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 2007, 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 Jan Howard, which she submitted to this site on Wednesday 14 February 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Jan Howard who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Jan Howard
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 14 February 2007.
‘Gene Watson has a voice and style entirely his own.
And, as been said by many, ‘Gene is a singer’s singer’.
He puts his whole being into every song.
And yet, with what seems to be little or no effort, with his talent, he reaches the depth and height of every emotion when he sings.
He is one of the greatest artists to ever grace a stage.
And I am proud to say ‘I am a Gene Watson fan’
Thank you, Jan Howard, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jan Howard…
Jan Howard was, during the 1960s, one of the hottest female vocalists in country music.
Jan Howard was born Lula Grace Johnson in West Plains, Missouri on Friday 13 March 1931 to a Cherokee mother and an Irish father and spent much of her early life in West Plains, Missouri.
(Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
In 1953, Jan Howard became involved with songwriter Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002), whom she married a month after they first met – they married in Las Vegas on Friday 10 May 1957.
Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) helped Jan Howard break into country music, sending her demos to various record companies.
As a result of this, Jan Howard began singing demos for Tex Ritter (Thursday 12 January 1905 – Wednesday 2 January 1974) and Johnny Bond (Tuesday 1 June 1915 – Monday 12 June 1978).
After meeting Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) and June Carter (Sunday 23 June 1929 – Thursday 15 May 2003) in the late 1950s, Jan Howard started a tour with Johnny Horton (Saturday 30 April 1927 – Saturday 5 November 1960).
In 1960, Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Jan Howard headed for Nashville; once there, Jan Howard appeared on The Prince Albert Show segment of The Grand Ole Opry.
In the late part of 1960, Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Jan Howard moved to Nashville permanently, where Jan’s successful duet with Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985), ‘The One You Slip Around With’ (written by Harlan Howard), resulted in her first solo single, reaching No.13 on the American country music singles chart in 1959.
‘Wrong Company’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002), was Jan Howard’s next single, on Challenge Records, and was another duet with Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985); this track, which reached No.26 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1960, was subsequently included on Wynn Stewart’s ‘Come On – Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight’ (Bear Family Records, 2011).
In 1962, Jan Howard charted with ‘I Wish I Was A Single Girl Again’, which reached No.27 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
In 1962, Jan Howard saw the release of her self-titled debut album, ‘Jan Howard’ (Wrangler Records, 1962), which included the following tracks:
‘The One You Slip Around With’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Make An Honest Woman Out of Me’
‘Weeping Willow (Weep For Me)’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘I Wish I Could Fall In Love Again’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Many Dreams Ago’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘If Your Conscience Can’t Stop You (How Can I)’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Let Me Know’, which was written by Slim Willet (Winston Lee Moore) (1 December 1919 – Friday 1 July 1966)
‘I’ve Got My Pride’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Why’
‘Ages & Ages Ago’
‘Too Many Teardrops Too Late’ (written by Dave Burgess)
‘Jealous Love’
Although she didn’t do well on the Billboard country music charts, Jan Howard continued to tour extensively.
In August 1962, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Sweet & Sentimental’ (Capitol Records, 1962), which included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me’, which was written by Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982)
‘Funny How Time Slips Away’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘Looking Back’, which was written by Brook Benton (Saturday 19 September 1931 – Saturday 9 April 1988), Belford Hendricks (Tuesday 11 May 1909 – Saturday 24 September 1977) and Clyde Otis (Thursday 11 September 1924 – Tuesday 8 January 2008)
‘Padre’ (written by Alan Webster and Peter F. Webster)
‘Belle of The Ball’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
‘Everybody Loves A Lover’ (written by Robert Allen and Richard Adler)
‘This Sad Old House’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Carlos Minor
‘He Called Me Baby’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘They Listened While You Said Goodbye’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘You’d Better Go’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985)
‘Is This My Destiny’, which was written by Helen Carter (Monday 19 September 1927 – Tuesday 2 June 1998)
‘Heartaches By The Number’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
In 1964, Jan Howard’s career finally gained momentum. Her songs of the period, however, reflected her troubled marriage.
