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 2004, 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 Gail Davies, which she submitted to this site on Sunday 26 September 2004.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Gail Davies who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Gail Davies
This quote was submitted on Sunday 26 September 2004.
‘Although I don’t really know Gene Watson personally, I have always admired his music and the high level of integrity that he has brought to the country music industry’
Thank you, Gail Davies, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Gail Davies…
Gail Davies was born Patricia Gail Dickerson Broken Row, Oklahoma on Saturday 5 June 1948 and is considered to be one of the most important and influential female singer / songwriters to have been involved in country music in the years since the early 1980s.
Gail Davies was the first female record producer in country music and is cited by many of today’s country divas as their role model.
Though often best known for her pioneering production work, Gail Davies is also a gifted vocalist and a prolific songwriter.
Gail Davies is the writer of ‘Bucket To The South’, which was recorded by Lynn Anderson (Friday 26 September 1947 – Thursday 30 July 2015), ‘Hometown Gossip’, which was recorded by The Whites, and ‘Tell Me Why’, which was recorded by Jann Browne, as well as her own Billboard Top 10 country music hit singles, ‘Grandma’s Song’ and ‘Someone is Looking For Someone Like You’.
Lynn Anderson (Friday 26 September 1947 – Thursday 30 July 2015) recorded Gail Davies’ ‘Bucket To The South’ and included the track on ‘From The Inside’ (Columbia Records, 1978).
The Whites recorded Gail Davies’ ‘Hometown Gossip’ and included the track on ‘Whole New World’ (MCA Records, 1985).
Gail Davies’ compositions are some of today’s country radio standards and have been recorded around the world by internationally known artists, including Nana Mouskouri, Ireland’s Susan McCann and Japan’s Mari Nagatomi.
As a singer, Gail Davies’ voice has earned her numerous nominations from the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM), as well as the coveted award from the ‘DJs of America’ for ‘Best Female Vocalist’.
One of the few artists to have ever received a standing ovation on The Grand Ole Opry, Gail Davies is a consummate performer, who has played venues from The Ryman Auditorium with Del McCoury to London’s Royal Concert Hall with John Prine (Thursday 10 October 1946 – Tuesday 7 April 2020).
Gail Davies began her life as Patricia Gail Dickerson in Broken Bow, Oklahoma on Saturday 5 June 1948.
Gail Davies’ father, Tex Dickerson, was a country singer who played around the Texas / Oklahoma club circuit during the 1940s and occasionally appeared on the famed Louisiana Hayride.
Gail Davies was steeped in the music of traditional country music from an early age, but was later influenced by the 1960s British invasion and the music of Bob Dylan.
Gail Davies left Oklahoma at the age of five and moved, with her mother and two brothers, to Washington State.
Gail’s name was changed when her mother remarried and Gail and her siblings were adopted by their kind and loving stepfather, Darby Davies.
After graduating from South Kitsap High School in 1966, Gail Davies moved to Los Angeles where she met and married a Jazz musician. Gail Davies attempted a brief career in Jazz, but quit soon after they divorced, and began working as a session singer at A&M studios.
Gail Davies’ initial interest in record production began when she was befriended by songwriter, Joni Mitchell.
Gail Davies cites Joni Mitchell as a major influence in her life, but it was A&M’s top recording engineer, Henry Lewy, who spent hours in the studio teaching Gail how to produce her own music.
During her days at A&M, from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, Gail Davies was invited to sit in on a number of landmark sessions, including one with ex-Beatle, John Lennon (Wednesday 9 October 1940 – Monday 8 December 1980), along with sessions involving Joe Cocker (Saturday 20 May 1944 – Monday 22 December 2014), The Carpenters and Carole King.
In 1974, Gail Davies made her national television debut as Roger Miller’s duet partner, singing on The Merv Griffin Show. Gail Davies’ song, ‘I’m Hungry, I’m Tired’, which was featured on her live album, was written for Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992).
Surrounded by so many great songwriters, including Gail Davies’ older brother, Ron Davies (Tuesday 15 January 1946 – Thursday 30 October 2003), Gail bought a guitar in a pawnshop and began writing songs.
