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 2014, 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 Jeff Bates, which he submitted to this site on Wednesday 5 March 2014.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Jeff Bates who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Jeff Bates
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 5 March 2014.
‘Gene Watson, the man with the smoothest, silkiest voice in country music actually helped save my life!
I had always been a huge fan of Gene’s voice and music, singing his songs at my gigs since I was seventeen years old!
In 2001, while in rehab in Davidson County Jail in Nashville, Tennessee I surrendered my life and my addiction fully to Jesus Christ!
That surrender happened forty-five days into my incarceration for grand theft and meth related charges.
The next day, after my conversion, I received my very first visit from my Warner Chapell song plugger and friend, Rusty Gaston, who told me Gene had recorded two songs that very day that I had co-written, less than twenty-four hours since I had promised God that I simply wanted to do what He wanted me to do, even if it meant staying in jail!
Gene recorded ‘The Man An’ Me & You‘, which was written by myself and Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), and ‘Would It Be Cheating‘, which was written by myself, Michael White and Carson Chamberlain.
I was ecstatic and humbled, and I knew in my heart that God wanted me to continue writing songs, that He had a plan for me, a purpose for me, and that knowledge at that moment completely changed my life forever!
I’ve been clean and sober now for thirteen years!
Thank you, Gene, for letting God use you, your voice, and your music to reach out in the darkness to a man who had lost everything to addiction and giving me hope and helping turn my life around!
I am forever grateful, my friend!’
Thank you, Jeff Bates, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jeff Bates…
Jeff Bates was born Jeffery Wayne ‘Jeff’ Bates on Thursday 19 September 1963 in Bunker Hill, Mississippi, a community in Marion County.
Jeff Bates attended East Marion High School in Columbia.
After signing a contract with Warner-Chappell Publishing, Jeff Bates developed a methamphetamine addiction in late 1999. In order to feed the drug habit, Jeff Bates sold everything he owned and then resorted to stealing, including a guitar from his friend, Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017).
On Wednesday 14 March 2001, Jeff Bates was arrested for drug possession and grand theft. Following rehabilitation and jail time, Jeff Bates was given a second chance and signed to RCA Nashville Records. The song, ‘One Second Chance’, was inspired by this part of his life.
Gene Watson recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘The Man An’ Me & You’, which was co-written with Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), and included the track on ‘From The Heart’ (RMG Records, 2001).
Gene Watson recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘Would It Be Cheating’ (co-written with Michael White and Carson Chamberlain) and included the track on ‘From The Heart’ (RMG Records, 2001).
Tracy Lawrence recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘What A Memory’, which was co-written with Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), and included the track on ‘Tracy Lawrence’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2001); the track reached No.53 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2002.
Montgomery Gentry recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘Break My Heart Again’, which was co-written with Tim Owens and Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), and included the track on ‘My Town’ (Columbia Nashville Records, 2002).
In 2003, Jeff Bates signed a recording contract with RCA Nashville Records and saw the release, on Tuesday 20 May 2003, of his debut album, ‘Rainbow Man’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2003), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘The Love Song’, which was written by Jeff Bates, Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Casey Beathard (No.8, 2002)
‘Rainbow Man’, which was written by Jeff Bates and Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011) (No.47, 2003)
‘I Wanna Make You Cry’, which was written by Jeff Bates and Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) (No.23, 2004)
Jeff Bates’ debut album, ‘Rainbow Man’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2003), also included the following tracks:
‘Country Enough’, which was written by Jeff Bates, Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Tim Owens
‘Long, Slow Kisses’ (written by Jeff Bates, Gordon Bradberry and Ben Hayslip)
‘Lovin’ Like That’, which was written by Jeff Bates, Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Jimmy Yeary
‘Your Lovin’ Talks To Me’ (written by Jeff Bates and Byron Hill)
‘My Mississippi’, which was written by Jeff Bates, Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Dave Loggins (Monday 10 November 1947 – Wednesday 10 July 2024)
‘Already Spent’ (written by Jeff Bates and Terry Clayton)
‘My In-Laws Are Outlaws’ (written by Jeff Bates and Byron Hill)
‘The Wings of Mama’s Prayers’ (written by Jeff Bates, Terry Clayton and Kris Bergsnes)
Personnel involved in the recording of Jeff Bates’ debut album, ‘Rainbow Man’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2003), which was produced by Jeff Bates, David Malloy, Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Scott Hendricks, included the following:
Jeff Bates (lead vocals)
Larry Beaird and B. James Lowry (acoustic guitar)
Mike Brignardello, Kevin ‘Swine’ Grantt and Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
Mickey Jack Cones, Chip Davis and Russell Terrell (background vocals)
Eric Darken (percussion)
Larry Franklin and Aubrey Haynie (fiddle)
Paul Franklin and Mike Johnson (steel guitar)
David Grissom, Troy Lancaster, Michael Landau and Jimmy Yeary (electric guitar)
Tony Harrell (keyboards, piano)
Jeff King (electric guitar, slide guitar)
Gordon Mote (Hammond organ, piano, synthesizer, synthesizer strings, Wurlitzer)
Jimmy Nichols (piano)
Joe Spivey (fiddle, mandolin)
John Willis (banjo, acoustic guitar)
Lonnie Wilson (drums, percussion)
Jonathan Yudkin (octophone, strings)
Jeff Bates’ debut album, ‘Rainbow Man’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2003), reached No.14 on the Billboard Top Country Albums hart in 2003, No.117 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2003, and No.1 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers hart in 2003.
