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 2017, 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 Ron Hellard, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 30 May 2017.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Ron Hellard who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Ron Hellard
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 30 May 2017.
‘In the midnight hours, I put on a stack of Gene Watson, get a bottle of wine and listen to what real country music is all about.
Gene Watson is the best!’
Thank you, Ron Hellard, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Ron Hellard…
Ron Hellard was born born Ronald Wayne Hellard in Versailles, Kentucky and is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist of note.
Sheb Wooley (Sunday 10 April 1921 – Tuesday 16 September 2003), who was also known as Ben Colder, recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Glossy 8×10’ and included the track on ‘The Wacky World of Ben Colder’ (MGM Records, 1973).
Johnny Carver recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Sunday Afternoon Boat Ride In The Lake’ (co-written with Ted Brown) and included the track on ‘Tie A Yellow Ribbon Around The Old Oak Tree’ (ABC Records, 1973).
Wanda Jackson recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Tennessee Women’s Prison’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016), and included the track on ‘Country Keepsakes’ (Capitol Records, 1973).
Roy Linwood Clark (Saturday 15 April 1933 – Thursday 15 November 2018) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Honeymoon Feeling’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016), and included the track on ‘The Entertainer’ (Dot Records, 1974); the track, which reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974, was subsequently included on Roy Linwood Clark’s ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 1’ (Dot Records, 1975).
In 1974, Jack Scott recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘You’re Just Gettin’ Better’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016); the track, which was a non-album release on Top Rank Records, was released as a single and reached No.92 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974.
In 1974, Slim Whitman (Saturday 20 January 1923 – Wednesday 19 June 2013) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Honeymoon Feeling’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016); the track was a non-album track, which was released on United Artists Records.
Roy Linwood Clark (Saturday 15 April 1933 – Thursday 15 November 2018) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘The Great Divide’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016), and included the track on ‘Classic Clark’ (Dot Records, 1974); the track reached No.12 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974.
Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Honeymoon Feeling’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016), and included the track on ‘It Sure Felt Like Love’ (United Artists Records, 1974).
Connie Cato recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Superskirt’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016), and included the track on ‘Super Connie Cato’ (Capitol Records, 1974); the track reached No.33 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974.
In 1974, Durwood Haddock recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Angel In An Apron’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016); the track was a non-album release on Caprice Records.
Slim Whitman (Saturday 20 January 1923 – Wednesday 19 June 2013) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Angel In An Apron’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016), and included the track on ‘Everything Leads Back To You’ (United Artists Records, 1975).
Melba Montgomery recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Don’t Let The Good Times Fool You’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016), and included the track on ‘Don’t Let The Good Times Fool You’ (Elektra Records, 1975); the track reached No.15 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975.
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘No Rings, No Strings’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016), and included the track on ‘Sincerely Jan Howard’ (GRT Records, 1975).
R.W. Blackwood & The Blackwood Singers recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Sunday Afternoon Boat Ride In The Lake’ (co-written with Ted Brown) and included the track on ‘We Can Feel Love’ (Capitol Records, 1976); the track reached No.32 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976.
Jimmy Dean (Friday 10 August 1928 – Sunday 13 June 2010) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Angel In An Apron’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016), and included the track on ‘I.O.U.’ (GRT Records, 1977).
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘We Make Beautiful Music Together’, which was co-written with Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016), and included the track on ‘Til The End’ (Elektra Records, 1977).
John Conlee recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Two Hearts’ (co-written with Michael Garvin and Bucky Jones) and included the track on ‘Busted’ (MCA Records, 1982).
Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Highlight of ’81’ (co-written with Michael Garvin) and included the track on ‘Lovers & Losers’ (Epic Records, 1982).
Gary Morris recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Velvet Chains’ (co-written with Kevin Welch) and included the track on ‘Why Lady Why’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983.