In 1975, Gail Davies signed with EMI Publishing and then moved to Nashville, where she immediately scored as the author of Ava Barber’s hit single ‘Bucket To The South’.
Gail Davies’ older brother, Ron Davies (Tuesday 15 January 1946 – Thursday 30 October 2003), was the writer of ‘It Ain’t Easy’, which was recorded by both Three Dog Night and David Bowie (Wednesday 8 January 1947 – Sunday 10 January 2016).
The exposure led to a contract with CBS / Lifesong Records in 1978, and the release, in November 1978, of Gail Davies’ self-titled debut album, ‘Gail Davies’ (Lifesong Records, 1978), which was later re-issued on CD.
Gail Davies’ self-titled debut album, ‘Gail Davies’ (Lifesong Records, 1978), which was produced by Tommy West (Monday 17 August 1942 – Sunday 2 May 2021), included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘No Love Have I’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) (No.23, 1978)
‘Poison Love’ (written by Elmer Laird) (No.27, 1978)
‘Someone Is Looking For Someone Like You’ (written by Gail Davies) (No.11, 1979)
Gail Davies’ self-titled debut album, ‘Gail Davies’ (Lifesong Records, 1978), also included the following tracks:
‘What Can I Say’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Grandma’s Song’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Are You Teasing Me?’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965)
‘Bucket To The South’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Soft Spoken Man’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Need Your Lovin’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘It’s No Wonder I Feel Blue’ (written by Gail Davies)
In January 1980, Gail Davies saw the release of ‘The Game’ (Warner Brothers Records, 1980), which was produced by Garth Fundis, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Blue Heartache’, which was written by Paul Craft (Friday 12 August 1938 – Saturday 18 October 2014) (No.7, 1980)
‘Good Lovin’ Man’ (written by Gail Davies) (No.21, 1980)
‘Like Strangers’, which was written by Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987) (No.21, 1980)
Gail Davies’ ‘The Game’ (Warner Brothers Records, 1980) also included the following tracks:
‘Game’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Careless Love’ (written by Spencer Williams, William Handy and Martha Koening)
‘Love Is Living Around’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Sorry That You Are Leavin’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Never Seen A Man Like You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘When I Had You In My Arms’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Drown In The Flood’ (written by Gail Davies)
Gail Davies’ ‘The Game’ (Warner Brothers Records, 1980) reached No.40 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1980.
In January 1981, Gail Davies saw the release of ‘I’ll Be There’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1981), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I’ll Be There’, which was written by Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) and Rusty Gabbard (No.4, 1981)
‘It’s A Lovely, Lovely World’, which was written by Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987) (No.5, 1981)
‘Grandma’s Song’ (written by Gail Davies) (No.9, 1981)
Gail Davies’ ‘I’ll Be There’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1981) also included the following tracks:
‘Mama’s Gonna Give You Sweet Things’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Kentucky’ (written by Karl Davis)
‘Honky Tonk Waltz’, which was written by Paul Craft (Friday 12 August 1938 – Saturday 18 October 2014)
‘Farewell Song’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Object of My Affection’ (written by Delbert McClinton)
‘Get That Feelin’ Inside’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘I’m Hungry, I’m Tired’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘No One To Welcome Me Home’ (written by Joe Earls)
Gail Davies’ ‘I’ll Be There’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1981) reached No.27 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1981.