In June 1966, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Evil On Your Mind’ (Decca Records, 1966), which included four tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘What Makes A Man Wander’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.25, 1965)
‘I’ve Got Feelings Too’, which was written by Helen Carter (Monday 19 September 1927 – Tuesday 2 June 1998) / this track was released as single in 1965, but it did not chart
‘You Don’t Find A Good Man Everyday’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) / this track was released as a single in 1965, but it did not chart
‘Evil On Your Mind’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.5, 1966)
Jan Howard’s ‘Evil On Your Mind’ (Decca Records, 1966) also included the following tracks:
‘Last Time’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Gene Myers
‘Put It Off Until Tomorrow’, which was written by William Earl ‘Bill’ Owens (Saturday 28 September 1935 – Wednesday 7 April 2021) and Dolly Parton
‘Tippy Toeing’, which was written by Bobby Harden (Thursday 27 June 1935 – Tuesday 30 May 2006)
‘You Go Your Way (I’ll Go Crazy)’, which was written by Mabel Cordle and Benny Williams (Saturday 28 March 1931 – Thursday 11 October 2007)
‘Take Good Care of Him’ (written by Arthur Kent and Ed Warren)
‘Crying For Love’ (written by Jan Howard)
‘You Really Know’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘We’ll Sing In The Sunshine’ (written by Gale Garnett)
Jan Howard’s ‘Evil On Your Mind’ (Decca Records, 1966) reached No.10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1966.
It was also later in 1966 when Jan Howard joined Bill Anderson‘s touring and television shows; Jan Howard and Bill Anderson scored two hits on the Billboard country music singles chart with ‘I Know You’re Married (But I Love You Still’) (No.29, 1965) and ‘Time Out’ (No.44, 1965).
In November 1966, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Bad Seed’ (Decca Records, 1966), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Bad Seed’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.10, 1966)
Jan Howard’s ‘Bad Seed’ (Decca Records, 1966) also included the following tracks:
‘I Get The Fever’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘Time’ (written by Michael Merchant)
‘Ain’t Had No Lovin’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘Tip of My Fingers’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘Born A Woman’, which was written by Martha Sharp (Tuesday 9 February 1937 – Wednesday 11 December 2024)
‘That’s Not My Problem Anymore’ (written by Bobby Bare)
‘Get Your Lie The Way You Want It’, which was written by William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017)
‘I’ve Heard The Wind Blow Before’, which was written by Eugene David Dobbins (Monday 19 March 1934 – Sunday 23 November 2008)
‘I Wish I Could Fall in Love Again’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985)
‘The Hurtin’s All Over’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘There Goes My Everything’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
Jan Howard’s ‘Bad Seed’ (Decca Records, 1966) reached No.13 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1966.
On Monday 16 October 1967, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘This Is Jan Howard Country’ (Decca Records, 1967), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Any Old Way You Do’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.32, 1967)
‘Roll Over & Play Dead’ (written by E. Rich) (No.26, 1967)
Jan Howard’s ‘This is Jan Howard Country’ (Decca Records, 1967) also included the following tracks:
‘Love Me & Make It All Better’, which was written by Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 – Thursday 7 May 1998)
‘Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad’, which was written by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015) and Glenn Sutton (Tuesday 28 September 1937 – Tuesday 17 April 2007)
‘You Don’t Know Me’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006) and Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008)
‘You & Me & Tears & Roses’, which was written by Heinz Buchholz, Jim Glaser (Wednesday 16 December 1936 – Saturday 6 April 2019) and Karl Gotz
‘Break My Mind’, which was written by John D. Loudermilk (Saturday 31 March 1934 – Wednesday 21 September 2016)
‘Gentle on My Mind’, which was written by John Hartford (Thursday 30 December 1937 – Monday 4 June 2001)
‘A Fallen Star’ (written by James Joiner)
‘Your Ole Handy Man’ (written by Dolly Parton)
‘Burning Bridges’ (written by Walter Scott)
‘All The Time’, which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) and Wayne P. Walker
Jan Howard’s ‘This is Jan Howard Country’ (Decca Records, 1967) reached No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1967.
