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 2005, 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 Jerry Vandiver, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 24 February 2005.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Jerry Vandiver who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Jerry Vandiver
This quote was submitted on Thursday 24 February 2005.
‘It is always a thrill to have someone record a song I’ve written, but when one of the greatest voices in country music, Gene Watson, sings one, it is an honour beyond measure.
By the way, when world famous violin / fiddle player Mark O’Connor was asked to reflect on his time as a studio musician, he mentioned that playing on Gene’s ‘Back in The Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) album was one of the highlights of his career’
Thank you, Jerry Vandiver, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jerry Vandiver…
Jerry Vandiver is from Kansas City, Missouri and began his professional pursuits when he moved to Nashville in the Fall of 1984. Jerry became an exclusive staff writer on Music Row for Dick James Music, Little Big Town Music, Malaco Music and Talbot Music.
Jerry Vandiver’s first major label cut was ‘Don’t Waste It On The Blues‘, which was co-written with Sandy Ramos.
Recorded by Gene Watson, ‘Don’t Waste It On The Blues’ reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989, and earned Jerry Vandiver an esteemed ASCAP Award; the track was included on Gene Watson’s ‘Back in The Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988) and also reached No.6 on the Radio & Records Chart in February 1990.
Lee Greenwood recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Love Lyin’ Next To Me’ and included the track on ‘Holdin’ a Good Hand’ (Capitol Records, 1990).
Wild Rose recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Go Down Swingin’ (co-written with Sandy Ramos) and included the track on ‘Breaking New Ground’ (Capitol Records, 1990); the track reached No.20 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1990, and reached No.13 on the R&R Chart in February 1991.
Gene Watson recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘This Could Go On Forever’ (co-written with Sandy Ramos) and included the track on ‘At Last‘ (Warner Brothers Records, 1991).
Barbara Mandrell recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Before I’m Ever Over You’ (co-written with Sandy Ramos) and included the track on ‘Key’s in The Mailbox’ (Capitol Records, 1991).
Ronna Reeves recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘If I Were You’ and included the track on ‘Only The Heart’ (Mercury Records, 1991).
The Marcy Brothers recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘I Just Missed You’ and included the track on ‘The Marcy Brothers’ (Atlantic Records, 1991).
Lee Greenwood recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Before I’m Ever Over You’ (co-written with Sandy Ramos) and included the track on ‘Love’s On The Way’ (Liberty Records, 1992).
Cleve Francis recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘You’re The Reason They Write Songs’ and included the track on ‘Tourist in Paradise’ (Capitol Records, 1992).
Tim McGraw recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘It Doesn’t Get Any Countrier Than This’ (co-written with Randy Archer) and included the track on ‘Not a Moment Too Soon’ (Curb Records, 1994).
Woody Lee recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Salt & Water’ and included the track on ‘Get Over It’ (Atlantic Records, 1995); the track reached No.42 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995.
Curtis Day recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Athens Grease’ (co-written with Steve Mandile and Phil Vassar) and included the track on ‘Curtis Day’ (Elektra Records, 1996).
Tim McGraw recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘For A Little While’ (co-written with Steve Mandile and Phil Vasser) and included the track on ‘Everywhere’ (Curb Records, 1997).
Amie Comeaux (Saturday 4 December 1976 – Sunday 21 December 1997) recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Paper Mill Road’ (co-written with Amie Comeaux) and included the track on ‘A Very Special Angel’ (Rival Records, 1998).
Two of Jerry’s song titles are hanging on the wall in The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.
Kacey Jones recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Love Handle’ and included the track on ‘Every Man I Love Is Either Married, Gay or Dead’ (IGO Records, 2000).
In 2001, Jerry Vandiver saw the release of his own album, ‘Don’t Try This At Home’. Band leader and Academy of Country Music (ACM) ‘Musician of The Year’ nominee, Jonathan Yudkin, assembled a team of A-list Nashville players for this critically acclaimed acoustic album, which also featured the Grammy award-winning Fairfield Four, who were seen performing in the ‘O Brother, Where Art Thou’ film.
Phil Vassar recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Athens Grease’ (co-written with Steve Mandile and Phil Vassar) and included the track on ‘American Child’ (Arista Records, 2002); although the track was not released as a single, it was made into a video.
Dusty Drake recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Too Wet To Plow’ (co-written with Ron Harbin and Dusty Drake) and included the track on ‘Dusty Drake’ (Warner Bros. Nashville Records, 2003).
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Train, Train’ (co-written with Benny Boling and Dusty Drake) and included the track on ‘The Journey’ (Spring Hill Records, 2004).
Lonestar recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Always In The Band’ (co-written with Richie McDonald and Ron Harbin) and included the track on ‘Mountains’ (BNA Records, 2006).
Steff Nevers recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘300 Horses’ (co-written with Mark Elliott) and included the track on ‘Ain’t No Bad Life’ (AGR Television Records, 2011).
Teea Goans recorded Jerry Vandiver’s ‘Go Down Swingin’ (co-written with Sandy Ramos) and included the track on ‘Swing, Shuffle & Sway’ (Crosswind Corporation, 2017).
• Visit Jerry Vandiver’s official site at jerryvandiver.com