In February 1982, Gail Davies saw the release of ‘Givin’ Herself Away’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1982), which was produced by Gail Davies, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Round The Clock Loving’, which was written by Kay Toinette (K.T.) Oslin (Friday 15 May 1942 – Monday 21 December 2020) and Rory Bourke (No.9, 1982)
‘You Turn Me On, I’m A Radio’ (written by Joni Mitchell) (No.17, 1982)
‘Hold On’ (written by R. Clark and M. Marchetti) (No.24, 1982)
‘Singing The Blues’, which was written by Melvin Endsley (Tuesday 30 January 1934 – Monday 16 August 2004 (No.17, 1982)
Gail Davies’ ‘Givin’ Herself Away’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1982) also included the following tracks:
‘Movin’ (I Might Decide To Stay)’ (written by Jeff Tassin)
‘It’s Amazing What A Little Love Can Do’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006)
‘Givin’ Herself Away’ (written by Tom Kimmel and Lynn Tobola)
‘All The Fire Is Gone’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Dawn’ (written by Gail Davies)
Personnel involved in the recording of Gail Davies’ ‘Givin’ Herself Away’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1982) included the following:
Albert Lee, Jeff Tassin, Pete Carr, Dean Parks and James Lowry (guitar)
Lloyd Green (steel guitar)
Leland Sklar (bass)
Mike Baird (drums)
Shane Keister, Billy Payne and Jay Winding (piano, keyboards)
Bobby Thompson (Monday 5 July 1937 – Wednesday 18 May 2005) (banjo)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007) (harmonica)
Farrell Morris (percussion)
Walker Igleheart, Mike Joyce and Paulette Carlson (vocals)
In November 1983, Gail Davies saw the release of ‘What Can I Say’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘You’re A Hard Dog (To Keep Under The Porch)’, which was written by Susanna Clark (Saturday 11 March 1939 – Wednesday 27 June 2012) and Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.18, 1983)
‘Boys Like You’ (written by Gail Davies and Walker Igleheart) (No.19, 1984)
‘It’s You Alone’, which was written by Ronny ‘Ron’ Wayne Davies (Tuesday 15 January 1946 – Thursday 30 October 2003) (No.55, 1984)
Gail Davies’ ‘What Can I Say’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘Following You Around’ (written by Walker Igleheart)
‘On A Real Good Night’ (written by Rodney Crowell)
‘Hallelujah, I Love Him So’, which was written by Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004)
‘What Can I Say’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘If You Can Lie A Little Bit’ (written by Bob Stone)
‘Boy In You Is Showing’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Setting Me Up’ (written by Mark Knopfler)
Gail Davies’ ‘What Can I Say’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983) reached No.48 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
In 1984, Gail Davies signed with RCA Records and saw the release, in November 1984, of ‘Where Is A Woman To Go’ (RCA Records, 1984), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Jagged Edge of A Broken Heart’ (written by Walker Igleheart and Mike Joyce) (No.20, 1984)
‘Nothing Can Hurt Me Now’ (written by Paul Kennerly and Bob McDill) (No.37, 1985)
‘Unwed Fathers’, which was written by John Prine (Thursday 10 October 1946 – Tuesday 7 April 2020) and Bobby Braddock (No.56, 1985)
‘Breakaway’, which was written by Gary Nicholson and Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024) (No.15, 1985)
Gail Davies’ ‘Where Is A Woman To Go’ (RCA Records, 1984) also included the following tracks:
‘Trouble With Love’ (written by Mary Ann Kennedy, Pam Rose and Candice Parton)
‘Lovin’ Me’, which was written by Ronny ‘Ron’ Wayne Davies (Tuesday 15 January 1946 – Thursday 30 October 2003)
‘Different Train of Thought’ (written by Owen Hewitt, Thomas Nobles and William Shouse)
‘Lion In The Winter’, which was written by Hoyt Axton (Friday 25 March 1938 – Tuesday 26 October 1999)
‘Where Is A Woman To Go’, which was written by Jerry Gillespie and Kay Toinette (K.T.) Oslin (Friday 15 May 1942 – Monday 21 December 2020)
‘Not A Day Goes By’ (written by Gail Davies)
Gail Davies’ ‘Where Is A Woman To Go’ (RCA Records, 1984) reached No.57 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1984.
It was also in 1985 when Gail Davies traveled to England to perform at Wembley Country Music Festival.
Inspired by British country music singer, Hank Wangford, Gail Davies returned to the United States to form, along with her guitarist, Pete Pendras, a country / rock band called Wild Choir, a forerunner of the Americana movement.
Upon speaking with RCA executive, Joe Galante, Wild Choir signed a recording contract with RCA Nashville Records.
Along with a self-titled album, ‘Wild Choir’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1986), Wild Choir saw the release of three singles in 1986, ‘Next Time’ (No.51, 1986), ‘Heart To Heart’ (written by John Hiatt and Fred Koller) (No.40, 1986), and ‘Safe In The Arms of Love’, which was written by Mary Ann Kennedy, Pam Rose and Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 – Monday 30 January 2023).