In 1967, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Lonely Country’ (Tower Records, 1967), which included the following tracks:
‘Funny How Time Slips Away’ (written by Willie Nelson)
‘Tomorrow You Won’t Even Know My Name’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Heartaches By The Number’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘They Listened While You Said Goodbye’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘I Can’t Stop Cryin’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Looking Back’, which was written by Brook Benton (Saturday 19 September 1931 – Saturday 9 April 1988), Belford Hendricks (Tuesday 11 May 1909 – Saturday 24 September 1977) and Clyde Otis (Thursday 11 September 1924 – Tuesday 8 January 2008)
‘Saddest Part of All’ (written by Bob Forshee)
‘If I Cried Every Time You Hurt Me’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Is This My Destiny’, which was written by Helen Carter (Monday 19 September 1927 – Tuesday 2 June 1998)
‘You’d Better Go’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) and Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985)
On Monday 12 February 1968, Bill Anderson & Jan Howard saw the release of ‘For Loving You’ (Decca Records, 1968), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘For Loving You’ (written by Steve Karliski) (No.1, 1967)
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard’s ‘For Loving You’ (Decca Records, 1968) also included the following tracks:
‘Above & Beyond (The Call of Love)’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘I Love You Because’, which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 – Thursday 11 September 1969)
‘I’d Fight The World’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Joe Allison (Friday 3 October 1924 – Friday 2 August 2002)
‘I Walk The Line’, which was written by Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003)
‘Til Death Do Us Part’
‘I Thank God For You’
‘Have I Told You Lately (That I Love You)’, which was written by Scott Greene Wiseman (Sunday 8 November 1908 – Saturday 31 January 1981)
‘Born To Be With You’, which was written by Don Robertson (Tuesday 5 December 1922 – Monday 16 March 2015)
‘I’ll Be Waiting’
‘Beyond The Sunset’, which was written by Blanche Kerr Brock (3 February 1888 – Friday 3 January 1958) and Virgil Prentiss Brock (6 January 1887 – Sunday 12 March 1978)
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard’s ‘For Loving You’ (Decca Records, 1968) reached No.6 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1968.
In April 1968, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘The Real Me’ (Tower Records, 1968), which included the following tracks:
‘The Real Me’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Example of A Fool’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
‘You’ve Got Me Where You Want Me’ (written by Bobby Bare)
‘Wind Me Up (I Cry)’ (written by M. Wilken and Fred Burch)
‘Wind Up Doll’, which was written by Justin Tubb (Tuesday 20 August 1935 – Saturday 24 January 1998) and Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992)
‘Get It Off Your Mind’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘New Way To Live’ (written by Gene Davis)
‘I Walked A Hundred Mile’, which was written by Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985)
‘Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me’, which was written by Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982)
‘If He Could See Me Now’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010)
In June 1968, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Count Your Blessings, Woman’ (Decca Records, 1968), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Count Your Blessings, Woman’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.16, 1968) / this track also reached No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968, which was Jan Howard’s first single to chart in Canada
Jan Howard’s ‘Count Your Blessings, Woman’ (Decca Records, 1968) also included the following tracks:
‘The Minute You’re Gone’, which was written by Jimmy Gateley (Friday 1 May 1931 – Sunday 17 March 1985)
‘Promises, Promises’, which was written by Carlyle Hughey, Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 – Monday 31 October 2011) and William H. Smith
‘The Day The World Stood Still’ (written by Bill Rice (Wednesday 19 April 1939 – Saturday 28 October 2023) and Jerry Foster)
‘The Last Thing On My Mind’ (written by Tom Paxton)
‘You Are My Treasure’, which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 – Thursday 23 March 2006)
‘You’d Better Sit Down, Kids’, which was written by Salvatore Phillip ‘Sonny’ Bono (Saturday 16 February 1935 – Monday 5 January 1998)
‘Take Me To Your World’, which was written by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015) and Glenn Sutton (Tuesday 28 September 1937 – Tuesday 17 April 2007)
‘Thanks A Lot For Trying Anyway’, which was written by Jim Glaser (Wednesday 16 December 1936 – Saturday 6 April 2019)
‘But Not For Love My Dear’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘It’s Over’, which was written by Jimmie Rodgers (Monday 18 September 1933 – Monday 18 January 2021)
Jan Howard’s ‘Count Your Blessings, Woman’ (Decca Records, 1968) reached No.27 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1968.
In June 1969, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Jan Howard’ (Decca Records, 1969), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Still Believe In Love’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.27, 1968) / this track also reached No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968
‘My Son’ (written by Jan Howard) (No.15, 1968) / this track also reached No.28 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968
‘When We Tried’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018) (No.24, 1969)
Jan Howard’s ‘Jan Howard’ (Decca Records, 1969) also included the following tracks:
‘Until My Dreams Come True’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘Happy State of Mind’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘I Hurt All Over’, which was written by Kay Arnold (Monday 14 June 1926 – Monday 24 October 2005)
‘Son of A Preacher Man’ (written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins)
‘When The Grass Grows Over Me’, which was written by Don Chapel (1931 – Sunday 6 December 2015)
‘Ribbon of Darkness’, which was written by Gordon Lightfoot (Thursday 17 November 1938 – Sunday 1 May 2023)
‘Shame On Me’, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007) and Bill Enis
Jan Howard’s ‘Jan Howard’ (Decca Records, 1969) reached No.25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1969.
