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 2014, 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 Donna Fargo, which she submitted to this site on Friday 20 June 2014.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Donna Fargo who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Donna Fargo
This quote was submitted on Friday 20 June 2014.
‘Gene Watson is a great country singer – the real deal!’
Thank you, Donna Fargo, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Donna Fargo…
Donna Fargo was born Yvonne Vaughan on Saturday 10 November 1945 in Mount Airy, North Carolina where she was brought up on a tobacco farm.
Donna Fargo has won major awards since her debut in the late 1960s, including one Grammy Award, five awards from the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and one award from the Country Music Association (CMA).
Donna Fargo had been singing since her early years, but never thought about singing professionally.
Donna Fargo attended High Point College and, on the day of her graduation, she headed west to study at the University of Southern California.
After receiving her degree, Donna Fargo became a teacher at Northview High School in Covina, California, eventually progressing to head of the English Department. While in California, Donna Fargo met Stan Silver, who became her manager when she was performing in California clubs and first seeking a career in music. At this time, Donna Fargo was still teaching.
Donna Fargo and Stan Silver were married in 1968.
Donna Fargo soon started to appear around Los Angeles, California while teaching. Donna Fargo went to Phoenix in 1966, adopted the name Donna Fargo, following a suggestion from Ramco Records who released her first single.
Donna Fargo’s first major concert was with Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) and she began playing in Southern California.
Donna Fargo recorded for a few small record labels in the early 1960s, including Ramco Records and Challenge Records, but songs like ‘Who’s Been Sleeping On My Side of The Bed’ (written by Donna Fargo) and ‘Daddy’ (written by Donna Fargo) did not do well.
Although her original singles were not successful, the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards presented Donna Fargo with the ‘Top New Female Vocalist’ Award in 1969.
Early Donna Fargo singles included ‘Would You Believe A Lifetime’ (written by Donna Fargo) (1967), ‘You Reach For The Bottle’ (written by Donna Fargo) (1967), ‘Kinda Glad In Me’ (1967), ‘Daddy’ (written by Donna Fargo) (1968) and ‘Wishful Thinkin’ (written by Donna Fargo) (1969).
In 1972, Donna Fargo recorded a single for Decca Records before achieving her breakthrough later that year.
It was also in 1972 when one of Donna Fargo’s self-penned songs, ‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA’ (written by Donna Fargo), was picked up by Dot Records. Donna Fargo was then signed to Dot Records and the single was released in 1972.
Donna Fargo was one of the few female country singers to write her own material at this time and she was one of the few country singers to cross over to the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in a big way, which she did in 1972 with ‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.11, 1972).
In May 1972, Donna Fargo saw the release of her debut album, ‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA’ (Dot Records, 1972), which was produced by Stan Silver, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.1 for three weeks in June 1972) / this track also reached No.11 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1972
‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.’ earned Donna Fargo a Grammy Award for ‘Best Country Vocal Performance By A Female’, at the 15th Annual Grammy Awards, which took place on Saturday 3 March 1973. The single also earned ‘Single of The Year’ Awards from both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM).
‘Funny Face’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.1 for three weeks in October / November 1972) / this track also reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1972
Donna Fargo’s debut album, ‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA’ (Dot Records, 1972), also included the following tracks:
‘Manhattan, Kansas’ (written by Joe Allen)
‘The Awareness of Nothing’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘A Little Somethin’ (To Hang On To)’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Daddy Dumplin’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘How Close You Came (To Being Gone)’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Society’s Got Us’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘It Would Have Been Just Perfect’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Johnny B. Goode’, which was written by Chuck Berry (Monday 18 October 1926 – Saturday 18 March 2017)
As well as becoming a major hit single in the United States, Donna Fargo’s ‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA’ was also a successful single in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Donna Fargo’s debut album, ‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA’ (Dot Records, 1972), reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1972, No.47 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music Albums Chart in 1972, and No.67 on the Canadian RPM Albums Chart in 1972.
Donna Fargo’s debut album, ‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA’ (Dot Records, 1972), was certified ‘Gold’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in early 1973, for sales of over 500,000 copies.
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Donna Fargo’s ‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.’ and included the track on ‘My Man’ (Epic Records, 1972).
Tanya Tucker recorded Donna Fargo’s ‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA’ and included the track on ‘Delta Dawn’ (Columbia Records, 1972). Tanya Tucker‘s producer, Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015), had planned for it to be her first single, but Tanya Tucker convinced him to let her record and release ‘Delta Dawn’ as a single instead.
