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 Vern Gosdin, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 12 October 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Vern Gosdin who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Vern Gosdin
This quote was submitted on Thursday 12 October 2006.
‘Gene Watson is truly one of the great voices in country music.
His unique style sets him apart from all others and defines the true meaning of country music and what it stands for in our hearts and lives’
Thank you, Vern Gosdin, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Vern Gosdin…
Vern Gosdin was born Vernon Gosdin in Woodland, Alabama on Sunday 5 August 1934 and was known affectionately within country music circles as ‘The Voice’.
As a young man, Vern Gosdin idolised The Louvin Brothers – Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) and Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) – and The Blue Sky Boys, and also sang in a gospel quartet called The Gosdin Brothers.
When Vern Gosdin was in his late teens, his family moved to Birmingham, Alabama and began hosting The Gosdin Family Gospel Show on local radio station WVOK.
In 1961, Vern Gosdin, along with his brother, Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983), moved to Long Beach, California and began performing bluegrass music, joining a group called The Golden State Boys, which evolved into The Hillmen, featuring future Byrds’ member, Chris Hillman.
Vern Gosdin then formed The Gosdin Brothers with his brother Rex and enjoyed a Billboard Top 40 country music hit single in 1967 with ‘Hangin’ On’, which was written by Ira Bridges Allen (Monday 1 November 1937 – Sunday 25 July 2021) and William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017), on Bakersfield International Records, a track which reached No.37 and was Grammy Award-nominated.
Vern Gosdin and Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983) also opened for The Byrds on occasion, and also saw the release of ‘Till The End’ on Capitol Records.
It was also in 1967 when The Gosdin Brothers were featured on Chris Hillman‘s former Byrds mate Gene Clark’s first solo album, the well-regarded ‘Gene Clark With The Gosdin Brothers’ (Columbia Records, 1967), singing backing vocals on all of the tracks behind the lead vocals of Gene Clark (Friday 17 November 1944 – Friday 24 May 1991) and the lead guitars of Clarence White (Wednesday 7 June 1944 – Saturday 14 July 1973), Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 – Tuesday 8 August 2017) and Bill Rinehart (later of The Merry-Go-Round).
During the 1970s, Vern Gosdin retired from performing and moved to Cartersville, Georgia where he operated a glass company.
In 1976, Vern Gosdin signed with Elektra Records and saw the release, in July 1977, of his debut album, ‘Til The End’ (Elektra Records, 1977), which included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Hangin’ On’, which was written by Ira Bridges Allen (Monday 1 November 1937 – Sunday 25 July 2021) and William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017) (No.16, 1976) / this track featured harmony vocals from Emmylou Harris
‘Yesterday’s Gone’ (written by Wayne Bradford) (No.9, 1977) / this track featured harmony vocals from Emmylou Harris
‘Til The End’ (written by Vern Gosdin and Cathy Gosdin) (No.7, 1977) / this track featured harmony vocals from Janie Fricke
‘Mother Country Music’ (written by Joe Nixon) (No.17, 1977)
‘It Started All Over Again’, which was written by Jim Lust, Kay Milete and Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016) (No.23, 1978)
Vern Gosdin’s debut album, ‘Til The End’ (Elektra Records, 1977), also included the following tracks:
‘The Chokin’ Kind’, which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 – Sunday 3 March 2002)
‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’, which was written by Ewan MacColl (Monday 25 January 1915 – Sunday 22 October 1989)
‘Woman (Sensuous Woman)’, which was written by Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016)
‘Answers To My Questions’ (written by Wayne Bradford)
‘We Make Beautiful Music Together’, which was written by Ron Hellard and Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016)
Vern Gosdin’s debut album, ‘Til The End’ (Elektra Records, 1977), which reached No.10 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977, was re-issued by Collectors’ Choice Music in 2008, with an essay from noted author Colin Escott.
In May 1978, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Never My Love’ (Elektra Records, 1978), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Never My Love’, which was written by Dick Addrissi and Donald ‘Don’ Addrisi (Wednesday 14 December 1938 – Tuesday 13 November 1984) (No.9, 1978) / this track featured harmony vocals from Janie Fricke
‘Break My Mind’, which was written by John D. Loudermilk (Saturday 31 March 1934 – Wednesday 21 September 2016) (No.13, 1978)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Never My Love’ (Elektra Records, 1978) also included the following tracks:
‘Catch The Wind’ (written by Donovan)
‘Anita, You’re Dreaming’, which was written by Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) and Don Bowman (Thursday 26 August 1937 – Wednesday 5 June 2013)
‘When I Need You’ (written by Carole Bayer Sager and Albert Hammond)
‘I Sure Can Love You’, which was written by Gary Sanford ‘Flip’ Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016) and R. Karen Paxton
‘Forget Yesterday’ (written by Wayne Bradford)
‘Without You, There’s A Sadness In My Song’ (written by Cathy Gosdin)
‘The Lady, She’s Right’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983) and Vernon L. Reed
‘Something’s Wrong In California’, which was written by Rodney Lee and Wayne Carson (Monday 31 May 1943 – Monday 20 July 2015)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Never My Love’ (Elektra Records, 1978) reached No.24 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978.
In April 1979, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘You’ve Got Somebody’ (Elektra Records, 1979), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘You’ve Got Somebody, I’ve Got Somebody’ (written by Michael Craig Johnson) (No.16, 1979)
‘All I Want & Need Forever’, which was written by Dennis Bruce Payne (Saturday 16 July 1949 – Thursday 8 April 2021) (No.21, 1979)
‘Sarah’s Eyes’ (written by Shirl Milete and Vern Gosdin) (No.57, 1979)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘You’ve Got Somebody’ (Elektra Records, 1979) also included the following tracks:
‘He Must Be Lovin’ You Right’ (written by Shirl Milete, David Byrd and Vern Gosdin)
‘The Rock I’m Leaning On’ (written by Christopher C. Ryder and Vernon L. Haywood)
‘She’s Gone’, which was written by Jan Paxton / Clarence White and Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016)
‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ (written by Charles Calhoun)
‘Took It Like A Man, Cried Like A Baby’, which was written by Tommy Rocco, Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 – Friday 23 April 2021) and Rory Bourke
‘Til I’m Over Gettin’ Over You’, which was written by Shirl Milete, Vern Gosdin and Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016)
‘Fifteen Hundred Times A Day’ (written by Cathy Gosdin)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘You’ve Got Somebody’ (Elektra Records, 1979) did not chart on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart.