Gene Watson recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘When She Comes Back’, which was co-written with Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Casey Beathard, and included the track on ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003).
Andy Griggs recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘Careful Where You Kiss Me’ (co-written with Neil Thrasher and Wendell Mobley) and included the track on ‘This I Gotta See’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2004).
Jeff Bates has been active in his works of compassion, collecting for organisations such as Toys For Tots and others. In 2005, a concert in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, raised $25,000 for Hurricane Katrina relief in Jeff Bates’ home area.
On Tuesday 11 April 2006, Jeff Bates saw the release of ‘Leave The Light On’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2006), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘Long, Slow Kisses’ (written by Jeff Bates, Gordon Bradberry and Ben Hayslip) (No.17, 2004) / this track was re-recording of a track, which was originally included on Jeff Bates’ debut album, ‘Rainbow Man’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2003)
‘Good People’ (written by Tim James and Kendall Marvel) (No.42, 2005)
‘No Shame’, which was written by Jeff Bates, Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Jimmy Yeary (No.45, 2006)
‘One Second Chance’ (written by Arlis Albritton, Chris DuBois and Dave Turnbull) (No.59, 2006)
Jeff Bates’ ‘Leave The Light On’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2006) also included the following tracks:
‘Rub It In’ (written by Layng Martine Jr.) / the original version of this track was recorded by Billy ‘Crash’ Craddock, who included it on ‘Rub It In’ (ABC Records, 1974); Billy ‘Crash’ Craddock’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in August 1974
‘Hands On Man’ (written by Carson Chamberlain, Mark D. Sanders and Michael White)
‘Leave The Light On’, which was written by Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), Jimmy Yeary and Monty Criswell
‘That’ll Get You Ten’ (written by Wade Kirby and Eric Church)
‘The Woman He Walked On’ (written by Bob DiPiero, Mitzi Dawn Jenkins and Tony Mullins)
‘I Can’t Write That’, which was written by Jeff Bates, Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Billy Yates
‘What I Know’, which was written by Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Casey Beathard
‘Mama Was a Lot Like Jesus’ (written by Rob Crosby, Kelly Shiver and Ray Stephenson)
Personnel involved in the recording of Jeff Bates’ ‘Leave The Light On’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2006) included the following:
Jeff Bates (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, lead vocals)
Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), Perry Coleman, Chip Davis, Wes Hightower, Liana Manis, Cindy Richardson-Walker and Dennis Wilson (background vocals)
Joe Chemay (bass guitar)
Chad Cromwell (drums)
Eric Darken and Casey Wood (percussion)
Dan Dugmore and Mike Johnson (pedal steel guitar)
David Grissom and Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Tony Harrell and Kyle Lehning (keyboards)
Scott Neubert and Billy Panda (acoustic guitar)
Joe Spivey (fiddle)
Jeff Bates’ ‘Leave The Light On’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2006) reached No.12 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2006, and No.62 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2006.
As a result of the three singles, ‘Good People’ (written by Tim James and Kendall Marvel) (No.42, 2005), ‘No Shame’, which was written by Jeff Bates, Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Jimmy Yeary (No.45, 2006), and ‘One Second Chance’ (written by Arlis Albritton, Chris DuBois and Dave Turnbull) (No.59, 2006), all from ‘Leave The Light On’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2006), peaking outside the Billboard Country Top 40, Jeff Bates was dropped from the recording roster at RCA Nashville Records.
In August 2006, a $3,500 guitar which was a gift to Jeff Bates from the Takamine guitar company and used in his video for the song ‘One Second Chance’ was stolen from Jeff Bates’ garage. When he called the Nashville police, Detective Rick Mavity was sent to investigate. Rick Mavity was the same officer involved in Jeff Bates’ arrest in 2001. Rick Mavity located the stolen guitar in a pawn shop and returned it to Jeff Bates.
