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 Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer, which he submitted to this site on Wednesday 15 October 2014.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Sean Brady would also like to say ‘thank you’ to Tracy Bass Shafer, without whom this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’ from Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer, would not have been possible.
Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 15 October 2014.
‘Gene Watson has always been one of my favourite singers, and he’s also a great guy’
Thank you, Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer…
Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer was raised in Whitney, Texas where he was born on Wednesday 24 October 1934; he became affectionately known as ‘Whitey’ and his musical career began in his hometown of Whitney where he played in a school band.
Whitey Shafer attended Whitney High School, from where he graduated in 1953.
In the years that followed, Whitey Shafer toured the United States, performing with, among others, the then-unknown Willie Nelson.
On Sunday 3 September 1967, Whitey Shafer moved to Nashville, where he signed his first publishing contract with Blue Crest Music Publishing Company, which was owned by record producer, Ray Baker.
It was Blue Crest Music Publishing Company where Whitey Shafer wrote two songs for George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013), ‘Between My House & Town’ and ‘I’m A New Man In Town’, along with many other songs for lesser-known artists.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Between My House & Town’ and included the track on ‘If My Heart Had Windows’ (Musicor Records, 1968).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I’m A New Man In Town’ and included the track on ‘My Country’ (Musicor Records, 1968).
Whitey Shafer signed contracts with Musicor Records and RCA Records as a singer, but he was never as successful as he was as a songwriter.
In the early 1970s, Whitey Shafer signed an exclusive contract with Acuff-Rose Music, after Ray Baker sold his publishing company to Acuff-Rose Music.
In the years which followed, Whitey Shafer wrote many songs, which went on to become successful tracks on the Billboard country music singles chart, including several No.1 singles.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Tell Me My Lying Eyes Are Wrong’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), and included the track on ‘The Best of George Jones’ (Musicor Records, 1970); the track reached No.13 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970.
Jack Greene (Tuesday 7 January 1930 – Thursday 15 March 2013) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Lord, Is That Me?’ and included the track on ‘Lord Is That Me?’ (Decca Records, 1970); the track reached No.16 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970.
Connie Smith recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Darling Days’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), and included the track on ‘Where Is My Castle’ (RCA Victor Records, 1971).
(Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975)
In 1972, Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘You, Babe’, as a non-album single for Columbia Records; the track reached No.59 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1972.
Whitey Shafer had a longstanding friendship with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), whom he had met at his record label.
Whitey Shafer and Lefty Frizzell wrote ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was a Billboard country music hit single for Johnny Rodriguez (No.1 for one week in February 1974), and Merle Haggard (No.1 for one week in February 1984); the song is considered to be one of Whitey and Lefty’s greatest writing collaborations.
Whitey Shafer and Lefty Frizzell also wrote ‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’.
Following Lefty Frizzell’s death, from a stroke, on Saturday 19 July 1973, Whitey Shafer wrote a tribute song, ‘Lefty’s Gone’.
Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 – Tuesday 3 July 2001) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘The Baptism of Jesse Taylor’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), and included the track on ‘Rednecks, White Socks & Blue Ribbon Beer’ (RCA Victor Records, 1973); the track reached No.14 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973.
In 1971, Connie Smith recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I’m Sorry If My Love Got In Your Way’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022); the track, which reached No.14 on the Billboard country music singles chart in late 1971, was subsequently included on ‘Connie Smith Now’ (RCA Victor Records, 1974).
Connie Smith recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Dream Painter’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), and included the track on ‘Dream Painter’ (RCA Victor Records, 1973); the track reached No.23 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973.
In 1973, Kenny Seratt (Saturday 20 October 1934 – Wednesday 26 August 2015) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘This Just Ain’t No Good Day For Leaving’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022); the track, which was produced by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), was subsequently included on ‘The Best of Kenny Seratt, Volume 2’ (Hillside Records, 2011).
Connie Smith recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘The Baptism of Jesse Taylor’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), and included the track on ‘God Is Abundant’ (Columbia Records, 1973).
