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 2012, 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 Max T. Barnes, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 4 October 2012.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Max T. Barnes who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Max T. Barnes
This quote was submitted on Thursday 4 October 2012.
‘Gene Watson is instantly recognizable. Immediately comfortable.
Hearing his music on the radio is a treat.
It’s like being on a long journey and having that feeling you get when you pull in your own driveway.
Home’
Thank you, Max T. Barnes, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Max T. Barnes…
Max T. Barnes was born Max Troy Barnes on Thursday 25 October 1962; he is a country music singer, songwriter, studio musician and producer, and is the son of songwriter Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004).
Max T. Barnes has written songs which have been included on albums which have sold over 20 million copies.
At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’, in October 2012, Max T. Barnes was writing for Ray Stevens Music Publishing and was resident in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Max T. Barnes is most known as an ASCAP award-winning songwriter; artists including Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), John Anderson, John Schneider, Randy Travis, Diamond Rio and Collin Raye have all recorded his songs.
‘Love, Me’ (written by Max T. Barnes and Skip Ewing), which was released in 1991, became Collin Raye‘s first No.1 country music hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart, and received a ‘Song of The Year’ nomination in 1992 from the Country Music Association (CMA).
However, ‘Love, Me’ did not win; the award was given to a song Max T. Barnes’ father, Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) had written with Vince Gill, a song called ‘Look At Us’.
Other country music artists who have recorded Max T. Barnes’ songs include George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), Jo Dee Messina, Montgomery Gentry (Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry), Alabama, Gene Watson, Mark Wills, Cledus T. Judd, Ralph Stanley (Friday 25 February 1927 – Thursday 23 June 2016) and Ray Stevens.
Max T. Barnes’ production credits include ‘Real Life’ (Curb Records, 2001) from Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022), and Marie Sisters’ self-titled album, ‘Marie Sisters’ (Universal / Republic Records, 2002), along with ‘A Letter From Death Row’, a film produced and directed by Bret Michaels, which starred Brett Michaels, Charlie Sheen and Martin Sheen.
Max T. Barnes also produced the ‘Major League: Back To The Minors’ soundtrack and several singles by The Smokin’ Armadillos. Much of Max T. Barnes’ production work has been done at notable Nashville production house, Starstruck Studios, which was built by Reba McEntire.
Other credits attributed to Max T. Barnes include backup vocals on Lonnie Mack’s ‘Roadhouses & Dance Halls’ (Epic Records, 1988), an album which was recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and lead guitar and vocals for several Joe Sun albums, including ‘Sundries’ and ‘The Sun Never Sets’, recorded in London.
Max T. Barnes also played lead guitar on Wynn Stewart’s last single, ‘Wait ‘Til I Get My Hands On You’, which was released after the death of Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 – Wednesday 17 July 1985), and reached No.98 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985.
Max T. Barnes is also credited with background vocals on ‘It’s You Again’, which was included on Skip Ewing‘s ‘The Will To Love’ (MCA Records, 1989); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.
In 1997, during his time at Curb Records, Max T. Barnes played acoustic guitar on ‘How Do I Live’ (written by Diane Warren), which was recorded by LeAnn Rimes; the single reached No.43 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in 1997, and No.2 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1997.
‘How Do I Live’ (written by Diane Warren) was included on LeAnn Rimes’ ‘You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs’ (Curb Records, 1997).
Max T. Barnes has performed on live tours throughout North America and Europe with a number of country music artists, including Joe Sun (James Joseph Paulsen) (Saturday 25 September 1943 – Friday 25 October 2019), Bobby Bare, Shelly West, Skip Ewing, Linda Davis and Tanya Tucker.
