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 2020, 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 Jeannie Kendall, which she submitted to this site on Friday 18 December 2020.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Jeannie Kendall, who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Jeannie Kendall
This quote was submitted on Friday 18 December 2020.
‘I love Gene Watson’s recordings.
But the real treat is to listen to him live, he sounds even better.
He’s one of a kind!‘
Thank you, Jeannie Kendall, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jeannie Kendall (The Kendalls)…
Jeannie Kendall, who was born on Saturday 30 October 1954, and her father, Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998), were known as The Kendalls, an American country music duo from Saint Louis, Missouri.
Between the 1960s and 1990s, The Kendalls released sixteen albums on various record labels, including five on Mercury Records.
Between 1977 and 1985, 22 of their singles reached the Top 40 on the Billboard country music singles chart, including three No.1 hit singles:
• ‘Heaven’s Just A Sin Away’ (written by Jerry Gillespie) (No.1 for four weeks in October / November 1977) / this track also reached No.69 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1977)
• ‘Sweet Desire’ (written by Jeannie Kendall) / ‘Old Fashioned Love’ (written by M.R. Martin and Mitch Johnson) (No.1 for one week in November / December 1978)
• ‘Thank God For The Radio’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Robert John Jones (No.1 for one week in April 1984).
Eight other singles also reached the Billboard Top 10.
Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) and his brother, Floyce Kendall, were raised in Missouri, with family roots in the Arkansas Ozarks. As young men, the brothers formed a duo and moved to California, where they recorded and performed on regional West Coast country television shows as The Austin Brothers. When they broke up, Royce and his wife Melba moved back to Missouri.
Royce and Melba Kendall’s daughter, Jeannie, proved to be musically talented from an early age and, as a teenager, she became her father’s duet partner.
In 1969, when Jeannie Kendall was 15 years old, The Kendalls recorded an album for Stop Records, ‘Meet The Kendalls’ (Stop Records, 1971), from which a single was released in 1970; a cover of John Denver’s ‘Leaving On A Jet Plane’ reached No.52 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
The Kendalls’ ‘Meet The Kendalls’ (Stop Records, 1971) also included the following tracks:
‘You Think I Still Care’
‘Hills of Kentucky’
‘Keep The Home Fires Burning’
‘Please Tell Me Why’ / this track was released as a single in 1970, but it did not chart
‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
‘Proud Mary’
‘Bobby’
‘Think of Me Gently’
‘One Too Many’
‘I Know He’ll Never Come Back’
In 1971, The Kendalls saw the release of ‘Love, Love, Love’, a non-album single, which did not chart.
In 1972,The Kendalls signed a recording contract with Dot Records and saw the release, in August 1972, of ‘Two Divided By Love’ (Dot Records, 1972), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Two Divided By Love’ (written by Brian August Potter, Dennis Lambert and M. Kupps) (No.53, 1972) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Grass Roots in 1971
‘Everything I Own’ (written by David Gates) (No.66, 1972) / the original version of this track was recorded by Bread in 1972
The Kendalls’ ‘Two Divided By Love’ (Dot Records, 1972) also included the following tracks:
‘Big Silver Jet’
‘Easy To Love’
‘We Can Make It’
‘Baby, What’s Wrong With Us’
‘Never Ending Song of Love’
‘Right To Say I’m Lonesome’
‘Can’t Make It Under City Lights’
‘Make Me Your Kind of Woman’
‘Lonesome City Blues’
Between 1973 and 1976, The Kendalls saw the release, on Dot Records, of a number of non-album singles:
‘You & Me’ / this track was released as a single in 1973, but it did not chart
‘I Wanna Live Here In Your Love’ / this track was released as a single in 1973, but it did not chart
‘Love Do Or Die’ / this track was released as a single in 1975, but it did not chart
‘Diesel Gypsy’ / this track was released as a single in 1975, but it did not chart
‘Imaginary Harmony’ / this track was released as a single in 1976, but it did not chart