Jeannie C. Riley recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘The Baptism of Jesse Taylor’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), and included the track on ‘Just Jeannie’ (Plantation Records, 1973).
Johnny Rodriguez (Monday 10 December 1951 – Friday 9 May 2025) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘All I Ever Meant To Do Was Sing’ (Mercury Records, 1973); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1974.
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I’ll Break Out Again Tonight’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘If We Make It Through December’ (Epic Records, 1974).
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘The Baptism of Jesse Taylor’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), and included the track on ‘The Oak Ridge Boys’ (Columbia Records, 1974).
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Just Started Hatin’ Cheatin’ Songs Today’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘I Just Started Hatin’ Cheatin’ Songs’ (GRC Records, 1974); the track reached No.17 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974.
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Honky Tonk Amnesia’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘I Just Started Hatin’ Cheatin’ Songs’ (GRC Records, 1974); the track reached No.24 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974.
Connie Smith recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Never Knew (What That Song Meant Before)’ and included the track on ‘I Never Knew (What That Song Meant Before)’ (Columbia Records, 1974); the track reached No.13 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974.
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘It Was Always So Easy (To Find An Unhappy Woman)’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘It Was Always So Easy’ (GRC Records, 1974); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974.
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I’m Looking For A New Way To Love You’ (co-written with Moe Bandy) and included the track on ‘It Was Always So Easy’ (GRC Records, 1974).
In 1974, Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’ (co-written with Lefty Frizzell); the track, which reached No.25 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974, was included on ‘The Legendary Lefty Frizzell’ (ABC Records, 1973) and ‘The ABC Collection’ (ABC Records, 1977).
In 1973, Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’ (co-written with Lefty Frizzell); the track was included on ‘The Legendary Lefty Frizzell’ (ABC Records, 1973) and ‘The ABC Collection’ (ABC Records, 1977).
In 1973, Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Lucky Arms’ (co-written with Lefty Frizzell); the track, which reached No.21 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973, was included on ‘The Legendary Lefty Frizzell’ (ABC Records, 1973) and ‘The ABC Collection’ (ABC Records, 1977).
In 1974, Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Can’t Get Over You To Save My Life’ (co-written with Lefty Frizzell); the track, which reached No.43 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1974, was included on ‘The Legendary Lefty Frizzell’ (ABC Records, 1973) and ‘The ABC Collection’ (ABC Records, 1977).
Connie Smith recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘That’s The Way Loves Goes’ (Columbia Records, 1974).
Connie Smith recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘The Baptism of Jesse Taylor’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), and included the track on ‘That’s The Way Loves Goes’ (Columbia Records, 1974).
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Bandy The Rodeo Clown’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘Bandy The Rodeo Clown’ (GRC Records, 1975); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975.
Gene Watson recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘This Ain’t No Good Day For Leaving’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), and included the track on ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon‘ (Capitol Records, 1975).
Connie Smith recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Got A Lot of Hurtin’ Done Today’ and included the track on ‘I Got A Lot of Hurtin’ Done Today / I’ve Got My Baby On My Mind’ (Columbia Records, 1975).
Connie Smith recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I’ve Got My Baby On My Mind’ and included the track on ‘I Got A Lot of Hurtin’ Done Today / I’ve Got My Baby On My Mind’ (Columbia Records, 1975); the track was subsequently included on ‘Connie Smith: Live In Branson, MO’ (Laserlight Records, 1993).
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘She Took More Than Her Share’ and included the track on ‘Here I Am Drunk Again’ (Columbia Records, 1976); the track reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976.
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘What Happened To Our Love’ (co-written with Moe Bandy) and included the track on ‘Here I Am Drunk Again’ (Columbia Records, 1976).
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘The Bottle’s Holdin’ Me’ and included the track on ‘Here I Am Drunk Again’ (Columbia Records, 1976).
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘She’s Got That Oklahoma Look’ and included the track on ‘Here I Am Drunk Again’ (Columbia Records, 1976).
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘The Roots of My Raising’ (Capitol Records, 1976).