Although the lead single, ‘Safe In The Arms of Love’, which was written by Mary Ann Kennedy, Pam Rose and Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 – Monday 30 January 2023), did not chart, it later became a major hit single for both Michelle Wright and Martina McBride in 1995.
Wild Choir’s self-titled album, ‘Wild Choir’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1986), also included the following tracks:
‘Running Scared’ (written by Wendy Waldman and Gail Davies)
‘Girl On A String’ (written by John Hiatt)
‘Safe In The Arms of Love’ (written by Bob McDill, Tommy Rocco and Bucky Jones)
‘Walls’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Never Cross That Line’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘I Don’t Wanna Hold Your Hand’ (written by Marshall Chapman and Gail Davies)
‘Love Back’ (written by Wendy Waldman and Gail Davies)
‘Action’ (written by John Hiatt, Ry Cooder and Jim Keltner)
The members of Wild Choir included Larry Chaney, Denny Dadmun-Bixby, Gail Davies, Bob Mummert and Pete Pendras.
In 1988, Gail Davies returned to a solo career and signed with MCA Records; she produced ‘Pretty Words’ (MCA Records, 1989) with label head, Jimmy Bowen.
Despite her choice for ‘Tell Me Why’ (written by Gail Davies and Harry Stinson) to be released as a single, MCA Records ignored her request and the song became a hit for newcomer, Jann Browne, when it reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.
Gail Davies’ ‘Pretty Words’ (MCA Records, 1989) included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Waiting Here For You’ (written by Gail Davies) (No.50, 1989)
‘Hearts In The Wind’ (written by Kenneth Cummings and Gail Davies) (No.69, 1989)
Gail Davies’ ‘Pretty Words’ (MCA Records, 1989) also included the following tracks:
‘I Don’t Know Why’ (written by Harry Stinson and Gail Davies)
‘I’ve Had Enough’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Somewhere Tonight’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Pretty Words’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘It’s Just A Matter of Time’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘I’m Ready To Fall In Love Again’ (written by Gail Davies and Walker Igleheart)
‘Meet Me Halfway’ (written by Peter Pendras and Gail Davies)
‘I Will Rise & Shine’ (written by Gail Davies)
Jann Browne recorded Gail Davies’ ‘Tell Me Why’ (co-written with Harry Stinson) and included the track on ‘Tell Me Why’ (Curb Records, 1990); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.
In 1990, Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) saw the release of ‘Walkin’ In The Sun’ (Capitol Records, 1990), an album which marked Glen Campbell’s return to Capitol Records, and included four tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘She’s Gone, Gone, Gone’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.6, 1989) / this track, which was Glen Campbell’s last Top 10 hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart, was released via Universal Records, a short-lived record label, which was founded by Jimmy Bowen
‘Walkin’ In The Sun’ (written by Jeff Barry) (No.61, 1990)
‘On A Good Night’, which was written by Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021) and Keith Stegall / this track was released as a single in 1990, but it did not chart
‘Somebody’s Leavin’, which was written by Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016), Rafe Van Hoy and Don Cook / this track was released as a single in 1990, but it did not chart
Glen Campbell’s ‘Walkin’ in The Sun’ (Capitol Records, 1990) also included the following tracks:
‘You Will Not Lose’, which was written by Allen Toussaint (Friday 14 January 1938 – Tuesday 10 November 2015) / this track was a duet with Steve Wariner
‘If I Could Only Get My Hands On You Now’ (written by Larry Gatlin)
‘William Tell Overture’ (written by Gioachino Rossini, arranged by Glen Campbell and Dennis McCarthy)
‘Woodcarver’ (written by Rusty Wolfe) / this track was a duet with Lacy J. Dalton
‘Cheatin’ Is’ (written by Rafe Van Hoy)
‘Tied To The Tracks’ (written by J. Fred Knobloch and Gary Scruggs)
‘Jesus On Your Mind’ (written by Keith Stegall)
