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 2013, 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 Dion Pride, which he submitted to this site on Friday 13 December 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Dion Pride who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Dion Pride
This quote was submitted on Friday 13 December 2013.
‘Gene is one of the premiere voices of all time in country music.
I have so much admiration and respect for him, his body of work and legacy’
Thank you, Dion Pride, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Dion Pride…
Dion Pride is the son of legendary Country Music Hall of Fame member, Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020), and he has inherited his father’s talents.
Dion Pride started singing and playing guitar by the age of five. Dion Pride began five years of classical and modern piano when he was eight years old, played drums at ten, played bass at twelve and started performing when he turned fourteen.
In 1979, ‘The Double McGuffin’, a film written, produced and directed by Joe Camp, starred Ernest Borgnine (24 January 1917 – Sunday 8 July 2012) and George Kennedy (Wednesday 18 February 1925 – Sunday 28 February 2016), alongside a group of young actors, some of whom later became quite famous, including Lisa Whelchel, who would go on to star in the sitcom, ‘The Facts of Life’. Elke Sommer and NFL stars Ed ‘Too Tall’ Jones and Lyle Alzado also appear in smaller roles.
The film also included a young Vincent Spano, as well as Dion Pride. An opening narration was provided by Orson Welles (6 May 1915 – Thursday 10 October 1985), while the cast was rounded out by Chicago native, Michael Gerard, and Dallas area child actors Greg Hodges and Jeff Nicholson.
Dion Pride attended North Texas State Music College and engineered for Cecca Sound recording studio in Dallas for four years. Dion Pride’s demos are legendary, playing and singing all of the parts himself.
Dion Pride is a committed singer, songwriter, musician and stage performer who seems to be coming into season just in time for a world of new listeners. Today’s fans have shown their hunger for exciting, new music and a memorable live presentation; this is precisely what Dion Pride delivers.
Dion Pride’s studio offerings are also solid proof that he is gifted with the tools needed to create and sustain his place in the hearts of the record buying public. Music fans of all types, residing in all regions of the globe, have been touched by the music of Dion Pride.
Dion Pride connects with crowds of all types and works feverishly to win the same approval ratings and strong reputation his father has enjoyed for years. Adoring Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) fans have quickly jumped on board with Dion Pride and show no signs of wavering as they help him to also become a mainstay entertainer.
Dion Pride played lead guitar for his father and entertained the troops on USO tours in Panama, Honduras, Guantanamo Bay and the island of Antigua. Dion Pride has also sung and performed for audiences around the world in a number of countries, including England, Ireland, Scotland and Canada, as well as all the continental United States.
In February 1989, Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) saw the release of ‘Moody Woman’ (16th Avenue Records, 1989); one of the included tracks was ‘Heaven Help Us All’ (written by Ronald Miller), which featured guest vocals from Dion Pride.
In 2011, Dion Pride’s ‘I Miss My Home’ (co-written with Burton Collins and Bruce Wallace) was included on Charley Pride‘s ‘Choices’ (Music City Records, 2011).
Dion Pride has also also opened shows for Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) in Canada and in Ireland and he always received a standing ovation.
On Tuesday 8 March 2011, Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020) saw the release of ‘Choices’ (Music City Records, 2011), his first album of new material in eight years, which included the following tracks:
‘America The Great’
‘Except For You’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005)
‘Hickory Hollow Times & County News’
‘Choices She Made’, which was written by Ted Harris (Monday 2 August 1937 – Sunday 22 November 2015)
‘Bottom Line’
‘This Bed’s Not Big Enough’
‘I Miss My Home’ (written by Burton Collins, Bruce Wallace and Dion Pride)
‘Maybe Love Will Save The Day’
‘Cajun Party Time’, which was written by Eddy Raven and Charlie Monk (Saturday 29 October 1938 – Monday 19 December 2022)
‘Guntersville Gazette’
‘You Touched My Life’, which was written by Ted Harris (Monday 2 August 1937 – Sunday 22 November 2015)
‘You Can’t Sit Still’, which was written by Ted Harris (Monday 2 August 1937 – Sunday 22 November 2015)
‘Resting Place’
Personnel involved in the recording of Charley Pride‘s ‘Choices’ (Music City Records, 2011) included the following:
Gene Chrisman, Mark Beckett and Eddie Bayers (drums)
Sonny Garrish (steel guitar, Dobro)
Kerry Marx (electric guitar)
Bobby Wood (piano, keyboards)
Joe Allen and Larry Paxton (bass guitar)
Lloyd Green (steel guitar)
Mark Howard (acoustic guitar)
Hoot Hester (Monday 13 August 1951 – Tuesday 30 August 2016) (fiddle)
Carol Lee Singers: (vocals)
Charley Pride‘s ‘Choices’ (Music City Records, 2011) was recorded at Cecca Sound in Dallas, Texas, Core Sound in Nashville, The Cowboy Arms Hotel & Recording Spa in Nashville and The Parlor in Nashville.
