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 2013, 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 Larry Shell, which he submitted to this site on Saturday 2 February 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Larry Shell who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Larry Shell
This quote was submitted on Saturday 2 February 2013.
‘There’s people who sing country music, and then there’s Gene Watson, who defines country music’
Thank you, Larry Shell, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Larry Shell…
Larry Shell was born in Brewton, Alabama and is an acclaimed country music songwriter and guitar player.
Larry Shell has over twenty-five years experience in the country music industry and is one of the most respected songwriters in Nashville.
Larry Shell is admired for his songwriting abilities, talent for finding great songs and his fresh artistic vision.
Among the many hit songs written by Larry Shell is ‘Murder On Music Row’, which was named as the IBMA’s ‘Song of The Year’ for 2000.
An impressive number of country music artists, including Alan Jackson, Ricky Skaggs, Reba McEntire, Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), John Michael Montgomery, George Strait, Diamond Rio, Rhonda Vincent and Alabama, amongst others, have recorded songs written by Larry Shell.
Larry Shell is also one of the most enthusiastic, inspiring persons you will ever have the pleasure of hearing speak.
Larry Shell is an active member of IBMA and a graduate of Leadership Bluegrass, the class of 2003.
Larry Shell has served on IBMA’s ‘Songwriter Showcase Committee’ and has been twice selected to be a presenter at ‘Leadership Bluegrass’.
Charly McClain recorded Larry Shell’s ‘The Very Best Is You’ (co-written with Frank Stephens) and included the track on ‘Surround Me With Love’ (Epic Records, 1981); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in early 1982.
Charly McClain recorded Larry Shell’s ‘With You’ (co-written with Ronald Muir) and included the track on ‘Too Good To Hurry’ (Epic Records, 1983); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983.
Charly McClain recorded Larry Shell’s ‘When The Love’s Still There’ (co-written with Frank Stephens) and included the track on ‘Too Good To Hurry’ (Epic Records, 1983).
Alabama recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Alabama Sky’ and included the track on ‘The Closer You Get’ (RCA Records, 1983).
In January 1984, Alabama saw the release of ‘Roll On’ (RCA Records, 1984), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)’ (written by Dave Loggins) (No.1 for one week in March 1984)
‘When We Make Love’, which was written by Troy Seals and Mentor Williams (Tuesday 11 June 1946 – Wednesday 16 November 2016) (No.1 for one week in June 1984)
‘If You’re Gonna Play In Texas (You Gotta Have A Fiddle In The Band)’, which was written by Dan Mitchell (Wednesday 22 May 2019) and Murry Kellum (No.1 for one week in October / November 1984)
‘(There’s A) Fire In The Night’ (written by Bob Corbin) (No.1 for one week in January / February 1985)
Alabama’s ‘Roll On’ (RCA Records, 1984) also included the following tracks:
‘Carolina Mountain Dewe’ (written by Randy Owen)
‘The End of The Lyin’, which was written by Robert Byrne (Saturday 10 July 1954 – Monday 27 June 2005) and Alan Schulman
‘I’m Not That Way Anymore’ (written by Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, Mark Herndon and Greg Fowler) / this track was recorded ‘live’ at Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas
‘Country Side of Life’ (written by Maurice R. Hirsch)
‘The Boy’ (written by Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Greg Fowler)
‘Food On The Table’ (written by Randy Owen)
Personnel involved in the recording of Alabama’s ‘Roll On’ (RCA Records, 1984) included the following:
Alabama
Randy Owen (rhythm guitar, lead vocals)
Teddy Gentry (bass guitar, vocals, lead vocals on ‘The Boy’)
Jeff Cook (Saturday 27 August 1949 – Monday 7 November 2022) (lead guitar, vocals, lead vocals on ‘Country Side of Life’)
Mark Herndon (drums, percussion)
Additional musicians
Jack Eubanks, George ‘Leo’ Jackson and Larry Shell (acoustic guitar)
Gregg Galbraith and Fred Newell (electric guitar)
Carl Jackson (banjo)
Shane Keister and Willie Rainsford (keyboards)
Farrell Morris (percussion)
Larry Paxton (bass guitar)
Milton Sledge (drums)
Blaine Sprouse (fiddle)
‘A’ Strings (strings arranged by Kristin Wilkinson)
Alabama’s ‘Roll On’ (RCA Records, 1984) was No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart for five weeks in March / April 1984.
