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 2014, 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 Myra Rolen, which she submitted to this site on Thursday 12 June 2014.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Myra Rolen who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Myra Rolen
This quote was submitted on Thursday 12 June 2014.
‘It is such an honour to be asked to submit a quote on one of the ‘greatest country music legends’ of all time.
I have always been a fan of Gene’s music growing up and, as I got older and into the music business myself, have grown a deeper appreciation of his work. Gene is a classy guy and each and every performance is a showstopper. His voice is pure velvet and his body of music is simply timeless. Gene is a true inspiration!
I love his music so much, I recorded two of his songs on my album, ‘Hold That Thought’ (Pretty World Records, 2014); ‘You Put Out An Old Flame Last Night’ (written by Dave Lindsey and Ernie Rowell) and ‘Hold That Thought’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016) and Tommy Rocco.
If you’ve never seen one of his shows, then it’s a must for your bucket list. There is no one better than Gene! It was an honor to submit a quote for The Gene Watson Fan Site. Gene is one of my favorite artists. Having grown up from the same Paris area of Texas, you don’t go without knowing who Gene is and all he has accomplished!’
Thank you, Myra Rolen, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Myra Rolen…
Myra Rolen began singing and performing at a very young age.
Myra Rolen was in her first band at the age of sixteen and performed for many years until she decided to put her singing career on hold to raise a family.
Then, years later, with encouragement from her family, Myra Rolen decided to get back onstage doing what she loves most.
(Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013)
Myra Rolen performs at all types of venues, music festivals, fairs, private and corporate events where she has had the privilege of opening for many major recording artists, including Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013), who had this to say about her, ‘I would like to introduce you to a very talented young lady whose star is rapidly rising. I hope everyone will consider giving this young lady your support!’
Myra Rolen was very honoured and thankful to Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) for his support.
In 2008, Myra Rolen recorded her first classic country music album, ‘This Is Forever’ (Myra Rolen Independent Release, 2008) at Gene Breden Studios in Nashville; the album, which proved to be a fan favourite, included the following tracks:
‘It Just Hurts A Little’
‘Talking In Your Sleep’
‘Walk Out Backwards’ (written by Bill Anderson)
‘That’s Love’
‘This Is Forever’
‘Someone Had To Teach You’
‘You’re Gettin To Me Again’
‘Tall, Dark & Lonesome’
‘If I Could Only Dance With You’
‘Send Me The Pillow’
‘Sound of Goodbye’
In January 2012, Myra Rolen kicked off the year with the filming of her first national television appearance; ‘The Shotgun Red Variety Show’ was filmed on the General Jackson showboat in Nashville and was aired on RFD-TV.
Myra Rolen’s second national television appearance on ‘The Texas Picking Party’ soon followed, and included Myra’s beautiful rendition of ‘Ten Thousand Angels Cried’. It was filmed in May 2012 and was aired on The Rural Network, RFD-TV’s sister channel.
Myra Rolen’s second album, ‘Tonight Darlin’ (Myra Rolen Independent Release, 2012), which was a compilation of original material written with a traditional country and western swing style, was released in May 2012, and received rave reviews from Myra Rolen’s peers, radio and fans.
Myra Rolen’s second album, ‘Tonight Darlin’ (Myra Rolen Independent Release, 2012), was recognised by The Academy of Western Artists Organisation where the album and artist received three nominations: ‘Album of The Year’, Top 5 finalist for ‘Song of The Year’ for ‘A Bottle of Wine & Patsy Cline’ (written by Tommy Rocco and Lindy Gravelle), and Top 5 finalist in the ‘Female Vocalist’ category.
In February 2013, Myra Rolen was added to the roster at Pretty World Records in Nashville (the label is also based in Claremont, North Carolina).
Myra Rolen’s first single, ‘Walk Out Backwards’ (written by Bill Anderson), was released in late February 2013 and soared all the way to No.1 on The Indie World Charts.
Myra Rolen’s second single, ‘Hold That Thought’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016) and Tommy Rocco, was released in late 2013 and immediately came into The Indie World Charts at No.47 after only four days released to radio. The song did well and soon became Myra Rolen’s second No.1 on The Indie World Charts.
