Original Gene Watson Fan Site - Gene Watson's Peers: Quote from Derryl Perry: July 2017

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 2017, 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 Derryl Perry, which he submitted to this site on Saturday 8 July 2017.

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

Derryl Perry
This quote was submitted on Saturday 8 July 2017.

'Sean, thanks so much for the invitation to offer a quote dedicated to Gene Watson.

It was an honour and privilege to share the stage with Gene Watson, once in Charlotte, North Carolina and once in Longview, Texas where I was asked to introduce Gene on stage after we had opened the show.

I couldn't help but think of all the times I had listened to Gene's songs on the radio and felt fortunate to be there with a country music legend and personal musical hero.

One of the all-time great voices in the business!'

Thank you, Derryl Perry, for your support of Gene Watson.

About Derryl Perry...

Derryl Perry really stands out among the multitude of Nashville based singer/songwriters; in fact, this hard-working and incredibly talented fellow may be one of Nashville's best kept secrets.

As an artist, Derryl Perry's unique musical style blends the sounds of today's country music with the classic traditions of Americana and Texas music. It's a potent style, infused with a South-Western flavour and an intimate rock edge which Derryl Perry has honed through years of songwriting and performing.

Derryl Perry is relentlessly passionate about his artistry and considers it a blessing to be able to share life’s experiences through his music.

Originally hailing from Texas City, Texas, Derryl Perry grew up in the midst of a Texas music scene where the term 'country' describes a lifestyle as much as it does a genre of music. His blue-collar beginnings, combined with the musical influences of a number of prominent Texas artists, including Willie Nelson, Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 - Tuesday 16 December 2003) and George Strait, provided Derryl Perry with abundant inspiration to draw upon as he began developing his own unique musical voice.

Derryl Perry spent several years performing with bands around the competitive Dallas/Fort Worth club circuit in Texas, while fine-tuning his songwriting skills with the help of songwriter friends in Nashville.

Eventually, Derryl Perry relocated to Nashville where he released an independent demo project which garnered substantial music industry attention. One of the tracks from that project, 'The Ink Hasn't Even Dried', was included on the prestigious ASCAP EAR compilation CD.

Additionally, several songs Derryl Perry had written or co-written were recorded by other country music artists, or performed by artists on the hallowed stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

In September 2002, a demo version of Derryl Perry's song 'You Will' was featured in the USA Television Network movie 'Blood Crime'.

On Tuesday 19 April 2005, Derryl Perry saw the release, on Music City Records, of his debut album, 'All Just To Get To You' (Music City Records, 2005), which was co-produced by J. Gary Smith and Derryl Perry; J. Gary Smith had previously worked with Andy Griggs, Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016), Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003), Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002), Bonnie Raitt, and Lonestar.

Derryl Perry: 'All Just to Get to You' (Music City Records, 2005)

Derryl Perry's debut album, 'All Just To Get To You' (Music City Records, 2005), included the following tracks:

'The Lucky Just Believe' (written by Marty McIntosh and Brad Warren)
'I Can't Forget Her'
'Four Nights In Albuquerque' (written by Derryl Perry)

'Angry Heart' / this track featured guest vocals from Radney Foster

'Talk To Me' (written by Derryl Perry)
'You Will' (written by Derryl Perry)
'Resurrection Day' (written by Billy Maddox and Paul Thorn)
'This Could Get Good' (written by Wyatt Easterling, Porter Howell and Paul Jefferson)
'The Only Cure' (written by Derryl Perry)
'All Just To Get To You' (written by Joe Ely)
'Lonely Town' (written by Derryl Perry)

In 2005, Music Row Magazine, Nashville's premier music industry trade publication, honoured Derryl Perry with both the 'Small Label Artist of The Year' and 'Small Label Breakout Artist of The Year' Awards, in recognition of Derryl's radio airplay success with the 'All Just To Get To You' (Music City Records, 2005) album.

In the years since, Derryl Perry has continued to write and record new music and has self-released a number of projects.

Derryl Perry also continues to tour relentlessly with his dynamic stage show which mixes poignant ballads with danceable, high-energy tunes.

Over years since 2005, Derryl Perry has logged well over two thousand performances throughout the United States.

During this time, Derryl Perry has opened for, or played on bills alongside, such major recording artists as Diamond Rio, Mark Chesnutt, Tracy Byrd, Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 - Sunday 29 March 2020), Chris Ledoux (Saturday 2 October 1948 - Wednesday 9 March 2005), Andy Griggs, Ray Benson's Asleep at The Wheel, Gene Watson, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, Justin Moore, Sara Evans, Montgomery Gentry and Dierks Bentley.