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 2006, 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 Rivers Rutherford, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 12 October 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Rivers Rutherford who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Rivers Rutherford
This quote was submitted on Thursday 12 October 2006.
‘Gene Watson is an amazing singer who delivers anybody’s song as if it’s his own.
He is a true gentleman towards his peers in the music industry and a dedicated entertainer who obviously loves his fans and shares the deep well of his talent with them passionately’
Thank you, Rivers Rutherford, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Rivers Rutherford…
Rivers Rutherford was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee and began his musical education at the age of seven, when he took up the piano and guitar. The childhood home was four blocks from Graceland, Elvis Presley’s estate.
As a result, ‘The King’ became one of Rivers Rutherford’s strongest childhood influences, as did Memphis’ renowned Beale Street musicians.
River Rutherford’s greatest influence was his father, who encouraged him from a young age. By the time he was fifteen years old, Rivers Rutherford was performing on Memphis Queen Riverboat and learning R&B classics from Otis Ray Redding Jr. (Tuesday 9 September 1941 – Sunday 10 December 1967), Sam & Dave, and Booker T.
Rivers Rutherford graduated to the clubs on Beale Street and then attended the University of Mississippi on a music scholarship and studied piano and English.
Rivers Rutherford then became acquainted with producer, Lincoln Wayne ‘Chips’ Moman (Saturday 12 June 1937 – Monday 13 June 2016), who was working with The Highwaymen on their second album.
Lincoln Wayne ‘Chips’ Moman (Saturday 12 June 1937 – Monday 13 June 2016) enjoyed Rivers Rutherford’s playing and eventually signed Rivers to a song-writing deal, which led to his first cut.
Lincoln Wayne ‘Chips’ Moman (Saturday 12 June 1937 – Monday 13 June 2016) invited Rivers Rutherford to Nashville where he met The Highwaymen: Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003), Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002), Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024) and Willie Nelson. The four superstars recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘American Remains’ and included the track on ‘Highwaymen 2’ (Columbia Records, 1990).
In 1991, after a brief stint in law school, and a move to Nashville in 1993, Rivers Rutherford began to make a name for himself as an entertainer, studio guitar player and songwriter.
When Rivers Rutherford and his wife began a family, Rivers took on more and more studio work; Rivers played guitar on albums by Tracy Byrd, Mark Chesnutt, Amy Grant, Point of Grace, and Ringo Starr, among others.
In 1996, Rivers Rutherford signed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group and, at the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’, in October 2006, he was still working for the company.
Chely Wright recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Shut Up & Drive’ (co-written with Annie Tate and Sam Tate) and included the track on ‘Let Me In’ (MCA Records, 1997); the track reached No.14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
Gary Allan recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Smoke Rings In The Dark’ (co-written with Houston Roberts) and included the track on ‘Smoke Rings In The Dark’ (MCA Nashville Records, 1999); the track reached No.12 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in February 2000.
Clay Davidson recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Unconditional’ (co-written with Deanna Bryant and Liz Hengber) and included the track on ‘Unconditional’ (Virgin Records, 2000).
Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn) recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You’ and included the track on ‘Steers & Stripes’ (Arista Records, 2001); the track, which was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for six weeks in April / May / June 2001, was the most played single of the year on American country music radio in 2001, according to Billboard magazine, and also reached No.25 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2001.
Gary Allan recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Man of Me’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Alright Guy’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2001); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2001.
Gary Allan recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I’m Doing My Best’ (co-written with Sam Tate and Annie Tate) and included the track on ‘Alright Guy’ (MCA Records, 2001).
Mark Wills recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘In My Heaven’ (co-written with Bobby Pinson) and included the track on ‘Loving Every Minute’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 2001).
Lorrie Morgan & Sammy Kershaw recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ’29 Again’ (co-written with Dave Berg and Deanna Bryant) and included the track on ‘I Finally Found You’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2001); the track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2001, but it did not chart.
Collin Raye saw recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Ain’t Nobody Gonna Take That From Me’ (co-written with Annie Tate and Sam Tate) and included the track on ‘Can’t Back Down’ (Epic Records, 2001); the track reached No.43 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2001.