At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’, in June 2014, Myra Rolen was enjoying the success she attained following the release of her third traditional country music album, ‘Hold That Thought’ (Pretty World Records, 2014).
(photo taken in April 2016)
Myra Rolen’s ‘Hold That Thought’ (Pretty World Records, 2014) was true to the traditional country music sound and was pure country, and was produced by Chip Bricker, then piano player with Gene Watson‘s highly acclaimed Farewell Party Band and owner of Smart Productions in Nash, Texas.
Myra Rolen’s single, ‘Hold That Thought’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016) and Tommy Rocco, received a great response from radio and fans everywhere and the album was expected to do well.
2014 proved to be a banner year for Myra Rolen.
In January 2014, Myra Rolen returned to Nashville where she recorded her third national television appearance on ‘The Shotgun Red Variety Show’ as a special guest. The show was aired on Dish Networks RDF channel on Thursday 22 May 2014.
Myra Rolen’s third traditional country music album, ‘Hold That Thought’ (Pretty World Records, 2014), was released in February 2014 and was expected to have many singles from it which would be released to radio.
Myra Rolen’s third traditional country music album, ‘Hold That Thought’ (Pretty World Records, 2014), included the following tracks:
‘Hold That Thought’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016) and Tommy Rocco / the original version of this track was recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Uncharted Mind‘ (Step One Records, 1993)
‘Cant Hang Up The Phone’
‘You Put Out An Old Flame Last Night’ (written by Dave Lindsey and Ernie Rowell) / the original version of this track was recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Sometimes I Get Lucky‘ (MCA Records, 1983) / this track was re-recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Gene Watson…Then & Now‘ (Koch Records Nashville, 2005)
‘Beginning of The End’ (written by Chuck Cusimano)
‘Crying Steel Guitar’
‘Looking For Love’
‘Sometimes You Just Can’t Win’
‘That’s Why There’s Honky Tonks In Texas’ (written by Chuck Cusimano)
‘Truth Is, I’m A Liar’
‘It’s Your Turn’
On Saturday 29 March 2014, Myra Rolen attended The Academy of Western Artists Awards (AWA) at The Sheraton Hotel in Irving, Texas where she made the Top 5 finalists for ‘Female Vocalist’ and ‘Song of The Year’ for ‘A Bottle of Wine & Patsy Cline’, which was written by Tommy Rocco, .
In April 2014, Myra Rolen and Gene Watson performed at Arlington Music Hall in Arlington, Texas.
It was also in 2014 when Myra Rolen saw the release of her first Gospel album, ‘In His Light’ (Pretty World Records, 2014), which included the following tracks:
‘He Set Me Free’
‘God Walks The Dark Hills’
‘In His Light’
‘Unclouded Day’
‘The Old Country Church’
‘Before The Hammer Could Ring’, which was written by Bobbie Joyce Harris Bost (Saturday 10 February 1940 – Saturday 6 April 2002) / the original version of this track was recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on ‘Jesus Is All I Need‘ (Step One Records, 1997)
‘Amazing Grace’, which was written by John Newton (24 July 1725 – 21 December 1807) and Bill Walker
‘Walk Around Me, Jesus’
‘Goin Away Party’
‘Ten Thousand Angels’
‘Fall The Other Way’
‘I’ll Fly Away’
‘The Anchor Holds’
In 2015, Myra Rolen saw the release of ‘Dancing Your Memory Away’ (Myra Rolen Independent Release, 2015), which was produced by Justin Trevino, and included the following tracks:
‘Yours To Hurt Tomorrow’ (written by Peggy Foreman)
‘Cheatin’ Overtime’ (written by Peggy Foreman) / this track was a duet with Justin Trevino
‘If I Didn’t Have You In My World’, which was written by Vince Gill and Jim Weatherly (Wednesday 17 March 1943 – Wednesday 3 February 2021) / this track featured guest vocals from Mona McCall & Guyanne McCall / the original version of this track was recorded by Vince Gill, who included it on ‘Pocket Full of Gold’ (MCA Records, 1991)
‘The Same Ole Me’, which was written by Charles ‘Fuzzy’ Owen (Tuesday 30 April 1929 – Tuesday 12 May 2020)