In September 1979, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘The Best of Vern Gosdin’ (Elektra Records, 1979), which included the following tracks:
‘Hangin’ On’, which was written by Ira Bridges Allen (Monday 1 November 1937 – Sunday 25 July 2021) and William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017) (No.16, 1976) / this track featured harmony vocals from Emmylou Harris
‘Break My Mind’, which was written by John D. Loudermilk (Saturday 31 March 1934 – Wednesday 21 September 2016) (No.13, 1978)
‘It Started All Over Again’, which was written by Jim Lust, Kay Milete and Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016) (No.23, 1978)
‘Til The End’ (written by Cathy Gosdin) (No.7, 1977)
‘You’ve Got Somebody, I’ve Got Somebody’ (written by Michael Craig Johnson) (No.16, 1979)
‘Sarah’s Eyes’ (written by Shirl Milete and Vern Gosdin) (No.57, 1979)
‘Mother Country Music’ (written by Joe Nixon) (No.17, 1977)
‘Yesterday’s Gone’ (written by Wayne Bradford) (No.9, 1977) / this track featured harmony vocals from Emmylou Harris
‘Never My Love’, which was written by Dick Addrissi and Donald ‘Don’ Addrisi (Wednesday 14 December 1938 – Tuesday 13 November 1984) (No.9, 1978) / this track featured harmony vocals from Janie Fricke
‘All I Want & Need Forever’, which was written by Dennis Bruce Payne (Saturday 16 July 1949 – Thursday 8 April 2021) (No.21, 1979)
‘Catch The Wind’ (written by Donovan)
‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ (written by Charles Calhoun)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘The Best of Vern Gosdin’ (Elektra Records, 1979) did not chart on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart.
In 1980, following the demise of Elektra Records’ country music division, Vern Gosdin quickly moved through several recording contracts and landed with Ovation Records, an independent Nashville-based record label.
In 1981, Vern Gosdin signed with Ovation Records and scored a Billboard Top 10 country music hit single with ‘Dream of Me’ (written by Jimmy Darrell, Raleigh Squires and Buddy Cannon), which reached No.7.
After Ovation Records closed their doors, in late 1981, Vern Gosdin signed with A.M.I. Records, where he scored a Billboard Top 10 hit single in 1982 with ‘Today My World Slipped Away’ (written by Mark Wright and Vern Gosdin) (No.10, 1982).
Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016) and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Must’ve Been Drunk’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘A Taste of Yesterday’s Wine’ (Epic Records, 1982).
In 1982, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Dream Lady’ (Phonorama Records, 1982), which included the following tracks:
‘If You Touch Me’ (written by Rich Landers)
‘Just Give Me What You Think Is Fair’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983), Vernon L. Haywood and Jeff Twill
‘Ain’t It Been Love’ (written by Jack Fisher and Fred Koller)
‘Too Long Gone’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Dream of Me’ (written by Jimmy Darrell, Raleigh Squires and Buddy Cannon) (No.7, 1981)
‘She’s Just A Place To Fall’ (written by Jim Rushing and Fred Koller)
‘Lady’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Damn The Fever’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Lovin’ You Is Music To My Mind’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983) and Vernon L. Haywood
‘I Wish I Had Something’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
In March 1983, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Today My World Slipped Away’ (Ami Records, 1983), which included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Too Long Gone’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.28, 1981)
‘Dream of Me’ (written by Jimmy Darrell, Raleigh Squires and Buddy Cannon) (No.7, 1981)
‘Don’t Ever Leave Me Again’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.28, 1982)
‘Your Bedroom Eyes’ (written by Rich Landers) (No.22, 1982)
‘Today My World Slipped Away’ (written by Mark Wright and Vern Gosdin) (No.10, 1982)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Today My World Slipped Away’ (Ami Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘Just Give Me What You Think Is Fair’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983), Vernon L. Haywood and Jeff Twill
‘Ain’t It Been Love’ (written by Fred Koller)
‘She’s Just A Place To Fall’ (written by Fred Koller)
‘If You Touch Me (You’ve Got To Love Me)’
‘When Love Was All We Had To Share’
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Today My World Slipped Away’ (Ami Records, 1983) reached No.30 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
It was also in 1983 when Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Friday Night Feelin’ (written by Rich Landers), a non-album single, which reached No.49 on the Billboard country music singles chart.
In the 1980s, Vern Gosdin made the Billboard Top 10 consistently and really hit his stride when he teamed with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) as a songwriting collaborator.
Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) specialised in songs of cheating and barroom romance.
In 1983, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Music To My Mind’ (Intercord Music, 1982), which included the following tracks:
‘Weekends Were Made For Cheating’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983), Vernon L. Haywood and F.R. Haywood
‘If You Touch Me’ (written by Rich Landers)
‘Just Give Me What You Think Is Fair’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983), Vernon L. Haywoodand Jeff Twill
‘It Might Have Been’, which was written by Rayburn Thomas Anthony (1937 – Saturday 21 April 2018), Patsy Littrell and Stan Plumlee
‘Lady’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Friday Night Feeling’ (written by Rich Landers)
‘Cowboys Are As Common As Sin’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Your Bedroom Eyes’ (written by Rich Landers)
‘Music To My Mind’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983) and Vernon L. Haywood
‘Too Far Gone To Find’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Love Is All We Had To Share’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983), Vernon L. Haywood and F.R. Haywood
In April 1983, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’ (Compleat Records, 1983), which was produced by Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do Me Right)’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.5, 1983)
‘Way Down Deep’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Max T. Barnes (No.5, 1983)
‘I Wonder Where We’d Be Tonight’ (written by Vern Gosdin and Jim Sales) (No.10, 1983)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’ (Compleat Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘Tennessee Courage’, which was written by Louis Brown, Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Today My World Slipped Away’ (written by Mark Wright and Vern Gosdin)
‘I Feel Love Closin’ In’ (written by Jim Sales and Vern Gosdin)
‘I Couldn’t Love You More’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983), Vernon L. Haywood and V.R. Haywood
‘My Heart Is In Good Hands’, which was written by Bill Shore and Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022)
‘Favorite Fool of All’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983) and Vernon L. Haywood
‘I’ll Try’ (written by Wayne H. Bradford)
Personnel involved in the recording of Vern Gosdin’s ‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’ (Compleat Records, 1983) included the following:
Curtis Young, Kathy Burdick and Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983) (backing vocals)
Beverly Gosdin (backing vocals, cover model)
Larry Paxton (bass)
Jerry Kroon (drums)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 – Friday 2 February 2007) (harmonica, tambourine)
Fred Newell (lead guitar)
Mitch Humphries (piano)
Bobby Thompson (Monday 5 July 1937 – Wednesday 18 May 2005), Chip Young (Thursday 19 May 1938 – Saturday 20 December 2014), Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020) and Jon Goin (rhythm guitar)
Sonny Garrish (steel guitar)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’ (Compleat Records, 1983) reached No.17 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
In April 1984, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘There Is A Season’ (Compleat Records, 1984), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I Can Tell By The Way You Dance’ (written by Sandy Pinkard and Rob Strandlund) (No.1 for one week in June / July 1984)
‘What Would Your Memories Do’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Dean Dillon (No.10, 1984)
‘Slow Burnin’ Memory’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.10, 1984)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘There Is A Season’ (Compleat Records, 1984) also included the following tracks:
‘Turn Turn Turn (To Everything There Is A Season)’ / words from the Book of Eccleslastes and music from Pete Seeger (Saturday 3 May 1919 – Monday 27 January 2014)
‘Love Me Right To The End’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘How Can I Believe in You (When You’ll Be Leavin’ Me)’ (written by Vern Gosdin and Buddy Cannon)
‘Slow Healing Heart’ (written by Jim Rushing)
‘Dead From The Heart On Down’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Stone Cold Heart’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘I’ve Got A Heart Full of You’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘There Is A Season’ (Compleat Records, 1984) reached No.17 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1984.