Personnel involved in the recording of Glen Campbell’s ‘Walkin’ in The Sun’ (Capitol Records, 1990) included the following:
Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) (vocals, acoustic guitars, electric guitars)
Larrie Londin (Friday 15 October 1943 – Monday 24 August 1992) and James Stroud (drums)
Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) and Pat Flynn (acoustic guitar)
David Hungate and Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass guitar)
Glen D. Hardin and Larry Knechtel (piano)
Mike Lawler and David Innis (synthesizer)
Mark O’Connor (mandolin, fiddle)
Béla Fleck (banjo)
Conni Ellisor (violin)
John Cowan, Debby Campbell Olson and Gail Davies (additional background vocals)
Background vocals on ‘Jesus On Your Mind’ (written by Keith Stegall): Larry Gatlin, Steve Gatlin, Rudy Gatlin, Mark Eugene Gray (Friday 24 October 1952 – Friday 2 December 2016), Alan Jackson, Kathy Mattea, Paul Overstreet, Eddy Raven, Ricky Skaggs, Sharon White, Keith Stegall, Karen Staley, Cheryl White Warren, Buck White and Chris Zann
In 1990, Gail Davies left MCA Records, and moved to Capitol / EMI Records, where she saw the release, on Thursday 10 May 1990, of ‘The Other Side of Love’ (Capitol Records, 1990), which included the following tracks:
‘I’m A Little Bit Lonely’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Happy Ever After’ (written by Kevin Welch)
‘Holdin’ Out For You’ (written by Gail Davies and Paul Kennerly)
‘Someone Like Me’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘A Love That Could Last’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘With A Boy Like You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Remember How It Was’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘I Need My Baby Back’ (written by Gail Davies and Wally Wilson)
‘The Other Side of Love’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘One More Night With You’, which was written by Ronny ‘Ron’ Wayne Davies (Tuesday 15 January 1946 – Thursday 30 October 2003)
Karen Tobin recorded Gail Davies’ ‘Holdin’ Out For You’ (co-written with Paul Kennerley) and included the track on ‘Carolina Smokey Moon’ (Atlantic Records, 1991), which was produced by Keith Stegall.
In 1991, Gail Davies accepted a position at Liberty Records / Capitol Records as country music’s first female staff producer.
On Tuesday 1 February 1991, Gail Davies saw the release of ‘The Best of Gail Davies’ (Capitol Records / Liberty Records, 1991), which included the following tracks:
‘Someone Is Looking For Someone Like You’ (written by Gail Davies) (No.11, 1979)
‘I’ll Be There’, which was written by Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) and Rusty Gabbard (No.4, 1981)
‘Blue Heartache’, which was written by Paul Craft (Friday 12 August 1938 – Saturday 18 October 2014) (No.7, 1980)
‘Bucket To The South’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Grandma’s Song’ (written by Gail Davies) (No.9, 1981)
‘You’re A Hard Dog (To Keep Under The Porch)’, which was written by Susanna Clark (Saturday 11 March 1939 – Wednesday 27 June 2012) and Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.18, 1983)
‘Round The Clock Loving’, which was written by Kay Toinette (K.T.) Oslin (Friday 15 May 1942 – Monday 21 December 2020) and Rory Bourke (No.9, 1982)
‘Singing The Blues’, which was written by Melvin Endsley (Tuesday 30 January 1934 – Monday 16 August 2004) (No.17, 1982)
‘Unwed Fathers’, which was written by John Prine (Thursday 10 October 1946 – Tuesday 7 April 2020)and Bobby Braddock (No.56, 1985)
‘Jagged Edge of A Broken Heart’ (written by Walker Igleheart and Mike Joyce) (No.20, 1984)
Jann Browne recorded Gail Davies’ ‘Better Love Next Time’ (co-written with Paul Kennerley) and included the track on ‘It Only Hurts When I Laugh’ (Curb Records, 1991); the track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991, but it did not chart.
After three years of working with talented, new artists, including Mandy Barnett, Gail Davies formed her own record label, Little Chickadee Productions.
The first release, ‘Eclectic’ (Little Chickadee Productions, 1994), which included ten songs written, sung and produced by Gail Davies, was chosen by Tower Pulse as one of the ‘Ten Best Albums of The Year’ in 1994.
