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 during 2011, 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 Verlon Thompson, which he submitted to this site on Friday 20 May 2011.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Verlon Thompson who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Verlon Thompson
This quote was submitted on Friday 20 May 2011.
‘I’d be more than happy to comment on Gene Watson.
Gene Watson is one of the most naturally gifted country singers to ever grace a stage.
He’s up there with Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 – Thursday 1 January 1953) and Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 – Friday 12 September 2003)’
Thank you, Verlon Thompson, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Verlon Thompson…
Verlon Thompson was born in Binger on the fertile Oklahoma plains and is one of a highly regarded list of songwriters to emanate from this area, including Woody Guthrie (Sunday 14 July 1912 – Tuesday 3 October 1967), Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992), Leon Russell (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 13 November 2016), J.J. Cale (Monday 5 December 1938 – Friday 26 July 2013) and Jimmy Webb.
Verlon Thompson has been a professional songwriter and traveling troubadour for the best part of thirty years.
As a solo performer and, as the trusted sidekick of Texas Americana song-writing icon, Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016), Verlon Thompson has seen the world from various stages, everywhere from Barcelona in Spain to Binger in Oklahoma.
Verlon Thompson’s compositions have been recorded by a number of highly acclaimed artists, including Jimmy Buffett (Wednesday 25 December 1946 – Friday 1 September 2023) & Alan Jackson, Anne Murray, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020), Billy Dean, Randy Travis, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, and Trisha Yearwood.
Verlon Thompson’s distinctive guitar work cannot go unnoticed; his guitar stylings can be heard on recordings by Restless Heart, Pam Tillis and many more, including Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016).
Verlon Thompson is also a gifted producer; he co-produced Guy Clark‘s Grammy nominated album ‘Cold Dog Soup’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1999), as well as ‘The Dark’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2002), ‘Work Bench Songs’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2006) and ‘Some Days The Song Writes You’ (Dualtone Records, 2009).
As the in-house musician for Genuine Human Productions, Verlon Thompson scored themes and background music for documentaries and special film projects.
Verlon Thompson’s Story
Verlon Thompson’s great grandfather, Sam Hunt, arrived in the great Oklahoma Land Rush to make a claim and homestead on the banks of Willow Creek in Caddo County. He always loved the song ‘Red River Valley’. He gave Verlon an old guitar and asked if he would learn that tune for him. Too small to reach around the neck, Verlon Thompson would lay the guitar flat on his lap and play the melody with his left thumb fretting the strings.
Verlon Thompson picked on Mom’s mandolin, Uncle Kenneth’s guitar, Aunt Bessie’s piano, Cousin Elmer Dee’s lap steel and any other instrument he could get his hands on. His Mom showed him everything she knew and those basics are still the core of his playing style.
Verlon Thompson’s early song-writing inspiration came from Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 – Saturday 19 July 1975), Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 – Saturday 25 March 2006) and Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 – Sunday 25 October 1992).
As a teenager, Verlon Thompson wrote songs about Mama and prison and introspective pieces like, ‘What Would This World Ever Come To If There were No Love Anywhere’, his longest title to date.
Verlon Thompson was an occasional guest member of a family band called The Little Okies. The drummer was an eight year old girl; her two sisters played guitar and bass and the brother played steel guitar. Verlon Thompson joined them on stage to open the show for Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) before a packed Ardmore Civic Auditorium and brought the house down.
After high school, Verlon Thompson went on an international tour, courtesy of Uncle Sam, where he continued his musical studies. He played many nights on the veranda with his Greek landlord who played the bouzouki.
Verlon Thompson learned a thing or two one night in South Florida, when he was joined onstage by Gatemouth Brown.
In 1975, Verlon Thompson made the CBS Evening News with a song he wrote about a hard-ass motorcycle cop, rumoured to have ticketed a speeding train.
