Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2005, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Holly Dunn, which she submitted to this site on Tuesday 30 August 2005.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Holly Dunn who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Holly Dunn
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 30 August 2005.
‘Gene Watson has the quintessential country voice.
Most country singers, including myself, bow to his greatness.
May I wish him, and his fan-based website, all the very best’
Thank you, Holly Dunn, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Holly Dunn…
Holly Dunn was born Holly Suzette Dunn in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas on Thursday 22 August 1957 and was one of the most popular female country singers of the late 1980s, and was the sister of songwriter Chris Waters.
While attending high school, Holly Dunn performed in a band called Freedom Folk, which toured the southern United States.
Holly Dunn attended Abilene Christian University and sang in the university choir.
Holly Dunn also wrote songs with her brother, Chris Waters, who became a prolific songwriter in Nashville.
One of Holly Dunn and Chris Waters’ collaborations was ‘Out of Sight, Not Out of Mind’ (written by Holly Dunn and Chris Waters), which was recorded by Cristy Lane, who included the track on ‘Love Lies’ (LS Records, 1978).
After graduating college, Holly Dunn moved to Nashville, where she worked as a demo singer before both she and Chris Waters became songwriters at CBS Records.
Louise Mandrell recorded Holly Dunn’s ‘I’m Not Through Loving You Yet’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) and included the track on ‘I’m Not Through Loving You Yet’ (RCA Victor Records, 1984); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1984.
In 1985, Holly Dunn signed a recording contract with MTM Records, which was owned by Mary Tyler Moore (Tuesday 29 December 1936 – Wednesday 25 January 2017).
Marie Osmond recorded Holly Dunn’s ‘That Old Devil Moon’ and included the track on ‘There’s No Stopping Your Heart’ (Capitol Records, 1985); this album was re-issued by Curb Records in 1990.
Sylvia recorded Holly Dunn’s ‘True Blue’ (co-written with Madeleine Stone) and included the track on ‘One Step Closer’ (RCA Records, 1985).
Between 1985 and 1988, Holly Dunn recorded for MTM Records.
In 1985, Holly Dunn saw the release, on MTM Records, of a non-album track, ‘Playing For Keeps’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters), which reached No.62 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985.
Between 1988 and 1993, Holly Dunn recorded for Warner Bros. Records.
The Forester Sisters – Kathy, June, Kim and Christy Forester – recorded Holly Dunn’s ‘You Love Me’, which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 – Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on ‘Sincerely’ (Warner Nashville Records, 1988).
Between 1995 and 1997, Holly Dunn recorded for River North Records.
Holly Dunn saw the release of ten albums and charted nineteen singles, plus two duets, on the Billboard country music singles chart.
Of Holly Dunn’s single releases, two of them, ‘Are You Ever Gonna Love Me’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.1 for one week in August 1989) and ‘You Really Had Me Going’ (written by Holly Dunn, Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro) (No.1 for one week in November 1990), reached the coveted No.1 chart position.
In 1986, Holly Dunn saw the release of her self-titled debut album, ‘Holly Dunn’ (MTM Records, 1986), which was produced by Tommy West (Monday 17 August 1942 – Sunday 2 May 2021) and Holly Dunn, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘My Heart Holds On’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024) (No.64, 1985)
‘Two Too Many’ (written by Holly Dunn) (No.39, 1986)
‘Daddy’s Hands’ (written by Holly Dunn) (No.7, 1986)
Holly Dunn’s self-titled debut album, ‘Holly Dunn’ (MTM Records, 1986), also included the following tracks:
‘Your Memory (Won’t Let Go of Me)’ (written by Holly Dunn and Bud Lee)
‘Burnin’ Wheel’ (written by Radney Foster, Billy Aerts and Mickey Cates)
‘The Sweetest Love I Never Knew’ (written by Billy Aerts and Casey Kelly)
‘It’ll Be All Right’ (written by Holly Dunn)
‘That’s A Real Good Way To Get Yourself Loved’ (written by Chris Waters, Michael Garvin and Tom Shapiro)
‘Hideaway Heart’ (written by Holly Dunn, Mac Gayden and David Malloy)
‘Someone Carried You’ (written by Gary Burr)
Holly Dunn’s self-titled debut album, ‘Holly Dunn’ (MTM Records, 1986), reached No.29 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1986.
