On Tuesday 15 August 2023, Gene Watson reflected on his 2008 ‘Spotlight Special’ Exhibit, which took place at The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville in October 2008.
Gene Watson with Bill Cody of Nashville’s WSM 650AM at Gene Watson’s Spotlight Special Exhibit at The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville in October 2008
Gene Watson Spotlight Special Exhibit
The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville
Monday 20 October 2008 – Spring 2009
‘These photos were from 2008, when the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum did a special spotlight on me.
Bill Cody hosted the ‘Master Series’ show, and invited me to tape that and discuss the items I donated to the museum.
Anytime working with Bill Cody, it’s going to be good.
Do you recognise some of these stage clothes from the 1970s / 1980s?
If you’re in Nashville, be sure to make a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
There’s a whole lot to enjoy there’
Source
• Gene Watson on Facebook
Gene Watson Spotlight Special Exhibit
The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville
Monday 20 October 2008 – Spring 2009
Gene Watson’s ‘Fourteen Carat Voice’ exhibit opened on Monday 20 October 2008, and ran through until Spring 2009.
‘Gene Watson: Fourteen Carat Voice’ explored Gene Watson’s career as a soulful vocalist rooted in the classic country tradition, beginning with his steamy 1975 hit ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘.
In the exhibit, Gene Watson’s musical consistency was juxtaposed with his wardrobe’s evolution. Stage costumes on display traced his 1970s clean-cut persona and attention-grabbing stage wear to a more relaxed look through the 1980s.
Gene Watson scored a string of honky-tonk-styled hits throughout the late 1970s and into the 1980s that included ‘Farewell Party’, ‘Fourteen Carat Mind’, ‘Paper Rosie’ and ‘Memories To Burn’. Since winning his battle with cancer in 2001, Gene Watson continued to showcase his smooth, clear tenor voice on albums such as ‘In A Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).
Artifacts in the exhibit included the following:
• 1970s green suit with rhinestones and musical-note embroidery, designed by Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors
• Burgundy stage costume designed by Judy of Nashville with distinctive diamond shaped patterns embellished with rhinestones and ruby stones
• Suede cowboy hat with decorative pins, which were featured on the cover of Gene Watson’s ‘Between This Time & The Next Time‘ (MCA Records, 1981) album
• Floral-print western shirt from the early 1980s and hand tailored patchwork boots
Gene Watson Spotlight Special Exhibit
The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Nashville
Monday 20 October 2008 – Spring 2009
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management, Brentwood, TN