On Friday 12 January 2024, Gene Watson remembered Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013), on what would have been his 98th birthday.
‘You may know I’m a huge fan of the late Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013), and today (Friday 12 January 2024), it’s fitting to honour him on his birthday.
I have too many Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) favourites to name just one’
Source
Gene Watson on Facebook
On Wednesday 18 May 2011, Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) graciously contributed a ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson.
Gene Watson / Ray Price music connections
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You)’, which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), and included the track on ‘Ray Price Sings Heart Songs’ (Columbia Records, 1957), ‘Take Me As I Am’ (Columbia Records, 1968) and ‘The Heart of Country Music’ (Step One Records, 1986); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Should I Come Home‘ (Capitol Records, 1977).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Take Me As I Am (Or Let Me Go)’, which was written by Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987), and included the track on ‘Love Life’ (Columbia Records, 1964), ‘Take Me As I Am’ (Columbia Records, 1968), and ‘The Heart of Country Music’ (Step One Records, 1986); Ray Price‘s version of the track reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1968.
Boudleaux Bryant’s ‘Take Me As I Am (Or Let Me Go)’ was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Here Comes My Baby Back Again’, which was written by Bill West (1933 – Thursday 19 September 2013) and Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 – Wednesday 4 September 1991), and included the track on ‘Burning Memories’ (Columbia Records, 1965); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘My Heroes Have Always Been Country‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2014).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Make The World Go Away’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Burning Memories’ (Columbia Records, 1965); Ray Price‘s version of the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1963, and No.100 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1963.
Hank Cochran‘s ‘Make The World Go Away’ was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘My Heroes Have Always Been Country‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2014).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Together Again’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006), and included the track on ‘Burning Memories’ (Columbia Records, 1965); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, as a duet with Rhonda Vincent, who included it on ‘In A Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘You Took Her Off My Hands (Now Please Take Her Off My Mind)’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002), Skeets McDonald (Friday 1 October 1915 – Sunday 31 March 1968) and Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985), and included the track on ‘Burning Memories’ (Columbia Records, 1965); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Honky Tonk Crazy‘ (Epic Records, 1987).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Don’t You Ever Get Tired (of Hurting Me)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘The Other Woman’ (Columbia Records, 1965); Ray Price‘s version of the track reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965.
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) re-recorded ‘Don’t You Ever Get Tired (of Hurting Me)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 2’ (Step One Records, 1986).
Hank Cochran‘s ‘Don’t You Get Tired (of Hurting Me)’ was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘In A Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Don’t You Believe Her’, which was written by Nat Stuckey (Sunday 17 December 1933 – Wednesday 24 August 1988), and included the track on ‘Another Bridge To Burn’ (Columbia Records, 1966), and on ‘Take Me As I Am’ (Columbia Records, 1968); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘In A Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘A Way To Survive’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Moneen Carpenter, and included the track on ‘Touch My Heart’ (Columbia Records, 1967); Ray Price‘s version of the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1967.
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) re-recorded ‘A Way To Survive’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Moneen Carpenter, and included the track on ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 2’ (Step One Records, 1986).
Hank Cochran and Moneen Carpenter’s ‘A Way To Survive’ was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘A Way To Survive‘ (Step One Records, 1997).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘You Gave Me A Mountain’, which was written by Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982), and included the track on ‘Sweetheart of The Year’ (Columbia Records, 1969); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Paper Rosie‘ (Capitol Records, 1977), and on ‘Uncharted Mind‘ (Step One Records, 1993).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) & Willie Nelson recorded ‘Don’t You Ever Get Tired (of Hurting Me)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘San Antonio Rose’ (Columbia Records, 1980); Ray Price & Willie Nelson‘s version of the track reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980.
Hank Cochran‘s ‘Don’t You Get Tired (of Hurting Me)’ was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘In A Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Getting Over You Again’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren D. Robb, and included the track on ‘Town & Country’ (Dimension Records, 1981), and on ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 3’ (Step One Records, 1986), as a re-recording; Ray Price‘s version of the track reached No.28 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren D. Robb’s ‘Getting Over You Again’ was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘The Good Ole Days‘ (Step One Records, 1996).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘It Don’t Hurt Me Half As Bad’ (written by Joe Allen, D. Lay and B. Lindsay) and included the track on ‘Town & Country’ (Dimension Records, 1981), and on ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 3’ (Step One Records, 1986), as a re-recording; Ray Price‘s version of the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
Joe Allen, D. Lay and B. Lindsay’s ‘It Don’t Hurt Me Half As Bad’ (written by Joe Allen, D. Lay B. Lindsay) was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Beautiful Country‘ (Capitol Records, 1977).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Circle Driveway’ (written by Joe Allen) and included the track on ‘Town & Country’ (Dimension Records, 1981); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Should I Come Home‘ (Capitol Records, 1979).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘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), and included the track on ‘Somewhere In Texas’ (Dimension Records, 1982); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Sometimes I Get Lucky‘ (MCA Records, 1983).
