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 Kathy Louvin, which she submitted to this site on Thursday 20 February 2014.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Kathy Louvin who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Kathy Louvin
This quote was submitted on Saturday 8 February 2014.
‘I haven’t worked with Gene, but have known him and seen him for many years through his association with The Grand Ole Opry.
Gene is the quintessential voice of country music.
He is timeless and inimitable.
I remember one time, back in the late 1980s, I think it was, I was at The Opry that weekend and Gene was performing that Saturday night.
Gene Watson has always been a major part of the country music business and I’m sure glad about that!
I’ve never been able to pick ‘favourite’ songs – I love them all, but I sure love his ‘Pick The Wildwood Flower‘, which was written by Joe Allen.
One of my all time favourites!’
Thank you, Kathy Louvin, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Kathy Louvin…
Kathy Louvin can be called true ‘Country Music Royalty’.
Born to a country music legend and growing up in Nashville during the heyday of The Grand Ole’ Opry, Kathy Louvin truly is a living testimony to a family immersed in the tradition of creating and performing great American music.
Kathy Louvin’s father is Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965), tenor half of Country Music Hall of Fame members, The Louvin Brothers, the other half being Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011).
Kathy Louvin’s mother’s side of the family was not lacking in musical destiny either. Kathy Louvin’s uncle, Johnny Johnson (her mother’s brother), played rhythm guitar and sang backup for Lester Flatt (Friday 19 June 1914 – Friday 11 May 1979) and Earl Scruggs (Sunday 6 January 1924 – Wednesday 28 March 2012) during the high point of their successful career.
Another uncle and aunt, Kitty and Smiley Wilson, (Kathy’s mother’s sister and her husband), had a very successful indie career performing for The Armed Services Network, and as backup artists such as for Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 – Thursday 17 March 2011), The Louvin Brothers, and Martha Carson (Saturday 19 March 1921 – Thursday 16 December 2004), and as the main attraction on Eddie Hill’s ‘Country Junction’, a live news / entertainment morning show on radio station, WSM 650AM, in Nashville for several years.
Smiley Wilson later opened one of the first booking agencies in Nashville, Wil-Helm Agency, and handled a number of artists, including Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022), Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007), The Wilburn Brothers – Doyle Wilburn (Monday 7 July 1930 – Saturday 16 October 1982) and Teddy Wilburn (Monday 30 November 1931 – Monday 24 November 2003) – Little Jimmy Dickens (Sunday 19 December 1920 – Friday 2 January 2015), and many of the veteran artists which have gone on to become legends themselves.
Their daughter, Little Rita Fay, was a child star with MGM Records, and later signed with Capitol Records in Nashville.
Kathy Louvin’s rich musical heritage ranges all the way back to the Woottens of Sand Mountain, Alabama (The Louvin Brothers’ mother’s side of the family) and the origin of Shape Note or Sacred Harp Singing style. It was a group of these same Woottens who performed in the major motion picture, ‘Cold Mountain’.
Kathy Louvin began following in her dad’s footsteps all the way back to grammar school, when she was writing plays, prose and poetry.
Then, in the early 1980s, Kathy Louvin signed her first exclusive publishing contract, and began getting cuts by a number of major recording artists, including Randy Travis, Ricky Van Shelton, Confederate Railroad, Martina McBride, Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless and Rhonda Vincent.
Randy Travis recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘Oh, What A Slient Night’ (co-written with Mark Collie) and included the track on ‘An Old Time Christmas’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1989).
Dwight Yoakam recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘Send A Message To My Heart’ (co-written with Kostas) and included the track on ‘If There Was A Way’ (Reprise Records, 1990); the track, which was a duet with Patty Loveless, reached No.47 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1992.
Ricky Van Shelton recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘Keep It Between The Lines’, which was co-written with Russell Smith (Friday 17 June 1949 – Friday 12 July 2019), and included the track on ‘Backroads’ (Columbia Records, 1991); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991, and was the tenth and final No.1 Billboard country music hit single of Ricky Van Shelton’s country music career, which officially ended in May 2006.
Martina McBride recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘True Blue Fool’ (co-written with Carol Chase) and included the track on ‘The Time Has Come’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1992).
Melba Montgomery recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘You Got Me Where I Wanna Be’ (co-written with Melba Montgomery and Pam Hayes) and included the track on ‘Do You Know Where Your Man Is’ (Playback Records, 1992).
Confederate Railroad recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘Queen of Memphis’ (co-written with Dave Gibson) and included the track on ‘Confederate Railroad’ (Atlantic Records, 1992); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1993.
Ricky Van Shelton recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘Baby, Take A Picture’, which was co-written with Russell Smith (Friday 17 June 1949 – Friday 12 July 2019) and Carol Chase, and included the track on ‘Love & Honor’ (Columbia Records, 1994).
Barry & Holly Tashian recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘You’re Seldom Seen’ (co-written with Barry Tashian and Holly Tashian) and included the track on ‘Straw into Gold’ (Rounder Records, 1994).
George Allison recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘It Ain’t Home’ (co-written with Melba Montgomery) and included the track on ‘It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Me’ (Playback Records, 1994).
Rhonda Vincent recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘You Beat All I’ve Ever Seen’ (co-written with Kostas and Melba Montgomery) and included the track on ‘Trouble Free’ (Giant Records, 1996).
Jacob Lyda recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘Forgive Me Darling’ (co-written with Dennis Adkins) and included the track on ‘Here We Go Again’ (Bob Grady Records, 1997).
