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 2012, 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 Stevens, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 26 July 2012.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Jeff Stevens who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Jeff Stevens
This quote was submitted on Thursday 26 July 2012.
‘Gene Watson is one of those handful of singers that always demands my attention. Even though he has a smooth delivery, for me he is not easy listening or background music like so many others.
When I hear a Gene Watson recording, my focus turns totally to the emotion he conveys. Because he puts so much into the performance, I feel the need to stop what I’m doing and listen, so that I can take it in and appreciate the message’
Thank you, Jeff Stevens, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jeff Stevens…
Jeff Stevens was born Jeffery David ‘Jeff’ Stevens in Alum Creek, West Virginia on Monday 15 June 1959 and has become an acclaimed American country music singer, songwriter and record producer.
Jeff Stevens recorded two albums on Atlantic America Records with his brother Warren Stevens and Terry Dotson as Jeff Stevens & The Bullets, ‘Bolt of The Blue’ (Atlantic America Records, 1986) and ‘Jeff Stevens & The Bullets’ (Atlantic Records, 1990), and later as a solo artist on the Atlantic Nashville label.
When he was nine years old, Jeff Stevens and his brother Warren entered a talent contest and won first place.
Eventually, they and cousin Terry Dotson formed a band called Jeff Stevens & The Bullets, with Jeff on lead vocals and guitar, Warren on bass guitar and Terry on drums.
The band recorded ‘Bolt Out of The Blue’ for Atlantic America Records in 1986, which accounted for the singles ‘Darlington County’ (a cover of the Bruce Springsteen song), ‘You’re In Love Alone’ and ‘Geronimo’s Cadillac’. A fourth chart single, ‘Johnny Lucky & Suzi 66’, did not appear on an album.
In the mid-1980s, Jeff Stevens and Terry Dotson co-wrote Atlanta’s singles ‘Atlanta Burned Again Last Night’ (No.7) and ‘Sweet Country Music’ (No.3).
In 1990, The Bullets broke up and Jeff Stevens remained on Atlantic America Records as a solo artist, releasing the solo single ‘You Done Me Wrong’ and working with record producer Keith Stegall for a solo debut album which was never released.
From there, Jeff Stevens found work as a songwriter, writing a string of country music hit singles, including the singles ‘I Fell In The Water’ for John Anderson, ‘Down In Flames’ for Blackhawk, the Billboard No.1 hit single ‘Reckless’ for Alabama, and ‘Big Love’ and ‘I Wanna Feel That Way Again’ for Tracy Byrd.
George Strait also recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Carried Away’, ‘Carrying Your Love With Me’ and ‘True’, the first two of which were No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart. Jeff Stevens had another No.1 in 2004 with Tim McGraw’s ‘Back When’.
In 1999, Jeff Stevens began work as a record producer, co-producing Jerry Kilgore‘s debut album, ‘Love Trip’ (Virgin Records, 1999), with Steve Bogard.
Jeff Stevens also produced for Luke Bryan and co-wrote Luke Bryan’s singles ‘All My Friends Say’ and ‘Someone Else Calling You Baby’, the latter of which went to No.1.
Since the early 1990s, Jeff Stevens has largely worked as a songwriter and producer for a number of country music artists.
Shawn Camp recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘I’m Not Just Passing Through’ (co-written with Jim McBride and Shawn Camp) and included the track on ‘Shawn Camp’ (Warner Reprise Records, 1993).
John Anderson recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘I Fell In The Water’ (co-written with Jerry Salley) and included the track on ‘Solid Ground’ (BNA Records, 1993); the track reached No.13 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in November 1993.
Alabama recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Reckless’ (co-written with Michael Clark) and included the track on ‘Cheap Seats’ (RCA Records, 1993); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in November / December 1993.
Ricky Lynn Gregg recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Rowdy’ (co-written with Michael Clark) and included the track on ‘Get A Little Closer’ (Liberty Records, 1994).
Ricky Lynn Gregg recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Don’t Let Go’ and included the track on ‘Get A Little Closer’ (Liberty Records, 1994).
