In 1980, Gene Watson celebrated five years with Capitol Records. Many agree that Gene Watson’s tenure with Capitol Records, between 1975 and 1980, produced some exquisite country music and that these years of Gene Watson’s musical life are considered to be his ‘glory days’.
‘It was a big honour for me when I got to work with the great producer, Thomas Leslie ‘Snuff’ Garrett (Wednesday 5 July 1939 – Thursday 17 December 2015), and Clint Eastwood for the soundtrack to Clint’s 1980 movie ‘Any Which Way You Can’.
I recorded my song, ‘Any Way You Want Me’ (written by Leo Ofman) in the legendary Capitol studio.
The soundtrack had songs from Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 – Thursday 10 June 2004), Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), Jim Stafford, and Johnny Duncan (Wednesday 5 October 1938 – Monday 14 August 2006), plus Shelly West & David Frizzell‘s country hit, ‘You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma’ (written by Larry Collins and Sandy Pinkard) (No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1981)’
In August 1980, Gene Watson saw the release of his final album for Capitol Records, ‘No One Will Ever Know‘ (Capitol Records, 1980), which was produced by Russ Reeder, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Raisin’ Cane In Texas’ (written by Joe Allen and D. Lay) (No.15, 1980)
‘No One Will Ever Know’, which was written by Mel Foree (Tuesday 25 July 1911 – Sunday 28 October 1990) and Fred Rose (Floyd Jenkins) (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954) (No.13, 1980)
Following the release of his final album for Capitol Records, ‘No One Will Ever Know‘ (Capitol Records, 1980), Gene Watson felt that he was at a crossroads as far as his career was concerned, and so he took some time off to contemplate his options. A number of record labels, including MCA Records and Curb Records, became interested in adding Gene Watson to their respective artists roster.
Gene Watson decided that his next musical home would be MCA Records, so he signed a recording contract with the label in 1981.
However, before Gene Watson’s career got underway at MCA 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.
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 Capitol Records in Los Angeles, California to record the track ‘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 Buddy Van Horn, 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
• Follow Gene Watson on Facebook
• Sean Brady, Gene Watson Fan Site