Max T. Barnes’ list of ASCAP Awards is quite extraordinary, as evidenced by the following list:
• ‘At The Sound of The Tone’ – 1986 Country Award
• ‘Love, Me’ – 1992 CMA ‘Song of The Year’ Nominee
• ‘Let Go of The Stone’ – 1992 Country Award
• ‘Before You Kill Us All’ – 1994 Country Award
• ‘That Girl’s Been Spyin’ On Me’ – 1996 Country Award
• ‘How Your Love Makes Me Feel’ – 1997 Country Award
• ‘A Night To Remember’ – 1999 Country Award
Max T. Barnes’ list of BMI Awards included ‘Way Down Deep’ (2002 Country Award) and ‘Tougher Than Nails’ (2004 Country Award).
Max T. Barnes Credits
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘Way Down Deep’ and included the track on ‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’ (Compleat Records, 1983); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983.
John Schneider recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘At The Sound of The Tone’ and included the track on ‘Take The Long Way Home’ (MCA Records, 1986); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.
Collin Raye recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘Love, Me’ (co-written with Skip Ewing) and included the track on ‘All I Can Be’ (Epic Records, 1991); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in January 1992.
John Anderson recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘Let Go of The Stone’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘Seminole Wind’ (BNA Records, 1992); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1993.
Randy Travis recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘Before You Kill Us All’ (co-written with Keith Follese) and included the track on ‘This Is Me’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1994); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994.
Alabama recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘I’ve Loved A Lot More Than I’ve Hurt’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘In Pictures’ (RCA Records, 1995).
James Bonamy recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘Amy Jane’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘What I Live To Do’ (Epic Records, 1996).
Jo Dee Messina recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘He’d Never Seen Julie Cry’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘Jo Dee Messina’ (Curb Records, 1996).
Mark Wills recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘What’s Not To Love’ (co-written with Trey Bruce) and included the track on ‘Mark Wills’ (Mercury Records, 1996).
Billy Dean recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘That Girl’s Been Spyin’ On Me’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘It’s What I Do’ (Capitol Records Nashville, 1996); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.
Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘My Heart Population You’ and included the track on ‘All Because of You’ (Giant Records, 1996).
Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022) recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘She’s The One’ and included the track on ‘Butterfly Kisses’ (Curb Records, 1997), which was produced by Chuck Howard and Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016).
John Wiggins & Audrey Wiggins recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘I Can Sleep When I’m Dead’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘The Dream’ (Polygram Records, 1997).
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘It’s Hard To Be Me’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘Twice Upon A Time’ (Epic Records, 1997).
Diamond Rio recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘How Your Love Makes Me Feel’ (co-written with Trey Bruce) and included the track on ‘Greatest Hits’ (Arista Records, 1997); the track, which was released in May 1997, was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for three weeks in September / October 1997.
Randy Travis recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘One Word Song’, which was co-written with John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 – Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on ‘You & You Alone’ (Dreamworks Nashville Records, 1998).
Mark Wills recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘Don’t Think I Won’t’ (co-written with Ted Hewitt and Rodney Atkins) and included the track on ‘Wish You Were Here’ (Mercury Records, 1998).
Montgomery Gentry – Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry (Wednesday 5 April 1967 – Friday 8 September 2017) – recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘I’ve Loved A Lot More Than I’ve Hurt’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘Tattoos & Scars’ (Columbia Records, 1999).
Beverly Ellis recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘Love Is A Loaded Gun’ and included the track on ‘A Diamond Won’t Cut It’ (Slipdisc Records, 1999).
Gene Watson recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘When You’re Not Looking Back’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001).
Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022) recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘My One & Only Love’, which was co-written with Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002), and included the track on ‘Real Life’ (Curb Records, 2001).
Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022) recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘What’s Not To Love’ (co-written with Trey Bruce) and included the track on ‘Real Life’ (Curb Records, 2001).
Marie Sisters recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘Strong For You’ (co-written with T.W. Hale) and included the track on ‘Marie Sisters’ (Universal / Republic Records, 2002).
Marie Sisters recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘You Were A Mountain’ (co-written with Trey Bruce) and included the track on ‘Marie Sisters’ (Universal / Republic Records, 2002).