Tracy Byrd recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘A Good Way To Get On My Bad Side’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Ten Rounds’ (RCA Records, 2001); the track was a duet with Mark Chesnutt.
Lila McCann recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Where It Used To Break’ (co-written with Dave Berg) and included the track on ‘Complete’ (Warner Bros. Nashville Records, 2001).
Confederate Railroad recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘She Treats Her Body Like A Temple’ (co-written with Craig Wiseman) and included the track on ‘Unleashed’ (Audium Entertainment, 2001); the track reached No.59 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2001.
Jeff Carson (Monday 16 December 1963 – Saturday 26 March 2022) recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I Almost Never Loved You’ (co-written with Jennifer Bibeau and Brian Ede Nash) and included the track on ‘Real Life’ (Curb Records, 2001).
In 2002, Rivers Rutherford earned honours for the ASCAP ‘Song of The Year’ Award for the track ‘Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You’.
Randy Travis recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Raise Him Up’ and included the track on ‘Rise & Shine’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2002).
Andy Griggs recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Tonight I Wanna Be Your Man’ and included the track on ‘Freedom’ (RCA Records, 2002); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2002.
Faith Hill recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘When The Lights Go Down’ (co-written with Jeffrey Steele and Craig Wiseman) and included the track on ‘Cry’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2002).
Tim McGraw recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Real Good Man’ and included the track on ‘Tim McGraw & The Dancehall Doctors’ (Curb Records, 2002).
Montgomery Gentry – Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry (Wednesday 5 April 1967 – Friday 8 September 2017) – recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Why Do I Feel Like Running’ (co-written with Al Anderson) and included the track on ‘My Town’ (Columbia Nashville Records, 2002).
Montgomery Gentry – Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry (Wednesday 5 April 1967 – Friday 8 September 2017) – recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Lie Before You Leave’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘My Town’ (Columbia Nashville Records, 2002).
Montgomery Gentry – Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry (Wednesday 5 April 1967 – Friday 8 September 2017) – recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘For The Money’ (co-written with Annie Tate and Sam Tate) and included the track on ‘My Town’ (Columbia Nashville Records, 2002).
Trick Pony recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘A Boy Like You’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro and Heidi Newfield) and included the track on ‘On a Mission’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2002); the track reached No.47 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2003.
Clay Walker recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Jesus Was A Country Boy’ (co-written with Clay Walker) and included the track on ‘A Few Questions’ (RCA Records, 2003).
Clay Walker recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I’m In The Mood For You’ and included the track on ‘A Few Questions’ (RCA Records, 2003).
Clay Walker recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘When She’s Good, She’s Good’ (co-written with Robert Boyd) and included the track on ‘A Few Questions’ (RCA Records, 2003).
Blake Shelton recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Heavy Lifting’ (co-written with Boyd Houston Robert and George Teren) and included the track on ‘The Dreamer’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2003); the track reached No.32 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2003.
Blake Shelton recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘In My Heaven’ (co-written with Bobby Pinson) and included the track on ‘The Dreamer’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2003).
Marty Stuart & The Fabulous Superlatives recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Here I Am’ and included the track on ‘Country Music’ (Columbia Records, 2003).
Mark Wills recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘That’s A Woman’ (co-written with Steven Dale Jones) and included the track on ‘And The Crowd Goes Wild’ (Mercury Records, 2003); the track reached No.40 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2003.
Deana Carter recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Twice As Worth It’ (co-written with Deana Carter) and included the track on ‘I’m Just A Girl’ (Arista Records, 2003).
Billy Ray Cyrus recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Face of God’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero and Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘The Other Side’ (Word Records / Curb Records / Warner Bros. Records, 2003); the track reached No.54 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2004.
Josh Gracin recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I Want To Live’ and included the track on ‘Josh Gracin’ (Lyric Street Records, 2004).
