Friday 6 April 2007
Gene Watson graced the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville; Gene Watson was onstage in the segment between 9:30pm and 10:00pm EDT (Eastern Daylight Time).



Prior to his appearance on The Grand Ole Opry, Gene Watson was interviewed on WSM 650AM, a radio station known as 'Nashville's Country Legend'.

Monday 9 April 2007
It was announced that Gene Watson had been selected as one of the subjects for inclusion within Marty Stuart's second book of photographs.



'Country Music - The Masters' by Marty Stuart

Marty Stuart, as well as being one of the most diverse talents in country music, is also known for his passion for photography; Marty Stuart had published his first book of photographs and essays, 'Pilgrims: Sinners, Saints & Prophets', in 1999.



Gene Watson at Nashville Palace in Nashville on Friday 6 April 2007

Marty Stuart's second book of photographs, 'Country Music: The Masters', included portraits of legendary country artists, along with photos of people, places and things associated with them.

Gene Watson's photo session with Marty Stuart took place on Friday 6 April 2007 at the newly renovated Nashville Palace.

Marty Stuart's second book of photographs, 'Country Music: The Masters', went on sale on Wednesday 6 June 2007.

Tuesday 10 April 2007
Gene Watson signed a recording contract with Shanachie Records; the label, which was founded in 1975 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins, was one of the largest independent record labels in the world.



Shanachie Records specialised in fiddle music, Latin American, African music, soul, ska, jazz, blues and, of course, country music and was named after the Irish word for 'story teller'.

Gene Watson's first album for Shanachie Records would include eleven tracks, three of which would be 'covers'; the album was expected to be released in the fall of 2007.

Tuesday 17 April 2007
Carrie Moore-Reed at Third Coast Talent in Nashville, announced that Gene Watson and his acclaimed Farewell Party Band would undertake a thirteen-date tour of Ireland (Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland) between Wednesday 3 October 2007 and Thursday 18 October 2007.


Gene Watson's tour of Ireland would include performance dates in Castlebar (Republic of Ireland), Killarney (Republic of Ireland), Limerick (Republic of Ireland), Belfast (Northern Ireland), Cookstown (Northern Ireland), Enniskillen (Northern Ireland), Armagh (Northern Ireland), Omagh (Northern Ireland), Castleblayney (Republic of Ireland), Letterkenny (Republic of Ireland), Ballymena (Northern Ireland) and Dublin (Republic of Ireland).

Gene Watson is widely respected around the world for his traditional take on country music, no more so than in Ireland.