Lonestar recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘Careful Where You Kiss Me’ (co-written with Neil Thrasher and Wendell Mobley) and included the track on ‘Mountains’ (BNA Records, 2006).
In May 2007, Jeff Bates married his girlfriend, Kelly Vaughn, in an outdoor ceremony.
In 2008, Jeff Bates signed a recording contract with Black River Entertainment Music Group, and saw the release, on Tuesday 8 April 2008, of a self-titled album, ‘Jeff Bates’ (Black River Entertainment, 2008), which was produced by Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Jimmy Nichols, and included four tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘Don’t Hate Me For Lovin’ You’ (written by Jeff Bates, Jimmy Yeary, Kemi Williams and Lonnie Wilson) / this track was released as a single in 2008, but it did not chart
‘Riverbank’ (written by Jeff Bates, Robert Arthur and Kirk Roth) / this track was released as a single in 2008, but it did not chart
‘One Thing’ (written by Jeff Bates, Jason Matthews and Jim McCormick) / this track was released as a single in 2009, but it did not chart
‘He Wasn’t Like Us’ (written by Jeff Bates, Ben Hayslip and Brandon Kinney) / this track was released as a single in 2011, but it did not chart
Jeff Bates’ self-titled album, ‘Jeff Bates’ (Black River Entertainment, 2008), also included the following tracks:
‘I Can’t Have Nothing Nice’ (written by Jeff Bates, Ben Hayslip and Brandon Kinney)
‘Lonesome’, which was written by Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), Casey Beathard and Frank Rogers
‘A Country Girl Can’ (written by Jeff Bates, Ben Hayslip and Jason Matthews)
‘Chevy Don’t Let Me Down’ (written by Jeff Bates, Ben Hayslip and Jimmy Yeary)
‘My Wave’ (written by Ben Hayslip and Jimmy Yeary)
‘Some Days’, which was written by Jeff Bates, Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Ben Hayslip
‘Dead Or Alive’ (written by Jeff Bates, Robert Arthur and Kirk Roth)
‘Country Man’, which was written by Jeff Bates, Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Jimmy Yeary
‘Somebody’s Falling’, which was written by Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), Deborah Allen and Paul Overstreet
Personnel involved in the recording of Jeff Bates’ self-titled album, ‘Jeff Bates’ (Black River Entertainment, 2008), included the following:
Jeff Bates (lead vocals)
Eddie Bayers, Wayne Killius and Lonnie Wilson (drums)
Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), Mickey Jack Cones and Aly Cutter (background vocals)
Mike Brignardello (bass guitar)
Glen Duncan (fiddle, mandolin)
Larry Franklin and Joe Spivey (fiddle)
Paul Franklin, Mike Johnson and Scotty Sanders (steel guitar)
Tommy Harden (percussion)
Buddy Hyatt (piano)
Jeff King (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Troy Lancaster (electric guitar)
Gordon Mote (keyboards, piano)
Jimmy Nichols (keyboards, Hammond organ, piano, strings, synthesizer, background vocals)
Danny Parks, Bobby Terry and Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Jeff Bates’ self-titled album, ‘Jeff Bates’ (Black River Entertainment, 2008), reached No.32 on the Billboard Top Country Albums hart in 2008, and No.37 on the Billboard Independent Albums hart in 2008.
Jamey Johnson recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘Angel’ (co-written with Jamey Johnson) and included the track on ‘That Lonesome Song’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 2008).
In January 2009, Jeff Bates saw the release of his first Christmas single, ‘That’s What Christmas Is’, which featured background vocals from Jimmy Fortune.
Daisy Mallory recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘Girl Time’ (co-written with Aly Cutter and Daisy Mallory) and included the track on ‘Girl Time’ (Daisy Mallory Music, 2010).
Trace Adkins recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘Cowboy’s Back in Town’, which was co-written with Trace Adkins and Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), and included the track on ‘Cowboy’s Back In Town’ (Show Dog-Universal Music Nashville Records, 2010).
Trace Adkins recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘Still Love You’ (co-written with Robert Arthur and Kirk Roth) and included the track on ‘Cowboy’s Back In Town’ (Show Dog-Universal Music Nashville Records, 2010).
Blake Shelton recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘That Thing We Do’ (co-written with Jason Matthews) and included the track on ‘All About Tonight’ (Extended Play) (Reprise Nashville Records, 2010).