Rhett Akins recorded Max T. Barnes’ ‘Right Back Atha’ (co-written with Rhett Akins and Kendall Marvel) and included the track on ‘Friday Night In Dixie’ (Koch Records, 2002).
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An Appreciation
Max D. Barnes was born Max Duane Barnes in Hardscratch, Iowa on Friday 24 July 1936 and, as a country music songwriter, composed many familiar songs of the 1980s and 1990s and received forty-two songwriter awards during the course of his career.
An outstanding array of country music artists have recorded Max D. Barnes’ songs, including the following:
• George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) (‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes’)
• Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) (‘Drinkin’ & Dreaming’)
• Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) (‘Red Neckin’, Love Makin’ Night’)
• Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) (‘Ten Feet Away’)
• Randy Travis (‘I Won’t Need You Anymore (Forever & Always)’)
• Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) (‘Way Down Deep’, ‘Slow Burnin’ Memory’)
• Pam Tillis (‘Don’t Tell Me What To Do’)
• Vince Gill (‘Look At Us’)
Max D. Barnes was a BMI Award-winning songwriter and was a writing partner of Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002), Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), Vince Gill, Max T. Barnes (his son) and sister Ruthie Barnes Steele.
Other Max D. Barnes Billboard country music hit singles included the following:
• ‘Look At Us’, which was recorded by Vince Gill
• ‘Thank God For The Radio’, which was recorded by The Kendalls – Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) & Jeannie Kendall
• ‘Joe Knows How To Live’, which was recorded by Eddy Raven
• ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes’, which was recorded by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013)
• ‘I Won’t Need You Anymore’, which was recorded by Randy Travis
• ‘If I Didn’t Have You’, which was recorded by Randy Travis
• ‘Ten Feet Away’, which was recorded by Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989)
• ‘Don’t Tell Me What To Do’, which was recorded by Pam Tillis
• ‘I’ve Got It Made’, which was recorded by John Anderson
• ‘Chiseled In Stone’, which was recorded by Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009)
• ‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’, which was recorded by Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009)
• ‘This Ain’t My First Rodeo’, which was recorded by Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009)
Max D. Barnes was a two-time winner of the Country Music Association’s prestigious ‘Song of The Year’ award; in 1998 for ‘Chiseled In Stone’, which was co-written with Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), and in 1992 for ‘Look At Us’, which was co-written with Vince Gill.
In 1992, Max D. Barnes was inducted into The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the American Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame, along with his sister Ruthie Barnes Steele in 2006.
Max D. Barnes’ list of BMI Awards included the following:
• ‘I Can’t Love You Enough’ – 1978 Country Award
• ‘Don’t Take It Away’ – 1980 Country Award
• ‘Red Neckin’, Love Makin’ Night’ – 1982 Pop Award / 1982 Country Award
• ‘Way Down Deep’ – 1984 Country Award
• ‘Thank God For The Radio’ – 1985 Country Award
• ‘Drinkin’ & Dreaming’ – 1986 Country Award
• ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes’ – 1987 Country Award
• ‘Ten Feet Away’ – 1987 Country Award
• ‘I Won’t Need You Anymore’ – 1988 Country Award / Million-Air
• ‘Chiseled In Stone’ – 1989 Country Award
• ‘Joe Knows How To Live’ – 1989 Country Award / Million-Air
• ‘That Just About Does It’ – 1990 Country Award
• ‘Don’t Tell Me What To Do’ – 1992 Country Award / Million-Air (2 million)
• ‘Look At Us’ – 1992 Country Award / Million-Air (2 million)
• ‘If I Didn’t Have You’ – 1993 Country Award / Million-Air (2 million)
• ‘Let Go of The Stone’ – 1993 Country Award / Million-Air
• ‘I’ve Got It Made’ – 1995 Country Award / Million-Air
• ‘Do You Believe Me Now’ – Million-Air
Max D. Barnes’ chart singles on the Billboard country music singles chart included the following:
• ‘Allegheny Lady’ (No.97, 1977)
• ‘Dear Mr. President’ (No.88, 1980)
• ‘Mean Woman Blues’ (No.79, 1980)
• ‘Cowboys Are Common As Sin’ (No.68, 1980)
• ‘Heaven On A Freight Train’ (No.88, 1980)
• ‘Don’t Ever Leave Me Again’ (No.84, 1981)
Jeanne Pruett recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Honey On His Hands’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Honey On His Hands’ (MCA Records, 1975); the track reached No.41 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975.
