On Wednesday 22 January 2025, Gene Watson recalled a photo of two former members of his acclaimed Farewell Party Band, Larry Booth and Tony Booth.
‘I found this photo of two great guys, who helped me out with my career, brothers Larry and Tony Booth.
Larry played bass for me and, later, Tony joined the band, so we put him on the Tic Tac Bass (you can Google that!).
Larry took over as my manager and left the band, so Tony became my regular bass player, as well as adding his superb vocal harmonies.
I’m sure most of you know Tony had a very successful recording career, with hits including ‘The Key’s In The Mailbox’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.15, 1972), and ‘Lonesome 77203’, which was written by Justin Tubb (Tuesday 20 August 1935 – Saturday 24 January 1998) (No.16, 1972).
These two talented brothers are still out performing, so be sure you get a ticket to see them when they come to your area’
Source
Gene Watson on Facebook
In October 1972, Tony Booth saw the release of ‘Lonesome 7-7203’ (Capitol Records, 1972), which included ‘Just A Man’ (written by Tony Booth and Larry Booth); the title track of the album reached No.16 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1972 and, as a result, Tony Booth was nominated for the Academy of Country Music (ACM) ‘Male Vocalist of The Year’ Award in 1973.
In the early 1980s, Larry Booth joined up with Gene Watson, with whom he worked with for twelve years as a member of Gene Watson‘s Farewell Party Band.
In August 1980, Gene Watson saw the release of ‘No One Will Ever Know‘ (Capitol Records, 1980); one of the included tracks was ‘One Too Many Times’, which was written by Tony Booth.
In 1970, Tony Booth recorded ‘One Too Many Times’ as the ‘B’ side of his single, ‘Irma Jackson’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), and reached No.67 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970.
In October 1981, Gene Watson saw the release of ‘Old Loves Never Die‘ (MCA Records, 1981), which included ‘Lonely Me’ (written by Larry Booth), the ‘B’ side of another track on the album, ‘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) (MCA Records 51183); this latter track was Gene Watson‘s only No.1 hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart (No.1 for one week – Saturday 9 January 1982 to Saturday 16 January 1982).
On Friday 1 October 1982, Tony Booth joined Gene Watson‘s Farewell Party Band; he played bass guitar and sang backup vocals on many of Gene Watson‘s mid-1980s album releases.
Tony Booth remained a member of Gene Watson‘s Farewell Party Band for twelve years, between 1982 and 1994.
In March 1983, Gene Watson saw the release of ‘Sometimes I Get Lucky‘ (MCA Records, 1983), which was his first album to exclusively feature members of The Farewell Party Band; the album included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘You’re Out Doing What I’m Here Doing Without’ (written by Bo Roberts and Allen Frizzell) (No.2, 1983)
‘Sometimes I Get Lucky & Forget’, which was written by Ernie Rowell and Bobby Lee House (Friday 11 February 1949 – Thursday 25 November 2004) (No.9, 1983)
Gene Watson‘s ‘Sometimes I Get Lucky‘ (MCA Records, 1983) has the distinction of being the first Gene Watson album to feature members of his highly acclaimed Farewell Party Band on record, thus affording listeners the opportunity to hear this authentic group of musicians for the first time, in a studio setting, recreating a concert sound.
The Farewell Party Band line-up at this time included the following members:
Larry Booth (bass)
Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009) (piano)
Doug Boggs (drums)
Daniel (Danny) T. Rainwater (passed away on Friday 28 December 2018), Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Norman Richard ‘Norm’ Kastner (Sunday 2 September 1945 – Wednesday 18 July 2012) (guitar)
Chris ‘Tiny’ Olson (steel guitar)
Gene Watson‘s ‘Sometimes I Get Lucky‘ (MCA Records, 1983) was produced by Russ Reeder and Gene Watson for G-J Productions and was recorded at Pete’s Place, Nashville (Recording & Mixing Engineer: Al Pachucci); the album, which reached No.16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983, also included the following tracks:
‘Speak Well of Me’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘In Love All Alone’ (written by Jesse Shofner and Randy Hatch)
‘She Sure Makes Leaving Seem Easy’ (written by Sonny Throckmorton)
‘You Waltzed Yourself Right Into My Life’ (written by Ron Moore)
‘You Put Out An Old Flame Last Night’ (written by Dave Lindsey and Ernie Rowell)
‘You’re Just Another Beer Drinkin’ Song’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Thinking ‘Bout Leaving’ (written by Randy Albright, Mark D. Sanders and Butch Paulson)
‘If I Were You, I’d Fall In Love With Me’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren D. Robb
In 1984, Gene Watson saw the release of ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985:
‘Got No Reason Now For Going Home’, which was written by Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) (No.7, 1985)
‘One Hell of A Heartache’, which was written by Keith Palmer (Sunday 23 June 1957 – Thursday 13 June 1996) and Janet White Demmans (No.10, 1985)
Gene Watson‘s ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984) had the distinction of being the second Gene Watson album to feature members of his highly acclaimed Farewell Party Band on record, thus affording listeners the opportunity to hear this authentic group of musicians, in a studio setting, recreating a concert sound.