It was also in 1984 when The Los Angeles Times selected Vern Gosdin’s ‘There Is A Season’ (Compleat Records, 1984) as the ‘Best Country Album of The Year’.
The early 1980s also found a great combination of talent as Vern Gosdin traveled from coast to coast opening shows for George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013).
It was during this time when George Jones‘ manager, Gerald Murray, of Muscle Shoals, Alabama had the same home office for the two singers.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) lived in Muscle Shoals at the time and the duo’s office facility became a pivot location for great writers and other entertainers, including Hank Williams Jr.
In September 1984, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘If Jesus Comes Tomorrow’ (Compleat Records, 1984), which included the following tracks:
‘Jesus, Hold My Hand’, which was written by Albert Edward Brumley (Sunday 29 October 1905 – Tuesday 15 November 1977)
‘Other Side of Life’
‘I’ll Fly Away’, which was written by Albert Edward Brumley (Sunday 29 October 1905 – Tuesday 15 November 1977)
‘Jesus, Don’t Turn Me Away’
‘Jesus, Hold My Hand’, which was written by Albert Edward Brumley (Sunday 29 October 1905 – Tuesday 15 November 1977) (reprise)
‘If Jesus Comes Tomorrow (What Then)’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vern Gosdin
‘Praying’, which was written by Hazel Marie Houser (Saturday 3 June 1922 – Friday 14 June 1996)
‘Love Rolled Away The Stone’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vern Gosdin
‘I’m Gonna Be Movin’
‘Impossible Mile’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vern Gosdin
‘Toe To Toe With The Devil’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vern Gosdin
In April 1985, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Time Stood Still’ (Compleat Records, 1985), which included five tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (& Loud, Loud Music)’, which was written by Joe Maphis (Thursday 12 May 1921 – Friday 27 June 1986) and Rose Lee Maphis (Friday 29 December 1922 – Tuesday 26 October 2021) (No.20, 1985)
‘I Know The Way To You By Heart’ (written by Tony Laiolo) (No.35, 1985)
‘It’s Only Love Again’, which was written by Tim Krekel (Tuesday 10 October 1950 – Wednesday 24 June 2009) (No.68, 1986)
‘Was It Just The Wine’ (written by Buddy Cannon and Vern Gosdin) (No.61, 1986)
‘Time Stood Still’ (written by Robert John Jones) (No.51, 1986)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Time Stood Still’ (Compleat Records, 1985) also included the following tracks:
‘For A Minute There’, which was written by Beverly Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Rainbows & Roses’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Rayburn Thomas Anthony (1937 – Saturday 21 April 2018)
‘Two Lonely Hearts (Out of Hand)’ (written by Buddy Cannon, Vern Gosdin and Robert John Jones)
‘Jesus, Hold My Hand’, which was written by Albert Edward Brumley (Sunday 29 October 1905 – Tuesday 15 November 1977)
‘What A Price I’ve Paid’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Time Stood Still’ (Compleat Records, 1985) reached No.31 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1985.
In October 1986, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Greatest Hits’ (Compleat Records, 1986), which included the following tracks:
‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do Me Right)’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.5, 1983)
‘I Can Tell By The Way You Dance’ (written by Sandy Pinkard and Rob Strandlund) (No.1 for one week in June / July 1984)
‘Today My World Slipped Away’ (written by Mark Wright and Vern Gosdin) (No.10, 1982)
‘Way Down Deep’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Max T. Barnes (No.5, 1983)
‘Slow Burnin’ Memory’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.10, 1984)
‘I Know The Way To You By Heart’ (written by Tony Laiolo) (No.35, 1985)
‘Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (& Loud, Loud Music)’, which was written by Joe Maphis (Thursday 12 May 1921 – Friday 27 June 1986) and Rose Lee Maphis (Friday 29 December 1922 – Tuesday 26 October 2021) (No.20, 1985)
‘What Would Your Memories Do’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Dean Dillon (No.10, 1984)
‘I Wonder Where We’d Be Tonight’ (written by Vern Gosdin and Jim Sales) (No.10, 1983)
‘Jesus, Hold My Hand’, which was written by Albert Edward Brumley (Sunday 29 October 1905 – Tuesday 15 November 1977)
‘It’s Only Love Again’, which was written by Tim Krekel (Tuesday 10 October 1950 – Wednesday 24 June 2009) (No.68, 1986)
‘Was It Just The Wine’ (written by Buddy Cannon and Vern Gosdin) (No.61, 1986)
‘Time Stood Still’ (written by Robert John Jones) (No.51, 1986)
‘Two Lonely Hearts (Out of Hand)’ (written by Vern Gosdin, Robert John Jones and Buddy Cannon)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Greatest Hits’ (Compleat Records, 1986) reached No.48 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1986.