After his military service, Verlon Thompson returned to Oklahoma, where he received a letter from some friends, who invited him to visit them and check out the ski towns. Verlon Thompson did find gigs in the ski towns. With the few dollars he saved and a loan from his father, Verlon Thompson rented a studio, rented and played all the instruments and recorded an album. Having never been in a studio before, the tracks were technically rough, but all heart. Most significant was the new experience of watching self-penned words and music come to life.
A band formed around Verlon Thompson and they quickly learned that they could eat more regularly if they played songs that people knew. For four years, Verlon kept writing and trying to sneak in an ‘original’ here and there, until finally, he heard about something called a ‘staff writer’.
Once he’d moved to Nashville, Verlon Thompson became a staff writer for Coal Miners Music, the publishing company which was owned by Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022).
Then, thanks to Jimmy Gilmer of The Fireballs and ‘Sugar Shack’ fame and veteran song-man, Wayland Holyfield, Verlon Thompson signed with CBS Songs, which later became EMI Music, one of the worlds largest publishing houses.
That partnership continued for thirteen years. Creative freedom and access to the EMI in-house studio inspired a catalogue of songs which would be recorded in the 1980s by a range of acclaimed artists, including Randy Travis, Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020), Barbara Mandrell, Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989), Anne Murray and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Good fortune continued throughout the 1990s with recordings by Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020), Billy Dean, Suzy Bogguss, Pam Tillis, Trisha Yearwood and Beth Nielsen Chapman.
On Monday 5 November 1990, Verlon Thompson saw the release of his self-titled debut album, ‘Verlon Thompson’ (Capitol Records, 1990), which included the following tracks:
‘How Did We Get Here From There’
‘She’s The One’
‘Makes You Wanna Slow Down’
‘More Than Tracks’
‘The End Is Only The Beginning’
‘Slow Goodbye’
‘Noboby But You’
‘Long Cold Winter’
‘Here I Go’
Produced by Blake Chancey of The Chicks fame, Verlon Thompson’s self-titled debut album, ‘Verlon Thompson’ (Capitol Records, 1990), was lauded by critics and ignored by American country music radio.
Disillusioned and creatively drained, Verlon Thompson was pointed towards Oklahoma when he met acclaimed Texan singer / songwriter Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016).
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016), who was equally unimpressed by his major record label experience, was searching for new ground as well. Verlon Thompson was enlisted to help out on guitar and vocals and, a few months later, Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) emerged from his tiny basement studio with his first record in a dozen years, ‘Old Friends’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1988).
Verlon Thompson had never been a sideman, but Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) convinced him to hit the road with him in support of the new record; as a consequence, Verlon Thompson found a new musical world in the theatres, small clubs and folk festivals.
Apart from some time out for a couple of recording projects with Suzi Ragsdale, Verlon Thompson and Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) toured together for over a decade.
Verlon Thompson was a part of every Guy Clark record since ‘Old Friends’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1988) and was flattered to gain producer status on ‘Cold Dog Soup’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1999), ‘The Dark’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2002), ‘Work Bench Songs’ (Dualtone Records, 2006) and ‘Some Days The Song Writes You’ (Dualtone Records, 2009).
Maestro Guy Clark’s influence is undeniable in Verlon Thompson’s performing style, song-writing and guitar technique.
Charley McClain recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘You Don’t Have The Heart’ and included the track on ‘Radio Heart’ (Epic Records, 1985).
Barbara Mandrell recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘You Know What I’m Not Talking About’ and included the track on ‘Moments’ (MCA Records, 1986).
Pake McEntire recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘I’m Having Fun’, which was co-written with Bruce Burch (Friday 30 January 1953 – Saturday 12 March 2022) and T. Graham Brown, and included the track on ‘Too Old To Grow Up Now’ (RCA Victor Records, 1986).
T. Graham Brown recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘RFD 30529’ and included the track on ‘Brilliant Conversationalist’ (Capitol Records, 1987).