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ (co-written with Darlene Shafer) and included the track on ‘I’m Sorry For You My Friend’ (Columbia Records, 1977).
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘She’s Everybody’s Woman, I’m Nobody’s Man’ (co-written with Moe Bandy) and included the track on ‘I’m Sorry For You My Friend’ (Columbia Records, 1977).
Willie Nelson recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘To Lefty, From Willie’ (Columbia Records, 1977).
Willie Nelson recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘To Lefty, From Willie’ (Columbia Records, 1977).
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Soft Lights & Hard Country Music’ and included the track on ‘Soft Lights & Hard Country Music’ (Columbia Records, 1978); the track reached No.13 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978.
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Darling, Will You Marry Me Again’ (co-written with Warren D. Robb) and included the track on ‘Soft Lights & Hard Country Music’ (Columbia Records, 1978).
Moe Bandy recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘This Haunted House’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Soft Lights & Hard Country Music’ (Columbia Records, 1978).
Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘True Love Needs To Keep In Touch’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), and included the track on ‘We’ve Come A Long Way, Baby’ (MCA Records, 1979).
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Heaven Was A Drink of Wine’ and included the track on ‘Serving 190 Proof’ (MCA Records, 1979).
Joe Paul Nichols recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Can’t Get Over You To Save My Life’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘Country Gold’ (Custom Records, 1981).
Three divorces helped Whitey Shafer with his songwriting in the 1980s, when he wrote ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ (co-written in 1985 with Darlene Shafer) and ‘All My Ex’s Live In Texas’ (co-written in 1987 with his fourth wife, Lyndia).
On writing with his wife, Lyndia, Whitey Shafer said: ‘She’s a great co-writer. If I get hung-up on a song somewhere, she has a great knack for coming through with just the right word or line. It’s as if I have a built-in, live-in co-writer. I guess I need to get hung-up more often so she can come to my rescue’
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’ (Epic Records, 1983); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1984, and earned Merle Haggard his very first Grammy Award for ‘Best Country Vocal Performance By A Male’.
James Dee (J.D.) Crowe (Friday 27 August 1937 – Friday 24 December 2021) & The New South recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘Somewhere Between’ (Rounder Records, 1982).
James Dee (J.D.) Crowe (Friday 27 August 1937 – Friday 24 December 2021) & The New South recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Where Are All The Girls I Used To Cheat With’ and included the track on ‘Somewhere Between’ (Rounder Records, 1982).
In 1982, Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ (co-written with Darlene Shafer); the track, which was not released in 1982, was subsequently included on ‘Sad Songs & Waltzes’ (Rounder Records, 2000).
In 1982, Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Where Are All The Girls I Used To Cheat With’; the track, which was not released in 1982, was subsequently included on ‘Sad Songs & Waltzes’ (Rounder Records, 2000).
George Strait recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ (co-written with Darlene Shafer) and included the track on ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ (MCA Records, 1984); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1985, and was nominated by the Country Music Association (CMA) for ‘Song of The Year’.
George Strait recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Need Someone Like Me’ and included the track on ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ (MCA Records, 1984).
George Strait recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Honky Tonk Saturday Night’ and included the track on ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ (MCA Records, 1984).
George Strait recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘What Did You Expect Me To Do’ and included the track on ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ (MCA Records, 1984).
George Strait’s ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ (MCA Records, 1984) was certified ‘Platinum’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of one million copies in the United States.
George Strait’s ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ (MCA Records, 1984) also included the following tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Cowboy Rides Away’ (written by Sonny Throckmorton) (No.5, 1985)
‘The Fireman’, which was written by Mack Vickery (Wednesday 8 June 1938 – Tuesday 21 December 2004) and Wayne Kemp (No.5, 1985)
The Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM) both named George Strait’s ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ (MCA Records, 1984) the ‘Album of The Year’.
George Strait recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Lefty’s Gone’ and included the track on ‘Something Special’ (MCA Records, 1985).
George Strait recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘All My Ex’s Live In Texas’ (co-written with Lyndia J. Shafer) and included the track on ‘Ocean Front Property’ (MCA Records, 1986); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1987.
Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘All My Ex’s Live In Texas’ (co-written with Lyndia J. Shafer) was nominated by the Country Music Association (CMA) for ‘Song of The Year’.
Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘All My Ex’s Live In Texas’ (co-written with Lyndia J. Shafer) was also nominated for a Grammy Award for ‘Best Country Song’, but it lost out to Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz for ‘Forever & Ever, Amen’, which was recorded by Randy Travis (No.1 for three weeks in June / July 1987).
In March 1988, Whitey Shafer drove up to New York for the Grammy Awards. Although he did not win, Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer and Lyndia J. Shafer gained a nomination for ‘Best Country Song’. ‘All My Ex’s Live In Texas’ also brought George Strait his only Grammy Award nomination.
George Strait recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Second Chances’, which was co-written with Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) and included the track on ‘Ocean Front Property’ (MCA Records, 1986).
George Strait recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘You Can’t Buy Your Way Out of The Blues’, which was co-written with Tommy Collins (Sunday 28 September 1930 – Tuesday 14 March 2000) and included the track on ‘Ocean Front Property’ (MCA Records, 1986).
George Strait’s ‘Ocean Front Property’ (MCA Records, 1986) also included the following tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Ocean Front Property’, which was written by Dean Dillon, Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018) (No.1 for one week in April 1987)
‘Am I Blue’ (written by David Chamberlain) (No.1 for one week in November 1987)
George Strait’s ‘Ocean Front Property’ (MCA Records, 1986) also included the following tracks:
‘Someone’s Walkin’ Around Upstairs’ (written by David Anthony and Paul A. Maloy)
‘Hot Burning Flames’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Mack Vickery (Wednesday 8 June 1938 – Tuesday 21 December 2004) and Wayne Kemp (Sunday 1 June 1941 – Monday 9 March 2015)
‘Without You Here’, which was written by Dean Dillon and Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018)
‘My Heart Won’t Wander Very Far From You’ (written by Annette Cotter and Buddy Carvalhe)
‘I’m All Behind You Now’ (written by Dean Dillon)
George Strait’s ‘Ocean Front Property’ (MCA Records, 1986) was certified 2×Multi-Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and was the first country music album to debut at No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart.
In 2006, George Strait’s ‘Ocean Front Property’ (MCA Records, 1986) was ranked No.5 on Country Music Television’s list of ’40 Greatest Albums in Country Music’.
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘You, Babe’ and included the track on ‘Chill Factor’ (Epic Records, 1987).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Birmingham Turnaround’ (co-written with Warren D. Robb) and included the track on ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ (RCA Records, 1988).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Wonder Do You Think of Me’ and included the track on ‘I Wonder Do You Think of Me’ (RCA Records, 1989); the track, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1989, was subsequently included on Keith Whitley’s ‘Greatest Hits’ (RCA Records, 1990).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘I Wonder Do You Think of Me’ (RCA Records, 1989); the track was subsequently included on ‘Kentucky Bluebird’ (RCA Records, 1991) and ‘Sad Songs & Waltzes’ (Rounder Records, 2000).
It was also in 1989 when Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer was inducted into The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
George Strait recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Overnight Success’ and included the track on ‘Beyond The Blue Neon’ (MCA Records, 1989); the track reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1990.
Rhonda Vincent recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Birmingham Turnaround’ (co-written with Warren D. Robb) and included the track on ‘Timeless & True Love’ (Rebel Records, 1991); Carl Jackson, along with Russell Moore, Alison Krauss, David Parmley and Johnny Vincent provided harmony vocals on the album.
Rhonda Vincent recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Do My Crying At Night’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Timeless & True Love’ (Rebel Records, 1991); Carl Jackson, along with Russell Moore, Alison Krauss, David Parmley and Johnny Vincent provided harmony vocals on the album.
Benny Berry recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘Mama’s Rocking Chair’ (Hawk Records, 1992).
John Michael Montgomery recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Beer & Bones’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘Life’s A Dance’ (Atlantic Records, 1992); the track reached No.21 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1993.