Montgomery Gentry – Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry (Wednesday 5 April 1967 – Friday 8 September 2017) – recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘If You Ever Stop Loving Me’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero and Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Do Your Own Thing’ (Columbia Records, 2004); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for one week in July 2004, and No.30 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2004.
Montgomery Gentry – Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry (Wednesday 5 April 1967 – Friday 8 September 2017) – recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I Ain’t Got It All That Bad’ (co-written with George Teren and Jamie Lee Thurston) and included the track on ‘Do Your Own Thing’ (Columbia Records, 2004); this track featured Hank Williams Jr. on guest vocals.
Montgomery Gentry – Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry (Wednesday 5 April 1967 – Friday 8 September 2017) – recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I Never Thought I’d Live This Long’ (co-written with Kelley Lovelace, George Teren and Jamie Lee Thurston) and included the track on ‘Do Your Own Thing’ (Columbia Records, 2004).
Lonestar recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Summertime’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro and Dean Sams) and included the track on ‘Let’s Be Us Again’ (BNA Records, 2004).
Tracy Lawrence recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘It’s All How You Look At It’ and included the track on ‘Strong’ (Dreamworks Records, 2004).
Travis Tritt recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘The Girl’s Gone Wild’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero) and included the track on ‘My Honky Tonk History’ (Columbia Records, 2004); the track reached No.28 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2004.
Keith Urban recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘The Hard Way’ (co-written with Gordie Sampson) and included the track on ‘Be Here’ (Capitol Records, 2004).
Gretchen Wilson recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Homewrecker’ (co-written with George Teren and Gretchen Wilson) and included the track on ‘Here For The Party’ (Epic Nashville Records, 2004); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in early 2005.
Performing is an integral part of Rivers Rutherford’s identity.
In 2005, Rivers Rutherford spent time on the road, opening shows for Josh Gracin, Pat Green and Keith Urban.
LeAnn Rimes recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I Want To With You’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘This Woman’ (Curb Records, 2005).
Jamie O’Neal recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Devil On The Left’ (co-written with Jamie O’Neal and Lisa Drew) and included the track on ‘Brave’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2005); this track was produced by Jamie O’Neal and Rivers Rutherford.
Jamie O’Neal recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Girlfriends’ (co-written with Jamie O’Neal, Lisa Drew and Jimmy Murphy) and included the track on ‘Brave’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2005); this track was produced by Jamie O’Neal and Rivers Rutherford.
Rivers Rutherford played acoustic guitar and provided background vocals on Jamie O’Neal’s ‘Brave’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2005).
Brad Paisley recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘When I Get Where I’m Going’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Time Well Wasted’ (Arista Records, 2005); the track, which was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for one week in March 2006, featured guest vocals from Dolly Parton.
Faith Hill recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I Want You’ (co-written with Bobby Tomberlin) and included the track on (the North American release only) of ‘Fireflies’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2005).
Collin Raye recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I Know That’s Right’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero and Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Twenty Years & Change’ (Aspirion Records, 2005); the track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2005, but it did not chart.
Trace Adkins recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Bring It On’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Songs About Me’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2005).
Lonestar recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I Am a Man’ (co-written with Tom Douglas and Aimee Mayo) and included the track on ‘Coming Home’ (BNA Records, 2005).
Kenny Chesney recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Living in Fast Forward’ (co-written with David Lee Murphy) and included the track on ‘The Road & The Radio’ (BNA Records, 2005); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for two weeks in March / April 2006.
On Tuesday 7 March 2006, Rivers Rutherford saw the release of ‘Just Another Coaster’ (CD Baby, 2006), which included the following tracks:
‘Heavy Liftin’
‘Outside The Box’
‘The One That Got Away’ (written by Rivers Rutherford and Dave Berg)
‘That’s A Woman’
‘Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You’
‘Real Good Man’
‘Knowing I’ll Be Holding You’
‘The Devil’s Up To Somethin’
‘The Richest Man’
‘What A Day’
Julie Roberts recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Mama Don’t Cry’ (co-written with Hillary Lindsey) and included the track on ‘Men & Mascara’ (Mercury Records, 2006).
Ronnie Milsap recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Local Girls’ (co-written with Bob DiPiero) and included the track on ‘My Life’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2006), which was produced by Keith Stegall; the track reached No.54 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2006.
John Corbett recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Wichita’ (co-written with Roxie Dean, Dave Turnbull and Houston Boyd Robert) and included the track on ‘John Corbett’ (Funbone Records, 2006).
Montgomery Gentry – Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry (Wednesday 5 April 1967 – Friday 8 September 2017) – recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Twenty Years Ago’ (co-written with Jeffrey Steele and Gary Nicholson) and included the track on ‘Some People Change’ (Columbia Records, 2006).
Montgomery Gentry – Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry (Wednesday 5 April 1967 – Friday 8 September 2017) – recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Redder Than That’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘Some People Change’ (Columbia Records, 2006).
Montgomery Gentry – Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry (Wednesday 5 April 1967 – Friday 8 September 2017) – recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘If You Wanna Keep An Angel’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro and Troy Gentry) and included the track on ‘Some People Change’ (Columbia Records, 2006).
Montgomery Gentry – Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry (Wednesday 5 April 1967 – Friday 8 September 2017) – recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Free Ride In The Fast Lane’ (co-written with George Teren and Robert Houston) and included the track on ‘Some People Change’ (Columbia Records, 2006).
Tom Wurth recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘It Ain’t What You’re Thinking’ (co-written with Houston Robert and George Teren) and included the track on ‘Tom Wurth’ (Aspirion Records, 2006).
Trace Adkins recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Ladies Love Country Boys’ (co-written with Jamey Johnson and George Teren) and included the track on ‘Dangerous man’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2006); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for one week in March 2007.
Tim McGraw recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Comin’ Home’ (co-written with Steve McEwan) and included the track on ‘Let It Go’ (Curb Records, 2007).
Cole Degges & The Lonesome recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I Got More’ (co-written with Jim Collins) and included the track on ‘Cole Degges & The Lonesome’ (Columbia Nashville Records, 2007), which was produced by Rivers Rutherford and Mark Wright; the track reached No.25 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2007.
Cole Degges & The Lonesome recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘The One That Got Away’ (co-written with Dave Berg) and included the track on ‘Cole Degges & The Lonesome’ (Columbia Nashville Records, 2007), which was produced by Rivers Rutherford and Mark Wright.
Cole Degges & The Lonesome recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Everybody’s Beautiful To Someone’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Cole Degges & The Lonesome’ (Columbia Nashville Records, 2007), which was produced by Rivers Rutherford and Mark Wright.
Daniel Lee Martin recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Stark Ravin’ Crazy In Love’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘On My Way To You’ (Chin Music Records, 2007).
Daniel Lee Martin recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘It’s All How You Look At It’ and included the track on ‘On My Way To You’ (Chin Music Records, 2007).
Daniel Lee Martin recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘On My Way To You’ and included the track on ‘On My Way To You’ (Chin Music Records, 2007).
Daniel Lee Martin recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘You Can’t Be Everything To Everybody’ and included the track on ‘On My Way To You’ (Chin Music Records, 2007).
Joe Nichols recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Ain’t Nobody Gonna Take That From Me’ (co-written with Sam Tate and Annie Tate) and included the track on ‘Real Things’ (Universal South Records, 2007).
Clay Walker recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I’d Love To Be Your Last’ (co-written with Annie Tate and Sam Tate) and included the track on ‘Fall’ (Asylum-Curb Records, 2007).
Halfway To Hazard (David Tolliver and Chad Warrix) recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Die By My Own Hand’ (co-written with David Tolliver and Chad Warrix) and included the track on ‘Halfway To Hazard’ (Mercury Nashville Records / Style Sonic, 2007).
Chuck Wicks recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Stealing Cinderella’ (co-written with Chuck Wicks and George Teren) and included the track on ‘Starting Now’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2008); the track, which reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2007, produced the biggest debut for any new country artist in all of 2007, with fifty-two Billboard-monitored radio stations in the United States adding the song in its first official week of airplay.
