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 during 2011, 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 Nathan Stanley, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 13 January 2011.

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



A special word of thanks to Norma Morris of Morris Public Relations, Nashville, without whose kind assistance, this Gene Watson 'Peer's Quote' from Nathan Stanley would not have been possible.





Nathan Stanley
This quote was submitted on Thursday 13 January 2011.

'To me, Gene Watson is one of the greatest country singers of all time with a beautiful and powerful voice.

He can stand upon the stage and perform a two-hour show just singing his hits.

Gene is not only a fine artist, but he is a wonderful man.

I have had the pleasure of recording with him on one of my albums and it was just an honour for me to sing with him.

The country music industry is very blessed to have Mr. Gene Watson in its midst'

Thank you, Nathan Stanley, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Nathan Stanley...



Nathan Stanley was born on Sunday 16 August 1992 and was hoisted into the spotlight at the age of two.

Under the diligent training of his grandfather, musical icon, Dr. Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 - Thursday 23 June 2016), Nathan Stanley has found the footing onto which has blossomed a great start to his career.



In 2006, with the blessing and accompaniment of Dr. Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 - Thursday 23 June 2016) & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Nathan Stanley recorded 'Sandy Ridge' (Stanley Entertainment Records, 2006); this was to be the start of what has become a great recording career for Nathan Stanley.

Nathan Stanley's 'Sandy Ridge' (Stanley Entertainment Records, 2006) included the following tracks:

'Sandy Ridge'
'East Virginia Blues'
'Nine Pound Hammer'
Old Time Pickin'
'I'll Fly Away'
'Dream of A Miner's Child'
'Bile Them Cabbage Down'
'Papaw's Mule'
'Will The Circle Be Unbroken'
'Somebody Loves You Darlin'
'Farther Along'
'Drew's Tune'

In 2006, Nathan Stanley had the great honour to perform for the Queen of England, when Her Majesty visited the state of Virginia.



In 2007, Nathan Stanley recorded, with Dr. Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 - Thursday 23 June 2016), his sophomore album, 'He Suffered For My Reward' (Stanley Entertainment Records, 2007), which included three of his own compositions.

Nathan Stanley & Dr. Ralph Stanley's 'He Suffered For My Reward' (Stanley Entertainment Records, 2007), which included the following tracks:

'Cry From The Cross'
'The Blood That Stained'
'The Old Rugged Cross'
'Me & God'
'Take Your Shoes Off, Moses'
'If We Never Meet Again'
'My God Is Great'
'You'll Be Cast Aside'
'Turn Back, Turn Back'
'In His Arms, I'm Not Afraid'
'Never Grow Old'
'Traveling The Highway Home'



In 2008, Nathan Stanley recorded, with Dr. Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 - Thursday 23 June 2016), the album 'Where Will You Go' (Stanley Entertainment Records, 2008), which included two of his own compositions.

Nathan Stanley & Dr. Ralph Stanley's 'Where Will You Go' (Stanley Entertainment Records, 2008) included the following tracks:

'Accept Jesus Christ As Your Saviour'
'Beulah Land'
'Heaven's Just A Prayer Away'
'Gloryland'
'Where Will You Go'
'Leaning On Jesus'
'Lord, I'm Coming Home'
'Over In Glory Land'
'Take My Hand Precious Lord'
'What Would You Give'
'I Saw The Light'
'When Jesus Beckons Me'
'Drifting To Far From The Shore'
'Somebody Touched Me'
'When He Reached Down His Hand For Me'
'How Great Thou Art'

On Friday 13 August 2010 and Saturday 14 August 2010, Nathan Stanley's first Annual Country & Bluegrass Music Festival took place in Wise, Virginia (at the same fairgrounds where most of 'Coal Miner's Daughter' was filmed).