Jody Miller (Saturday 29 November 1941 – Thursday 6 October 2022) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Don’t Take It Away’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ (Epic Records, 1976).
Jody Miller (Saturday 29 November 1941 – Thursday 6 October 2022) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Man From Bowling Green’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’ (Epic Records, 1976).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) & Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘I Can’t Love You Enough’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Duo’ (MCA Records, 1977); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977.
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) & Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘From Seven ‘Til Ten’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Honky Tonk Heroes’ (MCA Records, 1978); the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978.
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Don’t Take It Away’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Cross Winds’ (MCA Records, 1979); the track, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in May 1979, was the first song he wrote with Troy Seals, and it was written in 1975.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘I Won’t Need You Anymore (Always & Forever)’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Still The Same Ole Me’ (Epic Records, 1981).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Red Neckin’ Love Makin’ Night’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Mr. T.’ (MCA Records, 1981); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1982.
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’ and included the track on ‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’ (Compleat Records, 1983); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983.
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Way Down Deep’ and included the track on ‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’ (Compleat Records, 1983); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983.
The Kendalls – Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) & Jeannie Kendall – recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Thank God For The Radio’ (co-written with Robert John Jones) and included the track on ‘Movin’ Train’ (Polygram Records / Mercury Records, 1983); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1984.
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Slow Burnin’ Memory’ and included the track on ‘There Is A Season’ (Compleat Records, 1984); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in early 1985.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes’ (Epic Records, 1985); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985.
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Drinkin’ & Dreaming’ and included the track on ‘Turn The Page’ (RCA Records, 1985); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985.
The Kendalls – Royce Kendall (Wednesday 25 September 1935 – Friday 22 May 1998) & Jeannie Kendall – recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Thank God For The Radio’ (co-written with Robert John Jones) and included the track on ‘Thank God For The Radio’ (Polygram Records / Mercury Records, 1985).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Ten Feet Away’, which was co-written with Troy Seals and Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015), and included the track on ‘LA to Miami’ (RCA Records, 1985); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.
Randy Travis recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Storms of Life’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Storms of Life’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1986).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘I Turn To You’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016), and included the track on ‘Wine Colored Roses’ (Epic Records, 1986); the track reached No.26 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Joe Knows How To Live’ (co-written with Graham Lyle and Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Hold On’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1987).
Randy Travis recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘I Won’t Need You Anymore (Always & Forever)’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Always & Forever’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1987); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in November 1987.
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Do You Believe Me Now’ (co-written with Vern Gosdin) and included the track on ‘Chiseled In Stone’ (Columbia Records, 1988); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Chiseled In Stone’ (co-written with Vern Gosdin) and included the track on ‘Chiseled In Stone’ (Columbia Records, 1988); the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1988.
Eddy Raven recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Joe Knows How To Live’ (co-written with Graham Lyle and Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘The Best of Eddy Raven’ (RCA Records, 1988); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1988.
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘That Just About Does It’ (co-written with Vern Gosdin) and included the track on ‘Alone’ (Columbia Records, 1989); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘This Ain’t My First Rodeo’, which was co-written with Vern Gosdin and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ’10 Years of Greatest Hits – Newly Recorded’ (Columbia Records, 1990); the track reached No.14 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.
John Anderson recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Too Tough To Tame’ (co-written with John Anderson) and included the track on ‘Too Tough To Tame’ (Universal Records, 1989).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Suddenly Single’ (co-written with Troy Seals) and included the track on ‘Heart Over Mind’ (Epic Records, 1990).