In 1977, The Kendalls parted company with Dot Records and signed a recording contract with the independent record label, Ovation Records, where they saw the release of ‘Heaven’s Just A Sin Away’ (Ovation Records, 1977), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Making Believe’, which was written by Jimmy Work (Saturday 29 March 1924 – Saturday 22 December 2018) (No.80, 1977) / the original version of this track was recorded by Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012), who included it on ‘Kitty Wells’ Country Hit Parade’ (Decca Records, 1956); Kitty Wells’ version of the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1954 / this track was also recorded by Emmylou Harris, who included it on ‘Luxury Liner’ (Reprise Records, 1977); Emmylou Harris’ version of this track reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1977
‘Heaven’s Just A Sin Away’ (written by Jerry Gillespie) (No.1 for four weeks in October / November 1977) / this track, which also reached No.69 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1977, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1977), won the 1978 Grammy for ‘Best Country Vocal by a Duo or Group’
The Kendalls’ ‘Heaven’s Just A Sin Away’ (Ovation Records, 1977) also included the following tracks:
‘Let Me Get Lost’
‘Sing Me’
‘I’m A Pushover (For A Country Song)’
‘Don’t Call Me Your Only Sunshine’
‘Live & Let Live’
‘Let The Music Play’
‘You’re My Man’
‘Don’t Let Me Cross Over’
The Kendalls’ ‘Heaven’s Just A Sin Away’ (Ovation Records, 1977) reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977.
In March 1978, The Kendalls saw the release of ‘Old Fashioned Love’ (Ovation Records, 1978), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘It Don’t Feel Like Sinnin’ To Me’ (No.2, 1978) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘Pittsburgh Stealers’, which was written by Larry Kingston (Sunday 10 August 1941 – Sunday 20 February 2005) (No.6, 1978) / this track also reached No.28 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘Sweet Desire’ (written by Jeannie Kendall) / ‘Old Fashioned Love’ (written by M.R. Martin and Mitch Johnson) (No.1 for one week in November / December 1978) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
The Kendalls’ ‘Old Fashioned Love’ (Ovation Records, 1978) also included the following tracks:
‘Try Me Again’
‘When Can We Do This Again’
‘Plain Old Fashioned Cheatin’
‘Heaven Knows’
‘Here Today & Gone Tomorrow’
‘When The Morning Comes’
The Kendalls’ ‘Old Fashioned Love’ (Ovation Records, 1978) reached No.16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978
It was also in 1978 when The Kendalls saw the release of ‘1978 Grammy Award Winners’ (Gusto Records, 1978), which included the following tracks:
‘Leaving On A Jet Plane’, which was written by John Denver (Friday 31 December 1943 – Sunday 12 October 1997) (No.52, 1970)
‘We’ll Be Gone’
‘Love Love Love’
‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ / this track was originally included on The Kendalls’ ‘Meet The Kendalls’ (Stop Records, 1971)
‘Proud Mary’ / this track was originally included on The Kendalls’ ‘Meet The Kendalls’ (Stop Records, 1971)
‘I Know He’ll Never Come Back’ / this track was originally included on The Kendalls’ ‘Meet The Kendalls’ (Stop Records, 1971)
‘Behind That Locked Door’
‘Think of Me Gently’ / this track was originally included on The Kendalls’ ‘Meet The Kendalls’ (Stop Records, 1971)
‘Hills of Kentucky’ / this track was originally included on The Kendalls’ ‘Meet The Kendalls’ (Stop Records, 1971)
‘You Think I Still Care’ / this track was originally included on The Kendalls’ ‘Meet The Kendalls’ (Stop Records, 1971)
‘Please Tell Me Why’ / this track was released as a single in 1970, but it did not chart
‘Bobby’ / this track was originally included on The Kendalls’ ‘Meet The Kendalls’ (Stop Records, 1971)
In January 1979, The Kendalls saw the release of ‘Just Like Real People’ (Ovation Records, 1979), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Had A Lovely Time’ (No.5, 1979) / this track also reached No.4 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1979
‘Just Like Real People’ (No.11, 1979) / this track also reached No.4 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1979
‘I Don’t Do Like That No More’ / ‘Never My Love’ (No.16, 1979) / this track also reached No.33 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1979
The Kendalls’ ‘Just Like Real People’ (Ovation Records, 1979) also included the following tracks:
‘Mandolin Man’
‘Love Seeds’
‘Falling In Love’
‘Love Is A Hurting Thing’
‘I’m Coming Down Lonely’
‘If You Don’t Want The Fire (Don’t Fool With The Flame)’
‘Another Dream Just Came True’
The Kendalls’ ‘Just Like Real People’ (Ovation Records, 1979) reached No.12 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1979.
