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 Leslie Ann Elliott, which she submitted to this site on Friday 25 October 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Leslie Ann Elliott who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Leslie Ann Elliott
This quote was submitted on Friday 25 October 2013.
‘I have been a Gene Watson fan ever since ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘ and then ‘Farewell Party‘ sealed it.
I didn’t get to meet him until we signed him at Step One Records. This was indeed a great pleasure working with him and getting to hear him sing at sessions and shows.
Wewere getting so much mail for him at the record company that my boss, Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020), asked me to handle a fan club for him – which I was very happy and proud to do.
So, for the next few years, I tried to keep his fans abreast of where he would be playing and any news about his career.
He was always so nice to work with, was kind to his fans and always gave a great show no matter where the venue was.
It was such a treat to see how the artists and musicians stood around and watched him every time he worked The Grand Ole Opry. He definitely is a singers’ singer and can mesmerize the audience with every note.
We just had him entertain the folks, on Thursday 3 October 2013, at the 26th Annual R.O.P.E. Golden Banquet Awards Show and he was absolutely awesome!
I value his friendship and still am one of his best fans.
If he is ever playing near your town, don’t miss his show – you won’t be sorry! Cause it don’t get any better!’
Thank you, Leslie Ann Elliott, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Leslie Ann Elliott…
Leslie Ann Elliott was born in Berlin, Maryland on Tuesday 3 September 1935, and attended Pittsville High in Pittsville, Maryland and graduated in 1953.
At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’, on Friday 25 October 2013, Leslie Ann Elliott was living in Nashville with her husband, Ron Elliott (who passed away on Tuesday 19 December 2023), and was an acclaimed steel guitar player.
Between 1984 and 2000, Leslie Ann Elliott acted as an executive secretary at Step One Records in Nashville.
Step One Records was an independent American record label, which was established in February 1984 in Nashville.
Step One Records was founded by singer-songwriter and producer, Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020) with Curtis Potter (Thursday 18 April 1940 – Saturday 23 January 2016) and Mel Holt.
At the time of the label’s foundation, Step One Records was one of the few independent country music labels to have significant chart success, most notably in 1991, when the label released Clinton Gregory‘s ‘(If It Weren’t For Country Music) I’d Go Crazy’ (Step One Records, 1991), the only independently-released single on the Billboard country music singles chart at the time of its release; the track reached No.26.
Step One Records operated into the mid-1990s, having Billboard Top 40 success again in 1996 with Western Flyer’s ‘What Will You Do With M-E?’ (Step One Records, 1996).
Other artists signed to Step One Records included Gene Watson, The Geezinslaws, Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013), Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996) and Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020).
Step One Records closed in 1998.
A full list of the artists who recorded for Step One Records include the following:
• Gene Watson
• Matt Benson
• Sheryl Brewer
• Don Cox
• Buddy Emmons (Wednesday 27 January 1937 – Wednesday 29 July 2015)
• Dawnett Faucett
• The Geezinslaws
• Clinton Gregory
• The Kendalls – Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) and Jeannie Kendall
• Jerry Lansdowne
• Charlie McCoy
• Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007)
• Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 – Wednesday 7 October 2020)
• Celinda Pink
• Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013)
• Bryan Smith
• Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 – Thursday 10 October 2013)
• Western Flyer
• Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 – Tuesday 10 December 1996)
On Tuesday 24 August 2021, Leslie Ann Elliott passed away, at the age of 85, in Madison, Tennessee.
Leslie Ann Elliott enjoyed country music, dancing and she loved to go with Ron when he would play music at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
A Celebration of Life for Leslie Ann Elliott was held, at 4:00pm, on Thursday 26 August 2021, at Madison Funeral Home, 219 East, Old Hickory Boulevard in Madison, Tennessee.
• Find Leslie Ann Elliott on Facebook