On Wednesday 20 April 2011, Dion Pride saw the release of ‘We All Gotta Live Here’ (Dion Pride Music, 2011), which included the following tracks:
‘She Was Beautiful’
‘No Mississippi’
‘I’d Find You’
‘Might As Well Be Me’
‘On My Knees’
‘Take You Higher’
‘Not Alone’
‘Everyday You’
‘I Miss My Home’
‘We All Gotta Live Here’
On Tuesday 19 July 2011, Dion Pride saw the release of ‘Reinvent Yourself’ (Dion Pride Music, 2011), which included the following tracks:
‘Reinvent Yourself’
‘My Heart Is Your Home’
‘All I Can Do Is Love You’
‘You Make It Real’
‘Comfortable’
‘Baby Grand’
‘One More Night’
‘Ripple In The Water’
‘It’s So Right’
‘Dust’
On Wednesday 20 July 2011, Dion Pride saw the release of ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’ (Dion Pride Music, 2011), which displayed his deep and honest respect for traditional country music, and included the following tracks:
‘Leave Him Out of This’ (written by Walt Aldridge and Susan Longacre) / the original version of this track was recorded by Steve Wariner, who included it on ‘I Am Ready’ (Arista Records, 1991); Steve Wariner‘s version of this track reached No.6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991
‘I Won’t Lie’
‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ (written by Larry Weiss) / the original version of this track was recorded by Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), who included it on ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’ (Capitol Records, 1975); Glen Campbell’s version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in August / September 1975
‘Only More’
‘Wherever You Are’
‘Moonlight Lady’
‘Fourteen Carat Mind’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Larry Lee Favorite (1939 – Saturday 26 May 2001) / the original version of this track was recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Old Loves Never Die‘ (MCA Records, 1981); Gene Watson‘s version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1982
‘Drive Me Home’
‘She’s It’
‘Rose Colored Glasses’ (written by John Conlee) / the original version of this track was recorded by John Conlee, who included it on ‘Rose Colored Glasses’ (ABC Records, 1978); John Conlee‘s version of this track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978
‘Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line’, which was written by Jimmy Bryant (Thursday 5 March 1925 – Monday 22 September 1980) / the original version of this track was recorded by Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002), who recorded ‘Only Daddy That’ll Walk The Line’, which was written by Jimmy Bryant (Thursday 5 March 1925 – Monday 22 September 1980), and included it on ‘Only The Greatest’ (RCA Victor Records, 1968); Waylon Jennings’ version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1968, a position which it held for five weeks. In Canada, the track reached No.1 on the RPM Country Tracks Chart for the week ending Monday 30 September 1968.
On Tuesday 25 September 2012, Dion Pride joined The Light Crust Dough Boys and saw the release of ‘Spiritual Cowboy: Introducing Dion Pride, Newest Doughboy’ (Greenhaw Records, 2012), which included the following tracks:
‘Oh, Happy Day’
‘I’m Pressing On The Upward Way’
‘Put Your Hand In The Hand’
‘God Must Be A Cowboy’
‘Turn Turn Turn’
‘God’s Silver Soldiers’
‘Old Rivers’
‘Just A Closer Walk’
‘Life Is Like A Mountain Railroad’
‘Why Me’
‘Always Feel The Beat’
‘When It’s Roundup Time In Heaven’
‘Ode To The Morning’
‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’
‘Talking Spiritual Power’
In 2013, Dion Pride saw the release of the single ‘One More Night’, which was released on Dion Pride Music.
• Visit Dion Pride’s official site at dionpride.com