On Sunday 1 August 2021, Gene Watson recalled Merle Haggard‘s recording of ‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’, which tool place in 1966.
‘Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) was in the Capitol recording studio on this day (Monday 1 August) back in 1966, and recorded this gem that I know you’ll recognise.
I also had the pleasure of recording in that famous Hollywood studio for the Clint Eastwood soundtrack, ‘Any Which Way You Can’, with the great producer, Tommy ‘Snuff’ Garrett (Tuesday 5 July 1938 – Wednesday 16 December 2015).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v=temPS0mHCYA
Here’s Merle’s song, ‘I’m A Lonesome Fugitive’, which was written by Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) & Casey Anderson (Saturday 23 January 1926 – Monday 26 November 2018), the parents of Lynn Anderson (Friday 26 September 1947 – Thursday 30 July 2015).
Before Gene Watson‘s career got underway at MCA Records, following his time (1975 – 1980) at Capitol Records, the single ‘Any Way You Want Me’ (written by Leo Ofman), which was included on the Warner Bros. Records / Viva Records soundtrack of Clint Eastwood’s movie ‘Any Which Way You Can’, reached No.33 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
Somewhere along the way, Clint Eastwood had heard the song as a demo recording by its writer Leo Ofman. However, Clint Eastwood insisted that Gene Watson should record the song.
Gene Watson flew to Los Angeles, California to record ‘Any Way You Want Me’ (written by Leo Ofman), which was co-produced by Gene Watson, Thomas Leslie ‘Snuff’ Garrett (Wednesday 5 July 1939 – Thursday 17 December 2015) and Russ Reeder.
On Monday 17 November 1980, Warner Bros. Records / Viva Records released the soundtrack for Clint Eastwood’s ‘Any Which Way You Can’, which featured music from David Frizzell & Shelly West, Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), Gene Watson, Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004) & Clint Eastwood, Antoine ‘Fats’ Domino Jr. (Sunday 26 February 1928 – Tuesday 24 October 2017), Johnny Duncan (Wednesday 5 October 1938 – Monday 14 August 2006), Jim Stafford and Cliff Crofford (Thursday 12 December 1929 – Sunday 22 November 2009).
On Friday 12 December 1980, Clint Eastwood’s movie ‘Any Which Way You Can’, which was directed by Wayne ‘Buddy’ Van Horn (Monday 20 August 1928 – Tuesday 11 May 2021), made its cinema debut. The movie included a role for Jim Stafford, who was featured on the soundtrack, alongside Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004), Gene Watson, Johnny Duncan (Wednesday 5 October 1938 – Monday 14 August 2006), Antoine ‘Fats’ Domino Jr. (Sunday 26 February 1928 – Tuesday 24 October 2017), Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) and David Frizzell & Shelly West.
On Tuesday 18 February 2014, Clint Eastwood’s ‘Any Which Way You Can’ was re-issued, on CD, by Varese-Sarabande Records.
Source
• Gene Watson on Facebook