On Saturday 25 August 2007, Chuck Wicks performed the song at his Grand Ole Opry debut in Nashville.
Darius Rucker recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘If I Had Wings’ (co-written with Darius Rucker and Frank Rogers) and included the track on ‘Learn To Live’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2008).
Darius Rucker recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘While I Still Got The Time’ (co-written with Frank Rogers and Darius Rucker) and included the track on ‘Learn To Live’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2008).
Keith Anderson recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Sunday Morning In America’ (co-written with Keith Anderson and Jeffrey Steele) and included the track on ‘C’Mon’ (Columbia Records, 2008); the track reached No.28 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2007.
Mark Wills recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Panama City’ (co-written with Aimee Mayo and Troy Verges) and included the track on ‘Familiar Stranger’ (Tenacity Records, 2008).
Sierra Hull recorded Rivers Rutherford’s’s ‘The Hard Way’ (co-written with Gordie Sampson) and included the track on ‘Secrets’ (Rounder Records, 2008).
Hal Ketchum (Thursday 9 April 1953 – Monday 23 November 2020) recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Strangest Dreams’ (co-written with Hal Ketchum) and included the track on ‘Father Time’ (Asylum-Curb Records, 2008).
Dierks Bentley recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Better Believer’ (co-written with Dierks Bentley) and included the track on ‘Feel That Fire’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2009).
Rodney Atkins recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Simple Things’ (co-written with Rodney Atkins and Dave Berg) and included the track on ‘It’s America’ (Curb Records, 2009).
Reba McEntire recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Just When I Thought I’d Stopped Lovin’ You’ (co-written with Mark Nesler) and included the track on ‘Keep On Loving You’ (United States: Starstruck / Valory Music Group Records, 2009 / England: Hump Head Country, 2009).
On Tuesday 17 March 2009, Randy Travis saw the release of ‘Three Wooden Crosses: The Inspirational Hits of Randy Travis’ (Word Records / Warner Bros. Records / Curb Records, 2009); one of the included tracks was Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Raise Him Up’ (co-written with Robb Royer).
Emerson Drive recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Belongs To You’ (co-written with Dave Berg and Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Believe’ (Midas Records Nashville / Valory Music Group / Open Road Recordings, 2009); the track reached No.32 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in late 2008.
Jimmy Wayne recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Belongs To You’ (co-written with Dave Berg and Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Sara Smile’ (Valory Music Group Records, 2009).
Billy Ray Cyrus recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Love Is The Lesson’ (co-written with Steve McEwan) and included the track on ‘Back To Tennessee’ (Lyric Street Records, 2009).
Darryl Worley recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Tequila On Ice’ (co-written with Marty Dodson) and included the track on ‘Sounds Like Life’ (Stroudavarious Records, 2009); the track reached No.44 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in mid-2008.
Justin Moore recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘How I Got To Be This Way’ (co-written with Justin Moore and Jeremy Stover) and included the track on ‘Justin Moore’ (Valory Music Group Records, 2009); the track reached No.17 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2010.
Lady Antebellum recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘When You Got A Good Thing Going’ (co-written with Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood) and included the track on ‘Need You Now’ (Capitol Records Nashville, 2010); Lady Antebellum lead singer Hillary Scott is a daughter of Linda Davis.
Trace Adkins recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Brown Chicken, Brown Cow’, which was co-written with Casey Beathard and Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), and included the track on ‘Cowboy’s Back in Town’ (Show Dog-Universal Music Nashville Records, 2010).
Jamey Johnson recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Heartache’ (co-written with Jamey Johnson) and included the track on ‘The Guitar Song’ (Mercury Records, 2010); the track featured Rivers Rutherford on acoustic guitar.
Jamey Johnson recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Even The Skies Are Blue’ (co-written with Jamey Johnson) and included the track on ‘The Guitar Song’ (Mercury Records, 2010); the track featured Rivers Rutherford on acoustic guitar.