In January 1970, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘For God & Country’ (Decca Records, 1970), which included the following tracks:
’23rd Psalm’
‘How Great Thou Art’
‘Night Watch’
‘Old Rugged Cross’
‘Pledge of Allegiance’
‘Lord’s Prayer’
‘I Am’
‘Where No One Stands Alone’
‘God Bless America’
‘God Bless America Again’
‘I Believe’
On Monday 2 March 1970, Bill Anderson & Jan Howard saw the release of ‘If It’s All The Same To You’ (Decca Records, 1970), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Know You’re Married (But I Love You Still)’, which was written by Don Wesley Reno (Monday 21 February 1927 – Tuesday 16 October 1984) and Mack Magaha (Thursday 1 August 1929 – Friday 15 August 2003) (No.29, 1965)
‘If It’s All The Same To You’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.2, 1969) / this track also reached No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1969
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard’s ‘If It’s All The Same To You’ (Decca Records, 1970) also included the following tracks:
‘Put A Little Love In Your Heart’ (written by Jackie DeShannon and Randy Myers)
‘Untouchables’
‘Together We’re One’
‘Truer Love You’ll Never Find’
‘Who Is The Biggest Fool’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘Tell It Like It Was’
‘Since I Met You Baby’, which was written by Ivory Joe Hunter (Saturday 10 October 1914 – Friday 8 November 1974)
‘I’m Leaving It Up To You’, which was written by Don Harris (Saturday 18 June 1938 – 1999) and Dewey Terry (Saturday 17 July 1937 – Sunday 11 May 2003)
‘Time Out’
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard’s ‘If It’s All The Same To You’ (Decca Records, 1970) reached No.25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1970.
Connie Smith recorded Jan Howard’s ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’ (RCA Records, 1970); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970.
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 – Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Jan Howard’s ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘Forever Yours’ (RCA Records, 1970).
In June 1970, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Rock Me Back To Little Rock’ (Decca Records, 1970), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘We Had All The Good Things Going’ (written by Jerry Monday and Marvin Shiner) (No.20, 1969)
‘Rock Me Back To Little Rock’ (written by Lola Jean Dillon) (No.26, 1970)
Jan Howard’s ‘Rock Me Back To Little Rock’ (Decca Records, 1970) also included the following tracks:
‘Can You Feel It’ (written by Bobby Goldsboro)
‘You & Your Sweet Love’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘Hello Stranger’ (written by Jan Howard)
‘Journey Goin’ Nowhere’ (written by Dee Moeller)
‘Let It Be’, which was written by John Lennon (Wednesday 9 October 1940 – Monday 8 December 1980) and Paul McCartney
‘Love Is A Sometimes Thing’ (written by Jan Howard)
‘Try A Little Kindness’ (written by Bobby Austin and Curt Sapaugh)
‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’ (written by Bill Anderson and Jan Howard)
‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ (written by Paul Simon)
Jan Howard’s ‘Rock Me Back To Little Rock’ (Decca Records, 1970) reached No.42 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1970.
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Jan Howard’s ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘The First Lady’ (Epic Records, 1970).
In 1970, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘The Soul You Never Had’ (written by Bill Anderson), a non-album single, which reached No.64 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
In 1971, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Baby Without You’ (written by Mike Settle), a non-album single, which reached No.56 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
In 1971, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Love Is A Sometimes Thing’ (written by Jan Howard), a non-album single, which did not chart on the Billboard country music singles chart.
On Saturday 27 March 1971, Jan Howard was inducted as a member of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
For over thirty years, Jan Howard was a regular performer, and a fan favourite, on the world-famous Opry stage.
