On Wednesday 16 November 2022, Adkins Publicity announced that Gene Watson‘s ‘Outside The Box‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022) would become available as a limited edition vinyl record, and that Gene Watson would become the first ‘Journey To The Circle’ Spotlight.
‘Legendary country music hitmaker and Grand Ole Opry member, Gene Watson, is proud to announce the limited vinyl release, on Friday 9 December 2022, of his latest album, ‘Outside The Box‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022); the album features Gene Watson’s first-ever collaboration with country music legend and fellow Texan, Willie Nelson, on ‘Wonderful Future’, along with a duet with Grand Ole Opry peer, Rhonda Vincent, on ‘I’ve Got One of Those Too’.
In tandem with the vinyl release, Gene Watson’s esteemed career is spotlighted on the premiere of a new podcast, ‘Journey To The Circle’. This brand-new series takes a deep dive into the history and path taken that brought Grand Ole Opry members to ‘The Circle’.
This six-episode release will focus on Gene Watson’s journey and will be aired on WSM 650AM radio beginning Thanksgiving weekend, on Saturday 26 November 2022 at 7:00am CST, with new episodes each Saturday thereafter.
Gene Watson’s ‘Journey To The Circle’
Episode 1 – ‘Gene Watson: The Beginning’
Gene Watson and Marcia Campbell meet backstage at The Grand Ole Opry, and talk about his childhood and the first time he went to Ryman to see The Grand Ole Opry. We also talk with renounded writer and music critic, Robert K. Oermann, and Opry superstar, Vince Gill, about what Gene Watson the man and his music means to them.
Episode 2 – ‘Gene Watson: Discovered’ (debuted on Saturday 3 December 2022)
Gene Watson and Marcia Campbell reminisce on Gene’s early beginnings as a musician, and how The Wilburn Brothers discovered Gene in a bar and brought him to The Grand Ole Opry stage for his first appearance. We also talk to Grand Ole Opry star, Jeannie Seely, mega entertainer, Moe Bandy, and Bluegrass Queen and Opry Member, Rhonda Vincent, about working with Gene Watson.
Episode 3 – ‘Gene Watson: Song Success’ (debuts on Saturday 10 December 2022)
We talk with Gene about his career moving fast. We also catch up with country music star, Joe Nichols, about how he met his hero at The Grand Ole Opry, as well as songwriter extraodinare, Joe Allen, about the many cuts Gene Watson has recorded from his collection of songs.
Episode 4 – ‘Gene Watson: Movies and Music’ (debuts Saturday 17 December 2022)
Gene takes us back to when he received his first No.1 Billboard hit, as well as songs that were included in the movies and television, and how Clint Eastwood requested Gene to sing in the iconic movie, ‘Any Which Way You Can’. We also speak to Grand Ole Opry member, Steve Wariner, about his respect for Gene and his music, and inducting him into The Grand Ole Opry.
Episode 5 – ‘Gene Watson: The Turn of the Century, Music and Health’ (debuts Saturday 24 December 2022)
Music changed drastically at the turn of the century with music downloads, streaming music, and the ability to reach a mass fan base with social media. Gene also talks about his health scare while being on The Grand Ole Opry stage. We also talk to hit songwriter, Erin Enderlin, about meeting Gene at the Opry and having three cuts on his new album, ‘Outside The Box‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022). Don’t miss the little-known Christmas song that Gene cut with George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013)!
Episode 6 – ‘Gene Watson: Induction into The Grand Ole Opry’ (debuts Saturday 31 December 2022)
We finish up Gene Watson’s journey, with Gene’s reflection on being inducted just days before the shutdown, and the deal he made with Vince Gill to be inducted. We also talk to Grand Ole Opry manager, Dan Rogers, about Gene Watson being the first artist he invited when he got the new position. We also talk to Gene about working with Willie Nelson on his new song, ‘Wonderful Future’, from the new album, ‘Outside The Box‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022).
Bonus Episode: ‘Gene Watson – Outside The Box’ (debuts Saturday 7 January 2023)
We bring you a cut-by-cut interview of the new album from Gene Watson, ‘Outside The Box‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022). This bonus episode displays the biggest reason Gene Watson was inducted into The Grand Ole Opry. The Singers’ Singer brings exceptional music to this new album with a 60-year history of recording to sit proudly on top of.
You can listen via WSM 650AM or on Spotify.
You can find out more at journeytothecircle.com
‘Journey To The Circle’ is hosted by Marcia Campbell, who is a national On-Air Personality / Writer / Producer / Content Creator, with thousands of interviews with legends and country music stars, including Bill Monroe (Wednesday 13 September 1911 – Monday 9 September 1996), Mac Wiseman (Saturday 23 May 1925 – Saturday 23 February 2019), Del McCoury, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley, and many more.
Marcia Campbell has hosted, created and produced radio programs for WSM 650AM, SiriusXM, Interstate Radio Network, TNC Radio and her hometown radio station in Dickson TN, WDKN 1260AM.
Marcia Campbell is a member of The Grand Ole Opry Square Dancers, and she can be seen performing every Saturday at the Opry.
Marcia Campbell was inducted into America’s Clogging Hall of Fame in 2021.
Celebrating 60 years in the music business hasn’t slowed down Gene Watson, as he continues to add more dates to his 60th Anniversary Tour.
Gene Watson’s single, ‘If It’s That Easy’, was released to radio in 1962 via Sun Valley Records.
Since then, Gene Watson has charted 75 titles, including 23 Top 10 hits, six No.1 country singles and five No.1 gospel records.
The Texas native continues to perform to sold-out crowds, singing in the same key as he did more than five decades ago’
Source
• Adkins Publicity, Nashville
• Gene Watson on Facebook
