'Outside The Box'
Fourteen Carat Music (2022)

Gene Watson's 'Outside The Box' (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022) was officially released by Fourteen Carat Music on Friday 16 September 2022.

Gene Watson's 'Outside The Box' (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022) discography information is presented on the Gene Watson Fan Site for educational purposes only and no infringement of copyright is intended.



Official Press Release from Adkins Publicity, Nashville



Gene Watson Announces New Album ‘Outside The Box’

Nashville, Tennesse
Iconic vocalist Gene Watson ventures 'Outside The Box' with new album set for release on Friday 16 September 2022.  The project features Watson’s first-ever collaboration with country legend and fellow Texan, Willie Nelson, on 'Wonderful Future'.  The album also features a duet with Grand Ole Opry peer, Rhonda Vincent, on 'I’ve Got One of Those Too'.



Gene Watson's 'Outside The Box' (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022) can be pre-ordered now at Gene Watson's Official Store.

'Outside The Box' showcases Watson’s masterful vocals that have been his signature for more than six decades.  The 12-track collection fuses newly recorded songs from Watson, as well as re-imagined hits across multiple genres, from Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016) to Etta James (Tuesday 25 January 1938 - Friday 20 January 2012).  The album was produced by Dirk Johnson and executive produced by Watson.

'We titled the album before we ever recorded the first song', shared Watson.  'I just wanted to do something that was different, not only for me, but for the fans too.  Of course, it’s still pure country music, but the very first song I recorded was one by Etta James (Tuesday 25 January 1938 - Friday 20 January 2012) that I’ve always thought was one of the greatest songs out there.  I really searched for songs I know my fans will appreciate and from that came this album, 'Outside The Box'.

Celebrating 60 years in the music business hasn’t slowed down Watson.  The 'singer’s singer’ has added more dates to his 60th Anniversary Tour.

Watson’s single, 'If It’s That Easy', was released to radio in 1962 via Sun Valley Records.  Since then, he has charted 75 titles, including 23 Top 10 hits, six No.1 country singles and five No.1 gospel records.  The Texas native continues to perform to sold-out crowds, singing in the same key as he did more than five decades ago.



Source
Adkins Publicity, Nashville





'Gene Watson: Outside The Box'
Fourteen Carat Music (2022)

1 'If I Had Any Pride Left At All', which was written by John Greenebaum, Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020)
Published by DTCM Ave (ASCAP), Warner Browns Inc (ASCAP), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp (BMI)



Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 - Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded 'If I Had Any Pride Left At All', which was written by John Greenebaum, Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020), and included the track on 'Honky Tonk Attitude' (Epic Records, 1993).



John Berry recorded 'If I Had Any Pride Left At All', which was written by John Greenebaum, Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020), and included the track on 'Standing On The Edge' (Liberty Records, 1995); the track reached No.25 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995, and No.11 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995.



Sarah Jory recorded 'If I Had Any Pride Left At All', which was written by John Greenebaum, Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020), and included the track on 'Love With Attitude' (Ritz Records, 1995), an album which was produced in Nashville by Ronny Light.



Waylon Young recorded 'If I Had Any Pride Left At All', which was written by John Greenebaum, Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020), and included the track on 'Watching The Way' (Waylon Young Independent Release, 1996).



Etta James (Tuesday 25 January 1938 - Friday 20 January 2012) recorded 'If I Had Any Pride Left At All', which was written by John Greenebaum, Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020), and included the track on 'Love's Been Rough On Me' (Private Music, 1997).



Wesley Dennis recorded 'If I Had Any Pride Left At All', which was written by John Greenebaum, Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020), and included the track on 'Then & One More Day' (KDM Records, 2021).



2 'If She Only Knew' (written by Ernie Rowell)
Blue Creek Music (BMI)



Mike Manuel recorded 'If She Only Knew' (written by Ernie Rowell) and included the track on 'Pieces of My Heart' (Mission Country, 2011).



3 'Wonderful Future' (written by Willie Nelson) / this track featured guest vocals from Willie Nelson
Published by Glad Music Pub & Recording / Pappy Daily Music (BMI)



Willie Nelson recorded 'Wonderful Future' (written by Willie Nelson) and included the track on 'The Willie Way' (RCA Records, 1972); a re-recorded version of the track, with an added string section, was included on Willie Nelson's 'Sweet Memories' (RCA Records, 1979).



'Wonderful Future' (written by Willie Nelson) was subsequently included on Willie Nelson's 'Nashville Was The Roughest' (Bear Family Records, 1998), an 8-CD Deluxe Box Set) (LP-size) with a 72-page hardcover book, and 219 tracks, with a playing time of approximately 587 minutes.

Willie Nelson's 'Nashville Was The Roughest' (Bear Family Records, 1998) assembled the complete Monument Records sessions from 1964, along with the complete RCA Records sessions from 1964 to 1972, and contains a 72-page book with a biography by Rich Kienzle, a discography, and rare and many previously unpublished photos.