Gene Watson‘s ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984) was produced by Russ Reeder and Gene Watson for G-J Productions, Inc. and was recorded at Sound Emporium, Studio A, Nashville (Recording and Mixing Engineer: Jim Williamson); the album, which reached No.21 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1984, also included the following tracks:
‘I Guess You Had To Be There’ (written by Dave Lindsey, Matt Lindsey and Ernie Rowell)
‘Wino’s Prayer’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and L. Kirby
‘Texas Saturday Night’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘A Memory Away’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Independence Day’ (written by Dave Lindsey and Ernie Rowell)
‘Sailing Home To Me’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Danny Morrison (Sunday 22 April 1945 – Tuesday 14 February 2012)
‘I Must Be Somebody Else’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘That’s When You Know It’s Over’ (written by Bob O’Donnell and Billy Troy)
At the time of the release of Gene Watson‘s ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984), the line-up of Gene Watson‘s Farewell Party Band included the following members:
Larry Booth (younger brother of Tony Booth) (bass, tic tac bass)
Chris ‘Tiny’ Olson and Daniel (Danny) T. Rainwater (passed away on Friday 28 December 2018) (steel guitar)
Norman Richard ‘Norm’ Kastner (Sunday 2 September 1945 – Wednesday 18 July 2012) (acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar)
Doug Boggs (drums)
Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 19 August 2009) (piano-organ)
Additional musicians involved in the recording of Gene Watson‘s ‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff‘ (MCA Records, 1984) included Buddy Spicher and Lisa Silver on fiddle.
It was also in 1984 when Gene Watson saw the release of ‘Little By Little‘ (MCA Records, 1984), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Drinkin’ My Way Back Home’, which was written by Don Scaife, Ronny Scaife (1947 – Wednesday 3 November 2010) and Phil Thomas (1944 – Saturday 5 January 2019) (No.10, 1984)
‘Forever Again’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) (No.10, 1984)
‘Little By Little’, which was written by Danny Morrison (Sunday 22 April 1945 – Tuesday 14 February 2012) and Larry Keith (No.10, 1984)
Gene Watson‘s ‘Little By Little‘ (MCA Records, 1984) has the distinction of being the third Gene Watson album to feature members of his highly acclaimed Farewell Party Band on record, thus affording listeners the opportunity to hear this authentic group of musicians for the third time, in a studio setting, recreating a concert sound.
Gene Watson‘s ‘Little By Little‘ (MCA Records, 1984) was produced by Russ Reeder and Gene Watson for G-J Productions and was recorded at Pete’s Place, Nashville (Recording and Mixing Engineer: Al Pachucci); the album, which reached No.35 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1984, also included the following tracks:
‘My Memories Of You’, which was written by Daniel (Danny) T. Rainwater (passed away on Friday 28 December 2018) and Larry Booth (younger brother of Tony Booth)
‘The Chesapeake Bay’, which was written by Ronny Scaife (1947 – Wednesday 3 November 2010) and Jerry Hays
‘Leavin’s Been Comin’ For A Long, Long Time’, which was written by Joe Allen, Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Sonny Throckmorton
‘The Ballad of Richard Lindsey’ (written by Billy Troy and Bob O’Donnell)
‘With Any Luck At All’ (written by Dave Lindsey)
‘Growing Apart’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘She Has No Memory of Me’, which was written by Billy Troy and Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 – Tuesday 17 April 2018)
At the time of the release of Gene Watson‘s ‘Little By Little‘ (MCA Records, 1984), the line-up of Gene Watson‘s Farewell Party Band included the following members:
Larry Booth (younger brother of Tony Booth) (bass)
Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009) (piano)
Doug Boggs (drums)
Daniel (Danny) T. Rainwater (passed away on Friday 28 December 2018) and Norman Richard ‘Norm’ Kastner (Sunday 2 September 1945 – Wednesday 18 July 2012) (guitar)
Chris ‘Tiny’ Olson (steel guitar)
Tony Booth (tic tac bass)
Additional musicians involved in the recording of Gene Watson‘s ‘Little By Little‘ (MCA Records, 1984) included Buddy Spicher and Lisa Silver on fiddle.
In July 1985, Gene Watson saw the release of ‘Memories To Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985), which was his debut album for Epic Records, following very successful recording periods with Capitol Records (1975 – 1980) and MCA Records (1980 – 1985).
