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 2011, 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 Jody Nix, which he submitted to this site on Saturday 29 January 2011.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Jody Nix who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Jody Nix
This quote was submitted on Saturday 29 January 2011.
‘I first heard of Gene Watson along about 1975, when ‘Love in the Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975) was released. I became a fan right then and have been for a long time.
I think Gene is one of the best singers in the business. I have seen him many times in concert, even booked him twice at Howard County Fair here in Big Spring, Texas where I live.
I am honoured to call him my friend and I wish him many more years of giving us great music’
Thank you, Jody Nix, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jody Nix…
Jody Nix, who was born in 1952, ‘grew up’ in music; he started playing drums in his Father Hoyle Nix’s band when he was eight years old, in 1960, playing five nights a week all over West Texas.
In 1963, when he was eleven years old, Jody Nix started playing the fiddle, and started singing when he was sixteen years old, in 1968.
In 1973, when he was twenty-one years old, Jody Nix recorded with Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975), on the legendary recording ‘Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys: For The Last Time’ (United Artists Records, 1973); he was a guest artist and sang three songs.
Jody Nix was a guest vocalist on both of Ray Benson & Asleep at The Wheel’s tribute albums to the legendary Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975); ‘A Tribute To The Music of Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys’ (Liberty Records, 1993) and ‘Ride With Bob’ (DreamWorks Nashville Records, 1999).
Jody Nix has played The Bob Wills Day Celebration in Turkey, Texas for thirty-five years, ten years with his father, Hoyle Nix, and twenty-five years on his own.
Jody Nix has also played TCR rodeo dances in Stamford, Texas for twenty-one years, and Big Spring Cowboy Reunion & Rodeo for twenty-one years.
Jody Nix has also been a part of all Western Swing Festivals in Canton, Texarkana, Snyder and Wichita Falls for over twenty-two years, Boys Ranch Ball in San Angelo for fifteen years and Western Heritage Classic Ranch Rodeo in Abilene, Texas for fifteen years.
In 1996, Jody Nix was inducted into the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame in Sacramento, California.
In 2008, Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys represented the state of Texas at Smithsonian Folk Life Festival in Washington DC and also played at The Kennedy Centre For The Performing Arts.
Jody Nix has also played for the PRCA Convention at South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada prior to the NFR three years in a row, along with The Cowboy Ball at Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs.
Jody Nix is a favourite in Branson, Missouri at Silver Dollar City and has performed there for eight years, and at Willie’s Place in Carl’s Corner, Texas along with the Lincoln County Cowboy Symposium and The Lincoln County Cowboy Christmas Ball in Ruidoso, New Mexico.
The authentic music of Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys are regularly featured on Willie’s Place XM 13, where their material is in heavy rotation; this airplay has brought Jody and the guys attention worldwide.
In May 2009, Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys were inducted into Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame in San Marcos, Texas.
Jody Nix has had the honour of working with many legends of country music, including Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 – Tuesday 13 May 1975), Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013), Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 – Wednesday 8 December 1982), George Strait, Moe Bandy, Red Steagall, Ray Benson‘s Asleep At The Wheel, Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020), Frenchie Burke and Tony Booth.
Jody Nix & The Texas Cowboys work between 100 and 115 dates a year; the band consists of Jody Nix (bandleader, fiddle and vocals), Robert Weeks (fiddle and vocals), Dixie Hankins (drums), Junior Knight (steel guitar) and Brandy Weeks (bass).
Jody Nix, a well established artist in the Lone Star State of Texas, has seen the release of some extraordinary albums, including ‘Two Empty Glasses’ (1980 / Brooke Records, 2010), ‘Play Me Something I Can Swing To’ (Jody Nix Records, 2004), ‘The Fiddle Man’ (Brooke Records, 2008) and ‘Twin Fiddles Turn Me On’ (Hillside Records, 2011).
Jody Nix’s highly acclaimed ‘Twin Fiddles Turn Me On’ (Hillside Records, 2011) included ‘She Won’t Let Me Forget Her’ (written by Kent Westberry and Snuffy Smith).
It was also in 2011 when Jody Nix saw the release of his equally highly acclaimed, ‘Bright Lights & Country Music’ (Hillside Records, 2011); the title track was written by Bill Anderson, and the album also included a rendition of Rodney Crowell‘s ‘I Couldn’t Leave You If I tried’.
• Visit Jody Nix’s official site at jodynix.com