Shelly West recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Good & Lonesome’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Bucky Jones, and included the track on ‘Red Hot’ (Viva Records, 1983).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Radio Lover’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Bucky Jones, and included the track on ‘Jones Country’ (Epic Records, 1983); George Jones‘ recording of this track was also included on ‘George Jones: By Request’ (Epic Records, 1984) and ‘One Woman Man’ (Epic Records, 1989), and was released as a single in 1989, reaching No.62 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Wino The Clown’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Bucky Jones, and included the track on ‘Jones Country’ (Epic Records, 1983).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Famous Last Words’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Bucky Jones, and included the track on ‘Jones Country’ (Epic Records, 1983).
David Frizzell & Shelly West recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Pleasure Island’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Bucky Jones, and included the track on ‘In Session’ (Viva Records, 1983); the track reached No.71 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983.
Mickey Gilley (Monday 9 March 1936 – Saturday 7 May 2022) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Quittin’ Time’ (co-written with Michael Garvin and Bucky Jones) and included the track on ‘Too Good To Stop Now’ (Epic Records, 1984).
Adam Baker recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘The Best Thing I Ever Did Wrong’ (co-written with Sharon Rose and Alan Rhody) and included the track on ‘Adam Baker’ (Signature Records, 1984).
Ronnie McDowell recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘I’ve Got A Million of ‘Em’ (co-written with Michael Garvin and Bucky Jones) and included the track on ‘Willing’ (Epic Records, 1984); the track reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1984.
Ronnie McDowell recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Standing Invitation’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Bucky Jones, and included the track on ‘Willing’ (Epic Records, 1984).
The Lewis Family recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘I Talk To The Shepherd’ (co-written with Michael Garvin and Bucky Jones) and included the track on ‘Keepin’ On’ (Canaan Records, 1984).
Joe Simon recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Morning, Noon & Night’ and included the track on ‘Mr. Right’ (Compleat Records, 1985).
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Party of The First Part’ (co-written with Sonny Curtis) and included the track on ‘Sometimes When We Touch’ (Epic Records, 1985).
On Friday 13 January 2017, England’s Morello Records released Tammy Wynette’s ‘Sometimes When We Touch’ (Epic Records, 1985), along with Tammy Wynette’s ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1988), as a special ‘2-on-1’ CD set (MRLL67).
Roy Head recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Break Out The Good Stuff’ (co-written with Michael Garvin and Bucky Jones) and included the track on ‘Living For A Song’ (Texas Crude Publishing Records, 1985); the track reached No.93 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘That’s Good, That’s Bad’ (co-written with Michael Garvin) and included the track on ‘Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes’ (Epic Records, 1985); the track featured guest vocals from Lacy J. Dalton.
Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Stop The Clock’ (co-written with Bobby Braddock and Bucky Jones) and included the track on ‘Just A Woman’ (MCA Records, 1985).
Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Legend & The Man’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Bucky Jones, and included the track on ‘Chasin’ Rainbows’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985); the track reached No.19 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985.
Johnny Lee recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Rock ‘N’ Money’ (co-written with Michael Garvin and Bucky Jones) and included the track on ‘Keep Me Hangin’ On’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘These Old Eyes Have Seen It All’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Bucky Jones, and included the track on ‘Wine Colored Roses’ (Epic Records, 1986).
Jerry Lee Lewis (Sunday 29 September 1935 – Friday 28 October 2022) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Money’ (co-written with Michael Garvin and Bucky Jones) and included the track on ‘Get Out Your Big Roll, Daddy’ (SCR Records, 1986).
In 1986, The Lowes recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Good & Lonesome’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Bucky Jones; the track was a non-album release on Sound Waves Records.
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘That Stuff’ (co-written with Sonny Curtis) and included the track on ‘L.A. To Miami’ (RCA Records, 1986).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Quittin’ Time’ (co-written with Michael Garvin and Bucky Jones) and included the track on ‘L.A. To Miami’ (RCA Records, 1986).
In 1986, Con Hunley saw the release, on Capitol Records, of Ron Hellard’s ‘Quittin’ Time’ (co-written with Michael Garvin and Bucky Jones); the track, which was a non-album single, reached No.55 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.
Jeannie C. Riley recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘I Tell It Like It Used To Be’ (co-written with Mark D. Sanders and Michael Garvin) and included the track on ‘Jeannie C. Riley’ (Dot Records / MCA Records, 1986).