In November 1979, The Kendalls saw the release of ‘Heart of The Matter’ (Ovation Records, 1979), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘You’d Make An Angel Wanna Cheat’ (No.5, 1980) / this track also reached No.17 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1980
‘I’m Already Blue’ (No.5, 1980) / this track also reached No.25 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1980
‘Put It Off Until Tomorrow’, which was written by Bill Owens (Saturday 28 September 1935 – Wednesday 7 April 2021) and Dolly Parton (No.9, 1980) / this track also reached No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1980
‘Heart of The Matter’ (No.26, 1981) / this track also reached No.31 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1981
The Kendalls’ ‘Heart of The Matter’ (Ovation Records, 1979) also included the following tracks:
‘Gone Away’
‘Everlasting Love’
‘I’ll Be Hurtin’ Either Way’
‘I Take The Chance’
‘I Don’t Drink From The River’
‘I Don’t Do Like That No More’
The Kendalls’ ‘Heart of The Matter’ (Ovation Records, 1979) reached No.24 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1980.
In November 1980, The Kendalls saw the release of ‘The Best of The Kendalls’ (Ovation Records, 1980), which included the following tracks:
‘Heaven’s Just A Sin Away’ (written by Jerry Gillespie) (No.1 for four weeks in October / November 1977) / this track, which also reached No.69 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1977, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1977), won the 1978 Grammy for ‘Best Country Vocal by a Duo or Group’
‘Don’t Let Me Cross Over’ / this track was originally included on The Kendalls’ ‘Heaven’s Just A Sin Away’ (Ovation Records, 1977)
‘Sweet Desire’ (written by Jeannie Kendall) (No.1 for one week in November / December 1978) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘Just Like Real People’ (No.11, 1979) / this track also reached No.4 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1979
‘I Had A Lovely Time’ (No.5, 1979) / this track also reached No.4 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1979
‘Pittsburgh Stealers’, which was written by Larry Kingston (Sunday 10 August 1941 – Sunday 20 February 2005) (No.6, 1978) / this track also reached No.28 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘It Don’t Feel Like Sinnin’ To Me’ (No.2, 1978) / this track also reached No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘Making Believe’, which was written by Jimmy Work (Saturday 29 March 1924 – Saturday 22 December 2018) (No.80, 1977) / the original version of this track was recorded by Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 – Monday 16 July 2012), who included it on ‘Kitty Wells’ Country Hit Parade’ (Decca Records, 1956); Kitty Wells’ version of the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1954 / this track was also recorded by Emmylou Harris, who included it on ‘Luxury Liner’ (Reprise Records, 1977); Emmylou Harris’ version of this track reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1977
‘Put It Off Until Tomorrow’, which was written by Bill Owens (Saturday 28 September 1935 – Wednesday 7 April 2021) and Dolly Parton (No.9, 1980) / this track also reached No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1980
‘You’d Make An Angel Wanna Cheat’ (No.5, 1980) / this track also reached No.17 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1980
The Kendalls’ ‘The Best of The Kendalls’ (Ovation Records, 1980) reached No.34 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1980.