Gene Watson‘s ‘Memories To Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985), which was co-produced by Gene Watson, along with Farewell Party Band stalwart, Larry Booth (younger brother of Tony Booth), included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Cold Summer Day In Georgia’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018) and Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) (No.24, 1985)
‘Memories To Burn’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) (No.5, 1986)
‘Carmen’ (written by Steve Spurgin) (No.32, 1986)
Gene Watson‘s ‘Memories To Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985) was produced by Gene Watson and Larry Booth, and was recorded at Hilltop Studios, Madison, Tennessee; the album was mixed by Gene Watson and Larry Booth (Recording Engineer: Randy Best).
Gene Watson‘s ‘Memories To Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985) was mastered by M.C. Rather at Custom Mastering in Nashville; the album, which reached No.35 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1985, also included the following tracks:
‘The Note’, which was written by Buck Moore (Wednesday 3 January 1934 – Tuesday 10 September 2013) and Michelle Ray
‘If I Painted A Picture’ (written by L. Williams and C. Browder)
‘I Want My Rib Back’, which was written by Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) and Fred Koller
‘Stranger In Our House Tonight’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘The New York Times’, which was written by Obie Burnett McClinton (Thursday 25 April 1940 – Wednesday 25 September 1987)
‘Speak of The Devil’ (written by J. Ewtah)
‘Get Along Little Doggie’, which was written by Mark La Forme and Dallas Harms (Thursday 18 July 1935 – Saturday 12 October 2019)
At the time of the release of Gene Watson‘s ‘Memories To Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985), the line-up of Gene Watson‘s Farewell Party Band included the following members:
Tony Booth (bass)
Chris ‘Tiny’ Olson (steel guitar)
Daniel (Danny) T. Rainwater (passed away on Friday 28 December 2018) (lead guitar)
Norman Richard ‘Norm’ Kastner (Sunday 2 September 1945 – Wednesday 18 July 2012) (lead guitar, rhythm guitar)
Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) (rhythm guitar)
Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009) (piano)
Doug Boggs (drums)
An additional musician involved in the recording of Gene Watson‘s ‘Memories To Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985) was Hubert ‘Hoots’ Hester (Monday 13 August 1951 – Tuesday 30 August 2016) on fiddle, with background vocals provided by Beckie Foster, Joy Gardner and Leona Williams.
On Saturday 28 June 1986, Gene Watson saw the release of ‘Starting New Memories‘ (Epic Records, 1986), which was co-produced by Gene Watson, along with Farewell Party Band stalwart, Larry Booth, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music charts:
‘Bottle of Tears’ (written by Joe Allen, Jimmy Pasquale and D. Lay) (No.50, 1986)
‘Everything I Used To Do’ (written by Ernie Rowell) (No.29, 1986)
Gene Watson‘s ‘Starting New Memories‘ (Epic Records, 1986), which was recorded at Hilltop Studios in Nashville (Recording Engineer: Randy Best), and mastered by M.C. Rather at Custom Mastering in Nashville, reached No.49 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1986, and also included the following tracks:
‘Completely Out of Love’, which was written by Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982)
‘Almost Like Having You Here’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren D. Robb
‘Take It From Me’ (written by ‘Doc James’ Shapiro)
‘Sittin’ On A Gold Mine’ (written by B. Moore)
‘Atlanta Anymore’, which was written by Charlie Craig (Friday 30 September 1938 – Friday 1 July 2011) and Keith Stegall
‘Starting New Memories Today’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren D. Robb
‘I Saved Your Place’ (written by Steve Spurgin)
‘Rollin’ Home’ (written by Keith Stegall and Brent Mason)
At the time of the release of Gene Watson‘s ‘Starting New Memories‘ (Epic Records, 1986), the line-up of Gene Watson‘s Farewell Party Band included the following members:
Tony Booth (bass)
Chris ‘Tiny’ Olson (steel guitar)
Daniel (Danny) T. Rainwater (passed away on Friday 28 December 2018) (lead guitar)
Norman Richard ‘Norm’ Kastner (Sunday 2 September 1945 – Wednesday 18 July 2012) (lead guitar, rhythm guitar)
Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 – Friday 14 August 2009) (piano)
Doug Boggs (drums)
Hubert ‘Hoots’ Hester (Monday 13 August 1951 – Tuesday 30 August 2016) (fiddle)
On Monday 9 May 2011, England’s Hux Records released (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) Gene Watson‘s ‘Memories To Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985), along with Gene Watson‘s ‘Starting New Memories‘ (Epic Records, 1986), as a special ‘2-for-1‘ CD set; the CD set was released worldwide on Tuesday 17 May 2011.