‘Tell Me I’m Crazy’ (written by Mike Reid and Rory Bourke)
‘That’s A No No’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005) / the original version of this track was recorded by Lynn Anderson (Friday 26 September 1947 – Thursday 30 July 2015), who included it on ‘At Home With Lynn’ (Chart Records, 1969); Lynn Anderson‘s version of the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1969
‘I’ll Be A Lady Tomorrow’ (written by Peggy Foreman)
‘Walkin’, Talkin’, Cryin’ Barely Beatin’ Broken Heart’, which was written by Justin Tubb (Tuesday 20 August 1935 – Saturday 24 January 1998) and Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992) / the original version of this track was recorded by Johnnie Wright (Wednesday 13 May 1914 – Tuesday 27 September 2011), who included it on ‘Hello Vietnam’ (Decca Records, 1965); Johnnie Wright’s version of the track reached No.22 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964 / this track was also recorded by Highway 101, who included it on ‘Paint The Town’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1989); Highway 101’s version of the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in April 1990
‘The Marionette’ (written by Darrell McCall) / this track was a duet with Darrell McCall / the original version of this track was recorded by Darrell McCall, who included it on ‘Meet Darrell McCall’ (Westside Records, 1969)
‘He Still Loves Her’ (written by Mona McCall) / this track was duet with Guyanne McCall
‘Let It Rain’ (written by Guyanne McCall and Jerilynn Dannheim)
‘A Different Arrangement’ (written by Peggy Foreman) / this track was a duet with Justin Trevino
‘Dancing Your Memory Away’ (written by Eddie Burton and Thomas Grant) / the original version of this track was recorded by Charly McClain, who included it on ‘Too Good To Hurry’ (Epic Records, 1982); Charly McClain’s version of the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982
Personnel involved in the recording of Myra Rolen’s ‘Dancing Your Memory Away’ (Myra Rolen Independent Release, 2015) included the following:
Jake Hooker (upright bass)
Rosine Leffel (acoustic guitar)
Hank Singer (fiddle)
T. Jarrod Bonta (piano)
Charlie Walton (electric guitar)
Jim Loessberg (steel guitar, drums)
Guyanne McCall, Justin Trevino, Mona McCall, Darrell McCall and Myra Rolen (background vocals)
In 2019, Myra Rolen saw the release of ‘Till You Find The Strength’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2019), which was produced by Justin Trevino, and included the following tracks:
‘Today, Tommorow & Forever’ / this track was a duet with Justin Trevino
‘Till You Find The Strength To Go On’
‘That Should Be Me & You’
‘Backstreet Affair’ / this track was a duet with Justin Trevino
‘Cry’
‘Solitary Thinkin’ / this track was a duet with Guyanne McCall
‘You’ve Got Me Right Where You Want Me’
‘I Didnt Mean To Love You’ / this track was a duet with Cody McCall
‘There’s Still A Lot of Love In San Antone’
‘Love Is A Foundation’
‘Rockin Years’ / this track was a duet with Justin Trevino
‘Right Or Wrong’
‘(Remember Me) I’m The One Who Loves You’ / this track was a duet with Justin Trevino
‘A Place To Fall Apart’
Personnel involved in the recording of Myra Rolen’s ‘Till You Find The Strength’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2019) included the following:
Myra Rolen (lead vocals)
Justin Trevino (producer, duet vocals, upright bass)
Cody McCall and Guyanne McCall (duet vocals)
T. Jarrod Bonta and Robyn Reinhard (piano)
Hank Singer (fiddle)
Rosine Leffel (acoustic guitar)
Jim Loessberg (steel guitar, drums)
Charlie Walton (lead guitar)
Guyanne McCall, Cody McCall, Roby Reinhard and Justin Trevino (harmony vocals)
The photo session for Myra Rolen’s ‘Till You Find The Strength’ (Heart of Texas Records, 2019) centered around Darrell McCall’s iconic ‘Lily Dale’ pickup, which was featured on the cover of his Columbia Records album in 1977. Heart of Texas recording artist, Kim Murray, was the photographer and art director on the project.
Myra Rolen loves to perform and receives high praise from the crowds at each performance.
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