The legendary country music and bluegrass music line-up included John Anderson, Bobby Osborne & The Rocky Top X-Press, James Dee (J.D.) Crowe (Friday 27 August 1937 - Friday 24 December 2021) & The New South, Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys, Ben 'Cooter' Jones & Cooter's Garage Band, Ralph Stanley II, Tommy Webb Band, Folk Soul Revival, Dr. Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 - Thursday 23 June 2016) & The Clinch Mountain Boys, Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 - Friday 2 January 2015), Connie Smith, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, IIIrd Tyme Out, Paul Williams & The Victory Trio, and The Lewis Tradition.



On Tuesday 4 January 2011, Nathan Stanley saw the release of 'My Kind of Country' (Stanley Generation Records, 2010), a traditional country music album, which featured guest vocalists from the worlds of country music and Bluegrass music, including Gene Watson, Dr. Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 - Thursday 23 June 2016), Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 - Friday 2 January 2015), Jeff & Sheri Easter, Vince Gill, John Anderson, Ben 'Cooter' Jones, Patty Loveless, Ronnie McCoury, Stella Parton, Ralph Stanley II, Larry Sparks, The Isaacs, Rhonda Vincent, Jim Lauderdale, Del McCoury, The Whites and Connie Smith.

In 2011, Nathan Stanley enjoyed a No.1 song on the Inspirational Country Music (ICM) Chart in 2011, with guest vocals from Vince Gill, on the unforgettable, 'White Dove'.

It was also in 2011, when The National Traditional Country Music Association voted Nathan Stanley's 'My Kind of Country' (Stanley Generation Records, 2010) as the 'Classic Country Album of The Year'.

In 2014, Nathan Stanley signed a recording deal with Willow Creek Records in Nashville.

In October 2014, Nathan Stanley's album, 'Every Mile' (Willow Creek Records, 2014) garnered Nathan his first GMA Dove Award nomination, along with a win for 'Bluegrass Album of The Year'.

In January 2015, Nathan Stanley was featured on the highly acclaimed Cracker Barrel album, 'Ralph Stanley & Friends: Man of Constant Sorrow' (Cracker Barrel, 2015).  On this special project, Nathan Stanley performed two songs with his Grandfather; the classic 'Rank Stranger' and a heartfelt performance of 'Hills of Homev'.



In 2017, Nathan Stanley saw the release of 'Controversial Man' (Nathan Stanley Entertainment, 2017); one of the included tracks was 'All I Have To Offer You (Is Me)', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022) and Arthur Leo 'Doodle' Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 - Monday 4 October 1999), and featured guest vocals from Patty Loveless.



This special statement from Gene Watson was posted on the front page of Nathan Stanley's official site:

'Very seldom do you get to work with someone destined to become a legend, so it was a great privilege for me to record with Nathan Stanley, who is definitely on his way to becoming just that - a true legend.

Nathan has got the gift of music in his bones.  At his young age, he's already a super talented musician with a great sense of style and a superb vocal talent.

Nathan - thanks for allowing me to record with you.  It was an honour'



On Saturday 11 February 2023, Nathan Stanley presented Gene Watson with a special plaque, to celebrate Gene's 60 years in country music, at Jettie Baker Center, 248 Dickenson Highway, Clintwood, Virginia.

Following a sold-out show in Clintwood, Virginia Gene Watson was surprised to receive a beautiful plaque (photo above) as a gift from Nathan Stanley, grandson of the Dr. Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 - Thursday 23 June 2016).



The plaque was in honour of Gene Watson's 60 years in country music, and was presented to Gene by Mr. Danny Lambert, Mayor of Clintwood.



Nathan Stanley also presented Gene Watson with a beautiful crystal microphone, the inscription upon which read: 'To Gene Watson, The Singer’s Singer - You are the greatest!'



Nathan Stanley presented Gene Watson with a special plaque, to celebrate his 60 years in country music, in the company of Clintwood Mayor, Danny Lambert, at Jettie Baker Center, 248 Dickenson Highway, Clintwood, Virginia on Saturday 11 February 2023.

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