In 1981, following the closure of Ovation Records, The Kendalls signed a recording contract with Mercury Records, and saw the release, in August 1981, of ‘Lettin’ You In’ (Mercury Records, 1981), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Teach Me To Cheat’ (written by Terry Skinner, Ken Bell and J.L. Wallace) (No.7, 1981) / this track also reached No.42 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1981
‘If You’re Waiting On Me (You’re Backing Up)’ (No.10, 1982)
The Kendalls’ ‘Lettin’ You In’ (Mercury Records, 1981) also included the following tracks:
‘I’m Lettin’ You In (On A Feelin’)’
‘Oh, What A Price’
‘There’s Not A Mountain We Can’t Climb’
‘Summer Melodies’
‘This Time’
‘You Need Intensive Care’
‘Blue All Over You’
‘Borrowing Lovin’
The Kendalls’ ‘Lettin’ You In’ (Mercury Records, 1981) reached No.42 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1981.
In June 1982, The Kendalls saw the release of ‘Stickin’ Together’ (Mercury Records, 1982), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Cheater’s Prayer’ (written by Lewis Anderson) (No.30, 1982)
‘That’s What I Get For Thinking’ (written by Terry Skinner, Ken Bell and J.L. Wallace) (No.35, 1982)
The Kendalls’ ‘Stickin’ Together’ (Mercury Records, 1982) also included the following tracks:
‘Sweet Temptation’
‘Looks Like Rain Today’
‘Back In The Back of My Mind’
‘Take Me To Heaven (Before You Take Me Home)’
‘Dallas Cowboy & A New Orleans Saint’
‘Everyday People’
‘Honey Dew’
‘I’ll Take Your Love Anytime’, which was written by Tommy Rocco and Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021)
The Kendalls’ ‘Stickin’ Together’ (Mercury Records, 1982) reached No.38 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1982.
In August 1983, The Kendalls saw the release of ‘Movin’ Train’ (Mercury Records, 1983), which included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Precious Love’ (No.19, 1983)
‘Movin’ Train’, which was written by Tommy Rocco and Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021) (No.20, 1983)
‘Thank God For The Radio’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Robert John Jones (No.1 for one week in April 1984) / this track also reached No.16 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1984
‘My Baby’s Gone’ (No.15, 1984) / this track also reached No.35 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1984
‘I’d Dance Every Dance With You’ (No.20, 1985)
The Kendalls’ ‘Movin’ Train’ (Mercury Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘I’ll Be Faithful To You’
‘The Dark End of The Street’, which was written by Lincoln Wayne ‘Chips’ Moman (Saturday 12 June 1937 – Monday 13 June 2016) and Dan Penn
‘Say The Word’
‘Flaming Eyes’
‘Wildflower’
The Kendalls’ ‘Movin’ Train’ (Mercury Records, 1983) reached No.16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
In March 1985, The Kendalls saw the release of ‘Two Heart Harmony’ (Mercury Records, 1985), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Four Wheel Drive’ (written by Mack A. Watkins) (No.27, 1985)
‘If You Break My Heart’ (written by Michael Garvin, Bucky Jones and Tom Shapiro) (No.26, 1985) / this track also reached No.30 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1985
‘Two Heart Harmony’ (written by Garry Harrison and Rick Giles) (No.45, 1985)
The Kendalls’ ‘Two Heart Harmony’ (Mercury Records, 1985) also included the following tracks:
‘Somewhere Between’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘I Don’t Know Any Better’ (written by Steve Bogard and Jeff Tweel)
‘My Baby Left Me’, which was written by Arthur Crudup (Thursday 24 August 1905 – Thursday 28 March 1974)
‘My Own Sweet Time’ (written by Paul Croft)
‘I’m Still His Life-long Dream’ (written by Jeannie Kendall)
‘I Never Looked Good In Blue’ (written by Todd Cerney and Nancy Montgomery)
‘One Goodbye From Gone’, which was written by Tommy Rocco, John Schweers (Saturday 12 January 1946 – Tuesday 28 May 2024) and Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021)
The Kendalls’ ‘Two Heart Harmony’ (Mercury Records, 1985) reached No.27 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1985.