Jody Miller (Saturday 29 November 1941 – Thursday 6 October 2022) recorded Donna Fargo’s ‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.’ and included the track on ‘There’s A Party Goin’ On’ (Epic Records, 1972).
Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Donna Fargo’s ‘Funny Face’ and included the track on ‘I’ve Got Yesterday’ (Decca Records, 1972).
Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982) recorded Donna Fargo’s ‘Funny Face’ and included the track on ‘This Much A Man’ (Decca Records, 1972).
Sonny James (Wednesday 1 May 1929 – Monday 22 February 2016) recorded Donna Fargo’s ‘The Happiest Man In The Whole U.S.A.’ and included the track on ‘Greatest Country Hits of 1972’ (Columbia Records, 1973), an album, which was actually released in January 1973.
Personnel involved in the recording of Donna Fargo’s debut album, ‘The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA’ (Dot Records, 1972) included the following:
Harold Bradley (Saturday 2 January 1926 – Thursday 31 January 2019) (bass guitar)
Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012) (piano)
Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020), Ray Edenton (Wednesday 3 November 1926 – Wednesday 21 September 2022) and Billy Sanford (guitar)
Jerry Kirby Carrigan (Monday 13 September 1943 – Saturday 22 June 2019) and Buddy Harman (Sunday 23 December 1928 – Thursday 21 August 2008) (drums)
Buzz Cason (Monday 27 November 1939 – Sunday 16 June 2024), Wendy Suits, Diane Tidwell and Bergen White (background vocals)
Pete Drake (Saturday 8 October 1932 – Friday 29 July 1988) (steel guitar)
Lloyd Green (steel guitar)
Sheldon ‘Shelly’ Kurland (Saturday 9 June 1928 – Wednesday 6 January 2010) Strings (strings)
Charlie McCoy (harmonica)
Bob Moore (Wednesday 30 November 1932 – Wednesday 22 September 2021) (bass)
Leon Rhodes (Thursday 10 March 1932 – Saturday 9 December 2017) (bass guitar)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano)
Bobby Thompson (Monday 5 July 1937 – Wednesday 18 May 2005) (fiddle)
In February 1973, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘My Second Album’ (Dot Records, 1973), which was produced by Stan Silver, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Superman’ (written by Donna Fargo and Eddie Sauter) (No.1 for one week in April 1973) / this track also reached No.41 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1973
‘You Were Always There’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.1 for one week in July / August 1973) / this track also reached No.93 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1973
Donna Fargo’s ‘My Second Album’ (Dot Records, 1973) also included the following tracks:
‘Song I Can Sing’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘You Don’t Mess Around With Jim’, which was written by Jim Croce (Sunday 10 January 1943 – Thursday 20 September 1973)
‘Don’t Be Angry’ (written by Wade Jackson)
‘Have Yourself A Time’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘How Would I Live Here’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘I’d Love You To Want Me’ (written by Kent LaVoie)
‘He Can Have All He Wants’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Forever Is As Far As I Could Go’ (written by Donna Fargo)
In October 1973, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘All About Feeling’ (Dot Records, 1973), which was produced by Stan Silver, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Little Girl Gone’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.2, 1973)
‘I’ll Try A Little Bit Harder’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.6, 1974)
Donna Fargo’s ‘All About Feeling’ (Dot Records, 1973) also included the following tracks:
‘It Do Feel Good’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Puffy Eyes’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Nothing Can Stay’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘All About A Feeling’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Just Call Me’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Hot Diggety Dog’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Does It Matter’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Rotten Little Song’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Just A Friend of Mine’ (written by Donna Fargo)
Personnel involved in the recording of Donna Fargo’s ‘All About Feeling’ (Dot Records, 1973) included the following:
Willie Ackerman (Monday 1 May 1939 – Thursday 13 December 2012) (drums)
Harold Bradley (Saturday 2 January 1926 – Thursday 31 January 2019) and Leon Rhodes (Thursday 10 March 1932 – Saturday 9 December 2017) (bass guitar)
Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012) and Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano)
Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020) and Billy Sanford (guitar)
Jerry Kirby Carrigan (Monday 13 September 1943 – Saturday 22 June 2019) and Buddy Harman (Sunday 23 December 1928 – Thursday 21 August 2008) (drums)
Buzz Cason (Monday 27 November 1939 – Sunday 16 June 2024) (background vocals)
Pete Drake (Saturday 8 October 1932 – Friday 29 July 1988) (steel guitar)
Ray Edenton (Wednesday 3 November 1926 – Wednesday 21 September 2022) (rhythm guitar)
Johnny Gimble (Sunday 30 May 1926 – Saturday 9 May 2015) and Buddy Spicher (fiddle)
Lloyd Green (Dobro, steel guitar)
Sheldon ‘Shelly’ Kurland (Saturday 9 June 1928 – Wednesday 6 January 2010) Strings (strings)
Charlie McCoy (harmonica, vibes)
Bob Moore (Wednesday 30 November 1932 – Wednesday 22 September 2021) (bass)
Farrell Morris (percussion)
Bobby Thompson (Monday 5 July 1937 – Wednesday 18 May 2005) (banjo)
Wendy Suits, Shirley Temple Choir, Diane Tidwell and Bergen White (background vocals)
Donna Fargo’s ‘All About Feeling’ (Dot Records, 1973) reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1973.