4 'Lie To Me', which was written by Brook Benton (Saturday 19 September 1931 - Saturday 9 April 1988) and Margie Singleton
Published by Clyde Otis Music Group Inc. (BMI)



Brook Benton (Saturday 19 September 1931 - Saturday 9 April 1988) recorded 'Lie To Me' (written by Brook Benton and Margie Singleton) and included the track on 'Singing The Blues' (Mercury Records, 1962); the track reached No.13 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1962, No.10 on the Cash Box pop music singles chart in 1962, and No.3 on the Billboard R&B singles chart in 1962.



5 'Some Fools' (written by Skip Ewing and Donny Kees)
Published by Write On Music / Sony / ATV Acuff Rose Music (BMI), Sony / ATV Acuff Rose Music (BMI)



Skip Ewing recorded 'Some Fools' (written by Skip Ewing and Donny Kees) and included the track on 'Until I Found You' (Word Records, 1997).



6 'I'm Holding Your Memory (& He's Holding You)', which was written by Carl Robert Belew (Tuesday 21 April 1931 - Wednesday 31 October 1990) and Van Givens
Published by Sony / ATV Acuff Rose Music (BMI)



In 1970, Jimmy C. Newman (Monday 29 August 1927 - Saturday 21 June 2014) recorded 'I'm Holding Your Memory (& He's Holding You)', which was written by Carl Robert Belew (Tuesday 21 April 1931 - Wednesday 31 October 1990) and Van Givens, as a non-album single for Decca Records; the track, which reached No.65 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970, was subsequently included on 'Alligator Man' (Pickwick Records, 1970).



Englebert Humperdinck recorded 'I'm Holding Your Memory (& He's Holding You)', which was written by Carl Robert Belew (Tuesday 21 April 1931 - Wednesday 31 October 1990) and Van Givens, and included the track on 'Another Time, Another Place' (Decca Records, 1971).



7 'I've Got One of Those Too' (written by Jimmy Melton and Erin Enderlin) / this track is a duet with Rhonda Vincent
Published by World House of Hits (ASCAP), Songs of Universal / Write 'Em Right Music (BMI)



Travis List recorded 'I've Got One of Those Too' (written by Jimmy Melton and Erin Enderlin) and included it on 'This Corner' (WJO Records, 2014); the track was a duet with Kristy Cox, Travis List's wife.



8 'They Played It' (written by Erin Enderlin and Jim 'Moose' Brown)
Published by EMI April Music Inc. / Little Blue E Music (ASCAP), Antlered One Music / Sea Gayle Pub House Publishing / Spirit Two Music (ASCAP)



9 'The Blues Are Alive & Well' (written by Erin Enderlin, Jim 'Moose' Brown and Shane McAnally)
Published by Universal Music Group, World House of Hits (ASCAP), House of Sea Gayle Music / Antlered One Music / Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP), Tempo In-vesments / Smack Hits / Warner Geo Met Ric Music



Erin Enderlin recorded 'The Blues Are Alive & Well' (written by Erin Enderlin, Jim 'Moose' Brown and Shane McAnally) and included the track on 'Whiskeytown Crier' (Erin Enderlin Independent Release, 2017).

About this track, Erin Enderlin stated 'I'd been listening to a lot of Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016), and I was thinking I wanted to write a song that did some phrasing like he does.  I actually got to hang out with Merle some and, before I could stop myself, I said, ‘Oh, I’m trying to write a song like you write.  I mean, just the phrasing, but I mean, obviously it’s not like you, because you’re amazing'

Erin Enderlin later admitted that Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016) told her he approved.

About this track, Erin Enderlin stated 'I'd been listening to a lot of Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016), and I was thinking I wanted to write a song that did some phrasing like he does.  I actually got to hang out with Merle some and, before I could stop myself, I said, ‘Oh, I’m trying to write a song like you write.  I mean, just the phrasing, but I mean, obviously it’s not like you, because you’re amazing'.

Erin Enderlin later admitted that Merle Haggard told her he approved.



On Friday 26 April 2019, Erin Enderlin saw the release of 'Chapter One: I Don't Give A Damn' (Black Crow Productions / Blaster Records, 2019).

One of the included tracks was 'Tonight I Don't Give A Damn', which referenced Gene Watson's 'Farewell Party', which was written by by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 - Thursday 26  July 2007) / 'Gene Watson singing 'Farewell Party', single barrel, double shot on ice' / Gene Watson's recording of 'Farewell Party', which was included on 'Reflections' (Capitol Records, 1978), reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979, and No.9 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1979.



On Friday 23 August 2019, Erin Enderlin saw the release of 'Chapter Three: Whatever Gets You Through The Night' (Erin Enderlin Productions / Blaster Records, 2019); one of the included tracks was 'Use Me Again', which was written by Billy Lawson, Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 - Sunday 30 October 2016) and Dale Dodson, and was originally recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'A Taste of The Truth' (Shanachie Records, 2009).