In 1986, Michael Martin Murphey saw the release of ‘Americana’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1986); one of the included tracks was ‘A Face In The Crowd’ (written by Gary Harrison and Karen Staley), which featured guest vocals from Holly Dunn, and reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in early 1987.
New Grass Revival recorded Holly Dunn’s ‘Love Someone Like Me’ (co-written with Radney Foster) and included the track on ‘New Grass Revival’ (Capitol Records, 1986).
The Forester Sisters – Kathy, June, Kim and Christy Forester – recorded Holly Dunn’s ‘Wrap Me Up’ (co-written with Radney Foster) and included the track on ‘You Again’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1987).
In 1987, Holly Dunn saw the release of ‘Cornerstone’ (MGM Records, 1987), which was produced by Tommy West (Monday 17 August 1942 – Sunday 2 May 2021), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Love Someone Like Me’ (written by Holly Dunn and Radney Foster) (No.2, 1987)
‘Only When I Love’ (written by Holly Dunn, Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro) (No.4, 1987)
‘Strangers Again’ (written by Holly Dunn and Chris Waters) (No.7, 1988)
Holly Dunn’s ‘Cornerstone’ (MGM Records, 1987) also included the following tracks:
‘Cornerstone’, which was written by Dave Loggins (Monday 10 November 1947 – Wednesday 10 July 2024) and Don Schlitz
‘Small Towns (Are Smaller For Girls)’ (written by Mark D. Sanders, Alice Randall and Verlon Thompson)
‘Fewer Threads Than These’ (written by Bucky Jones, Kevin Welch and Gary Nicholson)
‘Lover’s Cross’, which was written by Jim Croce (Sunday 10 January 1943 – Thursday 20 September 1973)
‘Why, Wyoming’ (written by Chris Waters, Tom Shapiro and Kix Brooks)
‘Wrap Me Up’ (written by Holly Dunn and Radney Foster)
‘Little Frame House’ (written by Holly Dunn)
Holly Dunn’s ‘Cornerstone’ (MGM Records, 1987) reached No.22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987, thus attaining the highest Billboard Top Country Albums rating in Holly Dunn’s career.
It was also in 1987 when Holly Dunn was awarded the (CMA) Country Music Association’s ‘Horizon Award’.
In 1988, Holly Dunn saw the release of ‘Across The Rio Grande’ (MTM Records, 1988), which was produced by Holly Dunn, Warren Peterson and Chris Waters, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘That’s What Your Love Does To Me’, which was written by Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 – Friday 21 January 2022) and Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023) (No.5, 1988)
‘(It’s Always Gonna Be) Someday’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.11, 1988)
Holly Dunn’s ‘Across The Rio Grande’ (MTM Records, 1988), also included the following tracks:
‘City Limit’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)
‘The Stronger The Tie’ (written by Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)
‘Just Across The Rio Grande’, which was written by Don Cook and Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 – Friday 21 January 2022)
‘Have A Heart’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)
‘If Nobody Knew My Name’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)
‘Lonesome Highway’ (written by Holly Dunn and Bud Lee)
‘Travelin’ Prayer’ (written by Billy Joel) / the original version of this track was recorded by Billy Joel, who included it on ‘Piano Man’ (Family Productions / Columbia Records, 1973)
‘On The Wings of An Angel’ (written by Holly Dunn and Don Schlitz)
Personnel involved in the recording of Holly Dunn’s ‘Across The Rio Grande’ (MTM Records, 1988) included the following:
Steve Schaffer (electric bass, 6-string bass)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (upright bass)
Larrie Londin (Friday 15 October 1943 – Monday 24 August 1992) (drums, tambourine)
Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, classical guitar, mandolin, banjo)
Steve Gibson (acoustic guitar, fretted Dobro, bouzuki)
Sonny Garrish (steel guitar)
Mark O’Connor (fiddle, mandola)
Brent Rowan and Billy Hullett (electric guitar)
Sam Bush (mandolin, fiddle)
Joey Miskulin (accordian)
Glen Worf (guitarron)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Chris Waters (autoharp, background vocals)
Brent Truitt (mandolin)
Sharon White, Cheryl White, Vince Gill, Beth Neilsen Chapman and Tony King (background vocals)
Holly Dunn (lead vocals, background vocals)
Holly Dunn’s ‘Across The Rio Grande’ (MTM Records, 1988) reached No.26 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1988.
