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 during 2010, 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 Crystal Gayle, which she submitted to this site on Monday 22 November 2010.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Crystal Gayle who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Crystal Gayle
This quote was submitted on Monday 22 November 2010.
‘Not only does Gene Watson have a great voice, but he has even a greater heart!
The award shows should give Gene a moment in the spotlight to let a new generation of fans hear one of the best country singers of all time.
Don’t ask me to follow him!
I love Gene!’
Thank you, Crystal Gayle, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Crystal Gayle…
Crystal Gayle was born Brenda Gail Webb, on Tuesday 9 January 1951, and is an American country music singer, who is best known for her 1977 country-pop hit single, ‘Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue’ (written by Richard Leigh) (No.1 for four weeks in August / September 1977, and No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1977).
An award-winning singer, Crystal Gayle accumulated eighteen No.1 country hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart between June 1976 and February 1987. Crystal Gayle is also famous for her nearly floor-length hair and, in 1983, was voted one of the fifty most beautiful people in the world.
(Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022)
Crystal Gayle is the younger sister of singer Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022), and is a distant cousin of singer, Patty Loveless.
Crystal Gayle has a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, near the star of Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022).
Crystal Gayle was born Brenda Gail Webb to a poor family in Butcher Holler, Paintsville, Kentucky to Melvin ‘Ted’ Webb (1906 – 1959) and Clara Marie (Ramey) Webb (1912 – 1981).
The youngest of eight children, Brenda Gail Webb was the only one born in a hospital.
Brenda Gail Webb’s family moved to Wabash, Indiana when she was four years old. She started singing along with country and pop songs on the radio and, though shy as a child, she was encouraged by her mother to sing for visitors to the house.
Inspired by the performance of her sister, Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022), Crystal Gayle decided to learn guitar and sing backup in her brother’s folk band.
While she was still in high school, Brenda Gail Webb began to tour with Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) for a few weeks each summer.
After graduating from Wabash High School, Brenda Gail Webb signed with Decca Records, her sister’s record label.
However, since there was already a star named Brenda Lee with Decca Records, Decca asked Brenda Gail Webb to change her first name. It was her older sister, Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022), who suggested the name ‘Crystal’ for her singing career (after noticing a sign for the Krystal hamburger restaurant chain). So, Brenda Gail Webb took the stage name ‘Crystal Gayle’.
On Saturday 19 September 1970, Crystal Gayle saw the release of her debut single, ‘I’ve Cried (The Blues Right Out of My Eyes)’; the single peaked at No.23 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970.
‘I’ve Cried (The Blues Right Out of My Eyes)’, which was written by Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022), was performed in a style very similar to that of her sister.
Decca Records pushed for more records styled like those of Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022), with Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) actually writing more of her early singles. However, this musical approach failed to establish Crystal Gayle in her own right despite regular appearances on ‘The Country Place’, a television show, which was hosted by Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 – Thursday 11 June 2015).
Crystal Gayle did not make a return to the Billboard country music Top 40 singles chart until the release of the single, ‘Restless’, in 1974, which reached No.39.
Feeling slightly frustrated, Crystal Gayle parted company with Decca Records and signed a recording contract with United Artists Records in 1974, where she teamed up with producer Allen Reynolds; Allen offered Crystal Gayle the creative freedom she wanted, helping her develop her own distinctive style and phrasing.
Crystal Gayle’s first single to enter the Top 10 of the Billboard country music singles chart was ‘Wrong Road Again’ (written by Allen Reynolds), which peaked at No.6 in 1974.
‘Wrong Road Again’ (written by Allen Reynolds) was one of the tracks which was included on Crystal Gayle’s self-titled debut album, ‘Crystal Gayle’ (United Artists Records, 1974).
On Friday 7 February 1975, Crystal Gayle saw the release of her self-titled debut album, ‘Crystal Gayle’ (United Artists Records, 1975), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Wrong Road Again’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.6, 1974)
‘Beyond You’ (written by Bill Gatzimos and Crystal Gayle) (No.27, 1975) / this track was later included on Crystal Gayle’s ‘We Should Be Together’ (United Artists Records, 1979)
‘This Is My Year For Mexico’, which was written by Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003) (No.21, 1975) / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Love in The Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975)
Crystal Gayle’s self-titled debut album, ‘Crystal Gayle’ (United Artists Records, 1975), also included the following tracks:
‘A Woman’s Heart (Is A Handy Place To Be)’ (written by Marshall Chapman and Cort Casady)
‘Gonna Lay Me Down Beside My Memories’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016)
‘When I Dream’, which was written by Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) / this was Crystal Gayle’s first rendition of ‘When I Dream’, which became a hit single four years later, in 1979, when it was included on ‘When I Dream’ (United Artists Records, 1978), reaching No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979
‘You’ (written by Dolly Parton)
‘Loving You So Long Now’ (written by Allen Reynolds)
‘Hands’, which was written by Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) and Bill Backer
‘Counterfeit Love (I Know You’ve Got It)’, which was written by Paul Craft (Friday 12 August 1938 – Saturday 18 October 2014)
Personnel involved in the recording of Crystal Gayle’s self-titled debut album, ‘Crystal Gayle’ (United Artists Records, 1974), included the following:
Jimmy Colvard (1943 – 1977), Bobby Thompson (Monday 5 July 1937 – Wednesday 18 May 2005) and Chip Young (Thursday 19 May 1938 – Saturday 20 December 2014) (guitar)
Lloyd Green (steel guitar)
Joe Allen (bass)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums, percussion)
Buddy Spicher and Lisa Silver (fiddle, violin)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) (piano, vibes, arrangements)
Crystal Gayle’s self-titled debut album, ‘Crystal Gayle’ (United Artists Records, 1974), reached No.25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1974.
On Monday 20 October 1975, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Somebody Loves You’ (United Artists Records, 1975), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Somebody Loves You’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.8, 1976)
‘I’ll Get Over You’ (written by Richard Leigh) (No.1 for one week in June 1976) / this track became Crystal Gayle’s first ever single to reach Billboard’s Hot 100 pop music singles chart, peaking at No.71 in 1976
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Somebody Loves You’ (United Artists Records, 1975) also included the following tracks:
‘Before I’m Fool Enough (To Give It One More Try)’ (written by Allen Reynolds)
‘Sweet Baby On My Mind’ (written by Jim Owen)
‘I Want To Lose Me In You’ (written by Jim Rushing and Marshall Chapman)
‘High Time’ (written by Bobby David)
‘What You’ve Done For Me’, which was written by Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015)
‘Coming Closer’ (written by Crystal Gayle and Bill Gatzimos)
‘Dreaming My Dreams With You’ (written by Allen Reynolds) / this track was also recorded by Patty Loveless, who included it on ‘Dreaming My Dreams’ (Epic Records, 2005)
‘What I’ve Been Needin’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016)
Personnel involved in the recording of Crystal Gayle’s ‘Somebody Loves You’ (United Artists Records, 1975) included the following:
Crystal Gayle (vocals)
Jimmy Colvard (1943 – 1977) (electric guitar, acoustic guitar)
Allen Reynolds (acoustic guitar, backing vocals)
Lloyd Green (steel guitar)
Buddy Spicher (fiddle)
Joe Allen (bass)
Shane Keister (keyboards)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) (keyboards, string arrangements)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums, percussion)
Garth Fundis and Janie Fricke (backing vocals)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Somebody Loves You’ (United Artists Records, 1975) reached No.11 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1975.
On Friday 6 August 1976, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Crystal’ (United Artists Records, 1976), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘One More Time (Karneval)’ (written by Joachim Heider, Christian Heilburg and Bryan Blackburn) (No.31, 1976)
‘You Never Miss A Real Good Thing (‘Til He Says Goodbye)’ (written by Bob McDill) (No.1 for one week in January 1977)
‘I’ll Do It All Over Again’, which was written by Bob McDill and Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024) (No.2, 1977)
‘Ready For The Times To Get Better’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.1 for one week in April 1978)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Crystal’ (United Artists Records, 1976) also included the following tracks:
‘Oh, My Soul’ (written by Marcia Routh)
‘Come Home Daddy’ (written by Tina Newkirk)
‘Right In The Palm of Your Hand’ (written by Bob McDill) / this track was also recorded, in 1981, by Mel McDaniel (Sunday 6 September 1942 – Thursday 31 March 2011), who included it on ‘I’m Countryfied’ (Capitol Records, 1980); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980
‘Forgettin’ ‘Bout You’, which was written by Allen Reynolds and Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017)
‘Let’s Do It Right’ (written by Richard Leigh and Richard Mainegra)
‘I’m Not So Far Away’ (written by Garth Fundis)
Personnel involved in the recording of Crystal Gayle’s ‘Crystal’ (United Artists Records, 1976) included the following:
Crystal Gayle (vocals)
Chris Leuzinger and Jimmy Colvard (1943 – 1977) (electric guitar)
Allen Reynolds, Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), Garth Fundis and Jimmy Colvard (1943 – 1977) (acoustic guitar)
Lloyd Green (steel guitar, resonator guitar)
Buddy Spicher (fiddle)
Joe Allen (bass)
Bobby Wood (keyboards)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) (keyboards, string arrangements, horn arrangements)
Jimmy Isbell (drums, percussion)
Allen Reynolds, Garth Fundis, Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) and Crystal Gayle (backing vocals)
Billy Puett, Dennis Good and Don Sheffield (horns)
Carl Gorodetzky, Gary Vanosdale, George Binkley III, Lennie Haight, Marvin Chantry, Roy Christensen and Sheldon ‘Shelly’ Kurland (Saturday 9 June 1928 – Wednesday 6 January 2010) (strings)
The Trolley Car Band (special effects)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Crystal’ (United Artists Records, 1976) reached No.7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1976.