On Friday 1 November 2019, Erin Enderlin saw the release of 'Faulkner County' (Black Crow Productions, 2019); one of the included tracks was 'Tonight I Don't Give A Damn', which referenced Gene Watson's 'Farewell Party', which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 - Thursday 26 July 2007) / 'Gene Watson singing 'Farewell Party', single barrel, double shot on ice' / Gene Watson's recording of 'Farewell Party', which was included on 'Reflections' (Capitol Records, 1978), reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979, and No.9 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1979.



Erin Enderlin's 'Faulkner County' (Black Crow Productions, 2019) also included 'Use Me Again', which was written by Billy Lawson, Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 - Sunday 30 October 2016) and Dale Dodson, and featured background vocals from Ronnie Bowman; this track was originally recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'A Taste of The Truth' (Shanachie Records, 2009).



10 'Who Do You Think You Are' (written by Joe Allen and Jimmy Ray Sells)
Published by Joe Allen Music (BMI)



11 'It Looked Good On Paper' (written by Carl Jackson and Pam Tillis)
Published by Kentucky Thunder Music / Rushing Water Music / Colonel Rebel Music / Applause and Encore Music / Penny Farthing Music / Concord Music Publishing (ASCAP) / Sony Tree Publishing / Ben's Future Music (BMI)



Randy Kohrs recorded 'It Looked Good On Paper' (written by Carl Jackson and Pam Tillis) and included the track on 'I'm Torn' (Lonesome Day Records, 2004); the track was a duet with Dolly Parton.


12 'Loneliness Is Eating Me Alive', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010)
Published by Sony / ATV Songs LLC (BMI)



Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016) & The Strangers recorded 'Loneliness Is Eating Me Alive', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on 'Branded Man' (Capitol Records, 1967).



About Gene Watson's 'Outside The Box'
Fourteen Carat Music (2022)

Produced by Dirk Johnson for DirkWorks Productions
Executive Producer: Gene Watson

Tracks recorded at Ronnie's Place / Sound Stage Nashville, Tennessee by Bart Busch
2nd Engineer: Zach Kuhlman

Additional Piano and Guitar Overdubs recorded at Hilltop Recording by Anthony 'Ziggy' Johnson

Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent's Vocals recorded at DirkWorks Recording by Dirk Johnson

Background Vocals, Keyboards, Fiddles, Violins and Violas, Acoustic Guitars, Resophonic Banjo, Steel Guitar Overdubs & Acoustic Stand Up Bass recorded at DirkWorks Recording by Dirk Johnson

Willie Nelson's Vocal recorded at Pedernales Studio by Steve Chadie

Mixed at DirkWorks Recording by Dirk Johnson

Mastered at Mastermine in Hendersonville, Tennessee by Anthony Johnson

Musicians involved in the recording of Gene Watson's 'Outside The Box' (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022) included the following:

Dirk Johnson (session leader, pianos, Hammond B-3, Wurlitzer, keyboards, percussion)
Jimmy Carter and Mark Johnson (bass guitars)
David Smith (upright acoustic bass)
Robb Tripp (Saturday 19 December 1964 - Tuesday 7 December 2021) (drums)
Kevin Williams and Ben Hall (acoustic guitars)
Kevin Williams (gut string guitars)
Mike Johnson (steel guitars)
Brent Mason and Kelly Back (electric guitars)
Aubrey Haynie and Gail Rudisill-Johnson (fiddles)
Russell Carson (resophonic banjo)
Gail Rudisill-Johnson (violins, violas, cellos)
Dirk Johnson (string and band arrangements)
Cindy Richardson Walker, Brent Rader and Dirk Johnson (background vocalists)

Willie Nelson appears courtesy of Legacy Recordings
Rhonda Vincent appears courtesy of Upper Management Music

Eric Adkins Photos (photography)
Wes Buttrey (graphic design)
CCB (A&R co-ordinator)
Sarah Brosmer (production co-ordinator)
Rob Battle (booking)
Adkins Publicity (publicity)
615 Leverage + Strategy (marketing)
Lytle Management Group (management: 615-770-2688)
Country Wired Inc. (social media)
ONErpm (digital distribution)
genewatsonmusic.com (fan club, music, merchandise)

'Outside The Box'
Fourteen Carat Music (2022)

On Monday 12 September 2022, Gene Watson announced that the United Kingdom's highly influential monthly magazine, Country Music People, had named 'Outside The Box' (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022) as their 'Album of The Month', in their September 2022 issue.

• Read the Country Music People review of Gene Watson's 'Outside The Box' (Fourteen Carat Music, 2022).

The review, which was written by Duncan Warwick, was published in the September 2022 issue of the United Kingdom's highly influential monthly publication, Country Music People.