Gail Davies’ ‘Eclectic’ (Little Chickadee Productions, 1994) included the following tracks:
‘Just Can’t Satisfy You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘With A Friend Like You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Where Does Love Come From’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘In The Worst Way’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Drifting (Farther Away)’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Your Mamma Works So Hard’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Wedding Invitation’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Heat It Up’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Lean On You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Reaching Out For Him’ (written by Gail Davies)
In 1996, Gail Davies saw the release of ‘Gail Davies: Greatest Hits’ (Little Chickadee Productions, 1996), which included the following, re-recorded, tracks, which were licenced through Koch Records:
‘Waiting Here For You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Tell Me Why’ (written by Gail Davies and Harry Stinson)
‘Jagged Edge of A Broken Heart’ (written by Walker Igleheart and Mike Joyce)
‘Somone Is Looking For Someone Like You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘I’ll Be There’, which was written by Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) and Rusty Gabbard
‘It’s A Lovely Lovely World’, which was written by Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987)
‘Blue Heartache’, which was written by Paul Craft (Friday 12 August 1938 – Saturday 18 October 2014)
‘Grandma’s Song’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Bucket To The South’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘I’m Hungry, I’m Tired’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘You Turn Me On I’m A Radio’ (written by Joni Mitchell)
‘Boys Like You’ (written by Gail Davies and Walker Igleheart)
‘You’re A Hard Dog (To Keep Under The Porch)’, which was written by Susanna Clark (Saturday 11 March 1939 – Wednesday 27 June 2012) and Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Not A Day Goes By’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Singing The Blues’, which was written by Melvin Endsley (Tuesday 30 January 1934 – Monday 16 August 2004)
‘Kentucky’ (written by Karl Davis)
‘Unwed Fathers’, which was written by John Prine (Thursday 10 October 1946 – Tuesday 7 April 2020) and Bobby Braddock
‘What Can I Say’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Round The Clock Loving’, which was written by Kay Toinette (K.T.) Oslin (Friday 15 May 1942 – Monday 21 December 2020) and Rory Bourke
‘Mama, I’m Sick’ (written by Tyler Vance)
In 1998, Gail Davies saw the release of ‘Love Ain’t Easy’ (Little Chickadee Productions, 1998), which included the following tracks:
‘Right By You’ (written by Kimm Rogers)
‘Better Love Next Time’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Get Out of My Way’ (written by Kieran Kane)
‘Love Ain’t Easy’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Burning In Hell For You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘He Comes To Me For The Answers’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Forgive & Forget’ (written by Kieran Kane)
‘Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You’ (written by Bob Dylan)
‘I Don’t Know’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Big Road’ (written by Tommy Johnson) / this track featured guest vocals from Kieran Kane
In 2001, Gail Davies saw the release of ‘Gail Davies & Friends: Live & Unplugged at The Station Inn’ (Valley Records, 2001), which included the following tracks:
Introduction by Sam Jackson
‘It Ain’t Me Babe’ (written by Bob Dylan)
‘Get Out of My Way’ (written by Kieran Kane)
‘Trouble With Love’, which was written by Mary Ann Kennedy, Pam Rose and Patricia Karen Bunch (Thursday 22 June 1939 – Monday 30 January 2023)
‘Are You Teasing Me’, which was written by Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) and Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011)
‘Poison Love’ (written by Elmer Laird)
‘Ashes of Love’, which was written by Jack Anglin and Jim Anglin (Saturday 13 May 1916 – Friday 8 March 1963)
‘I’m Hungry, I’m Tired’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Blue Heartache’, which was written by Paul Craft (Friday 12 August 1938 – Saturday 18 October 2014)
‘Round The Clock Loving’, which was written by Kay Toinette (K.T.) Oslin (Friday 15 May 1942 – Monday 21 December 2020) and Rory Bourke
‘I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight’ (written by Bob Dylan)
‘Right By You’ (written by Kimm Rogers)
‘Grandma’s Song’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Bucket To The South’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Lovesick Blues’, which was written by Cliff Friend (1 October 1893 – Thursday 27 June 1974) and Irving Mills (16 January 1894 – Sunday 21 April 1985)
‘Tomorrow Is A Long Time’ (written by Bob Dylan)
‘Where Does Love Come From’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Reaching Out For Him’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Wedding Invitation’ (written by Gail Davies)
Personnel involved in the recording of Gail Davies’ ‘Live & Unplugged at The Station Inn’ (Valley Records, 2001), included the following:
Mark ‘Sergio’ Webb, Chris Scruggs and Gail Davies (acoustic guitars)
Rob Price (upright bass, electric bass)
Bob Mummert (passed away on Saturday 26 August 2023) (percussion)
Scott Neubert (Dobro)
Bob Grant (mandolin)
Hoot Hester (Monday 13 August 1951 – Tuesday 30 August 2016) (fiddle)
Kevin Welch, Mandy Barnett, Chuck Mead, Kathy Chiavola, Rob Price, Patty Mitchell, Chris Scruggs, David Lege, George Feith, Bob Grant, Scott Neubert and Hoot Hester (Monday 13 August 1951 – Tuesday 30 August 2016) (harmony vocals)
In 2002, Gail Davies received an IBMA Award and a Grammy Award nomination for her duet with bluegrass patriarch Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 – Thursday 23 June 2016).