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 – Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Donna Fargo’s ‘Does It Matter’ and included the track on ‘House of Love’ (RCA Victor Records, 1974).
In October 1974, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘Miss Donna Fargo’ (United States: Dot Records, 1974 / United Kingdom: ABC Records, 1974), which was produced by Stan Silver, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘You Can’t Be A Beacon If Your Light Don’t Shine’ (written by Marty Cooper) (No.1 for one week in July / August 1974) / this track also reached No.57 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1974
‘U.S. of A.’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.9, 1974)
‘It Do Feel Good’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.7, 1975)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Miss Donna Fargo’ (United States: Dot Records, 1974 / United Kingdom: ABC Records, 1974) also included the following tracks:
‘If You’re Somewhere Listening’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Words’, which was written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, CBE (Thursday 22 December 1949 – Sunday 20 May 2012) and Maurice Gibb, CBE (Thursday 22 December 1949 – Sunday 12 January 2003)
‘Go Straight To Her’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Honeychild’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Only The Strong’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘A Woman’s Prayer’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Send Me Home’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Heartbreak Hotel’, which was written by Mae Boren Axton (Monday 14 September 1914 – Wednesday 9 April 1997), Tommy Durden (Monday 15 December 1919 – Sunday 17 October 1999) and Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Miss Donna Fargo’ (United States: Dot Records, 1974 / United Kingdom: ABC Records, 1974) reached No.4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1974.
In July 1975, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘Whatever I Say Means I Love You’ (Dot Records, 1975), which was produced by Stan Silver, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Hello Little Bluebird’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.14 in June 1975) / this track also reached No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1975
‘Whatever I Say Means I Love You’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.38, 1975)
‘What Will The New Year Bring’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.58 in September 1975)
‘You’re Not Charlie Brown (& I’m Not Raggedy Ann)’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.60 in February 1976) / this track was Donna Fargo’s lowest charting Billboard country music single up to that point
Donna Fargo’s ‘Whatever I Say Means I Love You’ (Dot Records, 1975) also included the following tracks:
‘I Didn’t Mean (To Run Him Away)’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘2 Sweet 2 Be Forgotten’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Hip On Happiness’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Rain Song’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘I Have The Strangest Feeling (You’re Gone)’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘One More Memory’ (written by Donna Fargo)
Personnel involved in the recording of Donna Fargo’s ‘Whatever I Say Means I Love You’ (Dot Records, 1975) included the following:
Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020) and Billy Sanford (guitar)
Jerry Kirby Carrigan (Monday 13 September 1943 – Saturday 22 June 2019) (drums)
Buzz Cason (Monday 27 November 1939 – Sunday 16 June 2024), Wendy Suits, Diane Tidwell, Shirley Temple Choir and Bergen White (background vocals)
Pete Drake (Saturday 8 October 1932 – Friday 29 July 1988) (steel guitar)
Ray Edenton (Wednesday 3 November 1926 – Wednesday 21 September 2022) (rhythm guitar)
Farrell Morris (percussion)
Nashville String Machine (strings)
Leon Rhodes (Thursday 10 March 1932 – Saturday 9 December 2017) (bass guitar)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) and Jerry Smith (piano)
Buddy Spicher (fiddle)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Whatever I Say Means I Love You’ (Dot Records, 1975) reached No.28 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1975; the album was Donna Fargo’s first album to peak outside the Billboard Top Country Albums Top 10 Chart.
