On Friday 1 March 2024, Gene Watson was reminded, by SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse friend and DJ, Dallas Wayne, of the 46th anniversary of Gene recording ‘Farewell Party’, which has become Gene Watson’s most requested song.
‘I had a nice note today (Friday 1 March 2024) from our SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse friend and DJ, Dallas Wayne saying, today was a day I should be proud of.
He reminded me that today is the 46th anniversary of my recording, ‘Farewell Party‘, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007), and which you all have made my most requested song.
As I’ve said, it was recorded in 15 minutes at the tail end of a session.
The band and backup singers didn’t know it, so I got down on one knee to play the chords for them, and so what you hear is done in just one take, no over dubs.
Just a miracle I guess you might say’
Source
Gene Watson on Facebook
Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978) was released, in the United States, by Capitol Records on Monday 14 August 1978; the album was subsequently released in the United Kingdom & Ireland in 1979, to coincide with Gene Watson’s first tour of England, Scotland and Ireland in June / July 1979, during which he undertook an extensive eighteen-date itinerary.
Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978) included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘One Sided Conversationâ (written by Joe Allen) (No.8, 1978) / this track also reached No.6 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘Farewell Party’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007) (No.5, 1979) / this track, which also reached No.9 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1979, became Gene Watsonâs signature tune and the name of his touring band of musicians
‘Pick The Wildwood Flower’ (written by Joe Allen) (No.5, 1979) / this track, which also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1979, is slightly autobiographical in nature, as it is the only song in Gene Watsonâs country music repertoire that actually mentions his first name, which is Gary
Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’ was produced by Russ Reeder and was recorded at ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 – Thursday 8 August 2013) Studios in Nashville, where the recording engineer was Jim Williamson.
Personnel involved in the recording of Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’ (Capitol Records, 1978) included the following:
Harold Bradley (Saturday 2 January 1926 – Thursday 31 January 2019) (rhythm guitar, lead guitar)
Lloyd Green (Sho-Bud LDG steel guitar)
Hargus âPigâ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano)
Kenneth Malone (Thursday 4 August 1938 – Thursday 26 August 2021) (drums)
Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) (rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar)
Joe Allen (bass)
Dale Sellers (electric guitar)
Buddy Spicher and Tommy Williams (fiddle)
Jimmie Colvard (1943 – 1977) (electric guitar, lead guitar)
‘The Nashville Edition’: Hurshel Wayne Wiginton (Saturday 29 January 1938 – Monday 6 March 2017), Wendellyn Suits, Joseph Babcock and Dolores Edgin, and Janie Fricke (background vocals)
Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections’ reached No.23 on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart in 1978, and No.14 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1978.
On Tuesday 27 January 2009, England’s Hux Records released Gene Watson’s ‘Reflections‘ (Capitol Records, 1978), along with Gene Watson’s ‘Should I Come Home‘ (Capitol Records, 1979), as a special 2-for-1 CD set.