Holly Dunn (Thursday 22 August 1957 – Tuesday 15 November 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Small Towns (Are Smaller For Girls)’ (co-written with Mark D. Sanders and Alice Randall) and included the track on ‘Cornerstone’ (MTM Records, 1987).
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Dancing To The Beat of A Broken Heart’, which was co-written with Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024), and included the track on ‘Hold On’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1987).
T. Graham Brown recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘I Believe It When I Feel It’ and included the track on ‘Come As You Were’ (Capitol Records, 1988).
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Hands’ (co-written with Guy Clark and Joe Henry) and included the track on ‘Old Friends’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1988); Verlon Thompson played guitar and percussion and provided background vocals on the album.
Randy Travis recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘The Blues In Black & White’, which was co-written with Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024), and included the track on ‘Old 8×10’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988).
Keith Whitley (Friday 1 July 1955 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Lucky Dog’, which was co-written with Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023), and included the track on ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ (RCA Records, 1988).
T. Graham Brown recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Moonshadow Road’ and included the track on ‘Bumper To Bumper’ (Capitol Records, 1989).
T. Graham Brown recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘I’m Expecting Miracles’ and included the track on ‘Bumper To Bumper’ (Capitol Records, 1989).
Randy Travis recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Have A Nice Rest of Your Life’ (co-written with Mark D. Sanders) and included the track on ‘No Holdin’ Back’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1989).
Suzy Bogguss recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘I’m At Home On The Range’ (co-written with Suzy Bogguss and Doug Crider) and included the track on ‘Somewhere Between’ (Capitol Records, 1989).
Suzy Bogguss recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Cross My Broken Heart’ (co-written with Kye Fleming) and included the track on ‘Somewhere Between’ (Capitol Records, 1989).
Jennifer McCarter & The McCarters (Lisa & Teresa McCarter) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Up & Gone’, which was co-written with Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023), and included the track on ‘Better Be Home Soon’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in early 1989.
Jennifer McCarter & The McCarters (Lisa & Teresa McCarter) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Quit While I’m Behind’, which was co-written with Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023), and included the track on ‘Better Be Home Soon’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1990); the track reached No.26 on the Billboard country music singles chart in late 1989.
Suzy Bogguss recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Wild Horses’ (co-written with Kye Fleming) and included the track on ‘Moment of Truth’ (Liberty Records, 1990).
Johnny Lee recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Dangerously Lonely’, which was co-written with Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024) and T. Graham Brown, and included the track on ‘The Best of Johnny Lee’ (Curb Records, 1990).
Larry Boone recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘I Know Who Drove Her There’, which was co-written with Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024), and included the track on ‘Down That River Road’ (Mercury Records, 1990).
Mark Collie recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Lucky Dog’, which was co-written with Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023), and included the track on ‘Born & Raised In Black & White’ (MCA Records, 1991).
Billy Dean recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Gone But Not Forgotten’, which was co-written with Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024), and included the track on ‘Billy Dean’ (Capitol Records, 1991).
Anne Murray recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Overboard’, which was co-written with Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024) and T. Graham Brown, and included the track on ‘Yes I Do’ (Capitol Records, 1991).
Linda Davis recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘From Him To Here’ (co-written with Mark D. Sanders) and included the track on ‘In A Different Light’ (Liberty Records, 1991).
Trisha Yearwood recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘You Say You Will’ (co-written with Beth Nielsen Chapman) and included the track on ‘Hearts In Armor’ (MCA Records, 1992); the track featured harmony vocals from Raul Malo (of The Mavericks).
Holly Dunn (Thursday 22 August 1957 – Tuesday 15 November 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘You Say You Will’ (co-written with Beth Nielsen Chapman) and included the track on ‘Getting It Dunn’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1992).
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Boats To Build’ (co-written with Guy Clark) and included the track on ‘Boats To Build’ (Elektra Records, 1992); Verlon Thompson played guitar on the album, while background vocals were provided by both Suzi Ragsdale and Verlon Thompson.