In October 1985, The Kendalls saw the release of ‘Thank God For The Radio’ (Mercury Records, 1985), which included the following tracks:
‘Thank God For The Radio’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Robert John Jones (No.1 for one week in April 1984)
‘That’s What I Get For Thinking’ (written by Terry Skinner, Ken Bell and J.L. Wallace) (No.35, 1982) / this track was originally an album track on The Kendalls’ ‘Stickin’ Together’ (Mercury Records, 1982)
‘Take Me To Heaven (Before You Take Me Home)’, which was written by Bob McDill and John Schweers (Saturday 12 January 1946 – Tuesday 28 May 2024) / this track was originally an album track on The Kendalls’ ‘Stickin’ Together’ (Mercury Records, 1982)
‘The Dark End of The Street’, which was written by Lincoln Wayne ‘Chips’ Moman (Saturday 12 June 1937 – Monday 13 June 2016) and Dan Penn / this track was originally an album track on The Kendalls’ ‘Movin’ Train’ (Mercury Records, 1983)
‘Movin’ Train’, which was written by Tommy Rocco and Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021) (No.20, 1983)
‘Teach Me To Cheat’ (written by Terry Skinner, Ken Bell and J.L. Wallace) (No.7, 1981) / this track also reached No.42 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1981
‘If You’re Waiting On Me (You’re Backing Up)’ (written by Ken Bell, Terry Skinner and J.L. Wallace) (No.10, 1982)
‘Cheater’s Prayer’ (written by Lewis Anderson) (No.30, 1982)
The Kendalls’ ‘Thank God For The Radio’ (Mercury Records, 1985) reached No.59 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1985.
On Tuesday 25 September 2012, England’s Hux Records released The Kendalls’ ‘Two Heart Harmony & Thank God For The Radio’ (Hux Records, 2012) as HUX131.
‘The father and daughter duo of The Kendalls, Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) and Jeannie Kendall, created a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary country music, sparked by Jeannie’ s soaring, sensuous vocals.
Her voice, a high lonesome honky-tonk, has a beautiful range that drips pure emotion. The time is now ripe for the rediscovery of The Kendalls’ distinctive sound, with the re-issue of these two albums.
Jeannie’s voice is given full-throttle on such classic cheating songs as ‘Teach Me To Cheat’ (No.7, 1981) and the sensual ‘Take Me To Heaven (Before You Take Me Home)’ from 1982.
There’s a fine revival of the country-soul classic, ‘The Dark End of The Street’ from 1983, full of dark irony, heartache and winsome charm. And they take a positive stab at Arthur Crudup’s ‘My Baby Left Me’ from 1985, which is quite different to the Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 – Tuesday 16 August 1977) version.
And Merle Haggard‘s ‘Somewhere Between’ from 1985 turns out to be a perfect fit for Jeannie’s voice.
These long forgotten and often overlooked recordings are a stellar example of pure true-to-the-roots country music.