In 1985, Ray Price signed a recording contract with Step One Records, an independent record label created by Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020), Mel Holt (songwriter) and Curtis Potter (country music artist) (Thursday 18 April 1940 – Saturday 23 January 2016).
Between September 1985 and April 1992, Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded a number of albums for Step One Records, a record label, which Gene Watson also recorded for, between December 1993 and November 1997.
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Memories To Burn’, which was written by Warren D. Robb and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004), and included the track on ‘Welcome To Ray Price Country’ (Step One Records, 1985); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Memories to Burn‘ (Epic Records, 1985).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘In The Garden’, which was written by Charles Austin Miles (7 January 1868 – Sunday 10 March 1946), and included the track on ‘A Revival of Old Time Singing’ (Step One Records, 1986); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘My Gospel Roots‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2017).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Amazing Grace’, which was written by John Newton (24 July 1725 – 21 December 1807) and Bill Walker, and included the track on ‘A Revival of Old Time Singing’ (Step One Records, 1986); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Jesus Is All I Need‘ (Step One Records, 1997).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Precious Memories’, which was written by John Braselton Fillmore Wright (21 February 1877 – Tuesday 13 October 1959), and included the track on ‘A Revival of Old Time Singing’ (Step One Records, 1986); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Jesus Is All I Need‘ (Step One Records, 1997).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Today I Started Loving You Again’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 – Monday 24 April 2006), and included the track on ‘The Heart of Country Music’ (Step One Records, 1986); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, featuring background vocals from Lee Ann Womack, who included it on ‘In A Perfect World‘ (Shanachie Records, 2007).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘No One Will Ever Know’, which was written by Mel Foree (Tuesday 25 July 1911 – Sunday 28 October 1990 and Fred Rose (24 August 1898 – Wednesday 1 December 1954), and included the track on ‘The Heart of Country Music’ (Step One Records, 1986); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘No One Will Ever Know‘ (Capitol Records, 1980).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Silver Bells’, which was written by Jay Livingston (28 March 1915 – Wednesday 17 October 2001) and Raymond Bernard Evans (4 February 1915 – Thursday 15 February 2007), and included the track on ‘A Christmas Gift For You’ (Step One Records, 1987); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) in the 1980s, as a non-album track.
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘Old Loves Never Die’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren D. Robb, and included the track on ‘Just Enough Love’ (Step One Records, 1988); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Old Loves Never Die‘ (MCA Records, 1981).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded ‘There’s A Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Warren D. Robb, and included the track on ‘Just Enough Love’ (Step One Records, 1988); this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Old Loves Never Die‘ (MCA Records, 1981).
On Tuesday 7 June 2011, Randy Travis saw the release of ’25th Anniversary Celebration’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2011), which was produced by Kyle Lehning; one of the included tracks was released to celebrate 25 years since the release of Randy Travis‘ debut album, ‘Storms of Life’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1986), was ‘Didn’t We Shine’, which was written by Don Schlitz and Jesse Winchester (Wednesday 17 May 1944 – Friday 11 April 2014), which featured guest vocals from George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), Lorrie Morgan, Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013), Connie Smith, Joe Stampley and Gene Watson.
On Sunday 20 May 2012, Gene Watson and Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) performed together, at American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; the performance took place at 3:00pm.
In November 2012, Ray Price confirmed that he was fighting pancreatic cancer and, while it appeared to be in remission in early 2013, ultimately he succumbed to the final stages of it on Monday 16 December 2013.
It was on Monday 16 December 2013 when Gene Watson issued the following statement through his official website at genewatsonmusic.com:
‘I have just heard the sad news that our good friend, and one of my heroes, Ray Price, died today at his home in Mt. Pleasant, Texas. I know you join me in sending condolences to his family.
One of the truly great singers of our time is gone. May he rest in peace’
