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 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 Monte Good, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 17 November 2013.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Monte Good who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Monte Good
This quote was submitted on Sunday 17 November 2013.
‘Hope this is in the ballpark of the kind of quote you’re looking for:
Gene Watson does what so many country singers today can only dream of…he delivers true, honest country songs in a classic style unlike anyone else!
He knocks me out every time I hear him sing. He is a true legend!
Look up ‘country singer’ in the dictionary, and his picture should be right there next to it.
He truly is the country singer we all wish we could be!’
Thank you, Monte Good, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Monte Good…
Monte Good is a traditional country music singer, who draws on the rich tradition of the Texas dance halls of yesterday, combining world class musicianship and true country music and western swing.
As a youngster, Monte Good began performing professionally, playing ‘opry’ shows and talent contests at the age of seven, but it was during his high school years that he formed his first band, ‘Monte Good & The Goodtimers’.
It was during this time that Monte Good realized that he wanted to make a career of music. Monte Good cut his musical teeth in the dance halls of his native Oklahoma, as well as Texas, touring with regional dance bands, and performing wherever he could. Realizing he had gone as far as he could go locally, in 1989 Monte Good decided to make the move to Nashville.
Upon moving to Nashville, Monte Good soon secured a job playing pedal steel guitar with Capitol Records recording artist, Scott McQuaig.
Although the job only lasted a year before record label changes, Monte Good learned much from the experience. It was the first time Monte Good ever got to open for national recording artists, such as Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 – Thursday 7 May 1998), among others.
From there, Monte Good went to work for Sony Records artist, Stacy Dean Campbell. Not only did this allow him to play pedal steel guitar, slide guitar and harmonica, it also led to opening for more artists like Alabama, Tanya Tucker, The Mavericks, Sammy Kershaw and others, along with numerous television appearances on The Nashville Network on programs such as ‘Nashville Now’, ‘On Stage’, and ‘Crook & Chase’, as well as appearances on ‘The Grand Ole Opry’.
As his name began to spread around Nashville, Monte Good received an invitation to join Sony Records group Ricochet playing pedal steel, slide guitar, harmonica and electric guitar. Working with this talented group of musicians allowed Monte Good to work as the opening act for Neal McCoy, Collin Raye and other big name Nashville recording artists.
In 1994, Monte Good auditioned for, and began working with, Atlantic Records recording artist, John Michael Montgomery, playing pedal steel and Dobro. Beginning with the five-week No.1 smash hit single, ‘I Swear’ (written by Frank Myers and Gary Baker), Monte Good’s musical career began to grow even more; this track, which also reached No.42 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1994, was included on John Michael Montgomery’s ‘Kickin’ It Up’ (Atlantic Records, 1994).
Along with touring with artists including Reba McEntire, Faith Hill, Chris LeDoux (Saturday 2 October 1948 – Wednesday 9 March 2005), Tim McGraw, George Strait and others, working with John Michael Montgomery provided the opportunity for numerous television appearances on programs such as ‘The Tonight Show With Jay Leno’, ‘The Late Show With David Letterman’, ‘The ESPN Sports Awards’, ‘The Academy of Country Music Awards Show’, and ‘The CMA Awards Show’, along with various television specials.
It was during this time that John Michael Montgomery sold over ten million albums.
As John Michael Montgomery’s career began to wane, Monte Good auditioned for the band of RCA Records recording artist, Sara Evans. Working with Sara Evans at the beginning of her career, Monte Good was able to see her true talent emerge, while getting to perform onstage with the likes of Vince Gill, as well as opening for Diamond Rio, Faith Hill and others.
It was during this time that Monte Good received a phone call from his friend, Neal McCoy, asking if he would be interested in coming to work in his band. It was here that Monte Good learned what performing was all about. Working with Neal McCoy was a veritable education in what showmanship truly was, and Neal McCoy‘s connection with his audiences showed Monte Good how to entertain; all of this while traveling the globe, playing to packed venues, and getting the opportunity to work alongside some true country music legends such as Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020).
After working with Neal McCoy for a couple of years, Monte Good received a call from the offices of Bob Doyle, manager for Garth Brooks. They were representing a new artist from Canada, George Canyon, who had just placed second on the television program, ‘Nashville Star’. Touring with George Canyon, Monte Good played not only pedal steel guitar, Dobro, electric and acoustic guitars, and harmonica, but he also acted as band leader and tour manager.