Linda Davis recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Love Happens’, which was co-written with Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024), and included the track on ‘Linda Davis’ (Liberty Records, 1992).
Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘If I Were You’ (co-written with Billy Dean) and included the track on ‘If Only My Heart Had A Voice’ (Reprise Records, 1993); the track was a duet with Travis Tritt.
Suzy Bogguss recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Something Up My Sleeve’ (co-written with Suzi Ragsdale) and included the track on ‘Something Up My Sleeve’ (Liberty Records, 1993); the track was a duet with Billy Dean.
Billy Dean recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘That’s What I Like About Love’ (co-written with Mark D. Sanders) and included the track on ‘Fire In The Dark’ (Liberty Records, 1993).
Lari White / Lari Michele White Cannon (Thursday 13 May 1965 – Tuesday 23 January 2018) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Anything Goes’ (co-written with Suzi Ragsdale) and included the track on ‘Lead Me Not’ (RCA Records, 1993).
Bobbie Cryner recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘He Feels Guilty’ and included the track on ‘Bobbie Cryner’ (Epic Records, 1993); the track reached No.68 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart on Saturday 20 November 1993.
Beth Nielsen Chapman recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘You Say You Will’ and included the track on ‘You Hold The Key’ (Reprise Records, 1993).
Tracy Byrd recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘The First Step’ (co-written with Doug Crider) and included the track on ‘No Ordinary Man’ (MCA Records, 1994); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994.
Billy Dean recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Men’ll Be Boys’, which was co-written with Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016), and included the track on ‘Men’ll Be Boys’ (SBK / Liberty Records, 1994).
Billy Dean recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Indian Head Penny’, which was co-written with Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016), and included the track on ‘Men’ll Be Boys’ (SBK / Liberty Records, 1994).
Lari White / Lari Michele White Cannon (Thursday 13 May 1965 – Tuesday 23 January 2018) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘If I’m Not Already Crazy’ (co-written with Suzi Ragsdale) and included the track on ‘Wishes’ (RCA Records, 1994).
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Good Brown Gravy’ (co-written with Billy Dean and Bill Kenner) and included the track on ‘Third Rock From The Sun’ (Epic Records, 1994).
Rick Trevino recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Save This One For Me’ (co-written with Mark D. Sanders) and included the track on ‘Looking For The Light’ (Columbia Records, 1995).
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Hangin’ Your Life On The Wall’ (co-written with Guy Clark) and included the track on ‘Dublin Blues’ (Elektra Records, 1995); Verlon Thompson played guitar and harmonica on the album, while background vocals were provided by Suzi Ragsdale and Verlon Thompson.
Ty England recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘The Blues Ain’t News To Me’, which was co-written with Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024), and included the track on ‘Ty England’ (RCA Records, 1995).
Ty England recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘It’s Lonesome Everywhere’ (co-written with Reese Wilson and Billy Spencer) and included the track on ‘Ty England’ (RCA Records, 1995).
Jon Randall recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘If Blue Tears Were Silver’ (co-written with Tommy Polk) and included the track on ‘What You Don’t Know’ (RCA Nashville Records, 1995).
Randy Travis recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Don’t Take Your Love Away From Me’ (co-written with Mark D. Sanders) and included the track on ‘Full Circle’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1996).
Lisa Brokop recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘I Know Too Much’ (co-written with Suzi Ragsdale) and included the track on ‘Lisa Brokop’ (Capitol Records, 1996).
Anne Murray recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘I Know Too Much’ (co-written with Suzi Ragsdale) and included the track on ‘Anne Murray’ (Capitol Records, 1996).
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘A Little of Both’ (co-written with Guy Clark) and included the track on ‘Keepers’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1997); Verlon Thompson played guitar and provided background vocals on the album, while Suzi Ragsdale played accordion and provided background vocals.