Melba Montgomery recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘I Didn’t Make This Bed’ (co-written with Melba Montgomery and Dennis Morgan) and included the track on ‘This Time Around’ (CMC Records, 2000).
Melba Montgomery recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘You Beat All I’ve Ever Seen’ (co-written with Melba Montgomery and Kostas) and included the track on ‘This Time Around’ (CMC Records, 2000).
Kathy Lovin is a member of BMI’s prestigious ‘Millionaire’s Club’.
In 2004, Kathy Louvin garnered two Grammy Awards for her work, as co-executive producer and performer, on a shining tribute to her father and uncle, ‘Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’, Songs of The Louvin Brothers’ (Universal South Records, 2003), which was released on Tuesday 30 September 2003, and included the following tracks:
‘Intro To Charlie & Ira’
‘Cash On The Barrelhead’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) / this track was performed by Joe Nichols and Rhonda Vincent
‘My Baby’s Gone’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) / this track was performed by Hazel Marie Houser (Saturday 3 June 1922 – Friday 14 June 1996), Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell
‘How’s The World Treating You’, which was written by Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 – Saturday 30 June 2001) and Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 – Thursday 25 June 1987) / this track was performed by James Taylor and Alison Krauss
‘I Can’t Keep You In Love With Me’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) / this track was performed by Vince Gill and Terri Clark
‘Must You Throw Dirt In My Face’ (written by Bill Anderson) / this track was performed by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Carl Jackson
‘If I Could Only Win Your Love’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) / this track was performed by Ronnie Dunn and Rebecca Lynn Howard
‘When I Stop Dreaming’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) / this track was performed by Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) and Leslie Satcher
‘I Wish You Knew’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) / this track was performed by Kathy Louvin and Pamela Brown Hayes
‘The New Partner Waltz’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) / this track was performed by Linda Ronstadt and Carl Jackson
‘Are You Teasing Me’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) / this track was performed by Patty Loveless and Jon Randall
‘I Don’t Believe You’ve Met My Baby’, which was written by Robert Autry Inman (Sunday 6 January 1929 – Tuesday 6 September 1988) / this track was performed by Dierks Bentley and Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011)
‘You’re Running Wild’, which was written by Don Winters and Ray Edenton (Wednesday 3 November 1926 – Wednesday 21 September 2022) / this track was performed by Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle and Jerry Salley
‘The Angels Rejoiced’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) / this track was performed by Dolly Parton and Sonya Isaacs
‘Let Us Travel, Travel On’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) / this track was performed by Marty Stuart and Del McCoury
‘Keep Your Eyes On Jesus’, which was written by Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) / this track was performed by Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003), Pam Tillis, and The Jordanaires
Personnel involved in the recording of ‘Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’, Songs of The Louvin Brothers’ (Universal South Records, 2003) included the following:
Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011)
Dierks Bentley
Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017)
Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003)
Terri Clark
Larry Cordle
Rodney Crowell
Ronnie Dunn
Vince Gill
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
Emmylou Harris
Pamela Brown Hayes
Rebecca Lynn Howard
Sonya Isaacs
The Jordanaires
Alison Krauss
Kathy Louvin
Patty Loveless
Del McCoury
Joe Nichols
Dolly Parton
Jon Randall
Linda Ronstadt
Jerry Salley
Leslie Satcher
James Taylor
Pam Tillis
Rhonda Vincent (vocals)
Bruce C. Bouton and Mike Johnson (pedal steel guitar)
J.T. Corenflos (Wednesday 6 November 1963 – Saturday 24 October 2020) (guitar)
Tony Creasman, Martin Parker and Steve Turner (drums)
Glen Duncan and Jim Van Cleve (fiddle)
Emory Gordy, Kevin Grantt and Mike Bub (bass)
David Harvey and Adam Steffey (mandolin)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (bass)
Carl Jackson (vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin, percussion)
Matt Rollings and Catherine Marx (piano)
Randy Kohrs (Dobro)
Marty Stuart (vocals, mandolin, electronic drums)
Production notes for ‘Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’, Songs of The Louvin Brothers’ (Universal South Records, 2003) included the following:
Carl Jackson (producer, executive producer, vocal engineer, song notes)
Kathy Louvin (executive producer)
John ‘Babbacombe’ Lee (engineer)
Luke Wooten (engineer, vocal engineer)
Jim Brady (vocal engineer)
John Carter Cash (vocal engineer)
‘Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’, Songs of The Louvin Brothers’ (Universal South Records, 2003) reached No.44 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2003.
Lynn Davis recorded Kathy Louvin’s ‘Down, Down, Down’ (co-written with Mark Collie) and included the track on ‘Wild Turkey & Seven Up’ (BSW Records, 2009).
In April 2013, Kathy Louvin moved from the songwriter chair, and saw the release, on Tuesday 16 April 2013, of her first album as a solo artist, ‘Time Served: Free Indeed’ (Louvinish Records, 2013). Kathy Louvin wrote or co-wrote every song and iTunes featured it two weeks in a row on their Country / Gospel Chart for ‘new and noteworthy’.
Kathy Louvin’s first album as a solo artist, ‘Time Served: Free Indeed’ (Louvinish Records, 2013), included the following tracks:
‘Back To The Master’
‘Both Sides of The Cross’
‘Fireplace’
‘Don’t Leave Him Hangin’
‘Grace Is Watchin’ Over Me’
‘Promised Land’
‘Change Me’
‘Secrets’
‘So Help Me God’
‘Soldier of The Cross’
Kathy Louvin and her husband, producer Chuck Pearson, own and operate Blue Collar Ministries, a ministry of music inside the correctional facilities, and Brother Chuck Productions a full-scale music production company.
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