Rhonda Vincent recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Do My Crying At Night’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Written In The Stars’ (Giant Records, 1993).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘All By Myself Again’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘Back To Bakersfield’ (Sweet Lake / Hitsound Records, 1993).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘It Must Have Been Something I Drank’ (co-written with Lyndia J. Shafer) and included the track on ‘Back To Bakersfield’ (Sweet Lake / Hitsound Records, 1993).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Give My Heart A Break’ (co-written with Rick Williamson and Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘Back To Bakersfield’ (Sweet Lake / Hitsound Records, 1993).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I’ll Sleep Tight Tonight’ (co-written with Lyndia J. Shafer and Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘Back To Bakersfield’ (Sweet Lake / Hitsound Records, 1993).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Go Ahead & Leave Me, It’s Okay’ (co-written with Lyndia J. Shafer and Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘Back To Bakersfield’ (Sweet Lake / Hitsound Records, 1993).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Think I’ll Step Out & Two Step Tonight’ (co-written with Warren D. Robb) and included the track on ‘Back To Bakersfield’ (Sweet Lake / Hitsound Records, 1993).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Love Sometimes Paints A Rainbow’ (co-written with Lyndia J. Shafer) and included the track on ‘Back To Bakersfield’ (Sweet Lake / Hitsound Records, 1993).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘You’ve Already Said Goodbye’ (co-written with Rick Williamson) and included the track on ‘Back To Bakersfield’ (Sweet Lake / Hitsound Records, 1993).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I’m Takin’ Myself Away From You’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘Back To Bakersfield’ (Sweet Lake / Hitsound Records, 1993).
Benny Berry recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘All The Things She Can’t Do’ (co-written with John Northrup) and included the track on ‘When The Trains Still Ran Through Dixie’ (Hawk Records, 1993).
Benny Berry recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Friends Just Don’t Treat Friends That Way’ (co-written with Rick Williamson and Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘When The Trains Still Ran Through Dixie’ (Hawk Records, 1993).
Benny Berry recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Maybe, Maybe Not’, which was co-written with Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) and Lonnie Williams, and included the track on ‘When The Trains Still Ran Through Dixie’ (Hawk Records, 1993).
Marsha Britton recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Do My Crying At Night’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Bad News Boy’ (Hawk Records, 1993).
Barry & Holly Tashian recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I’ll Break Out Again Tonight’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Straw into Gold’ (Rounder Records, 1994).
George Strait recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Down Louisiana Way’ (co-written with Aaron Barker and Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Lead On’ (MCA Records, 1994).
Judy Bailey recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘When I Run Into You’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams and Damon Gray) and included the track on ‘I’ve Never Seen It Rain’ (Hawk Records, 1994).
Judy Bailey recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Crying Room Only’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams and Chely Wright) and included the track on ‘I’ve Never Seen It Rain’ (Hawk Records, 1994).
Roger Cooper recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Sittin’ At The Kitchen Table’ and included the track on ‘Better Off A Memory’ (Hawk Records, 1994).
In 1994, Mark Chesnutt recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975); the track was included on the various artists compilation, ‘Keith Whitley: A Tribute’ (BNA Records, 1994).
Gina Jeffreys recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Do My Crying At Night’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975) and Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘The Flame’ (ABC Records Australia / EMI, 1994).
Roger Cooper recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Honky Tonk Amnesia’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Songs In My Heart’ (Hawk Records, 1995).
Roger Cooper recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I’ll Break Out Again Tonight’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Songs In My Heart’ (Hawk Records, 1995).
Roger Cooper recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Love Sometimes Paints A Rainbow’ (co-written with Lyndia J. Shafer) and included the track on ‘Songs In My Heart’ (Hawk Records, 1995).