Dot Records was acquired by ABC Records, which resulted in a noticeable drop-off in Billboard country music chart placings for Donna Fargo and, as a consequence, she moved to Warner Bros. Records in 1976.
In February 1976, Donna Fargo saw the release of her debut album for Warner Bros. Records, ‘On The Move’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1976), which was produced by Stan Silver, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Mr. Doodles’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.20, 1976)
‘I’ve Loved You All of The Way’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.15, 1976)
Donna Fargo’s debut album for Warner Bros. Records, ‘On The Move’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1976), also included the following tracks:
‘Song With No Music’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Southern Lady’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘If You Can’t Love All of Me’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘(I Wanna) Sing For My Supper’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Patches’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Country Girl’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Nothing Good Comes Easy’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘One of God’s Children’ (written by Donna Fargo)
Donna Fargo’s debut album for Warner Bros. Records, ‘On The Move’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1976), reached No.31 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1976.
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Donna Fargo’s ‘Funny Face’ and included the track on ‘You & Me’ (Epic Records, 1976).
In February 1977, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘The Best of Donna Fargo’ (Dot Records, 1977), which included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Be Angry’ (written by Wade Jackson) (No.3, 1976)
‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.1 for three weeks in June 1972) / this track also reached No.11 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1972
‘You Can’t Be A Beacon (If Your Light Don’t Shine)’ (written by Marty Cooper) (No.1 for one week in July / August 1974) / this track also reached No.57 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1974
‘Funny Face’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.1 for three weeks in October / November 1972) / this track also reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1972
‘How Close You Came (To Being Gone)’ (written by Donna Fargo) / this track was an album track, which was originally included on Donna Fargo’s debut album, ‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA’ (Dot Records, 1972)
‘It Do Feel Good’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.7, 1975)
‘Song I Can Sing’ (written by Donna Fargo) / this track was an album track, which was included on Donna Fargo’s ‘My Second Album’ (Dot Records, 1973)
‘Superman’ (written by Donna Fargo and Eddie Sauter) (No.1 for one week in April 1973) / this track also reached No.41 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1973
‘You Were Always There’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.1 for one week in July / August 1973) / this track also reached No.93 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1973
‘I’d Love You To Want Me’ (written by Kent LaVoie) / this track was an album track, which was included on Donna Fargo’s ‘My Second Album’ (Dot Records, 1973)
‘Little Girl Gone’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.2, 1973)
‘U.S. of A.’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.9, 1974)
Donna Fargo’s ‘The Best of Donna Fargo’ (Dot Records, 1977) reached No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977.
In February 1977, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘Fargo Country’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1977), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Mockin’ Bird Hill’ (written by Vaughn Horton) (No.9, 1976)
‘Do I Love You (Yes In Every Way)’ (written by Paul Anka, Maxime Piolet, Yves Dessca, Alain De Govac and Michel Pelay) (No.2, 1977)
‘That Was Yesterday’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.1 for one week in July 1975)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Fargo Country’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1977) also included the following tracks:
‘I Want To Learn A Love Song’, which was written by Harry Chapin (Monday 7 December 1942 – Thursday 16 July 1981)
‘Second Choice’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Sing Me’ (written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield)
‘The Cricket Song’ (written by R. Thames)
‘Couple More Years’, which was written by Shel Silverstein (Thursday 25 September 1930 – Monday 10 May 1999) and Dennis Locorriere
‘Hey Mister Music Man’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Gifts of Life’ (written by Willems, Schoonhoven and Donna Fargo)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Fargo Country’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1977) reached No.11 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977.
In October 1977, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘Shame On Me’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1977), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Shame On Me’ (written by L. Williams and B. Enis) (No.8, 1977)
‘Do I Love You (Yes In Every Way)’ (written by Paul Anka, Maxime Piolet, Yves Dessca, Alain De Govac and Michel Pelay) (No.2, 1977)
‘Ragamuffin’ Man’, which was written by Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023) (No.19, 1978)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Shame On Me’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1977) also included the following tracks:
‘Loving You’, which was written by Jerome ‘Jerry’ Leiber (Tuesday 25 April 1933 – Monday 22 August 2011) and Mike Stoller / this track featured a spoken adaptation, which was written by Donna Fargo
‘Happy Together’ (written by G. Bonner and A. Gordon)
‘Gone At Last’ (written by Paul Simon)
‘Dee Dee’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Time’ (written by Michael Merchant)
‘Kirksville, Missouri’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘The Race Is On’ (written by Don Rollins)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Shame On Me’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1977) reached No.18 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977.