T. Graham Brown recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘I Tell It Like It Used To Be’ (co-written with Michael Garvin and Bucky Jones) and included the track on ‘I Tell It Like It Used To Be’ (Capitol Records, 1986); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.
In 1987, Adam Baker recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Standing Invitation’, which was co-written with Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016) and Bucky Jones; the track, which was a non-album single, reached No.63 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘I’m No Stranger To The Rain’ (co-written with Sonny Curtis) and included the track on ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ (RCA Records, 1988); this track, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in April 1989, was voted ‘Single of The Year’ by the Country Music Association (CMA).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘U.S.A. Today’, which was co-written with Johnny MacRae (1929 – Wednesday 3 July 2013), and included the track on ‘Too Wild, Too Long’ (Epic Records, 1988).
In 1989, Lynne Tyndall recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘I Promise’ (co-written with Bucky Jones); the track, which was released as a non-album single, reached No.74 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.
Marie Osmond recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘What’s In It For Me’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro and Bucky Jones) and included the track on ‘Steppin’ Stone’ (Capitol Records, 1989).
Holly Dunn (Thursday 22 August 1957 – Tuesday 15 November 2016) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Light In The Window Went Out’ (co-written with Chris Waters and Holly Dunn) and included the track on ‘Heart Full of Love’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990).
Donna Meade recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Congratulations’ (co-written with Michael Garvin and Walt Wilson) and included the track on ‘Heart Full of Love’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990); the track reached No.69 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1990.
Hank Williams Jr. recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘U.S.A. Today’, which was co-written with Johnny MacRae (1929 – Wednesday 3 July 2013), and included the track on ‘Lone Wolf’ (Warner Bros. Records / Curb Records, 1990); the track was also included on Hank Williams Jr.’s ‘America (The Way I See It)’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990).
Cee Cee Chapman recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Tough On Love’ (co-written with Bob Morrison) and included the track on ‘Cee Cee Chapman’ (Capitol Records Nashville / Curb Records, 1990).
Cee Cee Chapman recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Betrayed’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Cee Cee Chapman’ (Capitol Records Nashville / Curb Records, 1990).
Billy Dean recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘If There Hadn’t Been You’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Billy Dean’ (Capitol Records, 1991); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991.
Billy Dean recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘I Shoulda Listened’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Billy Dean’ (Capitol Records, 1991).
Robin Lee recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Betrayed’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Heart On A Chain’ (Atlantic Records, 1991).
Tracy Byrd recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Why Don’t That Telephone Ring’, which was co-written with Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022), and included the track on ‘Tracy Byrd’ (MCA Records, 1993); the track reached No.39 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1993.
Lisa Stewart recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘There Goes The Neighorhood’ (co-written with Tom Shapiro) and included the track on ‘Lisa Stewart’ (BNA Records, 1993).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Christmas To Christmas’ (co-written with Alan Rhody) and included the track on ‘Christmas To Christmas’ (Mercury Records, 1995).
Marty Brown recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘The Day The Bootlegger Died’ (co-written with Steve Clark, Jimmy Lambert and Don London) and included the track on ‘Here’s To The Honky Tonks’ (Hightone Records, 1996).
Billie Jo Spears (Thursday 14 January 1937 – Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Blue Orleans’ (co-written with David Chamberlain and Michael Garvin) and included the track on ‘Outlaw Woman’ (Carlton Records, 1996).
Sean Keane recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘I’m No Stranger To The Rain’ (co-written with Sonny Curtis) and included the track on ‘No Stranger’ (Grapevine Records, 1998).
Hank Williams Jr. recorded Ron Hellard’s ‘Forged By Fire’ (co-written with Darryl Burgess) and included the track on ‘127 Rose Avenue’ (Curb Records, 2009).
Ron Hellard compositions have also been recorded by Bobby Bare, Jerry Lee Lewis (Sunday 29 September 1935 – Friday 28 October 2022), Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) and Tanya Tucker.
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