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 2005, were most gracious with their time & words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Dave Pomeroy, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 17 February 2005.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Dave Pomeroy who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Dave Pomeroy
This quote was submitted on Thursday 17 February 2005.
‘Gene Watson is a true icon of honest, real country music.
His voice is one of the all time classic sounds, full of emotion, character and passion.
I fondly remember the times that Gene opened for Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017) when I was in Don‘s band in the 1980s and 1990s and, most especially, the great experience of recording with Gene in the studio on his Warner Brothers album, ‘At Last‘.
His music has touched countless people over the years, and I am proud to say I am one of them!’
Thank you, Dave Pomeroy, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Dave Pomeroy…
Dave Pomeroy is a prime example of the Nashville music scene’s increasing creative diversity.
Consistently on the cutting edge of musical and conceptual innovation, Dave Pomeroy has established himself as a world class bassist, performer, writer and producer.
Dave Pomeroy has played electric and acoustic basses on over 400 albums with a diverse range of artists, including Trisha Yearwood, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, and The Chieftains.
Dave Pomeroy has also played on Grammy Award-winning recordings with Kathy Mattea, Alison Krauss, Earl Scruggs (Sunday 6 January 1924 – Wednesday 28 March 2012) and Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016).
Dave Pomeroy has also performed in concert with Patty Loveless, and recorded in the studio with a number of world-renowned players, including Mark O’Connor and Jim Horn.
On Monday 28 September 1987, Kathy Mattea saw the release of ‘Untasted Honey’ (Mercury Records, 1987), which was produced by Allen Reynolds, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Goin’ Gone’ (written by Pat Alger, Bill Dale and Fred Koller) (No.1 for one week in January / February 1988) / the original version of this track was recorded by Nanci Caroline Griffith (Monday 6 July 1953 – Friday 13 August 2021), who included the track on ‘The Last of The True Believers’ (Philo Records, 1986)
‘Eighteen Wheels & A Dozen Roses’ (written by Gene Nelson and Paul Nelson) (No.1 for two weeks in May / June 1988) / the song earned ‘Single Record of The Year’ honours from the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM); the ACM also named ‘Eighteen Wheels & A Dozen Roses’ as the ‘Song of The Year’ / ‘Eighteen Wheels & A Dozen Roses’ was also included in the dialogue of ‘Rain Man’, which starred Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise
‘Untold Stories’ (written by Tim O’Brien) (No.4, 1988)
‘Life As We Knew It’ (written by Walter Carter and Fred Koller) (No.4, 1988)
Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Untasted Honey’ (Mercury Records, 1987) also included the following tracks:
‘The Battle Hymn of Love’ (written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz) / this track was a duet with Tim O’Brien
‘Late In The Day’ (written by Tim O’Brien)
‘Untasted Honey’ (written by Craig Bickhardt and Barry Alfonso)
‘Like A Hurricane’ (written by Pat Alger and Mark D. Sanders)
‘As Long As I Have A Heart’ (written by Don Henry and Dennis Wilson)
‘Every Love’ (written by Kye Fleming and Janis Ian)
Personnel involved in the recording of Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Untasted Honey’ (Mercury Records, 1987) included the following:
Kathy Mattea (vocals)
Tim O’Brien (guitar, mandolin, vocals)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Pat Alger, Ray Flacke, Pat Flynn and Nick Forster (guitar)
Bruce Bouton (pedal steel guitar)
Roy M. ‘Jr.’ Husky (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997), Mike Leech, Dave Pomeroy and Bob Wray (bass)
Chris Leuzinger (guitar)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) and Milton Sledge (drums, percussion)
David Schaufer (dulcimer)
Craig Bickhardt (guitar, background vocals)
Beth Nielsen Chapman and John Thompson (background vocals)
Pete Wasner and Bobby Wood (organ, piano)
Buck White (piano)
Cindy Reynolds Wyatt (harp)
Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Untasted Honey’ (Mercury Records, 1987) reached No.11 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987.