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Bullets In The Gun’ (co-written with Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘Bullets In The Gun’ (Show Dog-Universal Music, 2010); the track reached No.12 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2010.
Joe Nichols recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘How I Wanna Go’ (co-written with Tim James) and included the track on ‘It’s All Good’ (Show Dog-Universal Music Records, 2011).
Lady Antebellum recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Singing Me Home’ (co-written with Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood) and included the track on ‘Own The Night’ (Capitol Records Nashville, 2011); Lady Antebellum lead singer Hillary Scott is a daughter of Linda Davis.
Montgomery Gentry – Eddie Montgomery & Troy Gentry (Wednesday 5 April 1967 – Friday 8 September 2017) – recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Work Hard, Play Harder’ (co-written with Jim Collins and Troy Gentry) and included the track on ‘Rebels On The Run’ (Average Joe’s Entertainment, 2011).
Brad Paisley recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘A Man Don’t Have To Die’ (co-written with George Teren and Josh Thompson) and included the track on ‘This is Country Music’ (Arista Nashville Records, 2011).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I Need To Hear A Country Song’ (co-written with Toby Keith and Bob DiPiero) and included the track on ‘Clancy’s Tavern’ (Show Dog-Universal Music, 2011).
Trace Adkins recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘That’s What You Get’, which was co-written with Aly Cutter and Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), and included the track on ‘Proud To Be Here’ (Show Dog Records / Universal Music, 2011).
Trace Adkins recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘It’s Who You Know’, which was co-written with Wendell Mobley and Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 – Sunday 1 October 2017), and included the track on ‘Proud To Be Here’ (Show Dog Records / Universal Music, 2011).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘The Size I Wear’ (co-written with Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘Hope On The Rocks’ (Show Dog-Universal Music, 2012); this track was also included on Toby Keith’s ‘The Bus Songs’ (Show Dog Nashville, 2017).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Scat Cat’ (co-written with Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘Hope On The Rocks’ (Show Dog-Universal Music, 2012).
Neal McCoy recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Crazy Women’ (co-written with George Teren) and included the track on ‘XII’ (Blaster Records, 2012).
Kix Brooks recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Next To That Woman’ (co-written with Kix Brooks) and included the track on ‘New To This Town’ (Arista Nashville Records, 2012).
Buffy Lawson recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Much of A Lady’ (co-written with Buffy Lawson and Robb Royer) and included the track on ‘I’m Leaving You For Me’ (Wrinkled Records, 2012).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Before We Knew They Were Good’ (co-written with Toby Keith and Bobby Pinson) and included the track on ‘Drinks After Work’ (Show Dog-Universal Music, 2013).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Show Me What You’re Workin’ With’ (co-written with Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘Drinks After Work’ (Show Dog-Universal Music, 2013).
Joe Nichols recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Old School Country Song’ (co-written with Jim Collins) and included the track on ‘Crickets’ (Red Bow Records, 2013).
Kellie Pickler recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Where Did Your Love Go’ (co-written with Kalisa Ewing) and included the track on ‘The Woman I Am’ (Black River Entertainment, 2013).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Everytime I Drink, I Fall In Love’ (co-written with Toby Keith) and included the track on ’35mph Town’ (Show Dog-Universal Music, 2015).
Alabama recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘This Ain’t Just A Song’ (co-written with Tim James and George Teren) and included the track on ‘Southern Drawl’ (BMG Chrysalis Records, 2015).
Darius Rucker recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘Southern Style’ (co-written with Darius Rucker and Tim James) and included the track on ‘Southern Style’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2015); the track reached No.38 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2015.
Darius Rucker recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘So I Sang’ (co-written with Darius Rucker and Tim James) and included the track on ‘Southern Style’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2015).
Marie Osmond recorded Rivers Rutherford’s ‘I’d Love To Be Your Last’ (co-written with Sam Tate and Annie Tate) and included the track on ‘Music Is Medicine’ (OliveMe Records, 2016); the track featured guest vocals from Diamond Rio‘s Marty Roe.
• Visit Rivers Rutherford’s official site at riversrutherford.com