In 1986, Compleat Records folded and Vern Gosdin found himself without a record label.
In 1987, Vern Gosdin was approached by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016), but Merle Haggard‘s friend and sometimes co-writer, Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), stepped in and brought Vern Gosdin to the attention of producer Bob Montgomery (Wednesday 12 May 1937 – Thursday 4 December 2014) at Columbia Records, with whom Vern Gosdin signed a recording contract with Columbia Records.
Columbia Records advanced some money to cut some tracks with Vern Gosdin, the result of which was ‘Do You Believe Me Now’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.
Vern Gosdin’s first album for Columbia Records, ‘Chiseled In Stone’ (Columbia Records, 1988), was released shortly afterwards and Vern achieved a Billboard No.1 hit single with ‘Set ‘Em Up Joe’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Vern Gosdin, Dean Dillon and Buddy Cannon (No.1 for one week in July 1988).
The title track of ‘Chiseled In Stone’ (Columbia Records, 1988), which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in November 1988 and was cited as the ‘Song of The Year’ by the Country Music Association (CMA) on Monday 9 October 1989.
In February 1987, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Chiseled In Stone’ (Columbia Records, 1987), which was produced by Bob Montgomery (Wednesday 12 May 1937 – Thursday 4 December 2014), and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Do You Believe Me Now’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.4, 1987)
‘Set ‘Em Up Joe’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Vern Gosdin, Dean Dillon and Buddy Cannon (No.1 for one week in July 1988)
‘Chiseled In Stone’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.6, 1988) / this track won the Country Music Association’s ‘Song of The Year’ Award in 1989
‘Who You Gonna Blame It On This Time’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Vern Gosdin (No.2, 1989)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Chiseled In Stone’ (Columbia Records, 1987) also included the following tracks:
‘Tight As Twin Fiddles’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Dean Dillon
‘Is It Raining At Your House’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Vern Gosdin
‘There Ain’t Nothing Wrong (Just Ain’t Nothing Right)’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Dean Dillon and Vern Gosdin
‘It’s Not Over Yet’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Vern Gosdin
‘Nobody Calls From Vegas Just To Say Hello’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Burch, Burch and Vern Gosdin
‘I Guess I Had Your Leavin’ Coming’ (written by Vern Gosdin, Buddy Cannon and Dean Dillon)
Personnel involved in the recording of Vern Gosdin’s ‘Chiseled In Stone’ (Columbia Records, 1987) included the following:
Ron Oates (keyboards, arrangements)
Jerry Kroon (drums)
Bob Wray (bass)
Sonny Garrish and Jim Vest (steel guitar)
Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar)
Billy Sanford (electric guitar)
Hoot Hester (Monday 13 August 1951 – Tuesday 30 August 2016) (fiddle)
Dennis Wilson and Vern Gosdin (background vocals)
Carol Montgomery (background vocals on ‘Do You Believe Me Now’)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Chiseled In Stone’ (Columbia Records, 1987) reached No.7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987.
In June 1987, Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998) saw the release of her highly acclaimed album, ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1987), which was produced by Steve Buckingham, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Your Love’ (written by Beckie Foster and Tommy Rocco) (No.12, 1987) / this track featured background vocals from Ricky Skaggs
‘Talkin’ To Myself Again’, which was written by Jamie O’Hara (Friday 18 August 1950 – Thursday 7 January 2021) (No.16, 1987) / this track featured background vocals from The O’Kanes (Kieran Kane & Jamie O’Hara)
‘Beneath A Painted Sky’, which was written by Joe Chambers (passed away on Wednesday 28 September 2022) and Bucky Jones (No.25, 1988) / this track featured background vocals vocals from Emmylou Harris
Tammy Wynette’s highly acclaimed album, ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1987), also included the following tracks:
‘Tempted’ (written by Al Turney) / this track featured background vocals from Gene Watson
‘Some Things Will Never Change’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Troy Seals / this track was a duet with Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009)
‘I Wasn’t Meant To Live My Life Alone’ (written by Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet) / this track featured background vocals from Vince Gill
‘Higher Ground’ (written by Steve Buckingham) / this track featured background vocals from Larry Gatlin, Steve Gatlin and Rudy Gatlin
‘A Slow Burning Fire’ (written by Jan Buckingham and Vicki Smith) / this track featured background vocals from Harry Stinson, John Wesley Ryles and Ricky Van Shelton
‘There’s No Heart So Strong’ (written by Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet) / this track featured background vocals from Paul Overstreet
‘All Through Throwing Good Love After Bad’, which was written by Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 – Tuesday 17 May 2016) and Richard Leigh / this track featured background vocals from Rodney Crowell and Jeanne Smith
Personnel involved in the recording of Tammy Wynette’s ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1987) included the following:
Mark O’Connor (fiddle, mandolin, guitar)
Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
Mark Casstevens, Steve Gibson and Steve Buckingham (guitar)
Paul Franklin (steel guitar, Dobro)
Tom Robb (bass)
Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (upright bass)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Randy McCormick (piano)
Jay Spell (accordian)
Tammy Wynette’s ‘Higher Ground’ (Epic Records, 1987) reached No.43 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987.
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Would These Arms Be In Your Way’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015), and included the track on ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ (RCA Records, 1988); the track reached No.36 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1988.
George Strait recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Is It That Time Again’ (co-written with Dean Dillon and Buddy Cannon) and included the track on ‘If You Ain’t Lovin’, You Ain’t Livin’ (MCA Records, 1988).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Tennessee Courage’, which was co-written with Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983) and James Brown, and included the track on ‘I Wonder Do You Think of Me’ (RCA Records, 1988).