Donna Fargo had her own musical television show, which was produced by The Osmond Brothers, which ran for a year, beginning in 1978.
Donna Fargo is one of only five country music female vocalists to have her own television series; Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012) was the first, in 1968, and Dolly Parton followed with a show in 1976.
In June 1978, Donna Fargo was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and was quite ill for a while, but with medical treatment and her husband Stan’s help, Donna Fargo made it back to better health, returning to a limited schedule in 1979 and another Billboard Top 10 hit.
In October 1978, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘Dark Eyed Lady’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1978), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Another Goodbye’, which was written by Barry Man, Cynthia Weil (Friday 18 October 1940 – Thursday 1 June 2023) and Scott English (No.10, 1978)
‘Somebody Special’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.6, 1978)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Dark Eyed Lady’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1978) also included the following tracks:
‘Everybody Has A Dream’ (written by Billy Joel)
‘Reach’ (written by John Hall and Johanna Hall)
‘Tomorrow Child’ (written by Brian Neary and Enoch Anderson)
‘Sweet Sexy Guy’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘For The Rest of My Life’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘I Saw The Light’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953)
‘Don’t Forget To Remember’, which was written by Maurice Gibb, CBE (Thursday 22 December 1949 – Sunday 12 January 2003) and Barry Gibb
‘The Drifter & The Dreamer’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Changes In My Life’ (written by Donna Fargo)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Dark Eyed Lady’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1978) reached No.20 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978.
For the next number of years, success for Donna Fargo came at a lower level. Although the serious neurological illness of Multiple Sclerosis caused a deep decline in her promotional work, Donna Fargo vowed to not let the disease ultimately get to her.
In October 1979, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘Just For You’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1979), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Daddy’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.14, 1979) / this track was a new version of a song which Donna Fargo had originally recorded in 1969
‘Preacher Berry’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.45, 1979)
‘Walk On By’ (written by Kendall Hayes) (No.43, 1980)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Just For You’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1979) also included the following tracks:
‘The Utah Song’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘(I Was Just) Another Mountain For You To Climb’ (written by Aaron Sonny Gordon)
‘I Don’t Know What I’d Do’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Show Me That You Love Me’, which was written by Michael Smotherman (Wednesday 17 December 1947 – Friday 29 November 2019)
‘Let’s Try To Fall In Love Again’, which was written by Troy Seals, Philip Dennys and Edward F. Setser (1945 – Monday 27 January 2020)
‘I Wrote This Song Just For You’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Can’t Do The Lovin’ (Without The Love)’ (written by Suzy Elman)
In August 1980, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘Fargo’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Land of Cotton’ (written by Jim Vest and David Chamberlain) (No.63, 1980)
‘Seein’ Is Believin’, which was written by Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) (No.53, 1980)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Fargo’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980) also included the following tracks:
‘Love Will Find A Way’ (written by Steve Gibb)
‘All The Way’ (written by Jim Zerface and Bob Morrison)
‘Look What You’ve Done’ (written by Steve Gibb)
‘We Could Have Been The Closest of Friends’ (written by Steve Pippin and Johnny Slate)
‘It Should Have Been Easy’ (written by Bob McDill)
‘You Still Know The Way To My Heart’ (written by C. Kelly and M. Greene)
‘I Still Believe In You’ (written by Dennis Pereca)
‘Change of Heart’ (written by Eric Carmen)
In 1981, Donna Fargo saw the release of two non-album singles, both of which charted on the Billboard country music singles chart; ‘Lone Star Cowboy’ reached No.73 in 1981, and ‘Jacamo’ reached No.72 in 1981.