On Tuesday 15 February 2011, Jeff Bates saw the release of ‘One Day Closer’ (Black River Entertainment, 2011), which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘One Day Closer’ / this track was released as a single in 2011, but it did not chart
Jeff Bates’ ‘One Day Closer’ (Black River Entertainment, 2011) also included the following tracks:
‘The Rapture’
‘Living Stones’
‘Wayfaring Stranger’
‘Life’s Railway To Heaven’
‘If You Could See Me Now’
Luke Williams recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘Train Wreck’ (co-written with Don Bradley and Kirk Roth) and included the track on ‘Test of Time’ (LWB Records, 2011).
Luke Williams recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘Haggardville’ (co-written with Troy Cook Jr. and Kirk Roth) and included the track on ‘Test of Time’ (LWB Records, 2011).
The Bellamy Brothers (Howard Bellamy & David Bellamy) recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘New Man In The Suit’ (co-written with John Ritter) and included the track on ‘Pray For Me’ (Bellamy Brothers Records, 2012).
In 2013, Jeff Bates saw the release of ‘The Songwriter Series’ (Skydancer Entertainment, 2013), which included the following tracks:
‘Coming Home To Me’
‘Still Love You (Brianna’s Song)’
‘Chicktionary’
‘Forever 17’
‘I Don’t Wanna Know How It Feels’
‘Radio Girl’
‘All Used Up’
‘Man Enough’
‘Mary & Joseph & The Baby & Me’
On Friday 10 October 2014, Jeff Bates saw the release of ‘Me And Conway’ (Skydancer Entertainment, 2014), a tribute project to Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993), which included two tracks, which was released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘Me And Conway’ / this track was released as a single in 2014, but it did not chart
‘That Thing We Do’ / this track was released as a single in 2016, but it did not chart
Jeff Bates’ ‘Me And Conway’ (Skydancer Entertainment, 2014) also included the following tracks:
‘Don’t Take It Away’, which was written by Troy Seals and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) / the original version of this track was recorded by Conway Twitty, who included it on ‘Cross Winds’ (MCA Records, 1979); Conway Twitty’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in May 1979
‘Sleepin’ In’
‘She’s Got A Single Thing In Mind’ (written by Walt Aldridge) / the original version of this track was recorded by Conway Twitty, who included it on ‘House On Old Lonesome Road’ (MCA Records, 1989); Conway Twitty’s version of the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989
‘If Heaven Had A Phone’
‘I’d Love To Lay You Down’, which was written by Johnny MacRae (Friday 15 February 1929 – Wednesday 3 July 2013) / the original version of this track was recorded by Conway Twitty, who included it on ‘Heart & Soul’ (MCA Records, 1980); Conway Twitty’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in March / April 1980
‘That’s My Job’ (written by Gary Burr) / the original version of this track was recorded by Conway Twitty, who included it on ‘Borderline’ (MCA Records, 1987); Conway Twitty’s version of the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987
‘Slow Burn’, which was written by Tommy Rocco and Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021)
‘Lost In The Feeling’ (written by Lewis Anderson) / the original version of this track was recorded by Conway Twitty, who included it on ‘Lost In The Feeling’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983); Conway Twitty’s version of the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983
‘Heaven Is A Hell of A Woman’
‘After The Fire Is Gone’, which was written by L.E. White (1930 – Tuesday 7 September 2004) / this track featured guest vocals from Loretta Lynn (Monday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) / the original version of this track was recorded by Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty, who included it on ‘We Only Make Believe’ (Decca Records, 1971); Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty’s version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in March / April 1971
On Monday 10 November 2014, Jeff Bates saw the release of ‘Once Upon A Star’ (Skydancer Entertainment, 2014), which included the following tracks:
‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’
‘Once Upon A Star’
‘Mary & Joseph & The Baby & Me’
‘The Road To Bethlehem’
‘Shine’
‘Let Me Be First’
‘Shepherd’s Lullaby’
‘Herod The Great’
King’
Wade Hayes recorded Jeff Bates’ ‘Here & Her’, which was co-written with Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Wade Hayes, and included the track on ‘Go Live Your Life’ (Conabor Records, 2015).
On Friday 10 November 2017, Jeff Bates saw the release of ‘Troublemaker’ (Skydancer Entertainment, 2017), which included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
‘Judging Judas’ / this track was released as a single in 2017, but it did not chart
‘Troublemaker’ / this track was released as a single in 2017, but it did not chart
Jeff Bates’ ‘Troublemaker’ (Skydancer Entertainment, 2017) also included the following tracks:
‘Ain’t Goodbye Good Enough’
‘Leaving Town’
‘Meetin’ My Maker’
‘If I Get Drunk Tonight’
‘Rest of My Life’
• Visit Jeff Bates’ official site at jeffbates.net
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