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 Helen Cornelius, which she submitted to this site on Saturday 21 October 2006.

Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Helen Cornelius who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.





Helen Cornelius
This quote was submitted on Saturday 21 October 2006.

'As one of Gene's fellow country performers, I must say that he is without a doubt, one of the finest vocalists anyone could hope to hear.

His range, his soul, his distinctive styling; none better anywhere.

Hats off to Gene Watson!'

Thank you, Helen Cornelius, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Helen Cornelius...



Helen Cornelius grew up on a farm in Missouri, where she listened to The Grand Ole Opry on radio and sang with her sisters, accompanied by her brothers who played in country music bands.

Helen Cornelius made her musical debut at the age of five and won numerous talent contests, including three winning appearances on 'The Ted Mack Amateur Hour' in 1970.

Initially, it was Helen Cornelius' song-writing which swung open the doors along the corridors of Nashville's Music Row.

By the mid-1970s, Helen Cornelius' songs were being recorded by a number of major country music artists, including The Oak Ridge Boys, Reba McEntire, Jeannie C. Riley, Connie Smith, Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 - Wednesday 26 January 2011) & Melba Montgomery, and LaCosta.



Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 - Wednesday 26 January 2011) & Melba Montgomery recorded Helen Cornelius' 'Let Me Put it Another Way' and included the track on 'Baby, You've Got What It Takes' (Capitol Records, 1971).



Connie Smith recorded Helen Cornelius' 'Love Held Onto Me' and included the track on 'A Lady Named Smith' (Columbia Records, 1973).



Jeannie C. Riley recorded Helen Cornelius' 'Billy Joe, The Seeker' and included the track on 'Just Jeannie' (MGM Records, 1973).

Helen Cornelius' song-writing first won her major credibility, but it was her voice which RCA Records executives heard which won Helen Cornelius her first major recording contract in 1975.

It was producer Bob Ferguson (Friday 30 December 1927 - Sunday 22 July 2001) who suggested that Helen Cornelius team up with fellow country music performer Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015).



In September 1976, Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius saw the release of 'I Don't Want To Have To Marry You' (RCA Victor Records, 1976), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'There's Always A Goodbye' (No.91, 1976)

'I Don't Want To Have To Marry You', which was written by Fred Imus (Sunday 11 January 1942 - Saturday 6 August 2011) and Phil Sweet (No.1 for two weeks in September 1976)

'Saying Hello, Saying I Love You, Saying Goodbye' (written by Jeff Barry, Brad Burg and Dene Hofheinz) (No.2, 1976)

Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius' 'I Don't Want To Have To Marry You' (RCA Victor Records, 1976) also included the following tracks:

'Love Was What We Had'
'I've Rode With The Best'
'I'm Leaving It Up To You'
'My Heart Cries For You'
'One Man Woman, One Woman Man'
'Burning Bridges'
'Have I Told You Lately That I Love You'

Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius' 'I Don't Want To Have To Marry You' (RCA Victor Records, 1976) reached No.7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1976.



Dottsy (Brodt) recorded Helen Cornelius' 'We Still Sing Love Songs Here In Texas' (co-written with Jerry Crutchfield) and included the track on 'The Sweetest Thing' (RCA Records, 1976).



La Costa recorded Helen Cornelius' 'What'll I Do' (co-written with Jerry Crutchfield) and included the track on 'Lovin' Somebody' (Capitol Records, 1976); the track reached No.36 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976.



In July 1977, Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius saw the release of 'Born Believer' (RCA Victor Records, 1977), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Born Believer' (No.12, 1977)

'If It Ain't Love By Now' (No.12, 1977)

Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius' 'Born Believer' (RCA Victor Records, 1977) also included the following tracks:

'It Takes So Long'
'Ready To Take My Chances'
'Time'
'There's Nothing Like The Love Between A Woman & A Man'
'Here Today & Gone Tomorrow'
'Room Without A Door'
'Making Plans'
'You & Me Alone'

Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius' 'Born Believer' (RCA Victor Records, 1977) reached No.17 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1977.

In 1977, Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius saw the release of 'Fall Softly Snow', a non-album single, which was released by RCA Victor Records and reached No.91 on the Billboard country music singles chart.

It was also in 1977 when Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius earned a 'Vocal Duo of The Year' Award from the Country Music Association (CMA).



In April 1978, Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius saw the release of 'I'll Never Be Free' (RCA Victor Records, 1978), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'I'll Never Be Free' (No.11, 1978)

Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius' 'I'll Never Be Free' (RCA Victor Records, 1978) also included the following tracks:

'Feeling You'
'Run Baby Run (Through The Woods)'
'Lay Down The Burdens of Your Heart'
'Nobody Else In The World'
'Do You Wanna Make Love', which was written by Peter James McCann (Saturday 6 March 1948 - Thursday 26 January 2023)
'Baby, You Know (How I Love You)'
'Old Fashioned Kind of Love'
'Beautiful Times In Between'
'Take Me, I'm Yours'

Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius' 'I'll Never Be Free' (RCA Victor Records, 1978) reached No.29 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1978.