On Friday 24 June 1977, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘We Must Believe In Magic’ (United Artists Records, 1977), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue’ (written by Richard Leigh) (No.1 for four weeks in August / September 1977) / this track also reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1977, thus becoming Crystal Gayle’s biggest hit song
‘Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue’ (written by Richard Leigh) received considerable airplay worldwide. Crystal Gayle earned a Grammy Award for ‘Best Female Country Vocal Performance’. Crystal Gayle toured worldwide, including Britain with Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) and China with Bob Hope (Friday 29 May 1903 – Sunday 27 July 2003), where she became the first person to record a performance on The Great Wall of China.
‘Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue’ brought songwriter Richard Leigh his second Country Music Association (CMA) ‘Song of The Year’ Award and netted two Grammy Awards.
Crystal Gayle’s ‘We Must Believe In Magic’ (United Artists Records, 1977) also included the following tracks:
‘I Wanna Come Back To You’, which was written by Johnny Christopher and Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004)
‘River Road’ (written by Sylvia Fricker Tyson) / this track also reached No.64 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980, when it was included on ‘Favourites’ (Liberty Records, 1980)
‘It’s All Right With Me’, which was written by Cole Porter (9 June 1891 – Thursday 15 October 1964)
‘Going Down Slow’ (written by B. Bond)
‘All I Wanna Do In Life’, which was written by Allen Reynolds and Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015)
‘Make A Dream Come True’, which was written by Larry Kingston (Sunday 10 August 1941 – Sunday 20 February 2005)
‘Green Door’ (written by Bob Davie and Marvin Moore)
‘Funny’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011)
‘We Must Believe In Magic’ (written by Bob McDill and Allen Reynolds)
Personnel involved in the recording of Crystal Gayle’s ‘We Must Believe In Magic’ (United Artists Records, 1977) included the following:
Gene Chrisman, Jimmy Isbell and Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums, percussion)
Joe Allen and Mike Leech (bass guitar)
Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), Johnny Christopher, Jimmy Colvard (1943 – 1977), Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) and Allen Reynolds (guitars)
Lloyd Green (steel guitar)
Bobby Wood and Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (keyboards)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) (keyboards, string arrangements, horn arrangements)
Shane Keister (synthesizers)
New Grass Revival and The Trolleycar Band (special effects)
Buddy Spicher and Sam Bush (fiddle)
Courtney Johnson (banjo)
Billy Puett (flute, clarinet)
Carl Gorodetsky, Gary Vanosdale, George Binkley, Lennie Haight, Marvin Chantry, Roy Christensen and Sheldon ‘Shelly’ Kurland (Saturday 9 June 1928 – Wednesday 6 January 2010) (strings)
Janie Fricke, Marcia Routh, Pebble Daniel, Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) and Garth Fundis (backing vocals)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘We Must Believe In Magic’ (United Artists Records, 1977) was certified ‘Platinum’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1978.
Crystal Gayle’s ‘We Must Believe In Magic’ (United Artists Records, 1977) was also Crystal’s first album to chart in the United Kingdom, where it reached No.15 and was certified ‘Silver’ by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
Crystal Gayle’s ‘We Must Believe In Magic’ (United Artists Records, 1977) became Crystal’s highest selling album, reaching No.2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977, and No.12 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music albums chart in 1977.
For the next ten years, between 1977 and 1987, Crystal Gayle enjoyed her greatest success; she was awarded the ‘Female Vocalist of The Year’ Award for two consecutive years (1977 and 1978) by the Country Music Association (CMA), and for three years (1976, 1977 and 1979) by the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
Following the huge success of ‘Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue’ (written by Richard Leigh) (No.1 for four weeks in August / September 1977 and No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1977), Crystal Gayle re-recorded ‘Ready For The Times To Get Better’ (written by Allen Reynolds), a track which had been included on ‘Crystal’ (United Artists Records, 1976).
‘Ready For The Times To Get Better’ (written by Allen Reynolds) subsequently was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1978. However, it failed to reach the Billboard Top 40 pop music singles chart, stalling at No.52.
On Friday 2 June 1978, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘When I Dream’ (United Artists Records, 1978), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Talking In Your Sleep’ (written by Roger Cook and Bobby Wood) (No.1 for two weeks in August / September 1978) / this track also reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1978
‘Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For’ (written by Mark True) (No.1 for two weeks in January / February 1979)
‘When I Dream’, which was written by Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) (No.3, 1979) / this track was originally included on ‘Crystal Gayle’ (United Artists Records, 1974)
‘Heart Mender’ (written by Richard Leigh and Milton Blackford) (No.58, 1979)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘When I Dream’ (United Artists Records, 1978) also included the following tracks:
‘Hello, I Love You’, which was written by Roger Cook and Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007)
‘Paintin’ This Old Town Blue’ (written by W.T. Davidson)
‘Don’t Treat Me Like A Stranger’, which was written by Dave Loggins (Monday 10 November 1947 – Wednesday 10 July 2024)
‘Too Good To Throw Away’ (written by Bob McDill)
‘Cry Me A River’ (written by Arthur Hamilton)
‘Wayward Wind’, which was written by Stanley Richard Lebowsky (Friday 26 November 1926 – Sunday 19 October 1986) and Herbert Newman
‘Someday Soon’, which was written by Ian Tyson (Monday 25 September 1933 – Thursday 29 December 2022)
‘I Still Miss Someone’, which was written by Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) and Roy Cash Jr. (Friday 2 September 1921 – Thursday 8 July 1993)
Personnel involved in the recording of Crystal Gayle’s ‘When I Dream’ (United Artists Records, 1978) included the following:
Crystal Gayle (vocals)
Biff Watson, Billy Sanford, Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), Johnny Christopher, Ray Edenton (Wednesday 3 November 1926 – Wednesday 21 September 2022), Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019), Rod Smarr and Sonny Curtis (guitar)
Bob Moore (Wednesday 30 November 1932 – Wednesday 22 September 2021), Joe Allen, Mike Leech, Richard ‘Spady’ Brannan and Tommy Cogbill (bass)
Lloyd Green (steel guitar, resonator guitar)
Chris Leuzinger (slide guitar)
Bobby Emmons, Bobby Wood, Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007), Dwight Scott, Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) and Richard Durrett (keyboards)
Cindy Reynolds (harp)
Gene Chrisman, Jimmy Isbell, Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) and Vic Mastrianni (drums, percussion)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘When I Dream’ (United Artists Records, 1978), which reached No.2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978, achieved a Gold Disc, but was certified ‘Platinum’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1982.
‘When I Dream’ (United Artists Records, 1978) was also Crystal Gayle’s second album to chart in the United Kingdom, where it reached No.25 and was awarded a Silver Disc by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
On Tuesday 19 June 1979, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘We Should Be Together’ (United Artists Records, 1978), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Your Kisses Will’, which was written by Van Stephenson (Wednesday 4 November 1953 – Sunday 8 April 2001) (No.7, 1979)
‘Your Old Cold Shoulder’ (written by Richard Leigh) (No.5, 1979)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘We Should Be Together’ (United Artists Records, 1978) also included the following tracks:
‘Sneakin’ Out The Back Door’ (written by James Valentini and Frank Saulino)
‘You’ll Be Loved Someday’, which was written by Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015)
‘Beyond You’ (written by Bill Gatzimos and Crystal Gayle)
‘You’re The Best Thing In My Life’ (written by C. Sauls)
‘Time Will Prove That I’m Right’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Through Believing In Love Songs’ (written by Bill Gatzimos and Crystal Gayle)
‘Too Deep For Tears’ (written by Richard Leigh)
‘We Should Be Together’ (written by Allen Reynolds)
Personnel involved in the recording of Crystal Gayle’s ‘We Should Be Together’ (United Artists Records, 1978) included the following:
Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019), Jimmy Colvard (1943 – 1977) and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) (guitar)
Lloyd Green (steel, Dobro)
Bob Moore (Wednesday 30 November 1932 – Wednesday 22 September 2021) and Mike Leech (bass)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums, percussion)
Bobby Wood (piano, keyboards)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) (arrangements)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘We Should Be Together’ (United Artists Records, 1978), which reached No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978, was Crystal’s sixth and final album for United Artists Records.