In January 1972, Bill Anderson & Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Bill & Jan or Jan & Bill’ (Decca Records, 1972), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Someday We’ll Be Together’, which was written by Johnny Bristol (Friday 3 February 1939 – Sunday 21 March 2004), Robert Lewis ‘Jackey’ Beavers (Saturday 19 June 1937 – Tuesday 28 October 2008) and Harvey Fuqua (Saturday 27 July 1929 – Tuesday 6 July 2010) (No.4, 1970) / this track also reached No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970
‘Dis-satisfied’ (written by Bill Anderson, Carter Howard and Jan Howard) (No.4, 1971) / this track also reached No.11 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1971
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard’s ‘Bill & Jan or Jan & Bill’ (Decca Records, 1972) also included the following tracks:
‘I Don’t Want It’
‘Satin Sheets’, which was written by John Edward Volinkaty (Friday 27 August 1943 – Friday 4 September 1992)
‘We’
‘Knowing You’re Mine’
‘Beautiful People’
‘More & More’
‘Don’t Let It Happen Without Me’ (written by Ruby VanNoy and Danny Samson)
‘No Thanks, I Just Had One’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘Looking Back To See’, which was written by Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 – Thursday 11 June 2015) and Maxine Brown (Monday 27 April 1931 – Monday 21 January 2019)
Bill Anderson & Jan Howard’s ‘Bill & Jan or Jan & Bill’ (Decca Records, 1972) reached No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1972.
In March 1972, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Love Is Like A Spinning Wheel’ (Decca Records, 1972), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Love Is Like A Spinning Wheel’, which was written by Sergio Endrigo (Thursday 15 June 1933 – Wednesday 7 September 2005) and Bill Owens (1935 – Wednesday 7 April 2021) (No.36, 1971) / this track also reached No.14 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1971
‘Let Him Have It’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005) (No.43, 1972)
Jan Howard’s ‘Love Is Like A Spinning Wheel’ (Decca Records, 1972) also included the following tracks:
‘The One You Slip Around With’, which was written by Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020) and Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Banks of The Ohio’ (written by Bruce Welch and John Farrar)
‘He’s All I Got’ (written by Gary Bonds and Jerry Williams Jr.)
‘Missing You’, which was written by Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012)
‘Remember The Good’, which was written by Mickey Newbury (Sunday 19 May 1940 – Sunday 29 September 2002)
‘All I Ever Need Is You’, which was written by Eddie Reeves (Friday 17 November 1939 – Sunday 18 November 2018) and Jimmy Holiday (Tuesday 24 July 1934 – Sunday 15 February 1987)
‘Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005)
‘Completely’ (written by Dave Burgess)
‘I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing’, which was written by Bill Backer, Roquel ‘Billy’ Davis (Monday 11 July 1932 – Thursday 2 September 2004), Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway
Jan Howard’s ‘Love Is Like A Spinning Wheel’ (Decca Records, 1972) reached No.40 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1972.
Nat Stuckey (Sunday 17 December 1933 – Wednesday 24 August 1988) recorded Jan Howard’s ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘Is It Any Wonder That I Love You’ (RCA Victor Records, 1972).
• Ann M. Stuckey submitted a ‘Peer’s Quote’ about Gene Watson on Saturday 25 January 2014
In March 1972, Bill Anderson & Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Singing His Praise’ (Decca Records, 1972), which included the following tracks:
‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’
‘Take My Hand Precious Lord’
‘Old Country Church’
‘Nearer My God To Thee’
‘Just A Closer Walk With Thee’
‘Where No One Stands Alone’
‘Precious Memories’
‘Old Rugged Cross’
‘Beyond The Sunset’
‘Peace In The Valley’
‘Lord’s Prayer’
In 1972, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘It’s Your World’, a non-album single, which did not chart on the Billboard country music singles chart.
In 1973, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Too Many Ties That Bind’, a non-album single, which reached No.74 on the Billboard country music singes chart, in 1973.