On Tuesday 4 April 1989, Kathy Mattea saw the release of ‘Willow In The Wind’ (Mercury Records, 1989), which was produced by Allen Reynolds, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Come From The Heart’, which was written by Susanna Clark (1939 – Wednesday 27 June 2012) and Richard Leigh (No.1 for one week in July 1989)
‘Burnin’ Old Memories’ (written by Larry Boone, Paul Nelson and Gene Nelson) (No.1 for one week in November 1989)
‘Where’ve You Been’ (written by Don Henry and Jon Vezner) (No.10, 1989) / this track also reached No.25 on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks Chart in 1989 / the song also earned Kathy Mattea the 1990 Grammy Award for ‘Best Female Country Vocal Performance’
‘She Came From Fort Worth’ (written by Pat Alger and Fred Koller) (No.2, 1990)
Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Willow In The Wind’ (Mercury Records, 1989) also included the following tracks:
‘Here’s Hopin’ (written by Bob Regan and Mark D. Sanders)
‘True North’ (written by Wendy Waldman and Phil Galdston)
‘Hills of Alabam’ (written by Mark Fair and Claire Lynch)
‘Willow In The Wind’ (written by Randy Albright, Lisa Silver and Mark D. Sanders)
‘Love Chooses You’ (written by Laurie Lewis)
‘I’ll Take Care of You’ (written by Mark D. Sanders and Karen Staley)
Personnel involved in the recording of Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Willow in The Wind’ (Mercury Records, 1989) included the following:
‘Come From The Heart’
Craig Bickhardt (background vocals)
Pat Flynn (acoustic guitar)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) and Bobby Wood (percussion)
Kathy Mattea, Donna McElroy and Wayland Patton (background vocals)
Mark O’Connor (mandolin)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Pete Wasner (piano)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
‘Here’s Hopin’
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Ray Flacke (electric guitar)
Chris Leuzinger (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (percussion)
Charlie McCoy (harmonica)
Riders In The Sky (background vocals)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
‘Burnin’ Old Memories’
Bruce Bouton (steel guitar)
Mike Chapman (bass guitar)
Ray Flacke (electric guitar)
Chris Leuzinger (acoustic guitar)
Milton Sledge (drums)
‘She Came From Fort Worth’
Kathy Chiavola and Wayland Patton (background vocals)
Pat Flynn (acoustic guitar)
Chris Leuzinger (electric guitar)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Pete Wasner (piano)
Bobby Wood (keyboards)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
‘True North’
Pat Flynn (acoustic guitar)
Chris Leuzinger (electric guitar)
Charlie McCoy (harmonica)
Jim Photoglo and Wendy Waldman (background vocals)
Matt Rollings (keyboards)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
‘Hills of Alabam’
Bruce Bouton (steel guitar)
Pat Flynn and Chris Leuzinger (acoustic guitar)
Claire Lynch and Jim Photoglo (background vocals)
Charlie McCoy (harmonica)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Bobby Wood (piano, organ)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
‘Willow In The Wind’
Kathy Chiavola and Wayland Patton (background vocals)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Stuart Duncan (mandolin)
Ray Flacke (electric guitar)
Chris Leuzinger (acoustic guitar)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
‘Love Chooses You’
Bruce Bouton (steel guitar)
Robert Bowlin (acoustic guitar)
Kathy Chiavola and Wayland Patton (background vocals)
Pat Flynn (acoustic rhythm guitar)
Matt Rollings and Bobby Wood (piano)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Bob Wray (bass guitar)
‘I’ll Take Care of You’
Bruce Bouton (steel guitar)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Ray Flacke (electric guitar)
Mike Leech (bass guitar)
Chris Leuzinger (acoustic guitar)
Kathy Mattea and Tim O’Brien (background vocals)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Bobby Wood (keyboards)
‘Where’ve You Been’
Edgar Meyer (upright bass)
John Mock (acoustic guitar)
Dave Pomeroy (bass guitar)
Matt Rollings (piano)
Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Willow In The Wind’ (Mercury Records, 1989) reached No.6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1989 and was certified ‘Gold’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
In 1991, Dave Pomeroy was named ‘Studio Musician of The Year’ by Nashville’s Metro Magazine.