Following the release of Holly Dunn’s ‘Across The Rio Grande’ (MTM Records, 1988), MTM Records filed for bankruptcy and closed its doors.
In 1989, Holly Dunn moved to Warner Bros. Records’ Nashville division.
On Monday 10 July 1989, Holly Dunn saw the release of ‘The Blue Rose of Texas’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1989), which was produced by Holly Dunn and Chris Waters, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Are You Ever Gonna Love Me’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.1 for one week in August 1989)
‘There Goes My Heart Again’, which was written by Lonnie Wilson, Wayne Perry and Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) (No.4, 1989) / this track featured backing vocals from Joe Diffie
Holly Dunn’s ‘The Blue Rose of Texas’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1989) also included the following tracks:
‘You’re Still Keeping Me Up At Night’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)
‘Most of All, Why’ (written by Dolly Parton) / this track featured backing vocals from Dolly Parton / the original version of this track was recorded by Dolly Parton, who included it on ‘The Seeker / We Used To’ (RCA Victor Records, 1975) / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Paper Rosie‘ (Capitol Records, 1977)
‘Thunder & Lightnin’ (written by Val & Birdie and Vince Melamed)
‘No One Takes The Train Anymore’ (written by Chris Waters)
‘The Blue Rose of Texas’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)
‘Sometime Today’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)
‘If I’d Never Loved You’ (written by Holly Dunn)
‘There’s No Heart So Strong’ (written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz)
Personnel involved in the recording of Holly Dunn’s ‘The Blue Rose of Texas’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1989) included the following:
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar, mandolin, harmonica)
Holly Dunn (lead vocals)
Paul Franklin (pedal steel guitar, lap steel guitar, Dobro, Pedabro)
Steve Gibson (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (upright bass)
Chris Leuzinger (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Farrell Morris (marimba)
Phil Naish (keyboards)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020), Holly Dunn, Dolly Parton, Lee Satterfield, Chris Waters, Dennis Wilson, Curtis Young and Liana Young (background vocals)
Holly Dunn’s ‘The Blue Rose of Texas’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1989), reached No.30 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1989.
In 1989, Holly Dunn became a member of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
It was also in 1989 when Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) saw the release of ‘Something Inside So Strong’ (Reprise Records, 1989); one of the included tracks was ‘Maybe’, which was written by Bill Rice (Wednesday 19 April 1939 – Saturday 28 October 2023) and Mary Sharon Rice, featured guest vocals from Holly Dunn, and reached No.25 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1990.
Janie Fricke recorded Holly Dunn‘s ‘Love Is One of Those Words’ (co-written with Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Labor of Love’ (Columbia Records, 1989); the track reached No.56 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.
On Thursday 10 May 1990, Holly Dunn saw the release of ‘Heart Full of Love’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990), which was produced by Holly Dunn and Chris Waters, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘My Anniversary For Being A Fool’ (written by Holly Dunn) (No.63, 1990)
‘You Really Had Me Going’ (written by Holly Dunn, Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro) (No.1 for one week in November 1990)
‘Heart Full of Love’ (written by Kostas) (No.19, 1991)
Holly Dunn’s ‘Heart Full of Love’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990) also included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Worry’, which was written by Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982) / the original version of this track was recorded by Marty Robbins, who included it on ‘More Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1961); Marty Robbins’ version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for ten weeks in 1961, and No.3 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1961
‘Temporary Loss of Memory’ (written by Holly Dunn, Lonnie Wilson and Chris Waters)
‘The Light In The Window Went Out’ (written by Holly Dunn, Chris Waters and Ron Hellard)
‘Home’ (written by Karla Bonoff)
‘My Old Love In New Mexico’, which was written by Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021), Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro
‘When No Place Is Home’ (written by Holly Dunn, Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro)
‘Broken Heartland’ (written by Sam Lorber and Bill LaBounty)
Personnel involved in the recording of Holly Dunn’s ‘Heart Full of Love’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990) included the following:
Grace Mihi Bahng (cello on ‘When No Place Is Home’)
Eddie Bayers (drums on all tracks, except ‘You Really Had Me Going’)
Holly Dunn (lead vocals, background vocals)
Pat Flynn and Don Potter (acoustic guitar)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar, Dobro, pedabro, ‘The Box’)
Steve Gibson (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, fretted Dobro, gut string guitar)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Connie Heard (violin on ‘When No Place Is Home’)
Bill Hullet (acoustic guitar, lap steel guitar)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (upright bass)
The Jordanaires (background vocals on ‘Don’t Worry’)
Chris Leuzinger (acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar)
Brent Mason (electric guitar on ‘You Really Had Me Going’)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007) (harmonica)
Edgar Meyer (string arrangements on ‘When No Place Is Home’)
Farrell Morris (marimba)
Mark O’Connor (violin on ‘When No Place Is Home’)
Brent Truitt (mandolin, mandola)
Chris Waters (acoustic guitar, background vocals)
Kris Wilkinson (viola on ‘When No Place Is Home’)
Lonnie Wilson (drums on ‘You Really Had Me Going’, background vocals on ‘Temporary Loss of Memory’)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar, tic-tac bass)
Holly Dunn’s ‘Heart Full of Love’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990) reached No.47 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1990.