In June 1981, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘Brotherly Love’ (MCA Records, 1981 / Sunbird Records, 1981), a well-received Gospel album, which included the following tracks:
‘Say I Do’ (written by Ray Hildebrand)
‘Brotherly Love’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘Amazing Grace’ (arranged by Donna Fargo)
‘If You’re Somewhere Listening’ (written by Donna Fargo)
‘You Can’t Be A Beacon (If Your Light Don’t Shine)’ (written by Marty Cooper)
‘How Great Thou Art’, which was written by Stuart Wesley Keene Hine (25 July 1899 – Tuesday 14 March 1989)
‘The Baptism of Jesse Taylor’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
‘Where He Leads Me (I Will Follow)’ (arranged by Donna Fargo)
‘I Knew Jesus (Before He Was A Star)’ (written by N. Hefti and S. Styne)
‘All About A Feeling’ (written by Donna Fargo)
In July 1983, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘Donna Fargo’ (RCA Victor Records, 1983), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘It’s Hard To Be The Dreamer (When I Used To Be A Dream)’, which was written by Joe Chambers (passed away on Wednesday 28 September 2022) (No.40, 1982)
‘Did We Have To Go This Far (To Say Goodbye)’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) (No.80, 1982)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Donna Fargo’ (RCA Victor Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘We Had It All’ (written by Troy Seals and Donnie Fritts)
‘No Other Arms’ (written by Alex Kramer, Joan Whitney and Hy Zaret)
‘All I Need To Know’, which was written by Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024) and Rory Bourke
‘How Much I Love You’ (written by Elmer Cole)
‘Fools Like You, Fools Like Me’ (written by Nancy Montgomery and Quinton Powell)
‘I Just Saw My Reflection In You’ (written by Donna Fargo)
It was also in the mid-1980s when Donna Fargo saw the release of two singles, both of which made an appearance in the lower regions of the Billboard country music singles chart; ‘The Sign of The Times’ (written by Donna Fargo) was released on Columbia Records in 1983 and reached No.72, while ‘My Heart Will Always Belong To You’ (written by Kent Blazy) was released on Cleveland Records in 1984 and reached No.80.
By this time, however, Donna Fargo’s career had begun to decline in terms of album sales and chart placements.
In 1984, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘Encore’ (51-West Records, 1984), which included the following tracks:
‘I Know A Heartache’
‘Just When I Needed You Most’
‘Great Balls of Fire’
‘You Needed Me’
‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’
‘Til I Gain Control Again’
‘Y’all Come Back Saloon’
‘I Honestly Love You’
‘When Will I Be Loved’
‘Rose’
In 1986, Donna Fargo signed with Mercury Records and, in October 1986, saw the release of ‘Winners’ (Mercury Records, 1986), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Woman of The Eighties’ (No.58, 1986)
‘Me & You’ (No.29, 1986)
‘Members Only’ (No.23, 1987) / this track was a duet with Billy Joe Royal (Friday 3 April 1942 – Tuesday 6 October 2015)
Donna Fargo’s ‘Winners’ (Mercury Records, 1986) also included the following tracks:
‘Funny Face’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.1 for three weeks in October / November 1972) / this track also reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1972
‘You Can’t Be A Beacon If Your Light Don’t Shine’ (written by Marty Cooper) (No.1 for one week in July / August 1974) / this track also reached No.57 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1974
‘The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.1 for three weeks in June 1972) / this track also reached No.11 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1972
‘Winners’
‘Little Girl Gone’
‘U.S. of A.’ (written by Donna Fargo) (No.9, 1974)
‘You Were Always There’
In 1991, Donna Fargo saw the release of ‘Soldier Boy’, a non-album track, which was written by Luther Dixon (Friday 7 August 1931 – Thursday 22 October 2009) and Florence Greenberg, and was a reference to the Gulf War, which was going on at the time; the track, which reached No.71 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991, was Donna Fargo’s last charting single.
In 1992, following several years without a full-length recording, Donna Fargo began work on her autobiography.
In 2008, Donna Fargo saw the release of a new single CD, ‘We Can Do Better In America’; this track, however, did not chart on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.
Since having left recording albums and singles, Donna Fargo has since pursued other careers outside of the country music business.
Donna Fargo has since established a successful line of greeting cards in ‘The Donna Fargo Collection’ through ‘The Blue Mountain Arts Poets & Artists Series’.
In March 2010, Donna Fargo saw the release of her fourth book, ‘I Thanked God For You Today’. Previously, Donna Fargo had seen the release of another series of poem books, including ‘Trust In Yourself’, ‘To The Love of My Life’ and ‘Ten Golden Rules’.
In November 2010, Donna Fargo was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
• Visit Donna Fargo’s official site at donnafargo.com
• Like Donna Fargo on Facebook