In 2002, Gail Davies was also nominated for an Americana Award for her production of ‘Caught in The Webb’ (Koch Records, 2002), a tribute to country music legend Webb Pierce (Monday 8 August 1921 – Sunday 24 February 1991), which included tracks recorded by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Pam Tillis, The Jordanaires, Dwight Yoakam, Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020), Del McCoury, Crystal Gayle, Dale Watson, Allison Moorer, Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016), Mandy Barnett, and BR-549.
In 2003, Gail Davies saw the release of ‘The Songwriter Sessions’ (Little Chickadee Productions, 2003), which included the following tracks:
Volume 1
‘With A Friend Like You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘A Love That Could Last’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Heat It Up’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Bucket To The South’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘You Need Someone Like Me’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Better Love Next Time’ (written by Gail Davies and Paul Kennerly)
‘Someone Is Looking For Someone Like You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Soft Spoken Man’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘With A Boy Like You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘I’ve Had Enough’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘It’s Just A Matter of Time’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Where Does Love Come From’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Tell Me Why’ (written by Gail Davies and Harry Stinson)
‘Never Cross That Line’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Love Ain’t Easy’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Remember How It Was’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘I’m Hungry, I’m Tired’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Hometown Gossip’ (written by Gail Davies and Richard Allen)
‘Waiting Here For You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Reaching Out For Him’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘I’m A Little Bit Lonely’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘The Game’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Pretty Words’ (written by Gail Davies)
Volume 2
‘Ready To Fall In Love’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Wedding Invitation’ (written by Gail Davies and Wally Wilson)
‘It’s No Wonder I Feel Blue’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Burning In Hell For You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘What Can I Say’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘I Need My Baby Back’ (written by Gail Davies and Wally Wilson)
‘He Comes To Me For The Answers’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘In The Worst Way’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘I Don’t Know’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘It’s Boys Like You’ (written by Gail Davies and Walker Igleheart)
‘Not A Day Goes By’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘The Other Side of Love’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Love Is Living Around Us’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Just Can’t Satisfy You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Grandma’s Song’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Your Mamma Works So Hard’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Careless Love’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Holdin’ Out For You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Lean On You’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Sorry That You’re Leavin’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘Driftin’ Farther Away’ (written by Gail Davies)
‘I Will Rise & Shine Again’ (written by Gail Davies)
Personnel involved in the recording of Gail Davies’ ‘The Songwriter Sessions’ (Little Chickadee Productions, 2003), included the following:
Bob Mummert (passed away on Saturday 26 August 2023) (drums)
Chris Nole, Gary Prim, Gene Sisk and Rob Price (piano, synthesier)
Leland Sklar, Rob Price and Willie Weeks (bass guitar)
Lloyd Green, Weldon Myrick (Monday 10 April 1939 – Monday 2 June 2014), Mike Daly and Stu Basore (steel guitar)
Sam Bush, David Harvey, Brent Truitt and Dave Luke (mandolin)
Aaron Till, Hank Singer and Sam Bush (fiddle)
Jerry Douglas, Lloyd Green and Randy Kohrs (Dobro)
Richard Bailey and Chris Cioffi (banjo)
Gail Davies, Richard Bennett, Kevin Welch, Chris Scruggs, Jeff Tassin and Pat Bergeson (acoustic guitar)
Richard Bennett, Chris Scruggs, Pat Bergeson, Larry Chaney, Pete Pendras and Brent Moyer (electric guitar)
Gail Davies, Patty Mitchell, Rob Price, David Lege, Kathy Mattea, Vince Gill, Ray Walker, John Cowan, Sharon White, Cheryl White and George Feith (vocalists)
Released in 2013, ‘Unsung Hero: A Tribute To The Music of Ron Davies’ (Little Chickadee Productions, 2013), which was produced by Gail Davies, featured twenty-two of her brother’s finest compositions, including ‘It Ain’t Easy’, which was recorded by Grammy Award-winning artist, Shelby Lynne.