In 1984, Leona Williams & Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Larry Shell’s ‘We Agree That We Must Be In Love’; the track was included on Leona Williams‘ ‘Someday When Things are Good’ (Mercury Records, 1984), and was subsequently included on ‘Old Loves Never Die’ (Bear Family Records, 2001), which was released by Bear Family Records on Sunday 8 July 2001.
‘Old Loves Never Die’ (Bear Family Records, 2001) restored all of Leona Williams‘ surviving Mercury Records recordings, including her duet album ‘Heart To Heart’ (Mercury Records, 1983) with her then-husband Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), as well as her solo effort, ‘Someday When Things Are Good’ (Mercury Records, 1984), and the inclusion of six never-before-released tracks.
In 1985, Dan Seals (Sunday 8 February 1948 – Wednesday 25 March 2009) saw the release of ‘Won’t Be Blue Anymore’ (Capitol Records, 1985), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Meet Me In Montana’, which was written by Paul Davis (Wednesday 21 April 1948 – Tuesday 22 April 2008) (No.1 for one week in October 1985) / this track was a duet with Marie Osmond
‘Bop’, which was written by Jennifer Kimball and Paul Davis (Wednesday 21 April 1948 – Tuesday 22 April 2008) (No.1 for one week in January 1986) / this track was also a major crossover hit, peaking at No.10 on the Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks Chart in 1986
‘Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)’, which was written by Dan Seals (Sunday 8 February 1948 – Wednesday 25 March 2009) and Bob McDill (No.1 for one week in July 1986)
Dan Seals’ ‘Won’t Be Blue Anymore’ (Capitol Records, 1985) also included the following tracks:
‘Headin’ West’, which was written by Dan Seals (Sunday 8 February 1948 – Wednesday 25 March 2009)
‘I Won’t Be Blue Anymore’, which was written by Dan Seals (Sunday 8 February 1948 – Wednesday 25 March 2009)
‘Tobacco Road’, which was written by John D. Loudermilk (Saturday 31 March 1934 – Wednesday 21 September 2016)
‘Your Love’ (written by Beckie Foster and Tommy Rocco)
‘You Plant Your Fields’ (written by Wendy Waldman and Donny Lowery)
‘Still A Little Bit of Love’ (written by Jim Scott and Walker Inglehart)
‘So Easy To Need’ (written by John Porter McMeans)
‘City Kind of Girl’ (written by Robert Gundry)
Personnel involved in the recording of Dan Seals’ ‘Won’t Be Blue Anymore’ (Capitol Records, 1985) included the following:
Dan Seals (Sunday 8 February 1948 – Wednesday 25 March 2009) (lead vocals, backing vocals)
Eddie Bayers and Larrie Londin (Friday 15 October 1943 – Monday 24 August 1992) (drums)
Farrell Morris (percussion)
Paul Davis (Wednesday 21 April 1948 – Tuesday 22 April 2008) and Kyle Lehning (drum programming)
David Hungate, Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 – Saturday 4 March 2023) and Bob Wray (bass)
Dennis Burnside, Barry Beckett, Dave Innis and Shane Keister (keyboards)
Paul Davis (Wednesday 21 April 1948 – Tuesday 22 April 2008) (synclavier)
Steve Gibson, Greg Jennings, Brent Mason, Kenny Mims, Dan Seals (Sunday 8 February 1948 – Wednesday 25 March 2009), Larry Shell, Joe Stanley, Bobby Thompson (Monday 5 July 1937 – Wednesday 18 May 2005), Rafe Van Hoy, Wendy Waldman and Paul Worley (guitars)
Sonny Garrish and Doyle Grisham (steel guitar)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Jim Horn (saxophone)
Mark O’Connor (fiddle)
The Cherry Sisters (Diane Tidwell, Sheri Kramer and Lisa Silver) (backing vocals on ‘Bop’)
Wendy Waldman (backing vocals on ‘You Plant Your Fields’)
Bergen White (string arrangements)
Dan Seals’ ‘Won’t Be Blue Anymore’ (Capitol Records, 1985) was his fifth studio album; it was his most successful album and was the only one to reach No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart.
The CD (compact disc) format of Dan Seals’ ‘Won’t Be Blue Anymore’ (Capitol Records, 1985) was released on the album’s initial release; it has been out-of-print for many years and is highly collectible.
Dan Seals’ ‘Won’t Be Blue Anymore’ (Capitol Records, 1985) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1986, No.59 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1986, and No.37 on the Canadian RPM Top Albums Chart in 1986.
Freddie Hart (Tuesday 21 December 1926 – Saturday 27 October 2018) recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Don’t Ever Let Go’ (co-written with Freddie Hart, Finley Duncan and B. Butterfield) and included the track on ‘I Will Never Die’ (Fifth Street Records, 1986).
Janie Fricke recorded Larry Shell’s ‘No Ordinary Memory’ (co-written with Jeffrey M. Tweel) and included the track on ‘Labor of Love’ (Columbia Records, 1989).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Fields of Home’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Kentucky Thunder’ (Epic Records, 1989).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Lonesome For You’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Kentucky Thunder’ (Epic Records, 1989).
Susan Ledford recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Somethings Are Better Left Alone’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Something Old, Something New’ (Project One Records, 1989).
Jo-El Sonnier (Wednesday 2 October 1946 – Saturday 13 January 2024) recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Ooh, Ooh, Ooh’ (co-written with Bucky Lindsey and Jo-El Sonnier) and included the track on ‘Have A Little Faith’ (RCA Records, 1989).
David Parmley recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Grandpaw’s Radio’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘I Know A Good Thing’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1989).
Mike Auldridge (Friday 30 December 1938 – Saturday 29 December 2012), Lou Reid & Michael Coleman recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Lonesome For You’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘High Time’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1990).
Shenandoah recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Puttin’ New Roots Down’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Extra Mile’ (Columbia Records, 1990).
Reba McEntire recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Rumor Has It’, which was co-written with Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022) and Vern Dant, and included the track on ‘Rumor Has It’ (MCA Records, 1990); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in February 1991.
Gene Watson recorded Larry Shell’s ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was co-written with Larry Cordle and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), and included the track on ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Shell’s ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was co-written with Larry Cordle and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), and included the track on ‘My Father’s Son’ (Epic Records, 1991).
Mark Collie recorded Larry Shell’s ‘It Don’t Take A Lot’ (co-written with Mark Collie) and included the track on ‘Born & Raised In Black & White’ (MCA Records, 1991); the track reached No.70 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991.
Diamond Rio recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Mama, Don’t Forget To Pray For Me’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Diamond Rio’ (Arista Records, 1991); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991.
Sammy Kershaw recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Every Third Monday’ (co-written with Billy Henderson and Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Don’t Go Near The Water’ (Mercury Records, 1991).
Ricky Van Shelton recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Some Things Are Better Left Alone’ (co-written with Roger Murrah) and included the track on ‘Backroads’ (Columbia Records, 1991).
IIIrd Tyme Out recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Puttin’ New Roots Down’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Puttin’ New Roots Down’ (Rebel Records, 1992).
Larry Cordle, Glen Duncan & Lonesome Standard Time recorded Larry Shell’s ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was co-written with Larry Cordle and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), and included the track on ‘Lonesome Standard Time’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1992).
Larry Cordle, Glen Duncan & Lonesome Standard Time recorded Larry Shell’s ‘The Fields of Home’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Lonesome Standard Time’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1992).
John Michael Montgomery recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Taking Off The Edge’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Life’s a Dance’ (Atlantic Records, 1992).
David Palmley recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Poor Man’s Paradise’ (co-written with Larry Cordle and Keith Perry) and included the track on ‘Southern Heritage’ (Rebel Records, 1994).
Amie Comeaux (Saturday 4 December 1976 – Sunday 21 December 1997) recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Moving Out’ and included the track on ‘Moving Out’ (Polydor Records, 1994).
In 1995, 4Runner saw the release of their self-titled debut album, ‘4Runner’ (Polydor Records, 1995), which was produced by Buddy Cannon and Larry Shell, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Cain’s Blood’, which was written by Michael Johnson (Tuesday 8 August 1944 – Tuesday 25 July 2017) and Jack Sundrud (No.26, 1995)
‘A Heart With 4 Wheel Drive’ (written by Billy Maddox and Paul Thorn) (No.51, 1995)
‘Home Alone’ (written by Dennis Wilson and Craig Morris) (No.65, 1995)
‘Ripples’ (written by Tony Haselden) (No.57, 1996)
4Runner’s self-titled debut album, ‘4Runner’ (Polydor Records, 1995), also included the following tracks:
‘Good Lookin’ (written by Chris East and Mickey Jupp)
‘The House At The End of The Road’ (written by Rock Killough and Larry T. Wilson)
‘You Make The Moonlight’ (written by Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro)
‘Oh, No’ (written by Al Anderson and Mike Lawler)
‘Let The Good Times Roll’ (written by Tony Martin and Reese Wilson)
‘Southern Wind’ (written by Walt Aldridge and James Hooker)
Personnel involved in the recording of 4Runner’s self-titled debut album, ‘4Runner’ (Polydor Records, 1995), included the following:
4Runner
Jim Chapman (bass vocals)
Billy Crittenden (baritone vocals)
Lee Hilliard (tenor vocals)
Craig Morris (lead vocals)
Additional musicians
Glen Duncan and Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Sonny Garrish (Dobro, steel guitar)
Tony Haselden, Danny Parks and Don Potter (acoustic guitar)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 – Wednesday 12 June 2019) and Matt Rollings (piano)
Mike Lawler (synthesizer)
Paul Leim (drums)
Brent Mason and Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 – Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007) (harmonica)
Steve Nathan (organ, piano, synthesizer)
Larry Paxton (bass guitar)
Nashville String Machine (all strings performed by Nashville String Machine under the conduction of Carl Gorodetzky)
4Runner’s self-titled debut album, ‘4Runner’ (Polydor Records, 1995), reached No.27 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1995, No.144 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1995, No.3 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart in 1995, and No.7 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1995.
The Kendalls – Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) & Jeannie Kendall – recorded Larry Shell’s ‘What’s The Feeling’ (co-written with Ron Moore and Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Make A Dance’ (Lonesome Dove Records, 1995).
Larry Cordle, Glen Duncan & Lonesome Standard Time recorded Larry Shell’s ‘I Can’t Put My Arms Around A Memory’ (co-written with Ron Moore and Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Lonesome As It Gets’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1995).
Larry Cordle, Glen Duncan & Lonesome Standard Time recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Possession’s Nine-Tenths of The Law’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Lonesome As It Gets’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1995).
The New Coon Creek Girls recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Country In My Genes’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Ain’t Love A Good Thing’ (Pinecastle Records, 1995).
Rhonda Vincent recorded Larry Shell’s ‘It Ain’t Nothing New’ (co-written with Larry Cordle and Betty Key) and included the track on ‘Trouble Free’ (Giant Records, 1996); the track was a duet with Randy Travis.
The Osborne Brothers recorded Larry Shell’s ‘You Don’t Have To Go Home (But You Can’t Stay Here)’ (co-written with Jerry Salley and Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Class of ’96’ (Pinecastle Records, 1996).
Tammy Graham recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Old Heartaches’ (co-written with Billy Henderson and Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Tammy Graham’ (Arista Records, 1997); Career Records was a division of Arista Nashville Records.
The Osborne Brothers (Sonny & Bobby Osborne) recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Grandpaw’s Radio’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Hyden’ (Pinecastle Records, 1998).
Nat Stuckey (Sunday 17 December 1933 – Wednesday 24 August 1988) recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Rebel’ (co-written with Gary Gentry) and included the track on ‘Pop A Top’ (Music Row Talent Records, 1998); Ann M. Stuckey authorised the release of Nat Stuckey’s ‘Pop A Top’ (Music Row Talent Records, 1998), which was subsequently released by Orchard Records in 2002.
Larry Cordle, Glen Duncan & Lonesome Standard Time recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Black Diamond Strings’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Music On Music Row’ (Shell Point Records, 1999).
Larry Cordle, Glen Duncan & Lonesome Standard Time recorded Larry Shell’s ‘I’m Not The First’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Music On Music Row’ (Shell Point Records, 1999).
Larry Cordle, Glen Duncan & Lonesome Standard Time recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Murder On Music Row’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Music On Music Row’ (Shell Point Records, 1999).
Larry Cordle, Glen Duncan & Lonesome Standard Time’s ‘Murder On Music Row’ (Shell Point Records, 1999) also included a fine narration, featuring Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), which tells of the sad demise of the ‘Old Kentucky Miners’.
The Johnny Staats Project recorded Larry Shell’s ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was co-written with Larry Cordle and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), and included the track on ‘Wires & Wood’ (Giant Records, 2000).
In 2000, George Strait & Alan Jackson recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Murder On Music Row’ (co-written with Larry Cordle); the track, which was included on George Strait’s ‘Latest Greatest Straitest Hits’ (MCA Records, 2000) received the Country Music Association (CMA) ‘Song of The Year’ Award in 2000, and reached No.38 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2000.
Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Country In My Genes’ (co-written with Larry Cordle and Betty Key) and included the track on ‘Still Country’ (Audium Records, 2000).
In 2001, Bear Family Records’ ‘Old Loves Never Die’ (Bear Family Records, 2001) restored all of Leona Williams‘ surviving Mercury Records recordings, including ‘Heart To Heart’ (Mercury Records, 1983), her duet album with her then-husband Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), as well as her solo effort ‘Someday When Things Are Good’ (Mercury Records, 1984), and the inclusion of six never-before-released tracks.
One of the included tracks was Larry Shell’s ‘We Agree That We Must Be In Love’, which Leona Williams & Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded in 1984; the track was originally included on Leona Williams‘ ‘Someday When Things are Good’ (Mercury Records, 1984).
Kevin Denney recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Takin’ Off The Edge’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Kevin Denney’ (Lyric Street Records, 2002).
Kevin Denney recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Daddy Was A Navy Man’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Kevin Denney’ (Lyric Street Records, 2002).
Blue Highway recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Seven Sundays In A Row’, which was co-written with Wayne Taylor and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘Wondrous Love’ (Rounder Records, 2003).
Don Rigsby recorded Larry Shell’s ‘What Lays Down the Road’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘The Midnight Call’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2003).
Don Rigsby recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Green Ivy Vine’, which was co-written with Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘The Midnight Call’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2003).
Don Rigsby recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Come In Out of The Rain’ (co-written with Larry Cordle and Rupert Wates) and included the track on ‘The Midnight Call’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2003).
Glen Bonham recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Fields of Home’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Glen Bonham’ (Scena Records, 2003).
Keith Norris recorded Larry Shell’s ‘You Know It’s Country’, which was co-written with Earl Clark and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘Deuce’ (Tektonic Records, 2003).
Alecia Nugent recorded Larry Shell’s ‘My First Mistake’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Alecia Nugent’ (Rounder Records, 2004).
Alecia Nugent recorded Larry Shell’s ‘You Don’t Have To Go Home (But You Can’t Stay Here)’ (co-written with Larry Cordle and Jerry Salley) and included the track on ‘Alecia Nugent’ (Rounder Records, 2004).
