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 Sonny Burgess, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 8 August 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Sonny Burgess who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Sonny Burgess
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 8 August 2006.
‘I am a big Gene Watson fan and always have been.
He’s a singer’s singer.
I had the opportunity to introduce him at a show in Dallas years ago.
What an honour that was!
Tel Gene I said ‘Howdy and keep up the good work’.
Gene does know how to sing his butt off’
Thank you, Sonny Burgess, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Sonny Burgess…
Sonny Burgess grew up in the town of Cleburne, Texas and was constantly surrounded by the sounds and realities of traditional country music.
Located just down the road from Fort Worth, Texas Sonny Burgess was immersed in the music his family loved; Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953), Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017), Roy Linwood Clark (Saturday 15 April 1933 – Thursday 15 November 2018) and Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 – Saturday 30 June 2001) were the regular musical fare during the evenings as Sonny Burgess and his family gathered on the front porch.
Sonny Burgess taught himself to play the guitar and, through an inherited musical ear, he quickly grew into his own as a player and singer. Sonny Burgess’ first public performance took place while he was still in the second grade.
By his early twenties, Sonny Burgess had worked in a variety of jobs, including substitute teaching, being an electrician, a railroad worker, and a swimming pool installer. However, Sonny Burgess enjoyed playing music wherever, whenever and however he could.
The circle of gigs got bigger and Sonny Burgess began to land choice gigs in Fort Worth, Texas and beyond. The attention which the gigs brought, garnered the ears of label decision makers in Nashville.
On Monday 1 January 2001, Sonny Burgess saw the release of his debut album, ‘When In Texas’ (Music City Records, 2001), which included four tracks, which were Top 10 singles on the influential Texas Music Chart and brought Sonny the first opportunities to play venues such as the venerable Grand Ole Opry, Nashville’s Fan Fair / CMA Music Festival, along with The Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville and Orlando.
Sonny Burgess’ ‘When In Texas’ (Music City Records, 2001) included the following tracks:
‘When In Texas’
‘It Must’ve Been Somethin’ I Said’
‘Smack Dab’
‘I Keep It Under My Hat’
‘Turn For The Worse’
‘Alone With You’ (written by Ron Williams)
‘A Woman’s Touch’
‘Basic Love’
‘Tears In The Eyes of Texas’
‘Somewhere Under The Rainbow’
On Tuesday 15 April 2003, Music City Records re-released Sonny Burgess’ ‘When In Texas’ (Music City Records, 2003); four radio singles were released from the album, ‘When In Texas’, ‘It Must Have Been Something I Said’, ‘Alone With You’ (written by Ron Williams) and ‘A Woman’s Touch’, all of which charted in the Top 10 of The Texas Music Chart, the latter two singles began raising Sonny Burgess’ profile nationally.
In March 2003, Sonny Burgess’ single of ‘A Woman’s Touch’ broke into the Top 40 on the nationally recognised Music Row Breakout Chart.
It was also in 2003 when Sonny Burgess changed management, resulting in appearances at The Cheyenne Frontier Days, Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth, Texas and major rodeo events in Las Vegas.
Sonny Burgess was then introduced to Karen Herbst, who became his manager and brought him to the attention of veteran Nashville hit music-maker, Jeff Teague.
On Tuesday 11 October 2005, Sonny Burgess saw the release of his second album, ‘Stronger’ (CPI Records, 2005), which was produced by Jeff Teague and lived up to its title.
Sonny Burgess’ ‘Stronger’ (Music City Records, 2005) included the following tracks:
‘What Else Could Go Right’ (written by George Teren and Chris Waters)
‘Jesus & Bartenders’ (written by Leslie Satcher and Larry Cordle)
‘A Little Bit Stronger’
‘Anytime I’m Smiling’ (written by Paul Overstreet and Mickey Cates)
‘The More I’m Around Some People, The More I Like My Dog’
‘Redneck Lullabies’
‘When You’re In Love With A Woman’
‘Looking For A Place To Turn Around’
‘Living On Nine’
‘You Touched Me’
On Tuesday 21 July 2009, Sonny Burgess saw the release of ‘Have You Got A Song Like That’ (Aspirion Records, 2009), which included the following tracks:
‘Beer-I-Cide’
‘The Request’
‘I Can’t Think of One’
‘Tomorrow Is Gone’
‘Plain Ol’ Pain’
‘Grain of Salt’
‘Thing, Thang, Thing’
‘She Don’t Make It Easy’
‘Cowboy Cool’
‘All Kinds of Beautiful’
‘Every Now & Then’
On Tuesday 25 September 2012, Sonny Burgess saw the release of ‘All About The Ride’ (Winding Road Records, 2012).
• Visit Sonny Burgess’ Official Site at sonnyburgess.com