These two LPs, originally released in 1985, have now been re-mastered and are re-issued here together on CD for the first time’
In 1986, The Kendalls signed a recording contract with MCA Records, and saw the release of ‘Fire At First Sight’ (MCA Records, 1986), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Too Late’ (No.42, 1986) / this track also reached No.31 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1986
‘Fire At First Sight’ (No.60, 1986)
‘Little Doll’ (No.46, 1986) / this track also reached No.53 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1986
The Kendalls’ ‘Fire At First Sight’ (MCA Records, 1986) also included the following tracks:
‘Central Standard Time’
‘If I Get That Close’
‘I’ll Take You’
‘Party Line’
‘I’m Dreaming Again’
‘He Can’t Make Your Kind of Love’
‘You Can’t Fool Love’
In 1987, The Kendalls signed a recording contract with Step One Records, and saw the release of ‘Break The Routine’ (Step One Records, 1987), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Routine’ (No.54, 1987)
‘Dancin’ With Myself Tonight’ (No.51, 1987)
‘Still Pickin’ Up After You’, which was written by Dewayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021) (No.62, 1987)
‘Rhythm of Romance’ (No.57, 1988)
The Kendalls’ ‘Break The Routine’ (Step One Records, 1987) also included the following tracks:
‘Call Before Midnight’
‘Whole Lot To Lose’
‘Far Cry’
‘What Kind of Fool Keeps Hangin’ On’
‘Any Old Love Will Do’
‘They Can’t Stop Me’
‘You Never Cross My Mind’
‘Country Music Station’
The Kendalls’ ‘Break The Routine’ (Step One Records, 1987) reached No.51 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987.
In 1989, The Kendalls signed a recording contract with Epic Records, and saw the release of ’20 Favorites’ (Epic Records, 1989), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Blue, Blue Day’, which was written by Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003) (No.69, 1989) / the original version of this track was recorded by Don Gibson, who included it on ‘Oh Lonesome Me’ (RCA Victor Records, 1958); Don Gibson’s version of the track was No.1 for two weeks on the Billboard Country & Western Best Seller Chart in 1958, and No.20 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1958
The Kendalls’ ’20 Favorites’ (Epic Records, 1989) also included the following tracks:
‘Heaven’s Just A Sin Away’ (written by Jerry Gillespie) / the original version of this track, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for four weeks in October / November 1977, No.69 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1977, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1977, won the 1978 Grammy for ‘Best Country Vocal by a Duo or Group’
‘Love Is A Long Hard Road’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Sweet Desire’ (written by Jeannie Kendall) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in November / December 1978, and No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘I’m Already Blue’ (written by Bob McDill) (No.5, 1980) / this track also reached No.25 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1980
‘If You Let Him Drive You Crazy’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Don Cook
‘Bye Bye Love’, which was written by Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987) and Felice Bryant (Friday 7 August 1925 – Tuesday 22 April 2003)
‘Pittsburgh Stealers’, which was written by Larry Kingston (Sunday 10 August 1941 – Sunday 20 February 2005) / the original version of this track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978, and No.28 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘Pick Me Up On Your Way Down’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘Thank God For The Radio’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Robert John Jones / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1984
‘I’d Dance Every Dance With You’
‘You’d Make An Angel Wanna Cheat’ / the original version of this track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980, and No.17 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1980
‘Just Like Real People’ / the original version of this track reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979, and No.4 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1979
‘Heartaches By The Number’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘I Had A Lovely Night’
‘Curtain In The Window’ (written by Lee Ross)
‘Crying Time’, which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006)
‘It Don’t Feel Like Sinnin’ To Me’ / the original version of this track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978, and No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1978
‘Once More’ (written by Dusty Owens)
‘Temporarily Out of Order’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
Jeannie Kendall was married to Mack Watkins (passed away on Sunday 25 March 2012).
In the early 1990s, The Kendalls built a supper club in Gulf Shores, Alabama which featured nightly performances by them; the club closed down two years later. Afterward, The Kendalls began performing in Branson, Missouri where the two families had built homes next door to each other.
In 1995, The Kendalls saw the release of ‘Make A Dance’ (Lonesome Dove Records, 1995), which included the following tracks:
‘Close Call’
‘Forever On Your Mind’
‘One Way Or The Other’
‘Make A Dance’
‘Cowboy’s Way’
‘Just What My Heart Had In Mind’
‘They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To Do’
‘Who’ll Be The Lonely One’
‘Once More I Wish I Had Lied’
‘What’s That Feeling’
The Kendalls continued to tour and perform until Friday 22 May 1998, when Royce Kendall died from a stroke while on tour in Marquette, Iowa.
