On Thursday 29 September 2022, Gene Watson took a trip to Nashville, where he was a guest on ‘Coffee, Country & Cody’ on WSM 650 AM, and was the ‘Spotlight Artist’ on the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry.
‘Gene Watson had an eventful day in Nashville on Thursday 29 September 2022.
Kelly Sutton, Gene Watson and Charlie Mattos at WSM 650 AM in Nashville on Thursday 29 September 2022
The day began with a special guest appearance, on ‘Coffee, Country & Cody’, on WSM 650 AM, with Kelly Sutton and Charlie Mattos. ‘If you want to know what’s going on in the world, just listen to them (and usually Bill Cody, but he was on vacation when I was there). Always a pleasure to spend time with these folks. WSM 650 AM plays some good music’
WSM 650 AM promoted Gene Watson’s appearance, on Thursday evening, as the ‘Spotlight Artist’, on the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry, with longtime and new friends, Erin Enderlin, Larry Gatlin, Steve Gatlin & Rudy Gatlin – The Gatlin Brothers – Jake Hoot, Lorrie Morgan and Rhonda Vincent.
On the evening of Thursday 29 September 2022, Gene Watson, as the ‘Spotlight Artist’, graced the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry Grand at Ole Opry House, 2804 Opryland Drive in Nashville, with longtime and new friends, Erin Enderlin, Larry Gatlin, Steve Gatlin & Rudy Gatlin – The Gatlin Brothers – Jake Hoot, Lorrie Morgan and Rhonda Vincent.
Gene Watson, Rhonda Vincent and Erin Enderlin at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Thursday 29 September 2022
Rhonda Vincent and Gene Watson performing ‘Together Again’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006), at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Thursday 29 September 2022
Rhonda Vincent and Gene Watson performed ‘Together Again’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006).
Gene Watson recorded ‘Together Again’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006), as a duet with Rhonda Vincent, and included the track on ‘In a Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).
Erin Enderlin performed ‘Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy)’ (written by Joe Allen) and ‘What She Don’t Know Won’t Hurt Her’ as ‘What He Don’t Know Won’t Hurt Him’ (written by Dave Lindsey and Ernie Rowell).
Gene Watson recorded the original version of ‘Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy)’ (written by Joe Allen) and included the track on ‘Should I Come Home‘ (Capitol Records, 1979); Gene Watson‘s version of the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979, and No.6 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1979.
Gene Watson recorded the original version of ‘What She Don’t Know Won’t Hurt Her’ (written by Dave Lindsey and Ernie Rowell) and included the track on ‘This Dream’s On Me‘ (MCA Records, 1982); Gene Watson‘s version of the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982, and No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1982.
Jake Hoot and Gene Watson at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Thursday 29 September 2022
Jake Hoot performed ‘Because You Believed In Me’, which was written by Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), Shorty Hall (Walter Harrison Hall) (Tuesday 5 April 1927 – Thursday 21 March 2002) and Gene Vowell.
Gene Watson recorded the original version of ‘Because You Believed In Me’, which was written by Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), Shorty Hall (Walter Harrison Hall) (Tuesday 5 April 1927 – Thursday 21 March 2002) and Gene Vowell, and included the track on ‘Because You Believed In Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976); Gene Watson‘s version of the track reached No.20 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976.
Gene Watson and Lorrie Morgan at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Thursday 29 September 2022
Lorrie Morgan performed ‘Got No Reason Now For Going Home’, which was written by Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 – Tuesday 3 July 2001).
Gene Watson recorded the original version of ‘Got No Reason Now For Going Home’, which was written by Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), and included the track on ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984); Gene Watson‘s version of the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985, and No.15 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1985.
‘What a special night we experienced last night (Thursday 29 September 2022) at The Grand Ole Opry.
I am so grateful to all the artists who came out to sing one of my songs; Jake Hoot, Lorrie Morgan, Rhonda Vincent, Erin Enderlin, and Larry Gatlin, Steve Gatlin & Rudy Gatlin – The Gatlin Brothers.
Brian Mansfield (writer), Gene Watson, Dan Rogers (Opry Manager) and John Lytle (Lytle Management) at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Thursday 29 September 2022
It was just a mind-blowing night and I appreciate the work of The Opry team, Dan Rogers, Gina Keltner, Audrey McGrady, Kerry Marx, Charlie Mattos, and Brian Mansfield, the great background vocalists and The Opry Band members.
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band perform ‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Thursday 29 September 2022
Of course, my Farewell Party Band were fantastic as always.
Gene Watson and Larry Gatlin performing ‘Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall’ (written by Larry Gatlin) at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Thursday 29 September 2022
One special moment came when Larry Gatlin and I sang Larry’s song that I also recorded for Capitol Records, ‘Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall’. He’s one of our greatest singers, songwriters and entertainers ever.
Gene Watson recorded ‘Bitter They Are, Harder They Fall’ (written by Larry Gatlin) and included the track on ‘Because You Believed In Me‘ (Capitol Records, 1976).
Thank you, Grand Ole Opry, and all my friends, who came out last night (Thursday 29 September 2022) to make this such a special moment for me’
Order Gene Watson’s ‘Outside The Box‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022) at Gene’s official store!
Source
• Gene Watson on Facebook
