Collin Raye and Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020).
On Tuesday 25 January 2000, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘Counting Sheep’ (Sony Kids’ Music, 2000), an album of children’s music; the album, which did not produce any Billboard chart singles and was intended as a side project, included the following tracks:
‘Counting Sheep’ (written by Robert Ellis Orrall)
‘I’m Gonna Love You’ (written by Robert Ellis Orrall)
‘Blackbird’, which was written by John Lennon (Wednesday 9 October 1940 – Monday 8 December 1980) and Paul McCartney
‘A Mother & Father’s Prayer’ (written by Melissa Manchester and Karen Taylor-Good)
‘When You Wish Upon A Star’ (written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington)
‘Cool Cat’, which was written by John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) and Collin Raye
‘Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra (an Irish lullaby)’ (traditional)
‘Hearts Are For When You Want To Love Someone’ (written by K.L. Gordon and L. Paxton)
‘The Dream Song’ (written by Karen Taylor-Good and Jason Blume)
‘When You Say Your Prayers’ (written by Karen Taylor-Good and Jason Blume)
‘Stay Awake’ (written by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman)
Personnel involved in the recording of Collin Raye’s ‘Counting Sheep’ (Sony Kids’ Music, 2000) included the following:
Joe Chemay (bass guitar, background vocals)
Jim Cox (keyboards, Hammond organ)
Steve Gibson (electric guitar, mandolin)
Tom Hemby, Dean Parks and Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Wes Hightower, Liana Manis and Dennis Wilson (background vocals)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (keyboards, Hammond organ, piano, synthesizer)
John Jorgenson (clarinet, dulcimer, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, tin whistle, ukulele)
Paul Leim (drums, snare drums, percussion)
Melissa Manchester (vocals on ‘A Mother & Father’s Prayer’)
Steve Nathan (keyboards, Hammond organ, piano)
Larry Paxton (upright bass)
Collin Raye (lead vocals)
John ‘J.R.’ Robinson (drums, snare drums)
Leland Sklar (bass guitar)
On Tuesday 22 February 2000, Phil Vassar saw the release of his self-titled debut album, ‘Phil Vassar’ (Arista Nashville Records, 2000); one of the included tracks was ‘Carlene’, which was written by Phil Vassar, Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021) and Rory Bourke, which reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in late 1999, and featured backing vocals from Collin Raye.
On Tuesday 2 May 2000, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘Tracks’ (Epic Records, 2000), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Couldn’t Last A Moment’ (written by Danny Wells and Jeffrey Steele) (No.3, 2000)
‘Loving This Way’ (written by Allison Mellon and Gene LeSage) (No.50, 2000) / this track was a duet with Bobbie Eakes
‘She’s All That’ (written by Collin Raye and Scott Wray) (No.43, 2000)
‘You Still Take Me There’ (written by Del Gray, Brett James, Thom McHugh and Travis Lelesch) (No.47, 2001)
Collin Raye’s ‘Tracks’ (Epic Records, 2000) also included the following tracks:
‘I Want To Be There’ (written by Tommy Lee James, Robert Hart and Stephony Smith)
‘Completely’ (written by Marc Beeson, Travis Lelesch and Jeff Wood)
‘You Will Always Be Mine’ (written by Bob Regan and Chris Lindsey)
‘A Long Way To Go’, which was written by Richard Fagan (Thursday 24 April 1947 – Friday 5 August 2016) and Gordon Kennedy
‘Harder Cards’ (written by Craig Wiseman and Mike Henderson)
‘Landing In Love’ (written by Chuck Jones and Chuck Cannon)
‘Water & Bridges’ (written by Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman)
‘She’s Gonna Fly’ (written by Jason Blume and Karen Taylor-Good)
Personnel involved in the recording of Collin Raye’s ‘Tracks’ (Epic Records, 2000) included the following:
Tim Akers, John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019), Steve Nathan and Matt Rollings (keyboards)
Mike Brignardello and Joe Chemay (bass guitar)
Eric Darken (percussion)
Bobbie Eakes (vocals on ‘Loving This Way’)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar)
Aubrey Haynie (fiddle, mandolin)
Wes Hightower, Troy Johnson, Gene Miller, Chris Rodriguez and Russell Terrell (background vocals)
Dann Huff, Gordon Kennedy, Jeff King and Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Paul Leim and Lonnie Wilson (drums)
B. James Lowry and Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Nashville String Machine (strings)
Collin Raye (lead vocals)
Collin Raye’s ‘Tracks’ (Epic Records, 2000) reached No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2000, No.81 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2000, and No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 2000.
On Tuesday 30 October 2001, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘Can’t Back Down’ (Epic Records, 2001), which included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Ain’t Nobody Gonna Take That From Me’ (written by Rivers Rutherford, Annie Tate and Sam Tate) (No.43, 2001)
‘What I Need’ (written by Karen Taylor-Good and Jason Blume) / this track was released as a single in 2001, but it did not chart
Collin Raye’s ‘Can’t Back Down’ (Epic Records, 2001) also included the following tracks:
‘Gypsy Honeymoon’ (written by Kim Carnes and Collin Ellingson)
‘It Could Be That Easy’ (written by Tom Damphier and Gene LeSage)
‘Dancing With No Music Playing’ (written by Don Ellis and Billy Montana)
‘You Always Get To Me’ (written by Angela Lauer and Tom Douglas)
‘End of The World’ (written by Billy Mann)
‘One Desire’ (written by Jane Bach, Tammy Hyler and Kevin Haynie)
‘Young As We’re Ever Gonna Be’ (written by Collin Raye and Scott Wray)
‘Dear Life’ (written by Christi Dannemiller and Gene LeSage)
‘What I Did For Love’ (written by Brent Maher and Thom Schuyler)
‘I Can Let Go Now’ (written by Michael McDonald)
Personnel involved in the recording of Collin Raye’s ‘Can’t Back Down’ (Epic Records, 2001) included the following:
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Mike Brignardello and David Hungate (bass guitar)
Kim Carnes, Billy Davis, Chip Davis, Wes Hightower, Little Big Town, John Wesley Ryles, Jeffrey Steele and Russell Terrell (background vocals)
Stuart Duncan and Aubrey Haynie (fiddle, mandolin)
Paul Franklin and Sonny Garrish (steel guitar)
B. James Lowry and Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Brent Mason and Brent Rowan (electric guitar)
Steve Nathan, Gary Prim and Matt Rollings (piano, keyboards)
Collin Raye (lead vocals)
Steve Dorff (strings conducted and arranged on ‘I Can Let Go Now’)
Collin Raye’s ‘Can’t Back Down’ (Epic Records, 2001) reached No.39 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2001.
Following the release of ‘Can’t Back Down’ (Epic Records, 2001), Collin Raye was dropped by Epic Records.
In 2004, Collin Raye saw the release of a non-album single, ‘World History 101’, which did not chart.
On Tuesday 25 October 2005, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘Twenty Years & Change’ (Aspirion Records, 2005), which included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘I Know That’s Right’ (written by Bob DiPiero, Tom Shapiro and Rivers Rutherford) / this track was released as a single in 2005, but it did not chart
‘Hurricane Jane’ (written by Blair Daly, Gordie Sampson and Troy Verges) / this track was released as a single in 2005, but it did not chart
Collin Raye’s ‘Twenty Years & Change’ (Aspirion Records, 2005) also included the following tracks:
‘The Search Is Over’ (written by Jim Peterik and Frankie Sullivan)
‘Forgotten’ (written by Allison Mellon and Gene LeSage)
‘You’re Not Drinking Enough’ (written by Daniel Kortchmar)
‘Josephine’ (written by Rory Lee Feek)
‘Heart’ (written by Gene LeSage and Jason Blume)
‘All I Can Do Is Love You’ (written by Collin Raye and Melissa Manchester)
‘Let Your Love Flow’ (written by Larry E. Williams)
‘Twenty Years & Change’ (written by Collin Raye)
‘We’ll Be Alright’ (written by Gene LeSage and Tom Damphier)
‘It’s Only Make Believe’, which was written by Jack Nance and Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993)
Personnel involved in the recording of Collin Raye’s ‘Twenty Years & Change’ (Aspirion Records, 2005) included the following:
Eddie Bayers, John Gardner, Paul Leim and Paul Scholten (drums, percussion)
Larry Beaird, Fred Mollin, Steve Shehan and C. Michael Spriggs (acoustic guitar)
Mike Chapman and Larry Paxton (bass guitar)
J.T. Corenflos (Wednesday 6 November 1963 – Saturday 24 October 2020) and Johnny Garcia (electric guitar)
Glen Duncan (fiddle, mandolin)
Paul Franklin and Sonny Garrish (steel guitar)
Aubrey Haynie (fiddle)
Rick Jackson (piano, organ, keyboards)
Tim Lauer (accordion)
Gene LeSage (piano, organ, keyboards, background vocals)
Steve Nathan, Johnny Neel (Friday 11 June 1954 – Sunday 6 October 2024) and Michael Rojas (piano, organ, keyboards)
Collin Raye (lead vocals, background vocals)
John Willis (electric guitar, banjo)
Collin Raye’s ‘Twenty Years & Change’ (Aspirion Records, 2005) reached No.73 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2005.
On Tuesday 5 December 2006, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘Fearless’ (Country Roads Records, 2006), which included the following tracks:
‘Just Because’ (written by Tom Damphier and Gene Lesage)
‘You’ve Heard That One Before’ (written by Gary Burr and Collin Raye)
‘Fearless’
‘As Young As We’re Ever Going To Be’ (written by Collin Raye)
‘Lady’
‘Makin’ Up Time’ (written by Collin Raye’
‘Too Hot To Sleep’ (written by Gene Lesage)
‘Falling In Love Again’
‘Something To Say’
‘Forever Starts Right Now’
‘My Way’ (written by Paul Anka and Gilles Thibault)
‘House of The Rising Sun’ (written by Brian Auger and Eric Burdon)
On Tuesday 26 June 2007, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘Selected Hits’ (Starpointe Records / Rock Bottom Records, 2007), a bold new CD concept, which included six tracks, four of Collin Raye’s most requested No.1 hit singles available ‘live’ for the first time, and two new studio songs, which were produced by Alabama’s Teddy Gentry and Michael Curtis.
Collin Raye’s ‘Selected Hits’ (Starpointe Records / Rock Bottom Records, 2007) included a recorded personal message from Collin Raye; the four selected greatest hits were recorded ‘live’ with Salt Lake Symphony, and the full track listing was as follows:
‘A Soldiers Prayer’ / this track reached No.59 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2007
‘Quitters’ (this track was co-written by Canadian country singer, George Canyon) / this track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2007, but it did not chart
‘That’s My Story’ (written by Lee Roy Parnell and Tony Haselden) / the original version of this track reached No.6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in March 1994)
‘Little Rock’ (written by Tom Douglas) / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in July 1994)
‘I Think About You’ (written by Don Schlitz and Steve Seskin) / the original version of this track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996)
‘Love, Me’ (written by Skip Ewing and Max T. Barnes) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for two weeks in January 1992), and received a ‘Song of The Year’ nomination from the Country Music Association (CMA) in 1992
On Tuesday 28 April 2009, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘Never Going Back’ (Saguaro Road Records / Time Life Entertainment, 2009), which included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘Mid-Life Chrysler’ (written by Tony Martin, Wendell Mobley and Neil Thrasher) / this track was released as a single in 2009, but it did not chart
‘She’s With Me’ (written by Collin Raye) / this track, which did not chart on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart, was a tribute to Collin Raye’s granddaughter, Haley (2001 – Saturday 3 April 2010), who suffered from a neurological disorder which had not been correctly diagnosed during her short life
Collin Raye’s ‘Never Going Back’ (Saguaro Road Records / Time Life Entertainment, 2009) also included the following tracks:
‘Get Up In Jesus’ Name’ (written by Mike Curtis and Marty Raybon)
‘The Only Jesus’ (written by Mike Curtis and Collin Raye)
‘You Get Me’ (written by Wendell Mobley and Neil Thrasher)
‘Never Going Back’ (written by Mike Curtis, Troy Powers, Collin Raye and Brittany Raye)
‘Take Care of You’ (written by Aimee Mayo, Wendell Mobley and Neil Thrasher)
‘The Cross’ (written by Mike Curtis)
‘I Love You This Much’ (written by Austin Cunningham and Neil Thrasher)
‘Indescribable’ (written by Laura Story)
Personnel involved in the recording of Collin Raye’s ‘Never Going Back’ (Saguaro Road Records / Time Life Entertainment, 2009) included the following:
Mark Beckett and Doug Stokes (drums, percussion)
Michael A. Curtis, Lenny LeBlanc and Mike Pyle (background vocals)
Donald Clive Davidson and Connie Ellisor (violin)
Jim Gray (string arrangements, string conductor)
Jim Grosjean and Alan Umstead (viola)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) (keyboards, Hammond organ, piano)
Anthony LaMarchina and Julie Tanner (cello)
Gary Lunn (bass guitar)
James Mitchell (electric guitar)
Collin Raye (lead vocals, background vocals)
Joel Reist (double bass)
Scotty Sanders (steel guitar)
Pamela Sixfin (string contractor, violin)
Michael Spriggs (acoustic guitar, gut string guitar)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
At the 41st GMA Dove Awards, Collin Raye’s ‘Never Going Back’ (Saguaro Road Records / Time Life Entertainment, 2009) was nominated for a Dove Award for ‘Country Album of The Year’.
Collin Raye’s ‘Never Going Back’ (Saguaro Road Records / Time Life Entertainment, 2009) reached No.40 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2009.
In September 2011, Collin Raye became the national spokesperson for the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network.
On Tuesday 24 October 2011, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘His Love Remains’ (Cradle Concepts Records, 2011), which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘Undefeated’ / this track was released as a single in 2011, but it did not chart
Collin Raye’s ‘His Love Remains’ (Cradle Concepts Records, 2011) also included the following tracks:
‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing’ / this track featured guest vocals from Andrea Thomas
‘Give Me Jesus’
‘How Great Thou Art’
‘Ave Maria’
‘How Beautiful’ / this track featured guest vocals from Andrea Thomas
‘Here I Am, Lord’
‘I Get What I Need’
‘O Lord, I am Not Worthy’ / this track featured guest vocals from Marie Bellet
‘Were You There?’
‘I Am The Bread of Life’
‘Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence’
‘Love Remains’
‘Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee’
‘Amazing Grace’
In 2012, Collin Raye saw the release of a non-album single, ‘Never Gonna Stand for This’, which it did not chart on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.
On Tuesday 6 December 2013, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘Still On The Line…The Songs of Glen Campbell’ (Cradle Concepts Records, 2013), which included the following tracks:
‘Galveston’ (written by Jimmy Webb)
‘Gentle On My Mind’, which was written by John Hartford (Thursday 30 December 1937 – Monday 4 June 2001) / this track featured guest vocals from Ricky Skaggs
‘Wichita Lineman’ (written by Jimmy Webb)
‘Southern Nights’, which was written by Allen Toussaint (Friday 14 January 1938 – Tuesday 10 November 2015)
‘True Grit’, which was written by Don Black and Elmer Bernstein (Tuesday 4 April 1922 – Wednesday 18 August 2004)
‘Country Boy (You’ve Got Your Feet In L.A.)’ (written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter)
‘Try A Little Kindness’, which was written by Carl Sapaugh and Bobby Austin (Friday 5 May 1933 – Sunday 6 January 2002)
‘Dreams of The Everyday Housewife’ (written by Chris Gantry)
‘By The Time I Get To Phoenix’ (written by Jimmy Webb)
‘The Hand That Rocks The Cradle’, which was written by Ted Harris (1937 – Sunday 22 November 2015)
‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ (written by Larry Weiss) / this track featured guest vocals from Billy Dean
‘Where’s The Playground Susie?’ (written by Jimmy Webb)
In 2014, Collin Raye saw the release of a single, ‘Some Real Good People’, which featured guest vocals from Clinton Gregory.
In late 2014, Collin Raye saw the release of ‘Everlasting’ (Goldentone Records, 2014), which included the following tracks:
‘Divine Everlasting Love’
‘Say Hello To Heaven’
‘How Deep Is Your Love’, which was written by Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, CBE (Thursday 22 December 1949 – Sunday 12 January 2003) and Robin Gibb, CBE (Thursday 22 December 1949 – Sunday 20 May 2012)
‘Against All Odds’
‘Love Song For A Vampire’
‘(Everything I Do) I Do It For You’ (written by Bryan Adams)
‘Marie’ (written by R. Newman)
‘If’
‘We’re All Alone’ (written by Boz Scaggs)
‘She’s Got A Way’ (written by Billy Joel)
‘Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word’ (written by Bernie Taupin)
‘How Am I Supposed To Live Without You’ (written by Michael Bolton)
‘Same Old Lang Syne’, which was written by Dan Fogelberg (Monday 13 August 1951 – Sunday 16 December 2007)
On Friday 20 November 2020, Collin Raye saw the release of his first album of all-new material in over a decade, ‘Scars’ (BFD Records / Audium Nashville, 2020), which was produced by David Ferguson, and included the following tracks:
‘Ghost Story’ (written by Scotty Wray)
‘Scars’ (written by Scotty Wray and Tony Ramey) / this track featured guest vocals from Miranda Lambert
‘Bad Storm Coming Tonight’ (written by Pat McLaughlin, Joe Allen and Collin Raye)
‘Dancing Alone In The Street’ (written by Collin Raye)
‘Never Going Back There Again’ (written by Collin Raye, Britanny Raye, Michael Curtis and Troy Powers)
‘Loved By An Angel’ (written by Pat McLaughlin, David Ferguson and Collin Raye)
‘Rodeo Girl’ (written by Pat McLaughlin, David Ferguson and Collin Raye) / this track featured guest vocals from Vince Gill
‘Chasing Renee’ (written by Collin Raye and Jacob Wray)
‘I’ve Got A Lot To Drink About’ (written by Collin Raye and Shaunna Larkin)
‘Ever Making Up Time’ (written by Collin Raye and Gene Lasage)
‘Let It Go Away’ (written by Joe Allen, Collin Raye and David Ferguson)
‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Bone’ (written by Collin Raye)
‘Young As We’re Ever Gonna Be’ (written by Scotty Wray and Collin Raye)
‘Mama Sure Could Sing’ (written by Scotty Wray and Collin Raye)
Dan Auerbach contributed electric guitar work throughout the recording of Collin Raye’s ‘Scars’ (BFD Records / Audium Nashville, 2020).
• Visit Collin Raye’s official site at collinraye.com