With all of these experiences, Monte Good still longed for something more; he wanted to return to the traditional country music of his Oklahoma youth. Monte Good then decided to ‘retire’ from working for other Nashville artists, and began to focus on his music; the fiddle and steel guitar country music he had grown up on.
At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’, in November 2013, Monte Good was living in Nashville. Monte Good had just released, in late 2012, his first album, ‘A Texas Honky Tonk’ (Monte Good Independent Release, 2012), which was produced by Monte Good and ace bluegrass musician, Randy Kohrs.
The song titles on Monte Good’s first album, ‘A Texas Honky Tonk’ (Monte Good Independent Release, 2012), explained it all; the songs were a return to the music that made Monte Good what he is today.
Monte Good continues to perform and record in Nashville and beyond, bringing his style of country music to new fans.
On Tuesday 16 October 2012, Monte Good saw the release of his debut album, ‘A Texas Honky Tonk’ (Monte Good Independent Release, 2012), which included Monte’s exquisite interpretations of the following classic country music tracks, along with one of his own songwriting creations:
‘A Texas Honky Tonk’, which was written by Glenn Sutton (Tuesday 28 September 1937 – Tuesday 17 April 2007) / the original version of this track was recorded by Darrell McCall, and released as a non-album single, on Atlantic Country Records, in 1974
‘That Girl Who Waits On Tables’ (written by Bobby Barker) / the original version of this track was recorded by Ronnie Milsap, who included it on ‘Where My Heart Is’ (RCA Victor Records, 1973); Ronnie Milsap‘s version of this track reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973
‘I Flew Over Our House Last Night’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) / the original version of this track was recorded by Tom T. Hall, who included it on ‘The Rhymer And Other Five And Dimers’ (RCA Records, 1973)
‘In The Corner of My Mind’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002) / the original version of this track was recorded by Skeets McDonald (Friday 1 October 1915 – Sunday 31 March 1968) for Capitol Records in 1961, but it was never released; the track was subsequently included it on ‘Don’t Let The Star Get In Your Eyes’ (Bear Family Records, 1998), a 5-CD box set, which included 143 tracks, all recordings Skeets McDonald ever made, between 1949 and 1967, along with a vinyl-sized 44-page book by Colin Escott, with a retrospective biography, a discography and many rather rare photographs
‘I Cheated Me Right Out of You’ (written by Bobby Barker) / the original version of this track was recorded by Moe Bandy, who included it on ‘One of A Kind’ (Columbia Records, 1979); Moe Bandy‘s version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in December 1979
‘There’s A Little Bit of Everything In Texas’, which was written by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984) / the original version of this track was recorded by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984), who included the track on ‘The Ernest Tubb Story’ (Decca Records, 1959)
‘I Can’t Tell If I’ve Gone Crazy’ (written by Monte Good)
‘Red Wine & Blue Memories’, which was written by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015), Carmol Taylor (Saturday 5 September 1931 – Friday 5 December 1986) and Mark Sherrill / the original version of this track was recorded by Joe Stampley, who included the track on ‘Red Wine & Blue Memories’ (Epic Records, 1978); Joe Stampley‘s version of the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978
‘The Walls of This Old Honky Tonk’, which was written by Glenn Sutton (Tuesday 28 September 1937 – Tuesday 17 April 2007) and Red Steagall / the original version of this track was recorded by Red Steagall, who included it on ‘Lone Star Beer & Bob Wills Music’ (Dot Records, 1976)
‘The Right Combination’, which was written by Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) / the original version of this track was recorded by Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) & Dolly Parton, who included it on ‘The Right Combination’ (RCA Victor Records, 1972); Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton’s version of this track reached No.14 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1972
‘You Ought To Hear Me Cry’ (written by Willie Nelson) / the original version of this track was recorded by Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020), who included it on ‘Sound of A Heartache’ (Stop Records, 1967); Johnny Bush‘s version of the track reached No.69 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1967
‘Way Down Texas Way’, which was written by Billy Joe Shaver (Wednesday 16 August 1939 – Wednesday 28 October 2020) / the original version of this track was recorded by Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel, who included the track on ‘Ten’ (Epic Records, 1987); Ray Benson & Asleep At The Wheel‘s version of this track reached No.39 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987
• Visit Monte Good’s official site at montegoodmusic.com
• Like Monte Good on Facebook