On Tuesday 23 July 1991, Holly Dunn saw the release of her first greatest hits collection, ‘Milestones: Greatest Hits’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991), which included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Maybe I Mean Yes’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.48, 1991) / this track became controversial due to some listeners to American country music radio interpreting the song as condoning date rape. As a result, Holly Dunn asked for the single to be withdrawn from radio rotation
‘No One Takes The Train Anymore’ (written by Chris Waters) / this track, which was released as a single in 1991, did not chart on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart
Holly Dunn’s first greatest hits collection, ‘Milestones: Greatest Hits’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991), also included the following tracks:
‘Daddy’s Hands’ (written by Holly Dunn) (No.7, 1986)
‘Only When I Love’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.4, 1987)
‘(It’s Always Gonna Be) Someday’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.11, 1988)
‘Love Someone Like Me’ (written by Holly Dunn and Radney Foster) (No.2, 1987)
‘A Face In The Crowd’ (written by Gary Harrison and Karen Staley) (No.4, 1986) / this track was a duet with Michael Martin Murphey
‘Strangers Again’ (written by Holly Dunn and Chris Waters) (No.7, 1988)
‘There Goes My Heart Again’, which was written by Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020), Wayne Perry and Lonnie Wilson (No.4, 1989) / this track featured backing vocals from Joe Diffie
‘Are You Ever Gonna Love Me’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.1 for one week in August / September 1989)
‘You Really Had Me Going’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.1 for one week in November 1990)
Holly Dunn’s first greatest hits collection, ‘Milestones: Greatest Hits’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991), reached No.25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991 and was certified ‘Gold’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
On Tuesday 16 June 1992, Holly Dunn saw the release of ‘Getting It Dunn’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1992), which was produced by Holly Dunn, Paul Worley, Ed Seay and Chris Waters, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘No Love Have I’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) (No.67, 1992) / this track was produced by Holly Dunn, Paul Worley and Ed Seay
‘As Long As You Belong To Me’ (written by Holly Dunn, Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro) (No.68, 1992) / this track was produced by Holly Dunn, Paul Worley and Ed Seay
‘Golden Years’, which was written by Sam Hogin (1950 – Monday 9 August 2004) and Gretchen Peters (No.51, 1993) / this track was produced by Holly Dunn, Paul Worley and Ed Seay
Holly Dunn’s ‘Getting It Dunn’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1992) also included the following tracks:
‘If Your Heart Can’t Do The Talking’ (written by Lynn Langham and Craig Wiseman) / this track was produced by Holly Dunn, Paul Worley and Ed Seay
‘You Say You Will’ (written by Verlon Thompson and Beth Nielsen Chapman) / this track was produced by Holly Dunn, Paul Worley and Ed Seay / this track was also recorded by Trisha Yearwood, who included it on ‘Hearts In Armor’ (MCA Records, 1992); Trisha Yearwood’s version of the track reached No.12 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1993, and No.24 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1993
‘I Laughed Until I Cried’ (written by Michael Garvin, Tom Shapiro and Bucky Jones) / this track was produced by Holly Dunn, Paul Worley and Ed Seay
‘Let Go’ (written by Holly Dunn, Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro) / this track was produced by Holly Dunn and Chris Waters
‘I’ve Heard It All’ (written by Holly Dunn, Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro) / this track was produced by Holly Dunn, Paul Worley and Ed Seay
‘Half A Million Teardrops’ (written by Wally Wilson and Mike Henderson) / this track was produced by Holly Dunn, Paul Worley and Ed Seay / this track was also recorded by Terry Radigan, who saw it released as a single in March 1995
‘You Can Have Him’ (written by Holly Dunn, Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro) / this track was produced by Holly Dunn, Paul Worley and Ed Seay
‘A Simple I Love You’ (written by Karen Brooks and Randy Sharp) / this track was produced by Holly Dunn, Paul Worley and Ed Seay
Personnel involved in the recording of Holly Dunn’s ‘Getting It Dunn’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1992) included the following:
Dennis Burnside, Steve Nathan and Gary Smith (piano)
Larry Byrom and Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Carol Chase, Wendy S. Johnson, Dennis Wilson and Curtis Young (backing vocals)
Joe Chemay and Tom Robb (bass guitar)
Sonny Garrish and Norman Russell ‘Rusty’ Young (Saturday 23 February 1946 – Wednesday 14 April 2021) (steel guitar)
Rob Hajacos and Deanie Richardson (fiddle)
Bill Hullett and Paul Worley (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Anthony Martin (keyboards, backing vocals)
The Nashville String Machine (strings)
Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
In 1993, having failed to produce a Billboard Top 40 country music hit single from the album, ‘Getting It Dunn’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1992), Holly Dunn exited Warner Bros. Records.
The Larry Stephenson Band recorded Holly Dunn’s ‘On The Wings of An Angel’ (co-written with Don Schlitz) and included the track on ‘Born To Sing’ (Webco Records, 1994).
In 1995, Holly Dunn signed to River North Records, and saw the release, on Tuesday 18 April 1995, of ‘Life & Love & All The Stages’ (River North Records, 1995), which included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘I Am Who I Am’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.56, 1995) / this track was Holly Dunn’s last Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart entry
‘Cowboys Are My Weakness’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) / this track was released as a single in 1995, but it did not chart
‘It’s Not About Blame’, which was written by Linda Hargrove (Thursday 3 February 1949 – Sunday 24 October 2010) and Chris Waters / this track was released as a single in 1995, but it did not chart
Holly Dunn’s ‘Life & Love & All The Stages’ (River North Records, 1995) also included the following tracks:
‘The Wonder of Love’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)
‘Rock-A-Billy’ (written by Holly Dunn)
‘Lovin’ Every Minute’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)
‘What Kind of Love’ (written by Holly Dunn and Chris Waters)
‘Love Across The Line’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)
‘I’d Know That Heartache Anywhere’ (written by Holly Dunn and Chris Waters)
‘1001 Ways’ (written by Holly Dunn, Chuck Jones and Chris Waters)
Larry Stephenson recorded Holly Dunn’s ‘On The Wings of An Angel’ (co-written with Don Schlitz) and included the track on ‘I See God’ (Webco Records, 1996).
On Tuesday 8 April 1997, Holly Dunn saw the release of ‘Leave One Bridge Standing’ (River North Records, 1997), which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Leave One Bridge Standing’, which was written by Stewart Harris (Saturday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023), Laura Vida and Lonnie Wilson / this track was released as single in 1997, but it did not chart
Holly Dunn’s ‘Leave One Bridge Standing’ (River North Records, 1997), also included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Break The Wings’, which was written by Catt Gravitt and Stewart Harris (Saturday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023)
‘That Never Stopped Me’ (written by Bob DiPiero and Chris Waters)
‘We’ve Got The Love’ (written by Holly Dunn and Chris Waters)
‘Whatshisname’ (written by Butch Baker, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)
‘Talking Goodbye’ (written by Holly Dunn)
‘You Just Don’t Know It Yet’ (written by Sam Lorber)
‘For Your Love’ (written by Deanna Bryant and Stephony Smith)
‘The Real Deal’ (written by Holly Dunn, George Teren and Chris Waters)
‘The Wonder of Love’ (written by Holly Dunn and Chris Waters)
‘I’m Not Through Loving You Yet’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)
Personnel involved in the recording of Holly Dunn’s ‘Leave One Bridge Standing’ (River North Records, 1997) included the following:
Holly Dunn (lead vocals, background vocals)
David Hungate (acoustic bass, electric bass)
Lonnie Wilson (drums, percussion)
Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar, high string guitar)
Dennis Burnside (piano, keyboards, B-3 organ)
Brent Mason (electric guitar, 12-string electric guitar)
Chris Leuzinger (electric guitar, 6-string bass)
Bruce C. Bouton (pedal steel, lap steel)
Stuart Duncan (fiddle, mandolin)
Larry Franklin (fiddle)
John Wesley Ryles, Wes Hightower, Chris Waters and Carol Chase (background vocals)
Anita Cochran recorded Holly Dunn’s ‘Living My Life Now’ (co-written with Anita Cochran) and included the track on ‘Anita’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2000).