Ron Davies
(Tuesday 15 January 1946 – Thursday 30 October 2003)
‘Unsung Hero: A Tribute to The Music of Ron Davies’ (Little Chickadee Productions, 2013) also included Ron Davies’ songs performed by John Prine (Thursday 10 October 1946 – Tuesday 7 April 2020), Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Rodney Crowell, Crystal Gayle, Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016), Suzy Bogguss, Delbert McClinton, Matraca Berg, Jeff Hanna, Jonell Mosser, John Anderson, Bonnie Bramlett, BR-549, Jim Lauderdale, Mandy Barnett, Kevin Welch, Gail Davies, Robbie Fulks, Jimmy Hall, and jazz legend, Benny Golson (Friday 25 January 1929 – Saturday 21 September 2024).
Proceeds from ‘Unsung Hero: A Tribute to The Music of Ron Davies’ (Little Chickadee Productions, 2013) benefitted W.O. Smith Music School and provided instruments and lessons for underprivileged children.
In 2014, Gail Davies saw the release of ‘Since I Don’t Have You’ (Little Chickadee Productions, 2014), a collaboration of Jazz-flavoured material between Gail Davies and Jazz legend, Benny Golson (Friday 25 January 1929 – Saturday 21 September 2024).
Benny Golson (Friday 25 January 1929 – Saturday 21 September 2024) was a long-time friend of Gail Davies, and a fan of country music; Benny Golson was one of the original architects of American Jazz.
Benny Golson (Friday 25 January 1929 – Saturday 21 September 2024) was the recipient of The Mellon Living Legend Award, The NEA Jazz Masters Award and The Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as a member of The Jazz Hall of Fame.
Benny Golson (Friday 25 January 1929 – Saturday 21 September 2024) was also the subject of the Steven Spielberg movie, ‘The Terminal’, which was released in 2004, relating to his picture in the famous 1958 photograph, ‘A Great Day in Harlem’.
Gail Davies & Benny Golson’s ‘Since I Don’t Have You’ (Little Chickadee Productions, 2014) included standards such as ‘Am I Blue’, ‘Good Morning Heartache’ and ‘Here’s That Rainy Day’, along with newer tunes by Gail Davies, her brother, Ron Davies (Tuesday 15 January 1946 – Thursday 30 October 2003) and Gail Davies’ son, Chris Scruggs.
On Tuesday 27 November 2018, Gail Davies was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, along with Woodrow ‘Woody’ Wilson Guthrie (Sunday 14 July 1912 – Tuesday 3 October 1967), Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), Sammi Smith (Thursday 5 August 1943 – Saturday 12 February 2005), Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), Leon Russell (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 13 November 2016), Hoyt Axton (Friday 25 March 1938 – Tuesday 26 October 1999), Wanda Jackson, Vince Gill, and Gail’s favourite female vocalist, Patti Page (Tuesday 8 November 1927 – Tuesday 1 January 2013).
Kendall’s restaurant hosted all of the inductees and organised the exhibits, which you can see in this photograph of Gail with her very talented son, Chris Scruggs.
• Visit Gail Davies’ official site at gaildavies.com