In June 1989, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Alone’ (Columbia Records, 1989), which was produced by Bob Montgomery (Wednesday 12 May 1937 – Thursday 4 December 2014), and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘I’m Still Crazy’ (written by Vern Gosdin, Steve Gosdin and Buddy Cannon) (No.1 for one week in September 1989)
‘That Just About Does It’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.4, 1989)
‘Right In The Wrong Direction’, which was written by Vern Gosdin, Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Mack Vickery (Wednesday 8 June 1938 – Tuesday 21 December 2004) (No.10, 1990)
‘Tanqueray’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Mack Vickery (Wednesday 8 June 1938 – Tuesday 21 December 2004), Jim Vest and Vern Gosdin (No.75, 1990)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Alone’ (Columbia Records, 1989) also included the following tracks:
‘Take Me Home To Alabama’, 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 Vern Gosdin
‘Paradise ’83’ (written by Vern Gosdin and Buddy Cannon)
‘Do Me A Favor’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Vern Gosdin and Buddy Cannon
‘Alone’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘I’m Only Going Crazy’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘You’re Not By Yourself’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Vern Gosdin and Buddy Cannon
Personnel involved in the recording of Vern Gosdin’s ‘Alone’ (Columbia Records, 1989) included the following:
Ron Oates (keyboards, arrangements)
Bob Wray, Tom Robb and Roy Huskey Jr. (Monday 17 December 1956 – Saturday 6 September 1997) (bass)
Jerry Kroon (drums)
Billy Sanford and Mike Severs (electric guitar)
Bill Hullett and Tim Menzies (acoustic guitar)
Jim Vest (steel guitar)
Curtis Wright (backing vocals)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Alone’ (Columbia Records, 1989), which was a concept album in a traditional country music style, chronicled the dissolution of Vern Gosdin’s marriage, and reached No.11 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1989.
It was also in 1989 when Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Too Far Gone’ (RCA Records, 1989), which was produced by Brien Fisher, and included the following tracks:
‘Too Far Gone To Find’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Just Give Me What You Think Is Fair’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983), Vernon L. Haywood and Jeff Twill
‘I Was Afraid of That’
‘Lady’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Don’t Ever Leave Me Again’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Cowboys Are Common As Sin’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘It Might Have Been’, which was written by Rayburn Thomas Anthony (1937 – Saturday 21 April 2018), Patsy Littrell and Stan Plumlee
‘Damn The Fever’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Only For You’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
In June 1990, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ’10 Years of Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1990), which included the following tracks, all of which were re-recordings:
‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do Me Right)’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) / the original version of this track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983
‘Slow Burnin’ Memory’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) / the original version of this track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1984
‘This Ain’t My First Rodeo’, which was written by Vern Gosdin, Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) / the original version of this track reached No.14 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1990
‘Today My World Slipped Away’ (written by Mark Wright and Vern Gosdin) / the original version of this track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982
‘Way Down Deep’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Max T. Barnes / the original version of this track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983
‘Is It Raining At Your House’, which was written by Vern Gosdin, Dean Dillon and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) / the original version of this track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1990
‘Friday Night Feeling’ (written by Rich Landers) / the original version of this track reached No.49 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983
‘Til The End’ (written by Vern Gosdin and Cathy Gosdin) / the original version of this track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
‘I Can Tell By The Way You Dance’ (written by Sandy Pinkard and Rob Strandlund) / the original version of this track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in June / July 1984
‘Time Stood Still’ (written by Robert John Jones) / the original version of this track reached No.51 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986
‘Was It Just The Wine’ (written by Buddy Cannon and Vern Gosdin) / the original version of this track reached No.61 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986
Vern Gosdin’s ’10 Years of Greatest Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1990) reached No.21 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1990.
On Friday 31 August 1990, Randy Travis saw the release of ‘Heroes & Friends’ (Warner Bros. Nashville Records, 1990); one of the included tracks was ‘The Human Race’, which was written by Tim Menzies, Jimmy Philips and Eugene David Dobbins (Monday 19 March 1934 – Sunday 23 November 2008), and featured guest vocals from Vern Gosdin.
In May 1991, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Out of My Heart’ (Columbia Records, 1991), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘I Knew My Day Would Come’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.64, 1991)
‘The Garden’ (written by Bobby Fischer and Freddie Weller) (No.51, 1991)
‘A Month of Sundays’ (written by John Northrup, Buddy Cannon and Vern Gosdin) (No.54, 1991)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Out of My Heart’ (Columbia Records, 1991) also included the following tracks:
‘Love Will Keep Your Hand On The Wheel’, which was written by Vern Gosdin, Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Out of My Heart’, which was written by Vern Gosdinand Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Bridge I’m Still Building On’ (written by Vern Gosdin, John Northrup and Buddy Cannon)
‘Once & For All’ (written by Vern Gosdin, Dean Dillon and Buddy Cannon)
‘This Song Wrote Itself’, which was written by Vern Gosdin, Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘You’ve Never Been In Love With You’ (written by Vern Gosdin, John Northrup and Buddy Cannon)
‘I’d Better Write It Down’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Jim Vest
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Out of My Heart’ (Columbia Records, 1991) reached No.41 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1991.
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) & Willie Nelson recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Two Old Sidewinders’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Clean Shirt’ (Epic Records, 1991).
In 1992, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Rough Around The Edges’ (RCA Records, 1992), which included the following tracks, all of which were recorded in the early 1980s for AMI Records:
‘Loving You Is Music To My Mind’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983)
‘I Wish I Had Something’
‘When Love Was All We Had To Share’, which was written by Rex Gosdin (1938 – Monday 23 May 1983)
‘It’s Beginning To Look Like The End’ (written by Larry Bastian)
‘Rough Around The Edges’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘We’re Makin’ Up For Lost Time’
‘Rustin’ Down’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
‘Singer of Sad Songs’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)
On Tuesday 9 March 1993, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Nickels & Dimes & Love’ (Columbia Records, 1993), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Back When’, which was written by Hugh Prestwood (Thursday 2 April 1942 – Sunday 22 September 2024) (No.67, 1993)
Vern Gosdin’s ‘Nickels & Dimes & Love’ (Columbia Records, 1993) also included the following tracks:
‘Nickels & Dimes & Love’
‘Where The Tall Glass Grows’ (written by Andy Spooner)
‘Bury Me In A Jukebox’ (written by Buddy Cannon and Vern Gosdin)
‘Any Old Miracle’
‘I Like My Country Music Kinda Rock’ (written by Vern Gosdin)
‘Two Good People With A Love Gone Bad’ (written by Buddy Cannon, Dean Dillon and Vern Gosdin)
‘What Are We Gonna Do About Me’ (written by Vern Gosdin)
‘Gone In A Heartbeat’
‘Better Time To Say Goodbye’ (written by Buddy Cannon, Dean Dillon and Vern Gosdin)
In August 1993, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Super Hits’ (Columbia Records, 1993), which included the following tracks:
‘Set ‘Em Up Joe’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Vern Gosdin, Dean Dillon and Buddy Cannon (No.1 for one week in July 1988)
‘Chiseled In Stone’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.6, 1988)
‘Do You Believe Me Now’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.4, 1987)
‘That Just About Does It’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.4, 1989)
‘This Ain’t My First Rodeo’, which was written by Vern Gosdin, Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.14, 1990)
‘Tanqueray’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Mack Vickery (Wednesday 8 June 1938 – Tuesday 21 December 2004), Jim Vest and Vern Gosdin (No.75, 1990)
‘I’m Still Crazy’ (written by Vern Gosdin, Steve Gosdin and Buddy Cannon) (No.1 for one week in September 1989)
‘Who You Gonna Blame It On This Time’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Vern Gosdin (No.2, 1989)
‘Right In The Wrong Direction’, which was written by Vern Gosdin, Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Mack Vickery (Wednesday 8 June 1938 – Tuesday 21 December 2004) (No.10, 1990)
‘Is It Raining At Your House’, which was written by Vern Gosdin, Dean Dillon and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) (No.10, 1990)
Tracy Byrd recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Back In The Swing of Things’ (co-written with Buddy Cannon and Dean Dillon) and included the track on ‘Tracy Byrd’ (MCA Records, 1993).