In June 2003, Holly Dunn saw the release of ‘Full Circle’ (OMS Records, 2003), which included the following tracks:
‘Wonderful Savior’
‘Sweet Hour of Prayer’
‘Devil Stand Back’
‘I Know It’s Heaven’
‘I Come To The Garden Alone’
‘There’s A Call Comes Ringing’
‘On The Wings of An Angel’ (written by Holly Dunn and Don Schlitz)
‘Where You Are’
‘Softly & Tenderly’
‘Revive Us Again’
Sadly, in 2003, Holly Dunn announced her retirement from country music in order to devote her attention full time to her other passion, which was art.
Holly Dunn also stated that she was no longer writing music and only occasionally sang at church, preferring instead to focus on her artwork.
Holly Dunn stated ‘I left the business because it was clear that radio had moved on and wasn’t interested in anything new from me. Without radio’s support, it just gets harder and harder to keep the wheels turning in a music career.
I was still in my early 40s (at the time) and had a lot of other interests, and wanted to put my creative energy into pursuing the field of fine arts…I also had a love affair for the southwest, namely Santa Fe, New Mexico, and had always wanted to live out there. It just seemed like the right time to close out one chapter and start another. I pretty much left Nashville and never looked back’
Holly Dunn’s paintings, which dealt primarily with subjects from the south-western United States, were available through Peña•Dunn Gallery, located at El Centro Mall – 1 Block South of Plaza, 102 East Water Street, Old Santa Fe Trail / Shelby, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
On Tuesday 7 June 2005, Holly Dunn saw the release of ‘Daddy’s Hands’ (A&M Records, 2005), which included the following tracks:
‘Love Someone Like Me’ (written by Holly Dunn and Radney Foster) (No.2, 1987)
‘Only When I Love’ (written by Holly Dunn, Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro) (No.4, 1987)
‘That’s What Your Love Does To Me’, which was written by Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 – Friday 21 January 2022) and Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023) (No.5, 1988)
‘Are You Ever Gonna Love Me?’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.1 for one week in August / September 1989)
‘There Goes My Heart Again’, which was written by Lonnie Wilson, Wayne Perry and Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) (No.4, 1989) / this track featured backing vocals from Joe Diffie
‘You Really Had Me Going’ (written by Holly Dunn, Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro) (No.1 for one week in November 1990)
‘Daddy’s Hands’ (written by Holly Dunn) (No.7, 1986)
‘Strangers Again’ (written by Holly Dunn and Chris Waters) (No.7, 1988)
‘(It’s Always Gonna Be) Someday’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.11, 1988)
‘Heart Full of Love’ (written by Kostas) (No.19, 1991)
In 2008, Holly Dunn saw the release of ‘Holly Dunn: American Legend’ (American Legends, 2008), which included the following tracks:
‘You Really Had Me Going’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.1 for one week in November 1990)
‘Are You Ever Gonna Love Me’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.1 for one week in August / September 1989)
‘There Goes My Heart Again’, which was written by Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020), Wayne Perry and Lonnie Wilson (No.4, 1989) / this track featured backing vocals from Joe Diffie
‘Strangers Again’ (written by Holly Dunn and Chris Waters) (No.7, 1988)
‘Love Someone Like Me’ (written by Holly Dunn and Radney Foster) (No.2, 1987)
‘Daddy’s Hands’ (written by Holly Dunn) (No.7, 1986)
‘Only When I Love’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.4, 1987)
‘(It’s Always Gonna Be) Someday’ (written by Holly Dunn, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters) (No.11, 1988)
‘Heart Full of Love’ (written by Kostas) (No.19, 1991)
‘That’s What Your Love Does To Me’, which was written by Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 – Friday 21 January 2022) and Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023) (No.5, 1988)
In March 2016, Holly Dunn announced that she had been diagnosed with a rare and very aggressive form of ovarian cancer. At the time, Holly Dunn had undergone surgery and had chemotherapy treatments, but more tumors had appeared.