On Tuesday 19 March 1991, Kathy Mattea saw the release of ‘Time Passes By’ (Mercury Records, 1991), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Time Passes By’ (written by Jon Vezner and Susan Longacre) (No.7, 1991)
‘Whole Lotta Holes’ (written by Jon Vezner and Don Henry) (No.18, 1991)
‘Asking Us To Dance’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024) (No.27, 1991)
Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Time Passes By’ (Mercury Records, 1991) also included the following tracks:
‘What Could Have Been’ (written by Beth Nielsen Chapman)
‘Summer of My Dreams’ (written by David Mallett)
‘Harley’ (written by Don Henry)
‘Quarter Moon’ (written by Bob Millard)
‘I Wear Your Love’ (written by Gary Burr)
‘A Few Good Things Remain’ (written by Pat Alger and Jon Vezner)
‘Ready For The Storm’ (written by Dougie MacLean)
‘From A Distance’ (written by Julie Gold) / the original version of this track was recorded by Nanci Caroline Griffith (Monday 6 July 1953 – Friday 13 August 2021), who included it on ‘Lone Star State of Mind’ (MCA Records, 1987)
Personnel involved in the recording of Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Time Passes By’ (Mercury Records, 1991) included the following:
Kathy Mattea (vocals, guitar, tambourine, bodhran)
Pat Alger, Mark Casstevens, Bill Cooley, Pat Flynn and Chris Leuzinger (guitar)
Bruce Bouton (pedal steel guitar)
Stuart Duncan (mandolin)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Emmylou Harris, Trisha Yearwood, Maggie Roche, Suzzy Roche, Ashley Cleveland and Craig Bickhardt (harmony vocals)
Mark Howard (guitar, mandolin)
Dougie MacLean (guitar, congas, didgeridoo, whistle)
Kenny Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums)
Edgar Meyer, Duncan Mullins, Dave Pomeroy, Glenn Worf and Bob Wray (bass)
John Mock (guitar, string arrangements)
Mark O’Connor (mandolin)
Tom Roady (percussion)
Matt Rollings, Catherine Styron and Pete Wasner (piano)
Milton Sledge (drums, percussion)
Bobby Wood (organ, keyboards)
Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Time Passes By’ (Mercury Records, 1991) was produced by Allen Reynolds, with the exception of ‘From A Distance’ (written by Julie Gold), which Kathy Mattea co-produced with Jon Vezner and Dougie MacLean.
Kathy Mattea‘s ‘Time Passes By’ (Mercury Records, 1991) reached No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991 and was certified ‘Gold’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
In 1991, Dave Pomeroy played bass on ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was written by Larry Cordle, Larry Shell and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), ‘A Gifted Hand’ (written by Doug Crider and Billy Spencer), ‘You Can’t Get Arrested In Nashville’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024), and ‘She’s Leavin’ Looking Good’ (written by Lewis Anderson), all of which were included on Gene Watson’s ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).
On Tuesday 24 August 1993, Bobbie Cryner saw the release of her self-titled debut album, ‘Bobbie Cryner’ (Epic Records, 1993), which was produced by Doug Johnson and Carl Jackson, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Daddy Laid The Blues On Me’ (written by Bobbie Cryner) (No.63, 1993)
‘He Feels Guilty’ (written by Tommy Polk and Verlon Thompson) (No.68, 1993)
‘You Could Steal Me’ (written by Bobbie Cryner and Jesse Hunter) (No.72, 1994)
Bobbie Cryner’s self-titled debut album, ‘Bobbie Cryner’ (Epic Records, 1993), also included the following tracks:
‘Too Many Tears Too Late’, which was written by Carl Jackson and Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021)
‘I Think It’s Over Now’ (written by Bobbie Cryner)
‘Leavin’ Houston Blues’ (written by Bobbie Cryner)
‘I Don’t Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) / this track was a duet with Dwight Yoakam / the original version of this track was recorded by Buck Owens & The Buckaroos, who included it on ‘I Don’t Care’ (Capitol Records, 1964); Buck Owens & The Buckaroos’ version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles for six weeks in 1964, No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1964, and No.92 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1964
‘I’m Through Waitin’ On You’ (written by Bobbie Cryner, Tim Nichols and Zack Turner)
‘The One I Love The Most’, which was written by Eugene David Dobbins (Monday 19 March 1934 – Sunday 23 November 2008), Michael Huffman and Bob Morrison
‘The Heart Speaks For Itself’ (written by Bobbie Cryner)
Personnel involved in the recording of Bobbie Cryner‘s self-titled debut album, ‘Bobbie Cryner’ (Epic Records, 1993), included the following:
Owen Hale (drums, percussion)
Mike Chapman and Dave Pomeroy (bass)
Steve Nathan (keyboards)
Pete Anderson, Bruce Bouton, Steve Gibson, Carl Jackson and Brent Mason (guitars)
Bruce Bouton (steel guitar)
Bruce Bouton and Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Carl Jackson (mandolin)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007) (harmonica)
John Catchings (cello)
Gary Tussing (cello arrangement)
Carl Jackson, Dwight Yoakam and Andrea Zonn (backing vocals)
In addition to his extensive work as a sideman, Dave Pomeroy has evolved as a songwriter, recording artist and producer. Dave Pomeroy has recorded his own songs, as an artist with The Scratch Band, Blue Monday, Tone Patrol and Three Ring Circle, and as a solo artist on Earwave Records.
Dave Pomeroy has also had some of his songs recorded by Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017).
In 1994, Dave Pomeroy was musical director and associate producer of Don Williams‘ ‘An Evening With Don Williams: Best of…Live’ (American Harvest Records, 1994), which was recorded at The Royal Albert Hall in London, England in 1993.
In 1994, the first annual ‘Basses Loaded’ concert, produced by Dave Pomeroy in conjunction with Bass Player Magazine, marked the debut of Dave’s All-Bass Orchestra, performing his compositions for multiple basses.
In 1996, Dave Pomeroy founded Earwave Records, which released his critically acclaimed solo debut album, ‘Basses Loaded’ (Earwave Records, 1996), which was followed by the ‘Blue Christmas’ Benefit CD, a long form concert video of the 1996 ‘Basses Loaded III’ concert.
In February 1997, Dave Pomeroy was voted ‘Outstanding Bassist’ at the third annual Nashville Music Awards.
In July 1997, Dave Pomeroy was named the first annual Gibson-Tobias ‘Bassist of The Year’.
Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 – Saturday 30 June 2001) & Tommy Emmanuel recorded Dave Pomeroy’s ‘The Day Finger Pickers Took Over The World’ and included the track on ‘The Day Finger Pickers Took Over The World’ (Columbia Records, 1997).
In 1999, Dave Pomeroy created and hosted ‘Nashville Unlimited’, a radio series produced for Nashville Public Radio, featuring ‘live in the studio’ performances and interviews with a diverse range of Nashville’s finest singers, songwriters and musicians.
On Tuesday 23 October 2012, Sweethearts of The Rodeo (Kristine Arnold & Janis Oliver) saw the release of ‘Restless’ (Good Trade Records, 2012), which was produced by Dave Pomeroy & Sweethearts of The Rodeo, and included the following tracks:
‘You Can’t Hold Me Back’ (written by Jon Nite and Stacy Donahue)
‘Restless’ (written by Janis Oliver, Deanna Walker and Rick Beresford)
‘What Does Love Mean To You’ (written by Janis Oliver, Deanna Walker and Rick Beresford)
‘Maybe Tonight’ (written by Janis Oliver and Vince Gill)
‘Too Little, Too Late’ (written by Janis Oliver and Danny Flowers)
‘Running Out of Road’ (written by Janis Oliver, Deanna Walker and Rick Beresford)
‘Hopeless Rose’ (written by Sally Barris, Jon Randall, Jesse Alexander and Ashley Monroe)
‘Love It Away’ (written by Janis Oliver, Dave Pomeroy and Rique Patier)
‘Sinful Thoughts’ (written by Jesse Alexander and Sally Barris)
‘Gone To Kentucky’ (written by Kaci Bolis and Greg Johnson)
‘Heart Out In The Rain’ (written by Janis Oliver, Deanna Walker and Rick Beresford)
‘Get Together’, which was written by Chester William ‘Chet’ Powers Jr. (Thursday 7 October 1937 – Wednesday 16 November 1994)
Personnel involved in the recording of Sweethearts of The Rodeo’s ‘Restless’ (Good Trade Records, 2012) included the following:
Kristine Arnold (vocals)
Janis Oliver (vocals, guitar)
Kenny Vaughan and Richard Bennett (guitar)
Dave Pomeroy (bass) (guitar, production)
Al Perkins (steel guitar, Dobro)
Rick Lonow (drums)
• Visit Dave Pomeroy’s official site at davepomeroy.com