Blackhawk recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Down In Flames’ (co-written with Michael Clark) and included the track on ‘Blackhawk’ (Arista Records, 1994); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1995.
Chris LeDoux (Saturday 2 October 1948 – Wednesday 9 March 2005) recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Big Love’ (co-written with Michael Clark) and included the track on ‘Haywire’ (Liberty Records, 1994).
Alabama recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Spin The Wheel’ (co-written with Michael Clark) and included the track on ‘In Pictures” (RCA Records, 1995).
Alabama recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Say I’ (co-written with Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘In Pictures” (RCA Records, 1995); the track reached No.38 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995.
Tim McGraw recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Renegade’ (co-written with Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘All I Want’ (Curb Records, 1995).
Duane Steele recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Anita Got Married’ and included the track on ‘P.O. Box 423’ (Mercury Records, 1996), which was produced by Steve Bogard and Rick Giles; the track was No.1 on Canada’s RPM Tracks Chart in 1996.
Ricochet recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Rowdy’ (co-written with Michael Clark) and included the track on ‘Ricochet’ (Columbia Records, 1996).
George Strait recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Carried Away’ (co-written with Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘Blue Clear Sky’ (MCA Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for two weeks in August 1996.
Tracy Byrd recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Big Love’ (co-written with Michael Clark) and included the track on ‘Big Love’ (MCA Records, 1996); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
George Strait recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Carrying Your Love With Me’ (co-written with Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘Carrying Your Love With Me’ (MCA Records, 1997); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for three weeks in July / August 1997.
Ricochet recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘The Girl Formerly Known As Mine’ (co-written with Steve Bogard and Gregory Cook) and included the track on ‘Blink of An Eye’ (Columbia Records, 1997).
Duane Steele recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘The Little Cabin’ and included the track on ‘This Is The Life’ (Mercury Records, 1997), which was produced by Steve Bogard and Rick Giles.
Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022) recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Hangin’ By A Thread’ (co-written with Amanda Hunt-Taylor and Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘Butterfly Kisses’ (Curb Records, 1997).
Rhett Akins recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘She’s Got Everything Money Can’t Buy’ (co-written with Gregory Cook and Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘What Livin’s All About’ (Decca Records, 1998).
Tracy Byrd recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘I Wanna Feel That Way Again’ (co-written with Steve Bogard and Danni Leigh) and included the track on ‘I’m From The Country’ (MCA Records, 1998); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.
Tracy Byrd recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘I’ve Got What It Takes’ (co-written with Marv Green) and included the track on ‘I’m From The Country’ (MCA Records, 1998).
Blackhawk recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Nobody Knows What To Say’ (co-written with Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘The Sky’s The Limit’ (Arista Nashville Records, 1998).
Danni Leigh recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Ol’ Lonesome’ (co-written with Steve Bogard and Danni Leigh) and included the track on ’29 Nights’ (Universal Records, 1998).
George Strait recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘True’ (co-written with Marv Green) and included the track on ‘One Step At A Time’ (MCA Records, 1998); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.
George Strait recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Why not Now’ (co-written with Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘One Step At A Time’ (MCA Records, 1998).
Kenny Chesney recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Life Is Good’ (co-written with Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘Everywhere We Go’ (BNA Records, 1999).
David Ball recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘I Want To With You’ (co-written with Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘Play’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1999); the track reached No.67 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1999.
George Strait recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘I Look At You’ (co-written with Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘Always Never The Same’ (MCA Records, 1999).
Jerry Kilgore recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Dangerous With You On My Mind’ and included the track on ‘Love Trip’ (Virgin Nashville Records, 1999).
Jerry Kilgore recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘The More I Love You’ and included the track on ‘Love Trip’ (Virgin Nashville Records, 1999).
Ricochet recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘You Beat All I’ve Ever Seen’ (co-written with Greg Cook and Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘What You Leave Behind’ (Columbia Records, 2000).
Clay Walker recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘If You Ever Feel Like Lovin’ Me Again’ (co-written with Jerry Kilgore and Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘Say No More’ (Giant Records, 2001); the track reached No.27 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2001.
Mark Wills recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘One of These Days’ (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on ‘Loving Every Minute’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 2001).