In 1978, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘I’ve Cried The Blue Right Out of My Eyes’ (MCA Records, 1978), a compilation album, which consisted of Crystal Gayle’s earliest recordings from her tenure on Decca Records from the early 1970s (Decca Records was assimilated into MCA Records during Crystal Gayle’s contract).
Crystal Gayle’s ‘I’ve Cried The Blue Right Out of My Eyes’ (MCA Records, 1978) was produced by Owen Bradley (Thursday 21 October 1915 – Wednesday 7 January 1998), who had previously produced such country music artists as Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 – Tuesday 5 March 1963) and Crystal Gayle’s elder sister, Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) (who wrote three of the songs featured on this compilation).
Crystal Gayle’s ‘I’ve Cried The Blue Right Out of My Eyes’ (MCA Records, 1978) included the following tracks:
‘I’ve Cried (The Blue Right Out of My Eyes)’, which was written by Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) (No.23 in August 1970) / this track was re-released in early 1978 to promote this album, this time reaching No.40 on the Billboard country music singles chart
‘Sparklin’ Look of Love’, which was written by Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022)
‘Too Far’, which was written by Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982)
‘Everybody Oughta Cry’ (written by Theresa Beaty and Sylvia Richey) (No.70 in January 1972)
‘Mama, It’s Different This Time’, which was written by Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022)
‘Touching Me Again’ (written by Joe Allen)
‘Clock On The Wall’ (written by Donald Ray Webb)
‘Show Me How’ (written by Carol Jones) / this track was released as a single in 1973, but it failed to chart
‘M.R.S. Degree’ (written by Ann J. Morton and Lavon Lile)
‘I Hope You’re Havin’ Better Luck Than Me’, which was written by Ted Harris (Monday 2 August 1937 – Sunday 22 November 2015) (No.49 in May 1972)
Crystal Gayle was to have a short career with MCA Records, leaving for United Artists Records before an album had been released (although the aforementioned singles were). MCA Records released ‘I’ve Cried The Blue Right Out of My Eyes’ (MCA Records, 1978) at the height of Crystal’s popularity, sandwiched between two of her most successful United Artists albums, ‘We Must Believe In Magic’ (United Artists Records, 1977) and ‘When I Dream’ (United Artists Records, 1978).
In 1979, Crystal Gayle left United Artists Records and joined the artist roster at Columbia Records.
In September 1979, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Miss The Mississippi’ (Columbia Records, 1979), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Half The Way’, which was written by Bobby Wood and Ralph Murphy (1944 – Tuesday 28 May 2019) (No.2, 1979) / this track also reached No.15 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1979
‘It’s Like We Never Said Goodbye’ (written by Roger Greenaway and Geoff Stephens) (No.1 for one week in April 1980) / this track also reached No.63 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1980
‘The Blue Side’ (written by David Lasley and Allee Willis) (No.8, 1980)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Miss The Mississippi’ (Columbia Records, 1979) also included the following tracks:
‘The Other Side of Me’ (written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield)
‘Room For One More’ (written by Ted Lindsay)
‘Don’t Go My Love’ (written by James Valentini and Frank Saulino)
‘Dancing The Night Away’, which was written by Russell Smith (Friday 17 June 1949 – Friday 12 July 2019) and James H. Brown Jr.
‘A Little Bit of The Rain’ (written by Marcia Routh)
‘Danger Zone’, which was written by Dave Loggins (Monday 10 November 1947 – Wednesday 10 July 2024)
‘Miss The Mississippi & You’ (written by Bill Halley)
Personnel involved in the recording of Crystal Gayle’s ‘Miss The Mississippi’ (Columbia Records, 1979) included the following:
Gene Chrisman and Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums, percussion)
Joe Allen and Spady Brannan (bass guitar)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007), Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) and Bobby Wood (keyboards)
Chris Leuzinger, Jerry McEwen, Billy Sanford and Rod Smarr (guitars)
Lloyd Green (Dobro)
Billy Puett and Denis Solee (saxophone)
Roger Bissell, Dennis Good, Rex Peer and Terry Williams (trombone)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007) (harmonica)
Vickie Carrico, Pebble Daniel, Allen Reynolds and Marcia Routh (backing vocals)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Miss The Mississippi’ (Columbia Records, 1979) reached No.3 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1979; the album was certified ‘Gold’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1980.
In October 1979, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Classic Crystal’ (United Artists Records, 1979), a compilation album, which highlighted Crystal’s time at United Artists Records, which proved to be the height of her career, and included the following tracks:
‘When I Dream’, which was written by Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) (No.3, 1979) / this track also reached No.84 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1979
‘Somebody Loves You’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.8, 1976)
‘You Never Miss A Real Good Thing (‘Til He Says Goodbye)’ (written by Bob McDill) (No.1 for one week in January 1977)
‘Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For’ (written by Mark True) (No.1 for two weeks in January / February 1979)
‘I’ll Get Over You’ (written by Richard Leigh) (No.1 for one week in June 1976) / this track became Crystal Gayle’s first ever single to reach Billboard’s Hot 100 pop music singles chart, peaking at No.71 in 1976
‘Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue’ (written by Richard Leigh) (No.1 for four weeks in August / September 1977) / this track also reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1977, thus becoming Crystal Gayle’s biggest hit song
‘Ready For The Times To Get Better’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.1 for one week in April 1978)
‘Talking In Your Sleep’ (written by Roger Cook and Bobby Wood) (No.1 for two weeks in August / September 1978) / this track also reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1978
‘I’ll Do It All Over Again’, which was written by Bob McDill and Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024) (No.2, 1977)
‘Wrong Road Again’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.6, 1974)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Classic Crystal’ (United Artists Records, 1979), which reached No.8 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1979, and No.62 on the Billboard Hot 200 Albums Chart in 1979, was certified ‘Gold’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1980.
In the United Kingdom, Crystal Gayle’s ‘Classic Crystal’ (United Artists Records, 1979) was released in 1980 under the title, ‘The Crystal Gayle Singles Album’ (United Artists Records, 1980); it reached No.7 on the United Kingdom album chart (Crystal Gayle’s first and only United Kingdom Top 10 album) and was certified ‘Gold’ by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
Crystal Gayle’s ‘The Crystal Gayle Singles Album’ (United Artists Records, 1980) included the following tracks:
‘Somebody Loves You’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.8, 1976)
‘Wrong Road Again’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.6, 1974)
‘I’ll Get Over You’ (written by Richard Leigh) (No.1 for one week in June 1976) / this track became Crystal Gayle’s first ever single to reach Billboard’s Hot 100 pop music singles chart, peaking at No.71 in 1976
‘High Time’ (written by B. David) / this track was an album track from October 1975
‘Ready For The Times To Get Better’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.1 for one week in April 1978)
‘You Never Miss A Real Good Thing (‘Til He Says Goodbye)’ (written by Bob McDill) (No.1 for one week in January 1977)
‘River Road’ (written by Sylvia Fricker Tyson) (No.64, 1980)
‘Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue’ (written by Richard Leigh) (No.1 for four weeks in August / September 1977) / this track also reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1977, thus becoming Crystal Gayle’s biggest hit song
‘When I Dream’, which was written by Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) (No.3, 1979) / this track also reached No.84 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1979
‘Talking In Your Sleep’ (written by Roger Cook and Bobby Wood) (No.1 for two weeks in August / September 1978) / this track also reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1978
‘Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For’ (written by Mark True) (No.1 for two weeks in January / February 1979)
‘All I Wanna Do In Life’, which was written by Allen Reynolds and Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) / this track was an album track from June 1977
‘We Should Be Together’ (written by Allen Reynolds) / this track was an album track from June 1979
‘Too Deep For Tears’ (written by Richard Leigh) / this track was an album track from June 1979
In April 1980, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Favorites’ (United Artists Records, 1980), a compilation album, which consisted of her lesser known songs from the period when she was signed to United Artists Records; the album included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Treat Me Like A Stranger’, which was written by Dave Loggins (Monday 10 November 1947 – Wednesday 10 July 2024) / this track was an album track from June 1978
‘I Wanna Come Back To You’, which was written by Johnny Christopher and Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) / this track was an album track from June 1977
‘Right In The Palm of Your Hand’ (written by Bob McDill) / this track was an album track from August 1976
‘You’ (written by Dolly Parton) / this track was an album track from February 1975
‘Wayward Wind’, which was written by Stanley Richard Lebowsky (Friday 26 November 1926 – Sunday 19 October 1986) and Herbert Newman / this track was an album track from June 1978
‘River Road’ (written by Sylvia Tyson) (No.64, 1980)
‘Heart Mender’ (written by Richard Leigh and Milton Blackford) (No.58, 1979)
‘All I Wanna Do In Life’ (written by Allen Reynolds) / this track was an album track from June 1977
‘Come Home Daddy’ (written by Terrye Newkirk) / this track was an album track from August 1976
‘What I’ve Been Needin’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016) / this track was an album track from October 1975
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Favorites’ (United Artists Records, 1980) reached No.37 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1980, and No.149 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1980.
In August 1980, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘These Days’ (Columbia Records, 1980), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘If You Ever Change Your Mind’ (written by Parker McGee and Bob Gundry) (No.1 for one week in November / December 1980)
‘Take It Easy’ (written by Delbert McClinton) (No.17, 1981)
‘Too Many Lovers’, which was written by Mark True, Ted Lindsay and Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) (No.1 for one week in August 1981)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘These Days’ (Columbia Records, 1980) also included the following tracks:
‘Ain’t No Love In The Heart of The City’ (written by Michael Price and Daniel Walsh)
‘Same Old Story (Same Old Song)’ (written by Joe Sample and Will Jennings)
‘Help Yourselves To Each Other’ (written by Allen Reynolds and Bob McDill)
‘I Just Can’t Leave Your Love Alone’ (written by Joe Sample and Will Jennings)
‘You’ve Almost Got Me Believin’ (written by Barbara Wyrick)
‘Lover Man’ (written by Maxwell Anderson and Kurt Weill)
‘What A Little Moonlight Can Do’ (written by Harry M. Woods)
When ‘If You Ever Change Your Mind’ (written by Parker McGee and Bob Gundry) was Grammy-nominated in the ‘Best Country Vocal Performance’ category, Crystal Gayle found herself competing, in the same category, with Sissy Spacek, who was nominated for the title song from ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’, the acclaimed 1980 biopic in which Sissy Spacek portrayed Crystal Gayle’s real-life sister, Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022).
Crystal Gayle’s ‘These Days’ (Columbia Records, 1980) reached No.6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1980; in 1994, some fourteen years after its release, the album was certified ‘Gold’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over 500,000 copies.
In August 1981, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Hollywood, Tennessee’ (Columbia Records, 1981), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Woman In Me’ (written by Susan Marie Thomas) (No.3, 1981)
‘You Never Gave Up On Me’ (written by Leslie Pearl) (No.5, 1982)
‘Living In These Troubled Times’, which was written by Roger Cook, Philip Donnelly (passed away on Thursday 28 November 2019) and Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) (No.9, 1982)
‘Keepin’ Power’ (written by Roger Cook and Bobby Wood) (No.49, 1982)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Hollywood, Tennessee’ (Columbia Records, 1981) also included the following tracks:
‘Ain’t No Sunshine’, which was written by Bill Withers (Monday 4 July 1938 – Monday 30 March 2020)
‘Hollywood’, which was written by Roger Cook and Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007)
‘Love Crazy Love’ (written by Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy)
‘Lean On Me’, which was written by Bill Withers (Monday 4 July 1938 – Monday 30 March 2020)
‘Crying In The Rain’ (written by Carole King and Howard Greenfield)
‘Tennessee’ (written by Roger Cook)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Hollywood, Tennessee’ (Columbia Records, 1981) reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1981.
In November 1981, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘A Woman’s Heart’ (Liberty Records, 1981), a compilation album, which included the following tracks:
‘Hello, I Love You’, which was written by Roger Cook and Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) / this track was an album track from June 1978
‘A Woman’s Heart (Is A Handy Place To Be’ (written by Marshall Chapman and Cort Casady) / this track was an album track from February 1975
‘Loving You So Long Now’ (written by Allen Reynolds) / this track was an album track from February 1975
‘Hands’, which was written by Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) and Bill Backer / this track was an album track from February 1975
‘One More Time (Karneval)’ (written by Joachim Heider, Christian Heilburg and Bryan Blackburn) (No.31, 1976)
‘This Is My Year For Mexico’, which was written by Vincent Wesley Matthews (1940 – Saturday 22 November 2003) (No.21, 1975)
‘Sweet Baby On My Mind’ (written by Jim Owen) / this track was an album track from October 1975
‘Before I’m Fool Enough (To Give It One More Try)’ (written by Allen Reynolds) / this track was an album track from October 1975
‘Let’s Do It Right’ (written by Richard Leigh and Richard Mainegra) / this track was an album track from August 1976
‘Make A Dream Come True’, which was written by Larry Kingston (Sunday 10 August 1941 – Sunday 20 February 2005) / this track was an album track from June 1977
Crystal Gayle’s ‘A Woman’s Heart’ (Liberty Records, 1981) reached No.40 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1981.
In February 1982, Tom Waits & Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘One From The Heart’ (CBS Records, 1982), a soundtrack album of Tom Waits compositions for the Francis Ford Coppola film of the same name. The album was recorded between October 1980 and September 1981. It was during this period when Tom Waits met his wife, Kathleen Brennan, an employee at the studio where it was recorded.
Crystal Gayle features prominently on the record, performing either solo or in duets with Tom Waits. The soundtrack was nominated for an Academy Award for ‘Original Music Score’.
The movie was re-released on DVD on Tuesday 27 January 2004; the DVD included remixed and remastered Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound of the soundtrack from Tom Waits’ original studio sessions, a documentary on the making of the soundtrack, as well as previously unreleased demo recordings and alternate takes.
Tom Waits & Crystal Gayle’s ‘One From The Heart’ (CBS Records, 1982) included the following tracks:
‘Opening Montage’ (‘Tom’s Piano intro’ / ‘Once Upon A Town’ / ‘The Wages of Love’) (written by Tom Waits)
‘Is There Any Way Out of This Dream?’ (written by Tom Waits)
‘Picking Up After You’ (written by Tom Waits)
‘Old Boyfriends’ (written by Tom Waits)
‘Broken Bicycles’ (written by Tom Waits)
‘I Beg Your Pardon’ (written by Tom Waits)
‘Little Boy Blue’ (written by Tom Waits)
‘Instrumental Montage (The Tango / Circus Girl)’ (written by Tom Waits)
‘You Can’t Unring A Bell’ (written by Tom Waits)
‘This One’s From The Heart’ (written by Tom Waits)
‘Take Me Home’ (written by Tom Waits)
‘Presents’ (instrumental) (written by Tom Waits)
On Friday 1 October 1982, Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 – Thursday 7 May 1998) saw the release of ‘Radio Romance’ (Elektra Records, 1982), which reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1982.
Eddie Rabbitt’s ‘Radio Romance’ (Elektra Records, 1982) included ‘You & I’ (written by Frank Myers), which was a duet with Crystal Gayle; the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in December 1982, and reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1982.
In 2005, ‘You & I’ (written by Frank Myers) was ranked No.7 on Country Music Television’s ‘100 Greatest Duets in Country Music’. Crystal Gayle performed the duet with Raul Malo of The Mavericks since Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 – Thursday 7 May 1998) had died of lung cancer on Thursday 7 May 1998.
In 1982, Crystal Gayle left Columbia Records, and signed a recording contract with Elektra Records; her first album for the label, ‘True Love’ (Elektra Records, 1982), was released in November 1982, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Til I Gain Control Again’ (written by Rodney Crowell) (No.1 for one week in February 1983) / this track featured backing vocals from Rodney Crowell
‘Our Love Is On The Faultline’ (written by Reece Kirk) (No.1 for one week in June 1983)
‘Baby, What About You’ (written by Josh Leo and Wendy Waldman) (No.1 for one week in September / October 1983)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘True Love’ (Elektra Records, 1982) also included the following tracks:
‘Deeper In The Fire’ (written by Don Singleton)
‘You Bring Out The Lover In Me’, which was written by Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021) and Layng Martine Jr.
‘True Love’ (written by Craig Morley and Kelly Harland)
‘Everything I Own’ (written by David Gates) / this track was released as a single in the United Kingdom, where it reached No.93 on the UK Singles Chart in early 1983 / the original version of this track was recorded by the band, Bread, in 1972, but was a UK No.1 hit for Ken Boothe in 1974 / in 1987, four years after Crystal Gayle’s version, the song was recorded by Boy George (his first solo recording), who also had a UK No.1 hit with the song
‘Let Your Feelings Show’ (written by Roger Cook)
‘Easier Said Than Done’ (written by Barbara Wyrick and Suzy Storm)
‘He Is Beautiful To Me’ (written by Bobby Wood and Clive Westlake)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘True Love’ (Elektra Records, 1982) reached No.14 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1982.
In August 1983, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1983), which included the following tracks:
‘Half The Way’, which was written by Bobby Wood and Ralph Murphy (1944 – Tuesday 28 May 2019) (No.2, 1979) / this track also reached No.15 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1979
‘If You Ever Change Your Mind’ (written by Parker McGee and Bob Gundry) (No.1 for one week in November / December 1980)
‘It’s Like We Never Said Goodbye’ (written by Roger Greenaway and Geoff Stephens) (No.1 for one week in April 1980) / this track also reached No.63 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1980
‘You Never Gave Up On Me’ (written by Leslie Pearl) (No.5, 1982)
‘Living In These Troubled Times’, which was written by Roger Cook, Philip Donnelly (who passed away on Thursday 28 November 2019) and Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) (No.9, 1982)
‘Keepin’ Power’ (written by Roger Cook and Bobby Wood) (No.49, 1982)
‘The Woman In Me’ (written by Susan Marie Thomas) (No.3, 1981)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1983) reached No.23 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
On Monday 17 October 1983, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Cage The Songbird’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Sound of Goodbye’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024) (No.1 for one week in January / February 1984)
‘I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love’ (written by Joey Carbone) (No.2, 1984)
‘Turning Away’, which was written by Tim Krekel (Tuesday 10 October 1950 – Wednesday 24 June 2009) (No.1 for one week in September / October 1984)
‘Me Against The Night’, which was written by Pam Rose, Mary Ann Kennedy and Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 – Monday 30 January 2023) (No.4, 1984)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Cage The Songbird’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘Cage The Songbird’ (written by Elton John, Bernie Taupin and Davey Johnstone)
‘Come Back (When You Can Stay Forever)’ (written by Chris Waters, Bucky Jones and Tom Shapiro)
‘Victim Or A Fool’ (written by Rodney Crowell)
‘You Made A Fool of Me’ (written by Melissa Cordell and Eric Borenstein)
‘On Our Way To Love’ (written by Norman Sallitt)
‘Take Me Home’ (written by Tom Waits)
Personnel involved in the recording of Crystal Gayle’s ‘Cage The Songbird’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983) included the following:
Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019), Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) and Chris Leuzinger (guitar)
Sonny Garrish (steel guitar)
David Hungate (bass)
Matt Betton (drums)
Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007) and John B. Jarvis (piano, keyboards)
Bobby Wood (organ)
Jim Horn (sax, flute)
The Nashville String Machine & The Sid Sharp Strings (strings)
Ava Aldridge and Cindy Richardson-Walker (vocals)
Billy Strange and Larry Muhoberac (arrangements)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Cage The Songbird’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983) reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
In April 1985, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Nobody Wants To Be Alone’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Nobody Wants To Be Alone’ (written by Michael Masser and Rhonda Fleming) (No.3 in early 1985)
‘A Long & Lasting Love’, which was written by Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin (Saturday 11 February 1939 – Thursday 19 June 2014) (No.5 in late 1985)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Nobody Wants To Be Alone’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985) also included the following tracks:
‘Tonight, Tonight’, which was written by Tony Brown, Roger Cook and Ralph Murphy (1944 – Tuesday 28 May 2019)
‘Love Does That To Fools’, which was written by Paul Williams and Stephen Allen Davis (Tuesday 4 October 1949 – Monday 26 December 2022)
‘Coming To The Dance’, which was written by Allen Reynolds and Charles Cochran (Saturday 29 February 1936 – Thursday 7 June 2007)
‘You Were There For Me’, which was written by Michael Masser and Cynthia Weil (Friday 18 October 1940 – Thursday 1 June 2023)
‘Touch & Go’ (written by Brock Walsh and Curtis Stone)
‘Someone Like You’ (written by Paul Curtis and Tony Hiller)
‘A New Way To Say I Love You’, which was written by Michael Masser and Gerry Goffin (Saturday 11 February 1939 – Thursday 19 June 2014)
‘God Bless The Child’, which was written by Arthur Herzog Jr. (13 December 1900 – Thursday 1 September 1983) and Billie Holiday (7 April 1915 – Friday 17 July 1959)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Nobody Wants To Be Alone’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985) reached No.17 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1985.
In November 1985, Crystal Gayle & Gary Morris saw the release of ‘What If We Fall In Love’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Makin’ Up For Lost time’, which was written by Gary Morris and Dave Loggins (Monday 10 November 1947 – Wednesday 10 July 2024) (No.1 for one week in February 1986) / this track was also included in the Dallas television series
‘Another World’ (written by John Leffler and Ralph Schucket) (No.4, 1987) / this track became the theme song of the NBC daytime soap opera of the same name; Crystal Gayle appeared in a few shows of the series around this time as herself, almost becoming a victim of the serial killer plot airing at the time
‘All of This & More’ (written by Beckie Foster, Jennifer Kimball and Greg Prestopino) (No.26, 1988)
Crystal Gayle & Gary Morris‘ ‘What If We Fall In Love’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985) also included the following tracks:
‘What If We Fall In Love’ (written by Jan Buckingham)
‘Who’s Going To Love You Like Me’, which was written by Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 – Monday 30 January 2023), Mary Ann Kennedy and Pam Rose
‘Love Won’t Let Me Quit’ (written by Austin Roberts, Jack Keller and Beckie Foster)
‘One More Try For Love’, which was written by Robert Byrne (Saturday 10 July 1954 – Monday 27 June 2005) and Brandon Barnes
‘There’s No Love Like Our Love’ (written by Steve Dorff and Eric Kaz)
‘Wanna Give My Love’ (written by Dana Merino)
‘Reminisce’, which was written by Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 – Monday 30 January 2023), Mary Ann Kennedy and Pam Rose
Crystal Gayle & Gary Morris‘ ‘What If We Fall In Love’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985) reached No.25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1985.
In August 1986, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Straight To The Heart’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1986), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Cry’, which was written by Churchill Kohlman (28 January 1906 – Wednesday 25 May 1983) (No.1 for one week in October / November 1986) / this track was also recorded by Lynn Anderson (Friday 26 September 1947 – Thursday 30 July 2015), who included it on ‘Cry’ (Columbia Records, 1971); Lynn Anderson‘s version of the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in early 1972
‘Straight To The Heart’ (written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten) (No.1 for one week in February 1987) / this track was Crystal Gayle’s final No.1 single on the Billboard country music singles chart
‘Nobody Should Have To Love This Way’, which was written by Tommy Rocco, Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021) and Rory Bourke (No.26, 1986)
‘Only Love Can Save Me Now’ (written by Bucky Jones, Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro) (No.11, 1987) / this track was also included on ‘The Best of Crystal Gayle’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1987)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Straight To The Heart’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1986) also included the following tracks:
‘Take This Heart’ (written by Peter Leinheiser)
‘A Little Bit Closer’ (written by Thom Schuyler, Pam Rose and Mary Ann Kennedy)
‘Do I Have To Say Goodbye?’, which was written by Peter James McCann (Saturday 6 March 1948 – Thursday 26 January 2023) and Jim McBride
‘Deep Down’ (written by Gary Nicholson and Kevin Welch)
‘Crazy In The Heart’ (written by Bob Garfrerick and Billy Henderson)
‘Lonely Girl’ (written by Josh Leo)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Straight To The Heart’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1986) reached No.12 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1986.
With ‘Straight To The Heart’ (written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten) at No.1 for one week in February 1987, it was also a ‘Happy New Year’ for Crystal Gayle for another reason; she saw the culmination of a lifelong dream with the opening of Crystal’s For Fine Jewellery & Gifts.
Located in the Belle Meade Shopping Plaza, near Nashville’s upper-crust residential area, Crystal’s for Fine Jewellery & Gifts store featured a classy mixture of Waterford crystal, attractive necklaces & fine silver; the store closed in August 2008.
In October 1986, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘A Crystal Christmas’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1986), which included the following tracks:
‘White Christmas’, which was written by Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – Friday 22 September 1989)
‘O, Holy Night’ (Public Domain)
‘Winter Wonderland’ (written by Felix Bernard and Richard Smith)
‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ (written by Gannon and Kent)
‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ (written by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane)
‘Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer’ (written by Johnny Marks)
‘Little Drummer Boy’ (written by Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone)
‘The Christmas Song’, which was written by Robert Wells (Sunday 15 October 1922 – Monday 28 September 1998) and Mel Tormé (Sunday 13 September 1925 – Saturday 5 June 1999)
‘Jingle Bells’ (Public Domain)
‘Silver Bells’, which was written by Jay Livingston (28 March 1915 – Wednesday 17 October 2001) and Raymond Bernard Evans (4 February 1915 – Thursday 15 February 2007)
‘Silent Night’ (Public Domain)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘A Crystal Christmas’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1986) reached No.69 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1986.
In September 1988, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Nobody’s Angel’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Nobody’s Angel’ (written by Karen Brooks and Randy Sharp) (No.22, 1988) / this track was Crystal Gayle’s last Billboard Top 40 country music hit single
‘Tennessee Nights’ (written by Shawna Harrington and Jan Buckingham) (No.44, 1988)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Nobody’s Angel’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) also included the following tracks:
‘Prove Me Wrong’ (written by Vince Gill and Don Schlitz)
‘Old Habits Die Hard’ (written by Graham Lyle and Terry Britten)
‘When Love Is New’ (written by Beth Nielsen Chapman)
‘Hopeless Romantic’ (written by Billy Vera)
‘Love May Find You’ (written by Wendy Waldman and Eric Kaz)
‘Love Found Me’, which was written by Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 – Monday 27 January 2020) / this track featured guest vocals from Dennis Locorriere
‘Heat’, which was written by Tom Campbell and Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024)
‘After The Best’ (written by Thom McHugh and Bernie Nelson)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Nobody’s Angel’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) reached No.63 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1988.
In 1990, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Ain’t Gonna Worry’ (Capitol Records, 1990); although the album failed to make an appearance on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart, one of its tracks, ‘Never Ending Song of Love’, which was written by Delaney Bramlett (Saturday 1 July 1939 – Saturday 27 December 2008), reached No.72 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1990.
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Ain’t Gonna Worry’ (Capitol Records, 1990) also included a further two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Everybody’s Reaching Out For Someone’ (written by Dickey Lee and Allen Reynolds) / this track was released as a single in 1990, but it did not chart
‘It Ain’t Gonna Worry My Mind’ (written by Richard Leigh) / this track was released as a single in 1991, but it did not chart
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Ain’t Gonna Worry’ (Capitol Records, 1990) also included the following tracks:
‘Just An Old Love’ (written by Charles John Quarto and Pete Wasner)
‘Just Like The Blues’ (written by Roger Brown)
‘Whenever It Comes To You’, which was written by Susanna Clark (Saturday 11 March 1939 – Wednesday 27 June 2012) and Richard Leigh
‘Once In A Very Blue Moon’ (written by Pat Alger and Gene Levine)
‘More Than Love’ (written by Roger Cook and Bobby Wood)
‘What He’s Doing Now’ (written by Pat Alger and Garth Brooks)
‘Faithless Love’, which was written by John David Souther (Friday 2 November 1945 – Tuesday 17 September 2024)
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Ain’t Gonna Worry’ (Capitol Records, 1990), which was her first and only album for Capitol Records, marked the end of Crystal’s run of Billboard album chart appearances, although a ‘Greatest Hits’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2007) album did make the Billboard Top 100 Country Albums Chart in 2007.
In 1992, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Three Good Reasons’ (Liberty Records, 1992), but the album failed to make an appearance on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart; the album included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Three Good Reasons’ (written by Don Schlitz and David Wingo) / this track was released as a single in 1992, but it did not chart
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Three Good Reasons’ (Liberty Records, 1992) also included the following tracks:
‘Why Cry?’ (written by Jackson Leap)
‘A Rose Between Two Thorns’, which was written by Gene Nelson and Robert Byrne (Saturday 10 July 1954 – Monday 27 June 2005)
‘The Trouble With Me (Is You)’, which was written by L. Davis Lewis and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016)
‘If the Phone Doesn’t Ring, It’s Me’, which was written by Jimmy Buffett (Wednesday 25 December 1946 – Friday 1 September 2023), Will Jennings and Michael Utley
‘One Less Set of Footsteps’, which was written by Jim Croce (Sunday 10 January 1943 – Thursday 20 September 1973)
‘The Least That I Can Do’ (written by Allen Holmes, James Dean Hicks and Roger Murrah)
‘Love To, Can’t Do’ (written by Mark Wright and B. James Lowry)
‘99% of The Time’, which was written by Paul Davis (Wednesday 21 April 1948 – Tuesday 22 April 2008), Even Stevens, Hillary Kanter and Amy Sky
‘Living In Tears’ (written by Tommy Polk and David Mills)
Personnel involved in the recording of Crystal Gayle’s ‘Three Good Reasons’ (Liberty Records, 1992) included the following:
Bobby All (passed away on Thursday 19 March 2009) (acoustic guitar)
Joel Bouchillon and Ronnie Godfrey (piano)
Jim Ferguson, Wendell Mobley, Harry Stinson and Cindy Richardson-Walker (background vocals)
Crystal Gayle (lead vocals, background vocals)
Carl Gorodetzky, Lee Larrison and Pam Sixfin (violin)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Chris Leuzinger and Brian Smith (electric guitar)
Gary Van Osdale and Kris Wilkinson (viola)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
On Sunday 17 January 1993, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Best Always’ (Branson Entertainment Records, 1993), which included re-recordings of five of Crystal Gayle’s greatest hits:
‘Ready For The Times To Get Better’ (written by Allen Reynolds) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1978
‘When I Dream’, which was written by Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) / the original version of this track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979
‘Talking In Your Sleep’ (written by Roger Cook and Bobby Wood) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in August / September 1978 / this track also reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1978
‘Beyond You’ (written by Bill Gatzimos and Crystal Gayle) / the original version of this track reached No.27 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975
‘Don’t It Make My Blue Eyes Blue’ (written by Richard Leigh) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for four weeks in August / September 1977 / this track also reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1977
The remaining seven songs included on Crystal Gayle’s ‘Best Always’ (Branson Entertainment Records, 1993) were new recordings and included the following tracks:
‘Crazy’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘For The Good Times’ (written by Kris Kristofferson)
‘Silver Threads & Golden Needles’ (written by Jack Rhodes and Dick Reynolds)
‘Oh, Lonesome Me’, which was written by Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003)
‘I Fall To Pieces’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘Break My Mind’, which was written by John D. Loudermilk (Saturday 31 March 1934 – Wednesday 21 September 2016)
‘Always’, which was written by Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – Friday 22 September 1989)
In 1995, Crystal Gayle and Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 – Thursday 7 May 1998) contributed a duet, ‘I Made A Promise’, to the soundtrack of the feature film, ‘Gordy’.
‘Gordy’ was a 1995 feature film about a piglet, named Gordy, who searches for his missing family, who are taken away to Omaha, Nebraska to a slaughterhouse. The piglet experiences the lives of others which are part of the film’s side plots, including travelling country music singer, Luke McAllister, who was played by Doug Stone.
On Tuesday 30 May 1995, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Someday’ (Intersound Records, 1995), her first Gospel album, which was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1995, and included the following tracks:
‘Anchor Deep’ (written by Gary Harrison and Karen Staley)
‘Diamonds From Dust’ (written by Cindy Sterling and Brian Barrett)
‘My Old Friend’ (written by Jeff Silvey and Reggie Hamm)
‘He’ll Be There’ (written by Robert Ellis Orrall, Spady Brannan and David Malloy)
‘I Saw The Light’ medley:
a) ‘I Saw The Light’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953)
b) ‘Somebody Touched Me’ (Public Domain)
c) ‘I’ll Fly Away’ (Public Domain)
d) ‘Jesus on The Main Line’ (Public Domain)
‘Someday’ (written by Charles Bosarge, Tommy Greer and Mark Baldwin)
‘Ageless Dancer’ (written by Jess Leary and Bobby Taylor)
‘Where Dear Friends Never Part’ (written by Keith Little)
‘Would You Believe’ (written by Melvin Webb Jr. and Bill Gatzimos)
‘I Know, I Know’ (written by Karla Worley)
‘I Believe’ medley:
a) ‘I Believe’, which was written by Ervin Drake (Thursday 3 April 1919 – Thursday 15 January 2015)
b) ‘Amazing Grace’, which was written by John Newton (24 July 1725 – 21 December 1807)
c) ‘The Old Rugged Cross’, which was written by George Bennard (4 February 1873 – Friday 10 October 1958)
d) ‘Softly & Tenderly’, which was written by William Lamartine Thompson (7 November 1847 – 20 September 1909)
Personnel involved in the recording of Crystal Gayle’s first Gospel album, ‘Someday’ (Intersound Records, 1995), included the following:
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar)
Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar, mandolin)
Mike Chapman (1953 – Monday 13 June 2016) (bass guitar)
Mike Eldred, Joy Gardner, Bill Gatzimos, Allen Reynolds, Peggy Sue Wright and Sonny Wright (background vocals)
Jim Ferguson (bass guitar, background vocals)
Crystal Gayle (lead vocals, background vocals)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Chris Leuzinger (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Jay Patten (saxophone)
Tom Roady (congas, tambourine)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Bobby Wood (Hammond organ, piano, synthesizer, background vocals)
On Tuesday 23 October 1999, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Crystal Gayle Sings The Heart & Soul of Hoagy Carmichael’ (Intersound Records, 1999), a tribute album to songwriter, Howard Hoagland ‘Hoagy’ Carmichael (22 November 1899 – Sunday 27 December 1981), which included the following tracks (all music composed by Hoagy Carmichael):
‘Heart & Soul’ (written by Frank Loesser)
‘Stardust’ (written by Mitchell Parish)
‘In The Cool, Cool, Cool of The Evening’ (written by Johnny Mercer)
‘One Morning In May’ (written by Mitchell Parish)
‘Lazy Bones’ (written by Johnny Mercer)
‘Old Buttermilk Sky’ (written by Jack Brooks)
‘Georgia On My Mind’ (written by Stuart Gorrell)
‘Two Sleepy People’ (written by Frank Loesser) / this track featured guest vocals from Willie Nelson
‘I Get Along without You Very Well (Except Sometimes)’ (written by Hoagy Carmichael)
‘Lazy River’ (written by Sidney Arodin)
‘Rockin’ Chair’ (written by Hoagy Carmichael)
‘The Nearness of You’, which was written by Ned Washington (15 August 1901 – Monday 20 December 1976)
‘Small Fry’ (written by Frank Loesser)
‘Skylark’ (written by Johnny Mercer)
‘Can’t Get Indiana Off My Mind’ (written by Robert DeLeon)
On Tuesday 31 October 2000, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘In My Arms’ (Panda Music Records, 2000), an album dedicated solely to children’s music and lullabies, which included the following tracks, all of which were composed by Steve Ivey and Denny Jiosa:
‘In My Arms’
‘What Will Be Tomorrow’
‘Little Puppy’
‘Crystal Moon’
‘The Light of Your Heart’
‘Carousel’
‘The Last Ray of Sunshine’
‘Counting Sheep Around The World’
‘Panda Prayer’
‘Peaceful Night’ (instrumental lullaby)
‘Fly To The Highest Mountain’ (instrumental lullaby)
‘Tomorrow’ (instrumental lullaby)
‘Priceless’ (instrumental lullaby)
‘By The Light’ (instrumental lullaby)
‘Light Inside’ (instrumental lullaby)
‘Round & Round’ (instrumental lullaby)
‘Star Dance’ (instrumental lullaby)
On Tuesday 7 August 2001, Music For Little People & Rhino Records released ‘Celebration of Country’ (Music For Little People & Rhino Records, 2001), a various artists compilation, which was produced by Lisa Silver; one of the included tracks was ‘Angel Kisses’ (written by Alice Randall, Mark D. Sanders and Lisa Silver), which featured vocals from Crystal Gayle.