Benny Berry recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Heart Don’t Start Stopping On Me Now’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘When The Trains Still Ran Through Dixie’ (Hawk Records, 1993).
Benny Berry recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Put Me In Your Pocket’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘When The Trains Still Ran Through Dixie’ (Hawk Records, 1993).
In April 1995, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Set ‘Em Up’ (Sony Music, 1995), which included the following tracks:
‘Set ‘Em Up Joe’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Vern Gosdin, Dean Dillon and Buddy Cannon (No.1 for one week in July 1988)
‘Tanqueray’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Mack Vickery (Wednesday 8 June 1938 – Tuesday 21 December 2004), Jim Vest and Vern Gosdin (No.75, 1990)
‘I’d Better Write It Down’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Jim Vest
‘It’s Not Over Yet’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Vern Gosdin
‘The Garden’ (written by Bobby Fischer and Freddie Weller) (No.51, 1991)
‘Once & For All’ (written by Vern Gosdin, Dean Dillon and Buddy Cannon)
‘Take Me Home To Alabama’, 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 Vern Gosdin
‘Who You Gonna Blame It On This Time’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Vern Gosdin (No.2, 1989)
‘I Knew My Day Would Come’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.64, 1991)
‘That Just About Does It’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) (No.4, 1989)
Jacob Lyda recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Walkin’ In My Tracks’, which was co-written with Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), and included the track on ‘Here We Go Again’ (Bob Grady Records, 1995).
Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Would These Arms Be In Your Way’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015), and included the track on ‘Daryle Singletary’ (Giant Records, 1995); the track, which reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1996, featured guest vocals from Rhonda Vincent.
In 1996, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Warning: Contains Country Music (The Great Ballads of Vern Gosdin)’ (American Harvest Recording Society, 1996), which included the following tracks:
‘Hanging On’, which was written by William (Billy) Robert Mize (Monday 29 April 1929 – Wednesday 1 November 2017) and Ira Bridges Allen (Monday 1 November 1937 – Sunday 25 July 2021) / this track, which featured guest vocals from Emmylou Harris, was an original recording, and was produced by Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016)
‘Yesterday’s Gone’ (written by Wayne Bradford) / this track, which featured guest vocals from Emmylou Harris, was an original recording, and was produced by Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016)
‘Til The End’ (written by Cathy Gosdin) / this track, which featured guest vocals from Janie Fricke, was an original recording, and was produced by Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016)
‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’, which was written by Ewan MacColl (Monday 25 January 1915 – Sunday 22 October 1989) / this track was a re-recording, and was produced by Vern Gosdin and Ron Oates
‘Never My Love’ (written by Dick Addrisi and Don Addrisi) / this track was an original recording, and was produced by Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016)
‘Sarah’s Eyes (written by Shirl Milete and Vern Gosdin) / this track was an original recording, and was produced by Gary Sanford Paxton (Thursday 18 May 1939 – Sunday 17 July 2016)
‘Today My World Slipped Away’ (written by Mark Wright and Vern Gosdin) / this track was an original recording, and was produced by Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022)
‘If You Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)and Vern Gosdin / this track was an original recording, and was produced by Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022)
‘What Would Your Memories Do’, which was written by Dean Dillon and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) / this track was an original recording, and was produced by Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022)
‘You Never Cross My Mind’, which was written by Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 – Sunday 30 October 2016), Deborah Allen and Rafe Van Hoy / this track was previously unreleased, and was produced by Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022)
‘If Jesus Comes Tomorrow (What Then)’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Vern Gosdin / this track was an original recording, and was produced by Vern Gosdin and Robert John Jones
‘Time Stood Still’ (written by Robert John Jones) / this track was an original recording, and was produced by Vern Gosdin and Robert John Jones
‘Was It Just The Wine’ (written by (written by Buddy Cannon and Vern Gosdin) / this track was an original recording, and was produced by Vern Gosdin and Robert John Jones
‘Do You Believe Me Now’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)and Vern Gosdin / this track was a new recording, and was produced by Vern Gosdin and Ron Oates
‘Chiseled In Stone’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004)and Vern Gosdin/ this track was a new recording, and was produced by Vern Gosdin and Ron Oates
‘Is It Raining At Your House’, which was written by Dean Dillon, Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Vern Gosdin / this track was a new recording, and was produced by Vern Gosdin and Ron Oates
‘Alone’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) / this track was a new recording, and was produced by Vern Gosdin and Ron Oates
‘The Number’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin / this track was a new recording, and was produced by Vern Gosdin and Ron Oates, and was also included on Vern Gosdin’s ’24 Karat Heartache’ (American Harvest Recording Society, 1997)
‘Dream of Me’ (written by Jimmy Darrell, Raleigh Squires and Buddy Cannon) / this track was a new recording, and was produced by Vern Gosdin and Ron Oates
In 1997, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ’24 Karat Heartache’ (American Harvest Recording Society, 1997), which was produced by Ron Oates and Vern Gosdin, and included the following tracks:
‘The Number’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin / this track was originally released as a single, in 1996, to promote Vern Gosdin’s ‘Warning: Contains Country Music (The Great Ballads of Vern Gosdin)’ (American Harvest Recording Society, 1996)
‘I’ll Understand’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin
’24 Karat Heartache’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin
‘Three Or Four Times A Day’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin
‘All The Way Through’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin
‘Runnin’ Out of Reason To Leave’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin
‘Who I Came Here To Forget’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin
‘The Wettest Dry County’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin
‘What I Threw Away’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin
‘I’m Where A Memory (Can Die For A Night)’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin
‘Where Do We Take It From Here’, which was written by Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018), Arthur Leo ‘Doodle’ Owens (Friday 28 November 1930 – Monday 4 October 1999) and Vern Gosdin
George Strait recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Today My World Slipped Away’ (co-written with Mark Wright) and included the track on ‘Carrying Your Love With Me’ (MCA Records, 1997); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in November 1997.
Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Would These Arms Be In Your Way’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015), and included the track on ‘Now & Again’ (Audium Records / Koch Records, 2000).
Brad Paisley recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Is It Raining At Your House’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Dean Dillon, and included the track on ‘Mud On The Tires’ (Arista Nashville, 2003).
On Tuesday 12 October 2004, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ‘Back In The Swing of Things’ (GoldRhyme Music Publishing & Recording, 2004), which included the following tracks:
‘Back in The Swing of Things’ (written by Buddy Cannon, Dean Dillon and Vern Gosdin)
‘Baby, That’s Cold’, which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Vern Gosdin
‘Streets of Gold’ (written by Bill Emerson, Jody Emerson and Vern Gosdin) / this track was a duet with LaDonna Kay
‘Chip Off The Old Block’ (written by Vern Gosdin)
‘How Can I Believe In You When You’ll Be Leaving Me’ (written by Buddy Cannon and Vern Gosdin)
‘Let’s Don’t & Say We Did’, which was written by Vern Gosdin and Dennis Knutson (1949 – Saturday 1 September 2018) / this track was a duet with LaDonna Kay
‘Fire In Our Bedroom’ (written by Bill Emerson, Jody Emerson, Vern Gosdin and Kenneth Watts)
‘We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds’ (written by Melba Montgomery) / this track was a duet with LaDonna Kay
‘Maybe Then I’ll Be Over You’ (written by Vern Gosdin and Jim Varney)
‘I Know What It’s Like (To Be Alone)’ (written by Vern Gosdin and Gary Loyd)
‘A Picture of Me (Without You)’, which was written by George Richey (Saturday 30 November 1935 – Saturday 31 July 2010) and Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017) / this track was a duet with LaDonna Kay
‘Would These Arms Be In Your Way’, which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Vern Gosdin and Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 – Wednesday 1 July 2015)
Personnel involved in the recording of Vern Gosdin’s ‘Back In The Swing of Things’ (GoldRhyme Music Publishing & Recording, 2004) included the following:
Vern Gosdin (lead vocals, background vocals)
Eddie Bayers (drums)
Brent Rowan (guitar)
Larry Franklin (fiddle)
Blue Miller (acoustic guitar)
Michael Douchette (Saturday 7 May 1955 – Friday 4 December 2020) (steel guitar)
Tony King (background vocals)
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘Hits I Missed…And One I Didn’t’ (Bandit Records, 2005), an album which was produced by Keith Stegall.
In 2007, Vern Gosdin’s manager, Dr. Gerald Murray of Muscle Shoals, Alabama wrote ‘True Life Stories About ‘The Voice’; the book told of the life and times the two had together and about some of the many people in Vern Gosdin’s life.
Dr. Gerard Murray was a part of Vern Gosdin’s life for some thirty years and referred to Vern Gosdin as a father, brother and friend.
In August 2008, Vern Gosdin saw the release of ’40 Years of The Voice’ (VGM Records, 2008), a 4-CD career retrospective, which featured one-hundred-and-one songs, including fourteen previously unreleased tracks, which were recorded thirty-five years previously; the collection also offered eleven newly recorded songs.
Vern Gosdin’s ’40 Years of The Voice’ (VGM Records, 2008), a four-CD career retrospective box set, included the following tracks:
Disc 1 (26 tracks)
‘I Fell Off of The Wagon’
‘I’ll Try’
‘Someone I Can Turn To’
‘The Sounds of Goodbye’
‘Any Old Miracle’
‘Tennessee Courage’
‘The Last To Know’
‘Oh, Me, Oh My’
‘Favorite Fool of All’
‘Louisiana Man’
‘Today My World Slipped Away’ (written by Mark Wright and Vern Gosdin)
‘A Hangin On’
‘Baby, That’s Cold’
‘I Feel Love Closin’ In’
‘Your Strange Love’
‘I Couldn’t Love You More’
‘The Sweeter The Lips’
‘My Love Keeps Reachin’ Out For You’
‘To Die No More’
‘Love Is Underneath For Us To Find’
‘Living In The Jungle’
‘Just Enough To Keep Me Lovin’ You’
‘Bowling Green’
‘Try & Catch The Wind’
‘Rodeo Princess’
‘Nobody’s Done That Yet’
Disc 2 (24 tracks)
‘Chiseled In Stone’
‘Wonder Where We’d Be Tonight’
‘I Can Tell By The Way You Dance’
‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong’
‘I’ll Fly Away’
‘If Jesus Comes Tomorrow’
‘The Number’
‘Slow Healing Heart’
‘Who I Came Here To Forget’
‘Stone Cold Heart’
‘I’ve Got A Heart Full of You’
‘Praying’
‘Dead From The Heart On Down’
‘Rainbows & Roses’
‘What A Price I’ve Paid’
‘Chip Off The Chip Off The Old Block’
‘Dim Lights, Thick Smoke & Loud, Loud Music’
‘We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds’
‘Back In The Swing of Things’
‘For A Minute There’
‘I Know What It’s Like’
‘Toe To Toe With The Devil’
‘Right In The Wrong Direction’
‘A Better Time To Say Goodbye’
Disc 3 (26 tracks)
‘All The Way Thru’
‘Alone’
‘Dream of Me’
‘Fire In Our Bedroom’
‘Friday Night Feeling’
‘How Can I Believe In You’
‘The Other Side of Life’
‘Maybe Then, I’ll be Over You’
‘This Ain’t My First Rodeo’
‘The Wettest Dry County’
‘Three Or Four Times A Day’
‘Let’s Don’t & Say We Did’
‘Was It Just The Wine’
‘Do You Believe Me Now’
‘Way Down Deep’
‘What I Threw Away’
‘Set ‘Em Up Joe’
‘Where Do We Take It From Here’
‘Would These Arms Be In Your Way’
‘Wings of Faith’
‘Dixie’s On My Mind’
‘Streets of Gold’
‘Heartbreak Hall of Pain’
‘That Just About Does It’
‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’
‘I’m Still Crazy’
Disc 4 (25 tracks)
‘I’ll Understand’
‘I’m Gonna Be Movin’
‘I’m Where A Memory Can Die’
‘Impossible Mile’
‘Is It Raining At Your House’
‘Turn, Turn, Turn’
’24 Karat Heartache’
‘Love Rolled Away The Stone’
‘Running Out of Reasons To Leave’
‘Sarah’s Eyes’
‘Slow Burning Memory’
‘The Biggest Little Arms’
‘It’s All Coming Back To Me Now’
‘A Picture of Me’
‘Jesus, Hold My Hand’
‘Likes of Jesus Lovin’ Me’
‘What’s A Country Comin’ To’
‘That Ole Silver Tone’
‘Let’s Get Down To Business’
‘Monteagle’
‘Santa’s Driving A Chevrolet This Year’
‘Rockabye Katie’
‘Joy To The World’
‘Coldest Bedroom’
‘This Song Wrote Itself’
Melonie Cannon recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Set ‘Em Up, Joe’, which was co-written with Buddy Cannon, Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Dean Dillon, and included the track on ‘And The Wheels Turn’ (Rural Rhythm Records, 2008).
Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘How Can I Believe In You (When You’ll Be Leaving Me)’ (co-written with Buddy Cannon) and included the track on ‘Rockin’ In The Country’ (E1 Music Records, 2009).
Vern Gosdin continued writing and singing up until Tuesday 28 April 2009, despite his battle and recovery from his first stroke in 1998.
On the evening of Tuesday 28 April 2009, Vern Gosdin, who suffered a stroke in early April 2009, and was known affectionately within country music circles as ‘The Voice’, passed away at a Nashville hospital; he was seventy-four years old.
On Tuesday 15 September 2009, Sims Records released Vern Gosdin’s ‘Late & Great: The Voice’ (Sims Records, 2009), which included the following tracks:
‘The Ride’ (written by Jollie Hollie)
‘Lips Speak Up’ (written by Jollie Hollie)
‘Where Do We Take It From Here’ (written by Vern Gosdin)
‘Thank Your Mama’ (written by Vern Gosdin)
‘After Losing You’ (written by Vern Gosdin)
‘Biggest Little Arms’ (written by Vern Gosdin)
‘Two Broken Hearts’ (written by Vern Gosdin)
‘Not Back To Where I’ve Been’ (written by Jollie Hollie)
‘Yard Sale’ (written by Vern Gosdin)
‘To Feel What I Once Felt’ (written by Jollie Hollie)
Personnel involved in the recording of Vern Gosdin’s ‘Late & Great: The Voice’ (Sims Records, 2009) included the following:
Ron Oates (piano, keyboards)
Bob Wray (bass)
Jerry Kroon (drums)
Bill Hullett (acoustic guitar)
Gregg Galbraith (electric guitar)
Sonny Garrish (steel guitar)
Aubrey Haynie (mandolin, fiddle)
Michael Douchette (Saturday 7 May 1955 – Friday 4 December 2020) (steel guitar, harmonica)
Jamey Johnson recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Set ‘Em Up Joe’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Buddy Cannon and Dean Dillon, and included the track on ‘The Guitar Song’ (Mercury Records, 2010).
Willie Nelson recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘That Just About Does It’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘Remember Me, Volume 1’ (R&J Records, 2011).
Gene Watson & Rhonda Vincent recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Til The End’ (co-written with Cathy Gosdin) and included the track on ‘Your Money & My Good Looks‘ (Upper Management Music, 2011).
James King (Tuesday 9 September 1958 – Thursday 19 May 2016) recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Chiseled In Stone’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004), and included the track on ‘Three Chords & The Truth’ (Rounder Records, 2013); the original version of this track was recorded by Vern Gosdin, who included it on ‘Chiseled In Stone’ (Columbia Records, 1987), reaching No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1988, and winning the Country Music Association’s ‘Song of The Year’ Award in 1989.
Randy Travis recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Set ‘Em Up, Joe’, which was co-written with Buddy Cannon, Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Dean Dillon, and included the track on ‘Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am’ (Warner Bros. Records Nashville, 2014).
Lorrie Morgan recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Is It Raining At Your House’, which was co-written with Dean Dillon and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Letting Go…Slow’ (Shanachie Entertainment Records, 2016).
Courtney Granger recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Baby, That’s Cold’, which was co-written with Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 – Sunday 11 January 2004) and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Beneath Still Waters’ (Valcour Records, 2016).
Jordan Mogey recorded Vern Gosdin’s ‘Set ‘Em Up, Joe’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Dean Dillon and Buddy Cannon, and included the track on ‘Cowboys, Drifters & Angels’ (Jordan Mogey Independent Release, 2017).
Vern Gosdin Singles Discography
‘Today My World Slipped Away’ (written by Mark Wright and Vern Gosdin) (No.10, 1981)
‘If You’re Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)’ (No,5, 1983)
‘Way Down Deep’ (No.5, 1983)
‘I Wonder Where We’d Be Tonight’ (No.10, 1983)
‘I Can Tell By The Way You Dance (You’re Gonna Love Me Tonight’) (No.1 for one week in late June / early July, 1984)
‘What Would Your Memories Do’ (No.10, 1984)
‘Slow Burning Memory’ (No.10, 1984)
‘Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (& Loud, Loud Music)’ (No.20, 1985)
‘I Know The Way To You By Heart’ (No.35, 1985)
‘Time Stood Still’ (No.51, 1986)
‘Do You Believe Me Now’ (No.4, 1987)
‘Set ‘Em Up Joe’ (No.1 for one week in July 1988)
‘Chiseled In Stone’ (No.6, 1988)
‘Who You Gonna Blame It On This Time’ (No.2, 1989)
‘I’m Still Crazy’ (No.1 for one week in September 1989)
‘That Just About Does It’ (No.4, 1989)
‘Right In The Wrong Direction’ (No.10, 1990)
Vern Gosdin
Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009
• Visit Vern Gosdin’s official site at verngosdinmusic.com
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