Darrell Scott recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Banjo Clark’ and included the track on ‘Aloha From Nashville’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1997).
Ray Stevens recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over’ and included the track on ‘Hum It’ (MCA Records, 1997).
Joy Lynn White recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Life’s Just Too Short’ and included the track on ‘The Lucky Few’ (Little Dog Records, 1997).
Jenny Simpson recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘A Million Miles Away’ and included the track on ‘Jenny Simpson’ (Mercury Records, 1997).
Pam Tillis recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘A Whisper & A Scream’ (co-written with Austin Cunningham) and included the track on ‘Every Time’ (Arista Records, 1998).
Pam Tillis recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘After Hours’ (co-written with Suzi Ragsdale) and included the track on ‘Every Time’ (Arista Records, 1998).
Jerry Jeff Walker (Monday 16 March 1942 – Friday 24 October 2020) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Boats To Build’, which was co-written with Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016), and included the track on ‘Cowboy Boots & Bathin’ Suits’ (TNT Records, 1998).
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Men Will Be Boys’ (co-written with Guy Clark) and included the track on ‘Cold Dog Soup’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1999); Verlon Thompson played guitar, banjo and harmonica and provided harmony vocals on the album.
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Indian Head Penny’ (co-written with Guy Clark) and included the track on ‘Cold Dog Soup’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1999); Verlon Thompson played guitar, banjo and harmonica and provided harmony vocals on the album.
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Bunkhouse Blues’ (co-written with Guy Clark) and included the track on ‘Cold Dog Soup’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1999); Verlon Thompson played guitar, banjo and harmonica and provided harmony vocals on the album.
Chad Brock recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘If I Were You’ (co-written with Billy Dean) and included the track on ‘Yes’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2000); the track was a duet with Mark Wills.
Tammy Cochran recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘When Love Was Enough’ and included the track on ‘Tammy Cochran’ (Epic Records, 2001).
In 2002, Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) saw the release of ‘The Dark’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2002), which featured Verlon Thompson on guitar, harmonica, mandolin, percussion, djembe and National steel guitar. Verlon Thompson also provided harmony vocals on the album.
Jimmy Buffett (Wednesday 25 December 1946 – Friday 1 September 2023) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Boats To Build’ and included the track on ‘License To Chill’ (Mailboat Records / RCA Records, 2004); the track featured guest vocals from Alan Jackson.
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Tornado Time In Texas’ (co-written with Guy Clark) and included the track on ‘Work Bench Songs’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2006).
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Analog Girl’ (co-written with Guy Clark) and included the track on ‘Work Bench Songs’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2006); Verlon Thompson played guitar, harmonica and mandolin and provided harmony vocals on the album.
Pam Tillis recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Bettin’ Money On Love’ (co-written with Doug Crider) and included the track on ‘RhineStoned’ (Stellar Cat Records, 2007).
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘The Guitar’ and included the track on ‘Some Days The Song Writes You’ (Dualtone Records, 2009).
Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Maybe I Can Paint Over That’ and included the track on ‘Some Days The Song Writes You’ (Dualtone Records, 2009).
Sam Bush recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘The Ballad of Stringbean & Estelle’, which was co-written with Sam Bush and Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016), and included the track on ‘Circles Around Me’ (Sugar Hill Records, 2009); the track was a tribute to David ‘Stringbean’ Akeman (17 June 1915 – Saturday 10 November 1973) and Estelle Burbon Stanfill Akeman (1914 – Saturday 10 November 1973).
Dierks Bentley recorded Verlon Thompson’s ‘Bad Angel’ (co-written with Suzi Ragsdale) and included the track on ‘Up On The Ridge’ (United States: Capitol Records, 2010 / England: Hump Head Country, 2010); the track featured guest vocals from Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson.
• Visit Verlon Thompson’s official site at verlonthompson.com