In the years since her father’s death, Jeannie Kendall has pursued a solo career.
On Tuesday 25 February 2003, Jeannie Kendall saw the release of a self-titled album, ‘Jeannie Kendall’ (Rounder Records, 2003), which was produced by Brien Fisher, Ken Irwin and Mike Stults, and included the following tracks:
‘That’s What Your Love Does To Me’, which was written by Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 – Friday 21 January 2022) and Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023) / this track featured harmony vocals from Darrin Vincent and Deanna Cox
‘Love Chooses You’ (written by Laurie Lewis) / this track featured harmony vocals from Darrin Vincent and Rhonda Vincent
‘Timeless & True Love’, which was written by Buzz Cason (Monday 27 November 1939 – Sunday 16 June 2024), Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021) and Austin Roberts / this track, which was a duet with Alan Jackson, featured harmony vocals from Carl Jackson
‘I Wonder Where You Are Tonight’, which was written by Johnny Bond (Tuesday 1 June 1915 – Monday 12 June 1978) / this track featured harmony vocals from Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998)
‘Old Friends’ (written by Laurie Lewis) / this track featured harmony vocals from Alison Krauss
‘Smoky Lonesome’ (written by Larry Cordle and Leslie Satcher) / this track featured harmony vocals from Rhonda Vincent and Ricky Skaggs
‘Just A Memory’ (written by Linda Holland and Joey Scarbury) / this track featured harmony vocals from Darrin Vincent and Deanna Cox
‘Train of Thought’ (written by Cathy Majeski, Sunny Russ and Stephony Smith) / this track featured harmony vocals from Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998)
‘Wishing Well Blues’ (written by Marshall Wilborn) / this track featured harmony vocals from Darrin Vincent
‘The Colour of Her Eyes’ (written by Mike Stults) / this track featured harmony vocals from Darrin Vincent and Rhonda Vincent
‘Serious Doubt’ (written by Kimberly McCarver) / this track featured harmony vocals from Allison Moorer and Johnny Long
‘Jack & Lucy’ (written by Hugh Moffatt) / this track was a duet with Steve Gulley (Thursday 20 September 1962 – Tuesday 18 August 2020)
Personnel involved in the recording of Jeannie Kendall’s self-titled album, ‘Jeannie Kendall’ (Rounder Records, 2003), included the following:
Ron Block
Kody Kilby
Dan Tyminski
Bruce Watkins
Bryan Sutton
Pat Flynn
J.T. Corenflos (Wednesday 6 November 1963 – Saturday 24 October 2020) (guitar)
Stuart Duncan, David Russell and Ron Stewart (fiddle)
Adam Steffy, Larry Franklin and Bruce Watkins (mandolin)
Sonny Garrish and Rob Ickes (Dobro)
Barry Bales, Jason Moore and David Smith (bass)
Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, Alan Jackson, Darrin Vincent, Carl Jackson, DeAnna Cox and Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) (background vocals)
In 2005, Jeannie Kendall saw the release of ‘All The Girls I Am’ (CBuJ Entertainment, 2005), which included the following tracks:
‘All The Girls (I Am)’ (The Penny Whistle Song)
‘You Just Don’t Get Me – Do You?’
‘(Somewhere Between) Heaven & Mexico’
‘Wild Honey’
‘Keep Us Warm’
‘Just A Memory’
‘Your Picture, Your Pillow & Me’
‘Out of Loneliness’
‘Make A Dance’
‘It Always Rains’
‘Shouldn’t Still Shake Me (Like You Do)’
‘Worn Around The Edges’
Jeannie Kendall continues to tour and perform.
In 2013, Carl Acuff Jr. and Jeannie Kendall teamed up and formed The Kendalls (Rekindled), and perform together all across the United States.
In 2018, Carl Acuff Jr. and Jeannie Kendall began work on a new recording project, ‘You Got Me’, with all new songs by many well known songwriters.
This album project, ‘You Got Me’, was released to radio in early 2021.
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