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 2009, 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 Wil Nance, which he submitted to this site on Saturday 24 January 2009.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Wil Nance who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Wil Nance
This quote was submitted on Saturday 24 January 2009.
‘I got a song recorded on George Strait’s ‘Carrying Your Love With Me’ record in 1997 (a track called ‘Round About Way’, which I’d co-written with Steve Dean).
I remember calling my Dad, whom I lost three years ago, in 2006, and he was thrilled that George had recorded one of my songs.
A few years later, in 2001, Gene Watson recorded ‘Next To Nothin‘; I remember calling my Dad and telling him, and not to take anything away from George Strait, I remember my Dad saying (quote) ‘Son, now you’ve made it! He is truly one of the greatest singers to sing a country song’.
And what an honour to have him sing one of mine!
Thank you, Gene Watson!’
Thank you, Wil Nance, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Wil Nance…
Wil Nance received a BMI Award for ‘Round About Way’ (co-written with Steve Dean), which was a No.1 hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for George Strait in 1997; the track was included on George Strait’s ‘Carrying Your Love With Me’ (MCA Records, 1997).
Joe Nichols recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Cool To Be A Fool’ (co-written with Steve Dean and Joe Nichols) and included the track on ‘Man With A Memory’ (Universal South Records, 2002); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 2004.
In 2002, Wil Nance received a BMI Award for ‘Cool To Be A Fool’ (written by Wil Nance, Steve Dean and Joe Nichols).
Brad Paisley recorded Wil Nance’s ‘She’s Everything’ (co-written with Brad Paisley) and included the track on ‘Time Well Wasted’ (Arista Records, 2005); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart for two weeks in January 2007, and No.1 on the Radio & Records Chart in 2007.
Brad Paisley recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Hard To Say Hello’ and included the track on the bonus CD which was included with ‘Time Well Wasted’ (Arista Records, 2005).
Neal McCoy recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Same Boots’ (co-written with Steve Dean) and included the track on ‘Be Good At It’ (Atlantic Records, 1997).
George Strait recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Round About Way’ (co-written with Steve Dean) and included the track on ‘Carrying Your Love With Me’ (MCA Records, 1997); the track, which was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in March 1998, was subsequently included on George Strait’s ‘Latest Greatest Hits’ (MCA Records, 2000) and George Strait’s ’50 Number Ones’ (MCA Records, 2004).
John Michael Montgomery recorded Wil Nance’s ‘You Are’ (co-written with Steve Dean and Noah Gordon) and included the track on ‘Home To You’ (Atlantic Records, 1999); the track reached No.48 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2000.
Craig Morgan recorded Wil Nance’s ‘It’s Me’ (co-written with Steve Dean and Craig Morgan) and included the track on ‘Craig Morgan’ (Atlantic Records, 2000).
Craig Morgan recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Everything’s A Thing’ (co-written with Steve Dean and Joe Nichols) and included the track on ‘Craig Morgan’ (Atlantic Records, 2000).
Gene Watson recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Next To Nothing’, which was co-written with Mack Vickery (Wednesday 8 June 1938 – Tuesday 21 December 2004) and Steve Dean, and included the track on ‘From The Heart‘ (RMG Records, 2001).
A music video for ‘Next To Nothing’, which was written by Wil Nance, Mack Vickery (Wednesday 8 June 1938 – Tuesday 21 December 2004) and Steve Dean, was produced in 2001 by The Gary Musick Company for RMG Records; the executive producer was George Collier for RMG, and the director was Danny Petraitis for GMC.
The producers were Jonathan Yeaworth and Danny Petraitis, and the associate producers were Steve Baker, Jim Sheridan and Gregory Tipton.
The art director was Keith Tucker, the director of photography was Jerry Durkin, and the second camera operator was Steve ‘One Take’ Baker. Additional photography was undertaken by Tim Campbell; the editor and visuals were taken care of by Gregory Tipton.
OJ Hanssen, a popular European country music performer, played the part of the forsaken artist. The household scenes were shot in Nashville, while the cemetery scene was shot in Franklin, Tennessee.
Susie Luchsinger recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Sittin’ At A Red Light’ (co-written with Ray Stephenson) and included the track on ‘Count It All Joy’ (New Haven Records, 2001).
Joe Nichols recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Everything’s A Thing’ (co-written with Steve Dean and Joe Nichols) and included the track on ‘Man With A Memory’ (Universal South Records, 2002).
Joe Nichols recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Cool To Be A Fool’ (co-written with Steve Dean and Joe Nichols) and included the track on ‘Man With A Memory’ (Universal South Records, 2002).
Craig Morgan recorded Wil Nance’s ‘What You Do To Me’ (co-written with Steve Dean) and included the track on ‘I Love It’ (Broken Bow Records, 2003).
In 2004, Chad Brock saw the release of his recording of Wil Nance’s ‘You Are’ (co-written with Steve Dean and Noah Gordon); the track, which was a non-album track, reached No.48 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2004.
Joe Nichols recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Honky Tonk Girl’ (co-written with Steve Dean and Joe Nichols) and included the track on ‘Joe Nichols: III’ (Universal South Records, 2005).
Tracy Lawrence recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Just Like Her’ (co-written with Odie Blackmon) and included the track on ‘For The Love’ (Rocky Comfort Records / Co5 Records, 2007).
Tracy Lawrence recorded Wil Nance’s ‘You’re Why God Made Me’ (co-written with Billy Yates) and included the track on ‘For The Love’ (Rocky Comfort Records / Co5 Records, 2007).
Todd Fritsch recorded Wil Nance’s ‘No Part Of’ (co-written with Billy Yates) and included the track on ‘Sawdust’ (Diamond Records, 2007).
George Strait recorded Wil Nance’s ‘If Heartaches Were Horses’ (co-written with Buddy Brock and Dean Dillon) and included the track on ‘Troubadour’ (MCA Records, 2008).
George Strait recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Where Have I Been All My Life’ (co-written with Sherrie Austin and Steve Williams) and included the track on ‘Twang’ (MCA Records, 2009).
Todd Fritsch recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Up Here In The Saddle’ (co-written with Buddy Brock and Dean Dillon) and included the track on ‘Up Here In The Saddle’ (Saddle Up Records, 2012).
Darin & Brooke Aldridge recorded Wil Nance’s ‘To The Moon & Back’ (co-written with Steve Dean and Lisa Shaffer) and included the track on ‘Flying’ (Organic Records, 2013).
Mo Pitney recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Clean Up On Aisle Five’ (co-written with Mo Pitney) and included the track on ‘Behind This Guitar’ (Curb Records, 2016).
Mo Pitney recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Come Do A Little Life’ (co-written with Byron Hill and Mo Pitney) and included the track on ‘Behind This Guitar’ (Curb Records, 2016).
On Friday 14 August 2020, Mo Pitney saw the release of ‘Ain’t Lookin’ Back’ (Curb Records, 2020); two of the included tracks were Wil Nance’s ‘Right Now With You’ (co-written with Paul Overstreetand Mo Pitney), and Wil Nance’s ‘Local Honey’ (co-written with Mo Pitney, Adam Wood and Tabitha Brown Pitney).
Joe Nichols recorded Wil Nance’s ‘Hawaii On Me’ (co-written with Chris Janson and Kelly Roland) and included the track on ‘Good Day For Living’ (Quartz Hill Records, 2022).
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