Pam Tillis recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Don’t Tell Me What To Do’, which was co-written with Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002), and included the track on ‘Put Yourself In My Place’ (Arista Records, 1991); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Honky Tonk Myself To Death’ and included the track on ‘Along Came Jones’ (MCA Records, 1991).
Vince Gill recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘I Quit’ (co-written with Vince Gill) and included the track on ‘Pocket Full of Gold’ (MCA Records, 1991).
Vince Gill recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Look At Us’ (co-written with Vince Gill) and included the track on ‘Pocket Full of Gold’ (MCA Records, 1991); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991.
Vince Gill recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘The Strings That Tie You Down’ (co-written with Vince Gill) and included the track on ‘Pocket Full of Gold’ (MCA Records, 1991).
Randy Travis recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘If I Didn’t Have You’ (co-written with Skip Ewing) and included the track on ‘Greatest Hits: Volume 1’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1992); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in October 1992.
Vince Gill recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Under These Conditions’ (co-written with Vince Gill) and included the track on ‘I Still Believe In You’ (MCA Records, 1992).
John Anderson recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Let Go of The Stone’ (co-written with Max T. Barnes) and included the track on ‘Seminole Wind’ (BNA Records, 1992); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1993.
Benny Berry recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Heart Don’t Start Stoppin’ On Me Now’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), and included the track on ‘When The Trains Still Ran Through Dixie’ (Hawk Records, 1993).
Benny Berry recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Put Me In Your Pocket’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), and included the track on ‘When The Trains Still Ran Through Dixie’ (Hawk Records, 1993).
Benny Berry recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘In My Next Life’ and included the track on ‘When The Trains Still Ran Through Dixie’ (Hawk Records, 1993).
Benny Berry recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘When The Trains Still Ran Through Dixie’ and included the track on ‘When The Trains Still Ran Through Dixie’ (Hawk Records, 1993).
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘I Am An Island’ and included the track on ‘1994’ (Curb Records, 1994).
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘In My Next Life’ and included the track on ‘1994’ (Curb Records, 1994).
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Way Back In The Mountains’ (co-written with Merle Haggard) and included the track on ‘1994’ (Curb Records, 1994).
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Chores’ (co-written with Merle Haggard, Billy Davis and Theresa Lane) and included the track on ‘1994’ (Curb Records, 1994).
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Solid As A Rock’ (co-written with Merle Haggard) and included the track on ‘1994’ (Curb Records, 1994).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Blind & Afraid of The Dark’ (co-written with Keith Whitley) and included the track on ‘Wherever You Are Tonight’ (BNA Records, 1995).
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Too Many Highways’ (co-written with Merle Haggard) and included the track on ‘1996’ (Curb Records, 1996).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Tied To A Stone’ and included the track on ‘I Lived To Tell It All’ (MCA Records, 1996).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘It Don’t Get Any Better Than This’, which was co-written with Buddy Cannon and Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017), and included the track on ‘It Don’t Get Any Better Than This’ (MCA Records, 1998); the track featured guest vocals from Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002), Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), Bobby Bare and Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003).
Montgomery Gentry recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘I’ve Loved A Lot More Than I’ve Hurt’ (co-written with Max T. Barnes) and included the track on ‘Tattoos & Scars’ (Columbia Records, 1999).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Day After Forever’ and included the track on ‘Cold Hard Truth’ (Asylum Records, 1999), which was produced by Keith Stegall.
Randy Travis recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Day One’ (co-written with Jimmy Yeary) and included the track on ‘A Man Ain’t Made of Stone’ (Dreamworks Records, 1999).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’, which was co-written with Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), and included the track on ‘Hits I Missed…& One I Didn’t’ (Bandit Records, 2005); the album was produced by Keith Stegall.
Alecia Nugent recorded Max D. Barnes’ ‘Where His Wheels Left The Road’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘A Little Girl…A Big Four Lane’ (Rounder Records, 2006).
(Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
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