Roger Cooper recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Too Late To Start Quittin’ Now’ and included the track on ‘Songs In My Heart’ (Hawk Records, 1995).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Honky Tonkin’ Love Affairs’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘I’ll Meet You In Texas’ (Bob Grady Records, 1996).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘If Leavin’ Was Easy’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘I’ll Meet You In Texas’ (Bob Grady Records, 1996).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Highway of Love’, which was co-written with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), and included the track on ‘I’ll Meet You In Texas’ (Bob Grady Records, 1996).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘What Did You Expect Me To Do’ and included the track on ‘I’ll Meet You In Texas’ (Bob Grady Records, 1996).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Back In Tupelo’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘I’ll Meet You In Texas’ (Bob Grady Records, 1996).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Just In Time For The Blues’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘I’ll Meet You In Texas’ (Bob Grady Records, 1996).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Where Love Started Out’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘I’ll Meet You In Texas’ (Bob Grady Records, 1996).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Please Don’t Do That Anymore’ and included the track on ‘I’ll Meet You In Texas’ (Bob Grady Records, 1996).
Tony Martin recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘It’s All Over Town’ and included the track on ‘I’ll Meet You In Texas’ (Bob Grady Records, 1996).
Johnny Rodriguez (Monday 10 December 1951 – Friday 9 May 2025) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘When It’s Your Turn To Fall’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams and Mary W. Frances) and included the track on ‘You Can Say That Again’ (Hightone Records, 1996).
Don Johnson recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘When It’s Your Turn To Fall’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams and Mary W. Frances) and included the track on ‘Ain’t Nothing Like A Jukebox’ (Hawk Records, 1996).
Don Johnson recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Please Tell Me Why’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams and Steve Maynard) and included the track on ‘Ain’t Nothing Like A Jukebox’ (Hawk Records, 1996).
Don Johnson recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Putting Off Tomorrow’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘Ain’t Nothing Like A Jukebox’ (Hawk Records, 1996).
Don Johnson recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Gotta Get Some Fun Done’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams and Steve Maynard) and included the track on ‘Ain’t Nothing Like A Jukebox’ (Hawk Records, 1996).
Don Johnson recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Grandma’s Boy’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams and Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Ain’t Nothing Like A Jukebox’ (Hawk Records, 1996).
Barry Berrier recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘High Steel & Memories’ (co-written with Warren D. Robb) and included the track on ‘First Time With Feeling’ (Pinecastle Records, 1996).
The Kentucky Headhunters recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Neck of The Woods’ (co-written with Lonnie Williams, Donny Kees and Rick Williamson) and included the track on ‘Stompin’ Grounds’ (BNA Records, 1997).
Billy Paul recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘My House Is Your Honky Tonk’ and included the track on ‘Texas Rose’ (Bear Family Records, 1997).
In 1997, Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer saw the release of ‘So Good For So Long’ (SanCor Records, 1997), which included the following tracks:
‘All My Ex’s Live In Texas’ (written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer and Lyndia J. Shafer)
‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer and Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975)
‘Back In Waco’ (written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer)
‘So Good For So Long’ (written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer)
‘X-Hole-Itus’ (written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer)
‘Heaven Was A Drink of Wine’ (written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer)
‘This Time of Day’ (written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer)
‘Birmingham Turnaround’ (written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer and Warren D. Robb)
‘You Hurt Me’ (written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer)
‘Gone To Nashville’ (written by Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer)
Renee Shafer recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘The Whiskey’s In The Glass’ (co-written with Renee Shafer and Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘In Between’ (Magi Records / BSW Records, 1999).
Renee Shafer recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘If You Can’t Be Good Be Gone’ (co-written with Renee Shafer) and included the track on ‘In Between’ (Magi Records / BSW Records, 1999).
Renee Shafer recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Ounce of Pleasure’ (co-written with Renee Shafer and D. Champion) and included the track on ‘In Between’ (Magi Records / BSW Records, 1999).
Renee Shafer recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Not Tonight’ (co-written with Renee Shafer and Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘In Between’ (Magi Records / BSW Records, 1999).
Renee Shafer recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Think I’ll Leave It Alone’ (co-written with Renee Shafer and Lonnie Williams) and included the track on ‘In Between’ (Magi Records / BSW Records, 1999).