In 1973, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Bad Seed’ (Coral Records, 1973), which included the following tracks:
‘Son of A Preacher Man’ (written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins)
‘I Get The Fever’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad’, which was written by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015) and Glenn Sutton (Tuesday 28 September 1937 – Tuesday 17 April 2007)
‘Count Your Blessings, Woman’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.16, 1968) / this track also reached No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968, and was Jan Howard’s first single to chart in Canada
‘Bad Seed’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.10, 1966)
‘Ribbon of Darkness’, which was written by Gordon Lightfoot (Thursday 17 November 1938 – Sunday 1 May 2023)
‘Put It Off Until Tomorrow’, which was written by William Earl ‘Bill’ Owens (Saturday 28 September 1935 – Wednesday 7 April 2021) and Dolly Parton
‘Until My Dreams Come True’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022)
‘Happy State of Mind’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘Tip of My Fingers’ (written by Bill Anderson)
In 1975, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Sincerely, Jan Howard’ (GRT Records, 1975), which included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Seein’ Is Believin’, which was written by Glenn W. Martin (Thursday 30 June 1932 – Sunday 12 May 2019) (No.96, 1974)
‘The Wedding Song’ (written by S. King and Jan Howard) / this track was released as a single in 1975, but it did not chart
Jan Howard’s ‘Sincerely, Jan Howard’ (GRT Records, 1975) also included the following tracks:
‘You’ll Never Know’, which was written by Harry Warren (24 December 1893 – Tuesday 22 September 1981) and Mack Gordon (Tuesday 21 June 1904 – Saturday 28 February 1959)
‘1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero’, which was written by Bobby Russell (Friday 19 April 1940 – Thursday 19 November 1992)
‘It Always Rains On Me’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004) and Sonny Throckmorton
‘Poison Red Berries’, which was written by Mickey Newbury (Sunday 19 May 1940 – Sunday 29 September 2002)
‘Lullaby of Love’, which was written by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015) and Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012)
‘Would You Lay With Me (In A Field of Stone)’ (written by David Allan Coe)
‘No Rings, No Strings’, which was written by Ron Hellard and Gary Sanford ‘Flip’ Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016)
‘Too Much of A Man (To Be Tied Down)’, which was written by Larry Kingston (Sunday 10 August 1941 – Sunday 20 February 2005)
In 1975, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘I’m Alright ‘Til I See You’, a non-album single, which did not chart on the Billboard country music singles chart.
In 1976, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Rock Me Back To Little Rock’ (Hilltop Records, 1976), which included the following tracks, which were all originally Decca Records recordings:
‘Rock Me Back To Little Rock’ (written by Lola Jean Dillon) (No.26, 1970)
‘We Had All The Good Things Going’ (written by Jerry Monday and Marvin Shiner) (No.20, 1969)
‘When We Tried’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018) (No.24, 1969)
‘Count Your Blessings, Woman’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.16, 1968) / this track also reached No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968, which was Jan Howard’s first single to chart in Canada
‘Any Old Way You Do’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.32, 1967)
‘Love Is Like A Spinning Wheel’, which was written by Sergio Endrigo (Thursday 15 June 1933 – Wednesday 7 September 2005) and Bill Owen (No.36, 1971) / this track also reached No.14 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1971
‘My Son’ (written by Jan Howard) (No.15, 1968) / this track also reached No.28 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968
‘I Still Believe In Love’ (written by Bill Anderson) (No.27, 1968) / this track also reached No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968
‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ (written by Paul Simon)
In 1977, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘I’ll Hold You In My Heart’, which was written by Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 – Thursday 8 May 2008), Hall Horton and Tommy Dilbeck; the track, which was a non-album single, reached No.70 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977.
In 1977, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Better Off Alone’, a non-album single, which reached No.65 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
In 1978, Jan Howard saw the release, on Con Brio Records, of ‘To Love A Rolling Stone’ (written by Don King), a non-album single, which reached No.93 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
In 1979, Jan Howard and Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) embarked on a tour of the United States and England.
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Jan Howard’s ‘Only The Names Have Been Changed’ (co-written with Tammy Wynette) and included the track on ‘Only Lonely Sometimes’ (Epic Records, 1980).
In April 1981, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Stars of The Grand Ole Opry’ (First Generation Records, 1981), which was produced by Pete Drake (Saturday 8 October 1932 – Friday 29 July 1988), and included the following tracks:
‘Living & Loving’ (written by Rick Beresford)
‘Cowboy’s Last Ride’, which was written by Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003)
‘Now That He’s Gone’ (written by Rick Beresford and Harlan Sanders)
‘Memories For Sale’, which was written by Pam Rose, Mary Ann Kennedy and Linda Hargrove (Thursday 3 February 1949 – Sunday 24 October 2010)
‘Let Me Be Her Tonight’ (written by Pam Rose, Mary Ann Kennedy and Don Goodman)
‘The Life of A Country Girl Singer’ (written by Jan Howard)
‘Evil On Your Mind’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Bad Seed’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘The One You Slip Around With’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Keepin’ The Feeling Alive’ (written by Rick Beresford)
Personnel involved in the recording of Jan Howard’s ‘Stars of The Grand Ole Opry’ (First Generation Records, 1981) included the following:
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022), Shane Keister and Bobby Emmons (piano)
Bob Moore (Wednesday 30 November 1932 – Wednesday 22 September 2021) (bass)
Hayward Bishop and Jerry Kroon (drums)
Pete Drake (Saturday 8 October 1932 – Friday 29 July 1988) and Jimmie Crawford (steel guitar)
Pete Wade (Sunday 16 December 1934 – Tuesday 27 August 2024), Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020) and Bill Hullett (guitar)
Tommy Williams (fiddle)
The Jordanaires (back-up vocals)
In 1983, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Tainted Love’ (AVI Records, 1983), which was produced by Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020), and included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Tainted Love’, which was written by Edward C. Cobb (Friday 25 February 1938 – Saturday 19 September 1999) / this track was released as a single in 1983, but it did not chart
‘Silver Tongue & Gold Plated Lies’ (written by John D. Hutchison) / this track was released as a single in 1983, but it did not chart
Jan Howard’s ‘Tainted Love’ (AVI Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘Give My Old Memory A Call’, which was written by Ed Bruce (Friday 29 December 1939 – Friday 8 January 2021), Patsy Ann Bruce (Friday 8 March 1940 – Sunday 16 May 2021) and Ron Peterson
‘Gabriel Never Played A Steel Guitar’ (written by H. Montgomery and J.R. Williams)
‘My Friend’, which was written by Jan Howard and Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020)
‘As Often As Needed For Pain’ (written by Lola Jean Dillon)
‘While You’re Breaking My Heart’, which was written by Stewart Harris (Sunday 13 February 1949 – Thursday 4 May 2023)
‘As Far As I’m Concerned’ (written by Ronny Hughes)
‘I Wish I Could Love That Much Again’, which was written by Glenn Douglas Tubb (Saturday 29 June 1935 – Saturday 22 May 2021) and Vic McAlpin (Monday 4 February 1918 – Friday 18 January 1980)
Personnel involved in the recording of Jan Howard’s ‘Tainted Love’ (AVI Records, 1983) included the following:
Billy Linneman (acoustic bass, electric bass)
Leon Rhodes (Thursday 10 March 1932 – Saturday 9 December 2017) (electric bass)
Jimmy Wilson (electric guitar)
Joe Edwards (fiddle)
Jerry Whitehurst (piano)
Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020) (producer, electric guitar)
Ralph Davis (rhythm guitar)
Weldon Myrick (Monday 10 April 1939 – Monday 2 June 2014) (steel guitar)
Carol Lee Davis, Carol Lee Singers, Dennis McCall, Herman Harper, Norah Lee Allen, and Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 December 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) & Sonny Osborne (Friday 29 October 1937 – Sunday 24 October 2021) (vocals)
In 1985, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Jan Howard’ (Dot Records / MCA Records, 1985), which was produced by Billy Strange (Monday 29 September 1930 – Wednesday 22 February 2012), and included the following tracks:
‘When We Tried’
‘Ozark Mountain Jubilee’ (written by Scott Anders and Roger Murrah)
‘There’s No Way’, which was written by John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), Lisa Pallas and Will Robinson
‘I Don’t Think I’ve Got Another Love Left In Me’ (written by James Johnson and Bucky Jones)
‘The Wind Beneath My Wings’ (written by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar)
‘Evil On Your Mind’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘When I See Love’ (written by J. Mehaffey)
‘Dixie Road’ (written by Pam Rose, Mary Ann Kennedy and Don Goodman)
‘I Spent All My Love On You’, which was written by Eddie Burton and Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018)
‘Money Don’t Make A Man A Lover’, which was written by John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001)
In 1987, Jan Howard saw the release of ‘Life of A Country Girl Singer’.
It was also in 1987 when Jan Howard saw the publication of her best-selling autobiography, ‘Sunshine & Shadow – My Story’ (Eagle Publishing, 1987).
On Friday 17 August 1990, Jan Howard remarried, and continued to appear on the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver recorded Jan Howard’s ‘I Never Once Stopped Loving You’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘Never Walk Away’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1995).
In 2011, Joe Paul Nichols saw the release of ‘Friends In High Places’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2011); one of the included tracks was ‘Gotta Travel On’ (written by Paul Clayton), which was a duet with Jan Howard.
On Saturday 28 March 2020, Jan Howard, the then oldest member of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, passed away in Gallatin, Tennessee.
• Visit Jan Howard’s official site at janhoward.com