The Original Gene Watson Fan Site

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 Margo Smith, which she submitted to this site on Monday 25 April 2005.

Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Margo Smith who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.

Margo Smith
This quote was submitted on Monday 25 April 2005.

'As a singer of country music, and I am referring to traditional country music, in my opinion, Gene Watson is, without a doubt, one of the finest, if not the finest, male singer in the country music business today'.

Thank you, Margo Smith, for your support of Gene Watson.

About Margo Smith...

Margo Smith, who was born Beth Lou Smith in Dayton, Ohio started out as a kindergarten teacher who sang folk and country songs for her students; she frequently wrote the songs herself.

In 1975, Margo Smith cut a demo and signed to 20th Century Fox Records, where she had a major hit with her own song 'There I Said It', which reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975 and was included on Margo Smith's self-titled debut album, 'Margo Smith' (20th Century Fox Records, 1975); the track stayed on the Billboard country music singles chart for an astounding twenty weeks.

In July 1976, Margo Smith saw the release of 'Songbird' (Warner Bros. Records, 1976), which included one track which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Save Your Kisses for Me' (written by Tony Hiller, Lee Sheriden and Martin Lee) (No.10, 1976)

In April 1977, Margo Smith saw the release of 'Happiness' (Warner Bros. Records, 1977), which included four tracks which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Take My Breath Away' (written by Margo Smith and Norro Wilson) (No.7, 1976)
'Love's Explosion' (written by James D. Shaw, Margo Smith and Norro Wilson) (No.12, 1977)
'My Weakness' (No.23, 1977)
'So Close Again' (No.43, 1977)

In 1978, Margo Smith signed with Warner Brothers Records, where she enjoyed a number of Billboard country music hit singles, all of which were included on 'Don't Break The Heart That Loves You' (Warner Bros. Records, 1978):

'Don't Break The Heart That Loves You' (written by Benny Davis and Ted Murray) (No.1 for two weeks in February / March 1978)
'Little Things Mean a Lot' (No.3, 1978)
'It Only Hurts For a Little While' (written by Mack David and Fred Spielman) (No.1 for one week in July 1978)

In February 1979, Margo Smith saw the release of 'A Woman' (Warner Bros. Records, 1979), which included two tracks which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Still a Woman', which was written by Mack David (Friday 5 July 1912 - Thursday 30 December 1993), Margo Smith and Norris D. Wilson (No.7, 1979)
'If I Give My Heart to You' (written by Jimmy Brewster, Jimmie Crane, and Al Jacobs) (No.10, 1979)

In October 1979, Margo Smith saw the release of 'Just Margo' (Warner Bros. Records, 1979), which included two tracks which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Baby My Baby' (No.27, 1979)
'The Shuffle Song' (No.13, 1979)

In September 1980, Margo Smith saw the release of 'Diamonds & Chills' (Warner Bros. Records, 1980), which included two tracks which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'My Guy' (written by Smokey Robinson) (No.43, 1980)
'He Gives Me Diamonds & Chills' (No.52, 1980)

In 1980, the track 'Cup of Tea', which was a duet with Rex Allen Junior, won nominations for 'Top Duet of the Year' from both the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Music City News; the track, which reached No.12 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980, was included on Rex Allen Junior's 'The Cat's in The Cradle' (Warner Bros. Records, 1980).

In 1981, Margo Smith saw the release of a non-album single, 'My Heart Cries for You', which was written by Carl Sigman (Friday 24 September 1909 - Tuesday 26 September 2000) and Percy Faith (Tuesday 7 April 1908 - Monday 9 February 1976); the track reached No.72 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.

In 1982, Margo Smith moved to Nashville and continued to release singles on several independent record labels with little success.

In 1983, Margo Smith saw the release of 'Ridin' High' (Cameron Records, 1983), which included three tracks which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Either You're Married or You're Single' (No.64, 1982)
'Could It Be I Don't Belong Here Anymore' (No.70, 1983)
'Wedding Bells' (No.78, 1983)

In 1984 and 1985, Margo Smith saw the release of a number of non-album singles, including the following:

'Please Tell Him That I Said Hello' (No.63, 1984)
'The Thin Ragged Edge' / this track was released as a single in 1984, but it did not chart
'Sittin' on Santa's Knee' / this track was released as a single in 1984, but it did not chart
'Take Your Memory When You Go' / this track was released as a single in 1985, but it did not chart
'All I Do is Dream of You' (No.82, 1985)
'Everyday People' (No.63, 1985)

Margo Smith used the money from her advances at Warner Bros. Records to put her children through college, began a designer sweatshirt business in 1987 and made a commitment to spend more time with her family.

In 1987, Margo Smith saw the release of 'The Best Yet' (Playback Records, 1987), which included one track which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Echo Me' (No.77, 1988)

Awarded the title of 'World Class Yodeller', Margo Smith is also known for her amazing talent as a 'yodeller'; her most popular yodel song, 'I Want to be a Cowboy's Sweetheart', received national teleplay as a concept video.

Margo Smith has also recorded with Peter Hennin, the famous Swiss yodeller and Margo is considered to be in the class often referred to as 'Master Yodeller'.

Margo Smith occasionally appears on the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and TNN's program, 'Music City Tonight', where her vivid personality and vocal style are welcomed and loved by the millions who view. Margo Smith also makes regular appearances at Dolly Parton's Dollywood.

In 1991, Margo Smith and her daughter Holly united their voices to become Margo Smith & Holly Smith and saw the release of 'Just The Beginning' (Homeland Records, 1991), which included the following tracks:

'I Know The Way to Him by Heart'
'Tabernacle'
'We are Family'
'God's Kept Me All These Years'
'Rise Up'
'Rain Falls'
'Cross Your Heart'
'You Could See Heaven from Our Living Room'
'Don't Give Up'
'Just The Beginning for Me'

In 1992, Margo Smith & Holly Smith saw the release of 'Wishes' (Homeland Records, 1992), which included the following tracks:

'When The World Turns on Me'
'Don't Let The Devil Dance'
'They See My Daddy in Me'
'Daddy Never Lied'
'Wishes'
'Better Saved Than Sorry'
'Don't Kill The Wounded'
'At The Feet of Jesus'
'Love is a Tool'
'Church Bells'

Since then, Margo & Holly have had several No.1 Christian country records and were elected 'Top Duet of the Year' by The International Country Gospel Music Association in 1993 and 1994.

When the second annual Christian Country Music Association Awards were held in 1994, these lovely ladies were the first recipients of the 'Vocal Duo of the Year' Award.

In 2005, Margo Smith saw the release of 'Nothing to Lose' (Lamon Records, 2005), which included the following tracks:

'Nothing to Lose'
'Love The Sinner'
'God Gave Me You'
'Perfect'
'We're Getting Older'
'When You're Down to Nothing'
'At The Feet of Jesus' (written by Jerry Salley and Joel Lindsey)
'Enjoy Your Day'
'Just a Closer Walk With Thee'
'Everything is Beautiful'