Renee Shafer recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I’m Never Late For You’ (co-written with Renee Shafer and D. Champion) and included the track on ‘In Between’ (Magi Records / BSW Records, 1999).
Lee Ann Womack recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Thinkin’ With My Heart Again’ (co-written with Dean Dillon and Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘I Hope You Dance’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2000).
Gene Watson recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001).
Johnny Bush (Sunday 17 February 1935 – Friday 16 October 2020) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Rainbow In Daddy’s Eyes’ and included the track on ‘Green Snakes’ (Lone Star Records, 2001).
Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I Never Go Around Mirrors’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘That’s Why I Sing This Way’ (Audium Records / Koch Records, 2002).
Anne Murray recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on, disc 2, of ‘Country Croonin: 30 Timeless Country Classics’ (Straightway Records, 1999), a 2-disc CD set.
In 2004, Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s recording of ‘All My Ex’s Live In Texas’ was included on the soundtrack to the video game, ‘Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’.
The Proclaimers (Charlie Reid & Craig Reid) recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘It Was Always So Easy (To Find An Unhappy Woman)’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘Notes & Rhymes’ (W14 Music, 2009).
Wendel Adkins recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind’ (co-written with Darlene Shafer) and included the track on ‘My Lindesnes, Norway Album’ (Lindesnes Records, 2012).
Randy Travis recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, which was co-written with Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), and included the track on ‘Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am’ (Warner Bros. Records Nashville, 2014).
On Tuesday 7 October 2014, ‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, a Benefit for Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer, took place at Honky Tonk Central, (3rd Floor), 329 Broadway in Nashville, in order to offset medical expenses which were related to health issues.
‘That’s The Way Love Goes’, a benefit for legendary singer-songwriter Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer, took place at Nashville’s Honky Tonk Central (on the third floor), located at 329 Broadway. Artists who performed on the night included Jerrod Niemann, Lee Roy Parnell, Ken Mellons, Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018), Billy Yates, Dallas Davidson, Rob Hatch and Lance Miller, along with special surprise guests.
Several auction items were available at the show, as were donation boxes in order for those attending the event to contribute to the cause.
Doors opened at 6:00pm and the show commenced at 7:00pm.
At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson ‘Peer’s Quote’, in October 2014, Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer was residing just outside of Nashville with his wife of fifteen years, Tracy Shafer (a special word of thanks to Tracy, without whom this ‘Peer’s Quote’ from Whitey Shafer would not have been possible).
On Saturday 12 January 2019, Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer passed away; he was 84 years old.
Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s funeral service took place on Sunday 20 January 2019 at 2:00pm at Family Heritage Funeral Home, 100 Albert Gallatin Avenue, in Gallatin, Tennessee, with Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) officiating.
Visitation for Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer was held on Saturday 19 January 2019 between 2:00pm and 8:00pm, and on Sunday 20 January 2019 from 12:00pm until the time of service at 2:00pm.
Internment was private.
Honoring Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s memory were pallbearers Aaron Barker, Corey Frizzell, Doug Shafer, Jason Niswanger, Paul Niswanger and Raymond Shafer.
Honorary pallbearers included Curly Corwin, Steve Huffine, Ray Baker, Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), Gene Vowell, Bill Cody, Jim Hill, Lee Roscane and Donny Kees.
Willie Nelson recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘I’ll Break Out Again Tonight’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999), and included the track on ‘First Rose Of Spring’ (Legacy Recordings / Sony Music, 2020).
Caleb Daugherty recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Where Are All The Girls I Used To Cheat With’ and included the track on ‘Mornings’ (KDM Records, 2021); the track featured guest vocals from Wesley Dennis.
Wesley Dennis recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Where Are All The Girls I Used To Cheat With’ and included the track on ‘Then & One More Day’ (KDM Records, 2021).
Wesley Dennis recorded Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer’s ‘Birmingham Turnaround’ (co-written with Warren D. Robb) and included the track on ‘Then & One More Day’ (KDM Records, 2021).
• Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer
