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 2025, 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 Martin Delray, which he submitted to this site on Saturday 18 October 2025.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Martin Delray who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Becky Hobbs and Hugh Moffatt, without whom this ‘Peer’s Quote’ from Martin Delray about Gene Watson, would not have been possible..
Martin Delray
This quote was submitted on Saturday 18 October 2025.
‘Gene Watson, Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) and Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017) are my top three country artists, with Gene being the purest singer of the three.
His ability to interpret and deliver a great song such as ‘Back In The Fire‘, ‘Dreams of A Dreamer‘, and ‘Fourteen Carat Mind‘, is unmatched.
I was on a show-bill a few times with Gene.
He had a great band.
I experienced the magic first-hand when he closed his shows with ‘Farewell Party‘…oh yeah!’
Thank you, Martin Delray, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Martin Delray…
Martin Delray was born Michael Ray Martin in Texarkana (Miller County) on Thursday 29 September 1949, and is best known for his 1991 cover of the Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) song, ‘Get Rhythm’.
In 1972, after graduating from University of Arkansas (UA) in Fayetteville (Washington County) with a BA in English, Michael Ray Martin served four years in the United States Marine Corps.
After he left military service at the rank of private first class, Michael Ray Martin relocated to North Hollywood, California and began playing the West Coast club circuit, opening for such acts as Doug Kershaw and Juice Newton.
Michael Ray Martin eventually became a staff songwriter at a music publishing company owned by Seals & Crofts – James Eugene ‘Jim’ Seals (Saturday 17 October 1942 – Monday 6 June 2022) and Darrell George ‘Dash’ Crofts.
In March 1978, The Kendalls saw the release of ‘Old Fashioned Love’ (Ovation Records, 1978), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
One of the songs Michael Ray Martin wrote during this period, ‘Old Fashioned Love’, became a No.1 hit single for The Kendalls – Jeannie Kendall and Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) – a father and daughter country duo, on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in November / December 1978.
The Kendalls’ recording of Michael Ray Martin’s ‘Old Fashioned Love’ became the title track of their album, ‘Old Fashioned Love’ (Ovation Records, 1978).
Throughout the 1980s, Michael Ray Martin continued to write songs and perform at clubs and small venues.
In 1985, Michael Ray Martin saw the release, on Compleat Records, of ‘Temptation’ (written by Mike Martin and Mitch Johnson), a non-album single, which was credited under the name Mike Martin, and reached No.76 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985.
In 1988, Michael Ray Martin moved to Nashville.
In 1990, Michael Ray Martin was signed to Atlantic Records after label chief, Rick Blackburn, heard one of his demos.
It was at this time, in 1990, when Michael Ray Martin changed his name to Martin Delray in order to avoid confusion with fellow singer / songwriter, Michael Martin Murphey.
On Wednesday 16 January 1991, Martin Delray saw the release of his debut album, ‘Get Rhythm’ (Atlantic Records, 1991), which was produced by Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022) and Nelson Larkin (1943 – Monday 18 November 2013), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Get Rhythm’, which was written by Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) (No.27, 1991) / the track also reached No.18 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1991 / the original version of this track was recorded by Johnny Cash in 1956 with Sun Records (catalogue No.241), and was the B-side of ‘I Walk The Line’ (written by Johnny Cash), which was Johnny Cash’s first No.1 hit single / Johnny Cash’s version of the track was re-released in September 1969 on Columbia Records, as an A-side single, complete with overdubbed ‘live’ effects, reaching No.60 on the Billboard pop music singles chart, No.23 on the Billboard country music singles chart, No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart, and No.59 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles Chart
Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) was so impressed with Martin Delray’s version that he agreed to sing harmony vocals on the song, as well as make an appearance in the music video for the song.
‘Lillie’s White Lies’ (written by Wayne Newton and Billy Ray Reynolds) (No.58, 1991)
‘Who, What, Where, When, Why, How’ (written by Jeff Crossan) (No.51, 1992) / this track also reached No.70 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1992
Martin Delray’s debut album, ‘Get Rhythm’ (Atlantic Records, 1991), also included the following tracks:
‘The Very Thought of You’, which was written by Raymond Stanley Noble (17 December 1903 – Monday 3 April 1978)
‘One In A Row’ (written by Martin Delray and Wood Newton)
‘If The Wind Blows Sand’ (written by Martin Delray)
‘New Wine’ (written by Martin Delray and Bill Shore)
‘Silence Says It All’ (written by Jim Rushing)
‘Someone To Love You’ (written by Ted Chalfant)
‘I Let Love Do My Talkin’ ‘ (written by Martin Delray, Bill Shore and Hodges Rippy)
Personnel involved in the recording of Martin Delray’s debut album, ‘Get Rhythm’ (Atlantic Records, 1991), included the following:
Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022) and Curtis Young (backing vocals)
Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003) (backing vocals on ‘Get Rhythm’)
Gary Lunn (bass)
Jerry Kroon (drums)
Brent Rowan, Fred Newell and Martin Delray (electric guitar)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Clayton Ivey and Mitch Humphries (Sunday 24 December 1950 – Monday 3 September 2007) (keyboards)
Sonny Garrish (steel guitar)
Martin Delray’s debut album, ‘Get Rhythm’ (Atlantic Records, 1991), reached No.57 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991.
On Tuesday 10 November 1992, Martin Delray saw the release of ‘What Kind of Man’ (Atlantic Records, 1992), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘What Kind of Man’, which was written by Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017) and Francis J. Keus (No.61, 1992) / this track also reached No.72 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1992
Martin Delray’s ‘What Kind of Man’ (Atlantic Records, 1992) also included the following tracks:
‘Sometimes She Forgets’ (written by Steve Earle)
‘Twang’ (written by Michael Garvin, Mark D. Sanders and Lisa Silver)
‘What Was I Thinkin’ ‘ (written by Martin Delray and Hodges Rippy)
‘Trying To Keep A Few Things Warm’ (written by Devaney and Sherrill)
‘Solid Rock’ (written by Martin Delray)
‘The Wound’ (written by B. Johnson)
‘Nobody Wants You’ (written by Steve Bogard and Jim Photoglo)
‘Settlin’ Up’ (written by Gene Nelson and Paul Nelson)
‘Ring Around The Moon’ (written by Johnny Cymbal, Lathan Hudson and Angela Kaset)
Following poor record sales and limited chart success, Martin Delray was dropped from the recording roster at Atlantic Records.
In 1996, Hugh Moffatt saw the release of ‘The Life of A Minor Poet’ (Watermelon Records, 1996); one of the included tracks was ‘The Old Days’ (written by Hugh Moffatt), which featured guest vocals from Martin Delray.
On Tuesday 15 April 2003, after some time away from the recording studios, Hugh Moffatt saw the release of ‘Ghosts of The Music’ (Brambus Records, 2003), which was a very intimate album release, with all tracks based on solo acoustic guitar.
Hugh Moffatt‘s ‘Ghosts of The Music’ (Brambus Records, 2003) included all new songs, included ‘Where That Wind Don’t Blow’ (written by Martin Delray and Hugh Moffatt).
Martin Delray works for the City of Brentwood, Tennessee as a professional tennis instructor at a city-owned community center.
Martin Delray performs occasionally in Nashville clubs and local fairs and festivals in Tennessee and northern Alabama.
In May 2006, Becky Hobbs saw the release of ‘Best of The Beckaroo, Part 1’ (Beckaroo Records, 2006); one of the included tracks was ‘Honky Tonk Saturday Night’ (written by Martin Delray and Becky Hobbs); Becky Hobbs‘ original version of the track reached No.84 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
Martin Delray