Between 1978 and 1983, Helen Cornelius saw the release of the following non-album tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Whatcha Doin' After Midnight, Baby' (No.30, 1978)

'It Started With A Smile' (No.68, 1979)

'Love Never Comes Easy' (No.42, 1981)

'If Your Heart's A Rollin' Stone' (No.70, 1983)



In March 1979, Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius saw the release of 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers' (RCA Victor Records, 1979), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'If The World Ran Out of Love Tonight' (No.6, 1978)

'You Don't Bring Me Flowers' (written by Neil Diamond, Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman) (No.10, 1978)

'Lying In Love With You' (No.2, 1979)

Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius' 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers' (RCA Victor Records, 1979) also included the following tracks:

'Dear Memory'
'United We Stand'
'Can I Pick You Up'
'If I'd Only Known It Was The Last Time'
'Let's Take The Long Way Around The World'
'Lovin' You, Lovin' Me, Lovin' You'
'Think About You'

Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius' 'You Don't Bring Me Flowers' (RCA Victor Records, 1979) reached No.20 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1979.



In May 1980, Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius saw the release of 'One Man, One Woman' (RCA Victor Records, 1980), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Fools' (No.3, 1979)

'Morning Comes Too Early' (No.5, 1980)

'The Bedroom' (No.24, 1980)

Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius' 'One Man One Woman' (RCA Victor Records, 1980) also included the following tracks:

'Born To Be With You'
'Endlessly'
'Everything Is Changing'
'Best Kept Secret'
'One Man, One Woman'
'Fooled Again'
'Emotions'
'What A Friend I Have In You'

Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius' 'One Man One Woman' (RCA Victor Records, 1980) reached No.35 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1980.

In 1980, following four successful years recording together, Helen Cornelius and Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) went their separate ways.



In April 1981, Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius saw the release of 'Jim Ed & Helen: Greatest Hits' (RCA Victor Records, 1981), which included the following tracks:

'I Don't Want To Have To Marry You', which was written by Fred Imus (Sunday 11 January 1942 - Saturday 6 August 2011) and Phil Sweet (No.1 for two weeks in September 1976)

'If The World Ran Out of Love Tonight' (No.6, 1978)

'The Bedroom' (No.24, 1980)

'Born Believer' (No.12, 1977)

'Morning Comes Too Early' (No.5, 1980)

'Lying In Love With You' (No.2, 1979)

'You Don't Bring Me Flowers' (written by Neil Diamond, Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman) (No.10, 1978)

'Saying Hello, Saying I Love You, Saying Goodbye' (written by Jeff Barry, Brad Burg and Dene Hofheinz) (No.2, 1976)

'Fools' (No.3, 1979)

'Don't Bother To Knock' (No.13, 1981) / this track was previously unreleased

Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius' 'Jim Ed Brown & Helen: Greatest Hits' (RCA Victor Records, 1981) reached No.47 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1981.

In 1984, Helen Cornelius went on to headline her own solo tours and co-starred with Dave Rowland (Monday 26 January 1942 - Thursday 1 November 2018), of Dave & Sugar, in a touring production of 'Annie Get Your Gun'.

Following the closure of the 'Annie Get Your Gun' touring schedule, Helen Cornelius went on tour with The Statler Brothers on their sell-out concert series for a period of two years, as well as continuing her individual concert dates.

In 1988, Helen Cornelius and Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) returned to touring as a duo.

In 1991, Helen Cornelius opened a dinner theatre in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

In 1997, Helen Cornelius joined forces with Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) and Con Hunley to perform at Eagle Mountain Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.



In April 2000, Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 - Thursday 11 June 2015) & Helen Cornelius saw the release of 'Anthology' (Renaissance Records, 2000), which included the following tracks:

'Born Believer' (No.12, 1977)

'Don't Bother To Knock' (No.13, 1981)

'Fall Softly Snow' (No.91, 1977)

'Fools' (No.3, 1979)

'Have I Told You Lately That I Love You' / this track was originally an album track from 1976

'I Don't Want To Have To Marry You', which was written by Fred Imus (Sunday 11 January 1942 - Saturday 6 August 2011) and Phil Sweet (No.1 for two weeks in September 1976)

'If It Ain't Love By Now' (No.12, 1977)

'If The World Ran Out of Love Tonight' (No.6, 1978)

'I'll Never Be Free' (No.11, 1978)

'I'm Leaving It Up To You' / this track was originally an album track from 1976

'I've Rode With The Best' (No.65, 1976)

'Lying In Love With You' (No.2, 1979)

'Morning Comes Too Early' (No.5, 1980)

'One Man Woman, One Woman Man' / this track was originally an album track from 1980

'Saying Hello, Saying I Love You, Saying Goodbye' (written by Jeff Barry, Brad Burg and Dene Hofheinz) (No.2, 1976)

'The Bedroom' (No.24, 1980)

'There's Always A Goodbye' (No.91, 1976)

'Whatcha Doin' After Midnight, Baby' (No.30, 1978)

'You Don't Bring Me Flowers' (written by Neil Diamond, Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman) (No.10, 1978)

'You're The Part of Me' (No.38, 1979)

In May 2005, Helen Cornelius was honoured by the State of Missouri when she was inducted into Missouri Country Music Hall of Fame during a special ceremony in Springfield, Missouri.



Dottsy (Brodt) re-recorded Helen Cornelius' 'We Still Sing Love Songs Here in Texas' (co-written with Jerry Crutchfield) and included the track on 'Meet Me in Texas' (Heart of Texas Records, 2010).





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