Tim McGraw recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Take Me Away From Here’ (co-written with Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘Set This Circus Down’ (Curb Records, 2001).
Rhett Akins recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Highway Sunrise’ (co-written with Kenny Lamb) and included the track on ‘Friday Night In Dixie’ (Koch Records, 2002); the track reached No.55 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2002.
Blake Shelton recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Asphalt Cowboy’ (co-written with Kenny West) and included the track on ‘The Dreamer’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2003).
Brad Cotter recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Rock & Roll In The Hay’ (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on ‘Patient Man’ (Epic Records, 2004), which was produced by Steve Bogard and Rick Giles.
Tim McGraw recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Back When’ (co-written with Stan Lynch and Stephony Smith) and included the track on ‘Live Like You’re Dying’ (Curb Records, 2004); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for week in December 2004.
Lonestar recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Doghouse’ (co-written with Jack Sizemore and Britton Cameron) and included the track on ‘Coming Home’ (BNA Records, 2005).
Brad Paisley recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Bigger Fish To Fry’ (co-written with Steve Bogard) and included the track on ‘5th Gear’ (Arista Records, 2007); the track featured The Kung Pao Buckaroos.
Luke Bryan recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘All My Friends Say’ (co-written with Lonnie Wilson and Luke Bryan) and included the track on ‘I’ll Stay Me’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2007); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in late 2007.
Luke Bryan recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Baby’s On The Way’ (co-written with Luke Bryan) and included the track on ‘I’ll Stay Me’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2007).
Luke Bryan recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Pray About Everything’ (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘I’ll Stay Me’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2007).
Luke Bryan recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘I’ll Stay Me’ (co-written with Luke Bryan) and included the track on ‘I’ll Stay Me’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2007).
Luke Bryan recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘First Love Song’ (co-written with Luke Bryan) and included the track on ‘I’ll Stay Me’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2007).
Luke Bryan’s ‘I’ll Stay Me’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2007) was produced by Jeff Stevens and reached No.2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart in 2007; the album also included the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart hits ‘We Rode in Trucks’ (written by Luke Bryan, Jim McCormick and Roger Murrah) (No.33, 2007) and ‘Country Man’ (written by Luke Bryan, Galen Griffin and Patrick Jason Matthews) (No.10, 2008).
Luke Bryan recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Someone Else Calling You Baby’ (co-written with Luke Bryan) and included the track on ‘Doin’ My Thing’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2009); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in February / March 2011.
Luke Bryan recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Welcome To The Farm’ (co-written with Luke Bryan) and included the track on ‘Doin’ My Thing’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2009).
Luke Bryan’s ‘Doin’ My Thing’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2009) was produced by Jeff Stevens and reached No.2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart in 2010; the album also included the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart hit singles ‘Do I’ (written by Luke Bryan, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood) (No.2, 2009) and ‘Rain Is A Good Thing’ (written by Luke Bryan and Dallas Davidson) (No.1 for one week in July 2010).
Guy Penrod recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Pray About Everything’ (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘Breathe Deep’ (Servant Records / Gaither Music / EMI, 2010); the track was nominated for a ‘Dove Song Award’ in 2010.
Gordon Mote recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Pray About Everything’ (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on ‘I Will Sing’ (Spring Hill Music, 2010).
Luke Bryan recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye’ (co-written with Shane McAnally and Luke Bryan) and included the track on ‘Tailgates & Tanlines’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2011); the album was released in the United Kingdom by Hump Head Country in August 2011.
Luke Bryan ‘Tailgates & Tanlines’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2011) also included the following tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Country Girl (Shake It For Me)’ (written by Luke Bryan and Dallas Davidson) (No.4, 2011)
‘I Don’t Want This Night To End’ (written by Luke Bryan, Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip) (No.1 for one week in February 2012)
‘Drunk On You’ (written by Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear) (No.1 for one week in July 2012)
Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017) recorded Jeff Stevens’ ‘Better Than Today’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘And So It Goes’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2012).
• Visit Jeff Stevens’ official site at jeffstevensmusic.com