Mountain Heart recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Born On The Wind’, which was co-written with Jim VanCleve and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘Force of Nature’ (Skaggs Family Records, 2004).
In May 2004, it was announced that Larry Shell had been named to the newly created position of senior Vice President / Creative Director for Broken Bow Record’s affiliated publishing company, Magic Mustang Music.
Larry Shell was also expected to serve as Vice President of A&R for Broken Bow Records.
In addition to heading the publishing division, Larry Shell had also signed an exclusive publishing arrangement with the unit. Magic Mustang’s roster of songwriters at the time included Randy Boudreaux, Craig Morgan, Sherrie Austin, D. Scott Miller, Elbert West (Saturday 22 July 1967 – Monday 18 May 2015), Joanie Keller and Jason Aldean.
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded Larry Shell’s ‘You Don’t Have To Go Home (But You Can’t Stay Here)’ (co-written with Jerry Salley and Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘The Journey’ (Springhill Records, 2004).
Jeannie Kendall recorded Larry Shell’s ‘It Always Rains’ (co-written with Rebecca Lynn Howard and Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘All The Girls I Am’ (Golden / CBuJ Entertainment Records, 2005).
Con Hunley recorded Larry Shell’s ‘That Old Clock’, which was co-written with Con Hunley and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘Shoot From The Heart’ (IMMI Records, 2006).
Con Hunley recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Hollow Man’, which was co-written with Steve Gulley (Thursday 20 September 1962 – Tuesday 18 August 2020) and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘Shoot From The Heart’ (IMMI Records, 2006).
Larry Stephenson recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Baby Shoes’, which was co-written with Tim Stafford and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘Life Stories’ (Pinecastle Records, 2006).
Don Rigsby & Midnight Call recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Make God Laugh’, which was co-written with Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘Hillbilly Heartache’ (Rebel Records, 2006).
Don Rigsby & Midnight Call recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Any Bar In Birmingham’, which was co-written with Tim Stafford and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘Hillbilly Heartache’ (Rebel Records, 2006).
Bradley Walker recorded Larry Shell’s ‘When I’m Hurting’ (co-written with Larry Cordle) and included the track on ‘Highway of Dreams’ (Rounder Records, 2006).
Steve Holy recorded Larry Shell’s ‘A Cliff In Colorado’, which was co-written with Randy Boudreaux and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘Brand New Girlfriend’ (Curb Records, 2006).
Larry Sparks recorded Larry Shell’s ‘The Last Suit You Wear’, which was co-written with Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘The Last Suit You Wear’ (McCoury Music Records, 2007).
James Otto recorded Larry Shell’s ‘When A Woman’s Not Watching’ (co-written with James Otto) and included the track on ‘Sunset Man’ (Raybaw Records / Warner Bros. Records, 2008).
Larry Sparks recorded Larry Shell’s ‘The Dying Drunkards Request’ (co-written with Buddy Cannon) and included the track on ‘I Don’t Regret A Mile’ (Sparks Music Records, 2008).
Jamey Johnson recorded Larry Shell’s ‘Front Porch Swing Afternoon’ (co-written with Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson) and included the track on ‘The Guitar Song’ (Mercury Records, 2010).
Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent recorded Larry Shell’s ‘It Ain’t Nothing New’ (co-written with Larry Cordle and Betty Key) and included the track on ‘Your Money & My Good Looks‘ (Upper Management Music, 2011).
Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Larry Shell’s ‘It’s All Going To Pot’ (co-written with Buddy Cannon and Jamey Johnson) and included the track on ‘Django & Jimmie’ (Legacy Recordings, 2015); the track, which featured guest vocals from Jamey Johnson, reached No.48 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2015.
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded Larry Shell’s ‘There Will Be Light’ (co-written with Jamey Johnson and Buddy Cannon) and included the track on ’17th Avenue Revival’ (Lightning Rod Records, 2018).
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