In 2002, Crystal Gayle was ranked No.33 in a Country Music Television (CMT) countdown of ‘The 40 Greatest Women of Country Music’.
On Saturday 20 September 2003, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘All My Tomorrows’ (Southpaw Records, 2003), which was Crystal’s first studio album of mainstream songs in several years, her previous few albums being either Gospel / Christian music or children’s songs; the album included the following tracks:
‘You Belong To Me’, which was written by Pee Wee King (Wednesday 18 February 1914 – Tuesday 7 March 2000), Chilton Price and Redd Stewart (Sunday 27 May 1923 – Saturday 2 August 2003)
‘Cry Me A River’ (written by Arthur Hamilton)
‘You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want To Do It)’ (written by Joseph McCarthy and James V. Monaco)
‘Falling In Love Again’ (written by Friedrich Hollaender and Sammy Lerner)
‘All My Tomorrows’ (written by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen)
‘Goody Goody’ (written by Matty Malneck and Johnny Mercer)
‘What I’ll Do’, which was written by Irving Berlin (11 May 1888 – Friday 22 September 1989)
‘Sentimental Journey’ (written by Les Brown, Bud Green and Ben Homer)
‘I’m Beginning To See The Light’ (written by Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges and Harry James)
‘It Had To Be You’ (written by Isham Jones and Gus Kahn)
‘More Than You Know’ (written by Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose and Vincent Youmans)
‘Smile’, which was written by Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin KBE (16 April 1889 – Sunday 25 December 1977), Geoffrey Parsons and John Turner
‘Hallelujah, I Love Him So’, which was written by Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004)
‘For All We Know’, which was written by John Frederick Coots (2 May 1897 – Monday 8 April 1985) and Sam M. Lewis
In January 2007, Crystal Gayle became involved in the hunt for fugitive Christopher Daniel Gay; Gay had escaped from custody at an Interstate 95 welcome centre near Hardeeville in South Carolina and had made his way to Tennessee where he stole Crystal’s tour bus.
Christopher Daniel Gay drove the bus from Whites Creek in Tennessee to Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, parking the bus in a VIP spot next to NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Jeff Gordon. Gay was subsequently arrested the following day and the bus was returned to Crystal.
It was also in 2007 when Crystal Gayle was awarded ‘Best Female Entertainer’ by the Second Annual American Entertainment Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards.
On Tuesday 28 August 2007, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘Greatest Hits’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2007), which included the following tracks:
‘I’ve Cried (The Blues Right Out of My Eyes)’, which was written by Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) (No.23, 1970)
‘Wrong Road Again’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.6, 1974)
‘Beyond You’ (written by Bill Gatzimos and Crystal Gayle) (No.27, 1975)
‘Somebody Loves You’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.8, 1976)
‘I’ll Get Over You’ (written by Richard Leigh) (No.1 for one week in June 1976) / this track became Crystal Gayle’s first ever single to reach Billboard’s Hot 100 pop music singles chart, peaking at No.71 in 1976
‘River Road’ (written by Sylvia Fricker Tyson) (No.64, 1980)
‘You Never Miss A Real Good Thing (‘Til He Says Goodbye)’ (written by Bob McDill) (No.1 for one week in January 1977)
‘I’ll Do It All Over Again’, which was written by Bob McDill and Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024) (No.2, 1977)
‘Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue’ (written by Richard Leigh) (No.1 for four weeks in August / September 1977) / this track also reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1977, thus becoming Crystal Gayle’s biggest hit song
‘Ready For The Times To Get Better’ (written by Allen Reynolds) (No.1 for one week in April 1978)
‘Talking In Your Sleep’ (written by Roger Cook and Bobby Wood) (No.1 for two weeks in August / September 1978) / this track also reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1978
‘Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For’ (written by Mark True) (No.1 for two weeks in January / February 1979)
‘When I Dream’, which was written by Sandy Mason Theoret (Monday 18 December 1939 – Wednesday 1 April 2015) (No.3, 1979) / this track also reached No.84 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1979
‘Your Kisses Will’, which was written by Van Stephenson (Wednesday 4 November 1953 – Sunday 8 April 2001) (No.7, 1979)
‘Your Old Cold Shoulder’ (written by Richard Leigh) (No.5, 1979)
‘Half The Way’, which was written by Bobby Wood and Ralph Murphy (1944 – Tuesday 28 May 2019) (No.2, 1979) / this track also reached No.15 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1979
‘It’s Like We Never Said Goodbye’ (written by Roger Greenaway and Geoff Stephens) (No.1 for one week in April 1980) / this track also reached No.63 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1980
‘If You Ever Change Your Mind’ (written by Parker McGee and Bob Gundry) (No.1 for one week in November / December 1980)
‘Too Many Lovers’, which was written by Mark True, Ted Lindsay and Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) (No.1 for one week in August 1981)
‘You Never Gave Up On Me’ (written by Leslie Pearl) (No.5, 1982)
‘You & I’ (written by Frank Myers) (No.1 for one week in December 1982) / this track, which was a duet with Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 – Thursday 7 May 1998), also reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1982
‘Til I Gain Control Again’ (written by Rodney Crowell) (No.1 for one week in February 1983) / this track featured backing vocals from Rodney Crowell
‘The Sound of Goodbye’ (written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024) (No.1 for one week in January / February 1984)
‘Cry’, which was written by Churchill Kohlman (28 January 1906 – Wednesday 25 May 1983) (No.1 for one week in October / November 1986)
‘He Is Beautiful To Me’ (written by Bobby Wood and Clive Westlake) / this track was an album track from November 1982
Crystal Gayle’s ‘Greatest Hits’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2007) reached No.65 on the Billboard Top 100 Country Albums Chart in 2007.
In February 2008, Crystal Gayle was inducted into Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
On Friday 2 October 2009, Crystal Gayle was honoured with the 2,390th star on Hollywood Walk of Fame during a ceremony in Hollywood, California. Leron Gubler, President & CEO of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce presided over the ceremony.
Guests at the ceremony included Tanya Tucker, Wink Martindale, Kate Linder, Jennifer Elise Cox, George Chakiris, and Crystal’s sister, recording artist, Peggy Sue Wright.
On Friday 30 October 2015, T.G Sheppard saw the release of ‘T.G. Sheppard: Duets With The Legends of Country Music’ (Cleopatra / Goldenlane, 2015); one of the included tracks was ‘I’m Not Going Anywhere’ (written by Kelly Lang), which featured guest vocals from Crystal Gayle.
On Friday 6 September 2019, Crystal Gayle saw the release of ‘You Don’t Know Me: Classic Country’ (Southpaw Musical Productions, 2019), which was produced by Christos Gatzimos and Crystal Gayle, and included the following tracks:
‘Ribbon of Darkness’, which was written by Gordon Lightfoot (Thursday 17 November 1938 – Sunday 1 May 2023) / the original version of this track was recorded by Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982), who saw it released as a non-album single in 1965, when it was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week; Marty Robbins’ version of this track was subsequently included on ‘Greatest Hits 3’ (Columbia Records, 1971)
• This track was also recorded by Gordon Lightfoot (Thursday 17 November 1938 – Sunday 1 May 2023), who saw it released as a non-charting single in 1965; Gordon Lightfoot’s version of the track was subsequently included on his debut album, ‘Lightfoot’ (United Artists Records, 1966)
• This track was also recorded by Connie Smith, who included it on ‘Connie’s Country’ (RCA Records, 1969); Connie Smith‘s version of the track reached No.13 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1969
Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘Ribbon of Darkness’ was the first song Crystal Gayle ever sang on The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville; she was sixteen years old. In her early years in Nashville, when she was on Decca Records, Crystal Gayle opened shows for Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982).
‘You Win Again’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) / the original version of this track was recorded by Hank Williams, who saw it released as a non-album single in 1952, when it reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart; Hank Williams’ version of this track was subsequently included on ‘Memorial Album’ (MGM Records, 1953)
• This track was also recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis (Sunday 29 September 1935 – Friday 28 October 2022), who saw it released as a non-album track, on Sun Records, in 1957, when it reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart; the track was subsequently included on Jerry Lee Lewis‘ ‘Original Golden Hits, Volume 1’ (Sun Records, 1969)
• This track was also recorded by Antoine ‘Fats’ Domino Jr. (Sunday 26 February 1928 – Tuesday 24 October 2017), who included it on ‘Let The Four Winds Blow’ (Imperial Records, 1961); Antoine ‘Fats’ Domino Jr.’s version of the track reached No.22 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in February 1962
• This track was also recorded by Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020), who included it on ‘There’s A Little Bit of Hank In Me’ (RCA Records, 1980); Charley Pride‘s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1980
‘Please Help Me, I’m Falling’, which was written by Hal Blair and Donald Irwin Robertson (Tuesday 5 December 1922 – Monday 16 March 2015) / the original version of this track was recorded by Hank Locklin (Friday 15 February 1918 – Sunday 8 March 2009), who included it on ‘Please Help Me I’m Falling’ (RCA Victor Records, 1960); Hank Locklin’s version of this track was Mo.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for fourteen weeks in 1960, and No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1960
• This track was also recorded by Farrell Haliday ‘Rusty’ Draper (Thursday 25 January 1923 – Friday 28 March 2003), who included it on ‘Country & Western Golden Greats’ (Records, 1960); Farrell Haliday ‘Rusty’ Draper’s version of this track reached No.54 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1960
• This track was also recorded by Janie Fricke, who included it on ‘Singer of Songs’ (Columbia Records, 1978); Janie Fricke‘s version of this track reached No.12 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978
‘Am I That Easy To Forget’, which was written by Carl Robert Belew (Tuesday 21 April 1931 – Wednesday 31 October 1990) and W.S. Stevenson (1900 – 1978) / the original version of this track was recorded by Carl Robert Belew, who included it on ‘Carl Belew’ (Decca Records, 1960); Carl Robert Belew’s version of this track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1959
• This track was also recorded by Skeeter Davis (Wednesday 30 December 1931 – Sunday 19 September 2004), who included it on ‘I’ll Sing You A Song & Harmonize Too’ (RCA Victor Records, 1959); Skeeter Davis’ version of the track reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1960
• This track was also recorded by Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964), in 1962; Jim Reeves’ version of this track was subsequently included on ‘Am I That Easy To Forget’ (RCA Victor Records, 1973), and reached No.12 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973
‘Hello Walls’ (written by Willie Nelson) / the original version of this track was recorded by Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996), who included it on ‘Hello Walls’ (Capitol Records, 1961); Faron Young’s version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1960, and No.12 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1960
‘You Never Were Mine’, which was written by Jay Lee Webb (Friday 12 February 1937 – Wednesday 31 July 1996) / the original version of this track was recorded by Jay Lee Webb, who saw it released, on Decca Records, as a non-album track, in 1967
‘Just One More’, which was written by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) / the original version of this track was recorded by George Jones, who included it on ‘George Jones Singing 14 Top Country Favorites’ (Mercury Records, 1957); George Jones‘ version of the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1956
‘There Goes My Everything’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) / the original version of this track was recorded by Jack Greene (Tuesday 7 January 1930 – Thursday 15 March 2013), who included it on ‘There Goes My Everything’ (Decca Records, 1966); Jack Greene‘s version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for seven weeks in December 1966 / January 1967, and No.65 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1967
• This track was also recorded by Englebert Humperdinck, who included it on ‘Release Me’ (Parrot Records, 1967); Englebert Humperdinck’s version of the track reached No.20 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1967, No.2 on the United Kingdom Singles Chart in 1967, and No.2 on the Irish Singles Chart in 1967
• This track was also recorded by Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977), who included it on ‘Elvis Country (I’m 10,000 Years Old)’ (RCA Victor Records, 1971); Elvis Presley’s version of this track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1971, and No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1971
‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019) and Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) / the original version of this track was recorded by Lefty Frizzell, who included it on ‘The Legendary Lefty Frizzell’ (ABC Records, 1973)
• This track was also recorded by Johnny Rodriguez, who included it on ‘All I Ever Meant To Do Was Sing’ (Mercury Records, 1973); Johnny Rodriguez‘s version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1974
• This track was also recorded by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), who included it on ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’ (Epic Records, 1983); Merle Haggard‘s version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1984
‘Crying Time’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) / the original version of this track was recorded by Buck Owens, who included it on ‘I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail’ (Capitol Records, 1965)
• This track was also recorded by Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004), who included it on ‘Crying Time’ (ABC Records, 1966); Ray Charles’ version reached No.6 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in February 1966, No.5 on the Billboard R&B Chart in 1966, No.1 for three weeks on the Billboard Easy Listening Chart in 1966, and No.50 on the United Kingdom Singles Chart in 1966
• This track was also recorded by Lorrie Morgan, who saw it included on the soundtrack album, ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ (RCA Records, 1993); Lorrie Morgan’s version of the track reached No.59 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1993
‘I’ve Seen That Look On Me A Thousand Times’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Shirl Melete / the original version of this track was recorded by Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 – Thursday 11 June 2015), who included it on ‘Bottle, Bottle’ (RCA Victor Records, 1968)
• This track was also recorded by Willie Nelson, who included it on ‘Laying My Burdens Down’ (RCA Victor Records, 1970)
• This track was also recorded by George Strait, who included it on ‘Something Special’ (MCA Records, 1985)
‘Walkin’ After Midnight’, which was written by Alan Block and Don Hecht (1930 – Friday 18 October 2002) / the original version of this track was recorded by Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 – Tuesday 5 March 1963), who included it on ‘Patsy Cline’ (Decca Records, 1957); Patsy Cline’s version reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1957, and No.12 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1957
• This track was also recorded by Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022), who included it on ‘I Remember Patsy’ (MCA Records, 1977)
‘You Don’t Know Me’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) and Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008) / the original version of this track was recorded by Eddy Arnold, who included it on ‘Eddy Arnold Sings Them Again’ (RCA Victor Records, 1960); Eddy Arnold’s version of this track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1956
• This track was also recorded by Jerry Vale (Tuesday 8 July 1930 – Sunday 18 May 2014), for Columbia Records, in 1956, when it reached No.14 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart; the track was subsequently included on ‘Jerry Vale’s Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1963)
• This track was also recorded by Lenny Welch, who included it on ‘Since I Fell For You’ (Columbia Records, 1963)
• This track was also recorded by Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004), who included it on ‘Modern Sounds In Country Music and Western Music’ (ABC Records, 1962); Ray Charles’ version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1962
• This track was also recorded by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006), who included it on ‘Words & Music’ (Monument Records, 1964)
• This track was also recorded by Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977), who included it on ‘Clambake’ (RCA Victor Records, 1967); Elvis Presley’s version of this track reached No.44 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1967
• This track was also recorded by Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022), who included it on ‘You Don’t Know Me’ (Epic Records, 1981); Mickey Gilley‘s version was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1981, and No.55 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1981
‘Put It Off Until Tomorrow’, which was written by Bill Earl Owens (Saturday 28 September 1935 – Wednesday 7 April 2021) and Dolly Parton / this track featured guest vocals from Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) and Peggy Sue Wright / the original version of this track was recorded by Bill Phillips, who included it on ‘Put It Off Until Tomorrow’ (Decca Records, 1966); Bill Philips’ version of the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1966
• This track was also recorded by Dolly Parton, who included it on ‘Hello, I’m Dolly’ (Monument Records, 1967)
• This track was also recorded by The Kendalls, who included it on ‘Heart of The Matter’ (Ovation Records, 1979); The Kendalls’ version of the track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980
Crystal Gayle’s ‘You Don’t Know Me: Classic Country’ (Southpaw Musical Productions, 2019) reached No.27 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2019, and No.40 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart in 2019.
• Visit Crystal Gayle’s official site at crystalgayle.com