Monday 4 June 2007
It was announced that Gene Watson's debut album for Shanachie Records, which was slated for a September 2007 release, would include eleven tracks; three of these tracks would be covers of some of Gene Watson's favourite classic country songs.
The Gene Watson Fan Site exclusively announced that one of the three classic covers would be Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006).
Merle Haggard's 'The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde' was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in April / May 1968 (27 April - 11 May) and the 'b' side of the single was 'Today I Started Loving You Again'.
Though Merle Haggard's version never charted, the song has gone on to become a country music classic and was originally included on 'The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde' (Capitol Records, 1968).
In 1975, Sammi Smith (Thursday 5 August 1943 - Saturday 12 February 2005) enjoyed a Billboard Top 10 hit with her recording of 'Today I Started Loving You Again', when it reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart; the track was also the title cut of one of her albums.
Wednesday 6 June 2007
In April 2007, it had been announced that Gene Watson had been selected as one of the subjects for inclusion within Marty Stuart's second book of photographs.
Marty Stuart, as well as being one of the most diverse talents in country music, is also known for his passion for photography; Marty Stuart had published his first book of photographs and essays, 'Pilgrims: Sinners, Saints & Prophets', in 1999.
Marty Stuart's second book of photographs was titled 'Country Music: The Masters' and contained portraits of legendary country artists, along with photos of people, places and things associated with them.
Gene Watson at Marty Stuart 'Country Music Masters' photo session at Nashville Palace in Nashville on Friday 6 April 2007
On Friday 6 April 2007, Gene Watson's photo session with Marty Stuart took place at the newly renovated Nashville Palace in Nashville.
Marty Stuart's second book of photographs, 'Country Music: The Masters', went on sale on Wednesday 6 June 2007.
Thursday 7 June 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band - Corky Owens, Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 - Friday 14 August 2009), Staley Rogers and Steve Anderson - gave an outstanding performance at The Riverfront Stages at the CMA Music Festival (formerly Fan Fair) in Nashville.
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band onstage at CMA Festival in Nashville on Thursday 7 June 2007
Gene Watson performed five of his classic recordings; 'Fourteen Carat Mind', 'Love In The Hot Afternoon', 'Memories To Burn', 'Paper Rosie' and 'Farewell Party'.
Thursday 7 June 2007
In between performing at CMA Music Festival and The Nashville Palace, Gene Watson and his producer Brent Rowan visited the recording studio. Mark Chesnutt dropped by the recording studio and added his vocals to a track, which would feature on Gene's debut album for Shanachie Records.
Gene Watson and Mark Chesnutt at Curb Studio in Nashville on Thursday 7 June 2007 (photo courtesy of Sarah Brosmer of Lytle Management in Nashville)
Mark Chesnutt, a fellow Texan, was one of the artists who put on a benefit concert for Gene Watson when he was suffering from colon cancer and had extraordinary health costs that his insurance would not cover. Gene Watson has said that he will never forget that gift from Mark Chesnutt and that he considers him to be a truly great friend.
Gene Watson's debut album for Shanachie Records, which was slated for a September 2007 release, was anticipated to be one of the outstanding country music album releases of the year.
Thursday 7 June 2007
Gene Watson & The Farewell Party Band - Corky Owens, Joe Eddie Gough (Friday 27 January 1939 - Friday 14 August 2009), Staley Rogers and Steve Anderson - gave a rare and outstanding performance at The Nashville Palace (a re-modeled and lovely, spacious club with a full dining menu, located just across from the Opryland Hotel).
Several distinguished individuals attended the performance on this special night; Billy Yates was seated right down front.
Gene Watson was very pleased to see Billy Yates and acknowledged his presence several times from the stage during the course of the evening.
Gene Watson has recorded two of Billy Yates' compositions; the tracks 'Flowers' and 'Hold Me' were included on 'Gene Watson...Sings' (Intersound Records, 2003).
Gene Watson's new producer Brent Rowan was also in the audience, as was Gene's good friend, CAA agent Stan Barnett and his manager John Lytle of Lytle Management.
The wonderful bluegrass diva Rhonda Vincent made a point of attending the entire performance, so that she too could enjoy the master at work; Gene was not aware that Rhonda was present until after the show.
Gene Watson received a standing ovation for his performance of Marty Robbins' 'You Gave Me A Mountain', a track which Gene had included on 'Uncharted Mind' (Step One Records, 1993); in fact, he received a wonderful reception for each and every song he performed on the night.
Gene Watson also graciously mentioned his legion of fans in Ireland, stating that they knew his album material as well as they knew his hit singles; 'Carmen', a track from 'Memories to Burn' (Epic Records, 1985) was dedicated to all of Gene's Irish fans.
Gene Watson also informed the audience that he had recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again' and that the track would be included on his debut album for Shanachie Records, which was slated for a September 2007 release.
Gene Watson's performance at The Nashville Palace on Thursday 7 June 2007 lasted for seventy-five minutes during which time he performed exquisite versions of 'Baby Me Baby', 'I Catch Myself' and 'This Dream's On Me'.
Thursday 21 June 2007
The Gene Watson Fan Site exclusively announced the title of one of the tracks that would grace Gene Watson's debut album for Shanachie Records, which was slated for a September 2007 release.
Gene Watson & Mark Chesnutt at Curb Studio in Nashville on Thursday 7 June 2007
'This Side of The Door', which was written by Tim Menzies and Shawn Camp, featured guest vocals from Mark Chesnutt; the track had been recorded on Thursday 7 June 2007.
Mark Chesnutt recorded 'This Side of The Door' (written by Tim Menzies and Shawn Camp) and included the track on 'What A Way To Live' (Decca Records, 1994).
Tim Mensy recorded 'This Side of The Door' (written by Tim Menzies and Shawn Camp) and included the track on 'Tim Mensy' (PJM Records, 2002).
Gene Watson's debut album for Shanachie Records, which was slated for a September 2007 release, was anticipated to be one of the outstanding country music album releases of the year.
Friday 22 June 2007
The Gene Watson Fan Site exclusively announced that 'In a Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007) would be the title of Gene Watson's debut album for Shanachie Records.
The title track of 'In a Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007), the title track, was written by Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 - Wednesday 30 March 2011) and Tim Mensy (Tim Menzies).
Gene Watson's 'In a Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007) was slated for a September 2007 release and was anticipated to be one of the outstanding country music album releases of the year.
Monday 25 June 2007
The Gene Watson Fan Site announced that RFD-TV, the United States' first twenty-four hour television network dedicated to serving the needs and interests of rural America, would broadcast a special edition of 'Ralph Emery - Live'.
Gene Watson was expected to be the special guest on 'Ralph Emery - Live', which would be carried on RFD-TV and broadcast on Monday 10 September 2007.
Wednesday 27 June 2007
The Gene Watson Site exclusively announced that 'In a Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007), Gene Watson's debut album for Shanachie Records, would be officially released on Tuesday 25 September 2007.
'In a Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007) from Gene Watson was anticipated to be one of the more important country music album releases of 2007.