Holly Dunn explained that her faith had been helping her to get through this extremely difficult time. ‘I had surgery and now I am having chemo treatments’, she said. ‘I have since grown more tumors and it is going to be more of a battle than I anticipated, but I have a huge faith in the healing power of God and the healing power within me that originates from my God’.
Turning to her faith, Holly Dunn said that her religion was helping her to get through this extremely difficult time. ‘I look towards a future when I am completely healed and cancer free. I ask for prayers of strength and courage as this journey continues’.
Holly Dunn also said that religion has been a ‘rock’ to her, adding, ‘I also draw tremendous strength from my family and my family of friends who have gathered around me in total support’.
In the early hours of Tuesday 15 November 2016, Holly Dunn passed away, in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico, following her battle with a rare and very aggressive type of ovarian cancer; Holly Dunn was 59 years old.
Official Family Release
‘Music industry & fans worldwide mourn loss of award-winning singer Holly Dunn (Nashville, Tennessee)’ (statement issued on Tuesday 15 November 2016)
‘Award-winning country singer Holly Dunn has walked off into a beautiful southwestern sunset hand-in-hand with her Lord and Saviour.
Holly Dunn, 59, had been battling a rare form of ovarian cancer since February 2016. She died last night (Monday 14 November 2016) at Gentiva Hospice at Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The native of San Antonio, Texas burst onto the country music scene in the mid 1980s with a self-penned tribute to her preacher father titled ‘Daddy’s Hands’. The song earned her first two Grammy Award nominations and set her off on a whirlwind career.
Over the course of the next two decades, Holly Dunn racked up three Grammy Award nods, the Academy of Country Music’s ‘New Female Vocalist’ Award in 1986 and the Country Music Association’s ‘Horizon Award’ in 1987. She was inducted into the cast of the famed ‘Grand Ole Opry’ in 1989, and the same year was awarded ‘Songwriter of The Year’ by BMI.
Her diverse talent found her hosting her own radio show on Detroit radio station WWWW in 1997 and following radio with a two year stint beginning in 2001 on television as host of The Nashville Network’s ‘Opry Backstage’ weekly telecast from Nashville.
Holly Dunn toured the world extensively throughout her career, including multiple tours to perform for the United States military stationed overseas.
Holly Dunn recorded ten albums and achieved Billboard Top 10 status for 14 singles, reaching the coveted No.1 on the Billboard country music chart four times.
Holly Dunn’s greatest hits package, ‘Milestones: Greatest Hits’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991) was certified ‘Gold’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) shortly after being released in 1991.
Her talents did not begin and end with music. Because her mother was a gifted oil painter, Holly Dunn grew up with a natural love and talent for creating beautiful artwork. In 2003, Holly Dunn kept a long standing promise to herself, walking away from the music business to pursue her passion for art.
Joking in interviews throughout the years that she ‘only made music to pay for her art supplies’, Holly Dunn worked in pastels and mixed media with her favourite subjects being the icons and architecture of the great American Southwest.
On Friday 18 November 2016, between 5:00pm and 7:00pm, Holly Dunn’s life was honoured with a ‘Celebration of Life’ at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton, Texas.
The gathering was followed by services on Saturday 19 November 2016 at United Methodist Church in Salado, Texas at 1:00pm. Holly Dunn was laid to rest with family in Salado Cemetery in Salado, Bell County, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, friends were asked to send donations, in Holly Dunn’s name, to GSC Foundation; the link provides direct access to make donations to Massachusetts General Hospital for the worthy cause of finding a cure for ovarian carcinosarcoma.
Morningstar PR, PO Box 83, Brentwood, TN 37027
• Visit Holly Dunn’s official site at hollydunn.com