Gene Watson
Encyclopedia
Gary Gene Watson is an American
country
singer. He is most famous for his 1975 hit "Love in the Hot Afternoon
," his 1982 hit "Fourteen Carat Mind
," and his signature song "Farewell Party." Watson's long career has notched six number ones, 23 top tens and over 75 charted singles.
, Texas
, in 1943. He began his music career in the early 1970s, performing in local clubs at night while working in a Houston
auto body shop
during the day. He recorded for only a few small, regional record labels until 1974, when Capitol Records
picked up his album Love in the Hot Afternoon and released it nationally. The title track, a mid-tempo ballad
in three-quarter time, was released in June 1975, and it quickly reached Number three on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart.
Watson's national success continued throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, as he recorded several Billboard
top-40 hits, including "Where Love Begins," "Paper Rosie," "Should I Go Home (or Should I Go Crazy)," "Nothing Sure Looked Good on You," and "Farewell Party," which was released in 1979 and quickly became Watson's signature song and the namesake of his Farewell Party Band.
In 1982, after switching to the MCA label, he recorded the #1 Billboard hit, "Fourteen Carat Mind." He followed up with several more hits in the early 1980s, including "Speak Softly (You're Talking to My Heart)," "You're Out Doing What I'm Here Doing Without," and "Got No Reason Now for Going Home." By the mid-1980s, he was recording for Epic Records
, where his most notable hit was 1985's "Memories to Burn."
Watson never gave up his classical country style, even as he continued to record music throughout the 1980s. He signed with Warner Bros.
and released two new albums in 1989 and 1991. He recorded From the Heart, on the Row Music Group label in 2001.
In 2005, Watson released his album, "Then & Now."
In May 2007, Gene Watson signed with the independent Shanachie Records and began work on his first album for the label, which includes new material, along with three covers of some of Watson's favourite classic country tunes such Merle Haggard's classic "Today I started Loving You Again," a duet with Lee Ann Womack. Also featured on this album are Vince Gill, Mark Chesnutt, Rhonda Vincent, Connie Smith, and Joe Nichols. The album, 'In a Perfect World', was officially released on Tuesday, 25 September 2007. The duet with Vince Gill, "Let Me Be The First To Go," reached #1 on the HotDisc European chart. The US-released single "I Buried Our Love" reached #59 on the Music Row charts while "A Good Place To Turn Around" (featuring Connie Smith) placed #4 on the Gospel Radio Active chart.
It was also in May 2007, on the fifth, that the (all new) Gene Watson Fan Site went 'live'. The site, which is owned & maintained by Sean Brady, is based in Ireland (one of many countries outside the US where fans fully appreciate Watson and his unique traditional country music) and receives full support from Lytle Management in Nashville (Gene Watson's management team) and Gene Watson himself.
In September 2007 "In A Perfect World" was released to great critical acclaim. The album was received by the country music industry as one of the best recordings of the year. The Associated Press noted "Like a well-aged whiskey, Gene Watson has gained smoothness yet maintained his visceral bite...Watson can make contemporary songs sound like timeless classics. He's never sounded better, which is saying something." The Philadelphia Inquirer stated 'In A Perfect World' is a stunning reminder of why the Texan is considered one of country's all time great balladeers."
The Ireland-based Gene Watson Fan Site received a further revamp between February 2009 and May 2009. The new version went 'live' on Monday, 4 May 2009.
In 2009, Gene Watson opened for Brad Paisley on his "Paisley Party" tour in Memphis, Tennessee, and released A Taste of the Truth featuring Alison Krauss, Trace Adkins, and bluegrass queen Rhonda Vincent. A Vincent/Watson duet of "Staying Together" was #1 on the World Indie chart. The album is a continuation of Watson's trademark traditional country sound, and critics hailed it as a landmark for him. Paul Dennis of the 9513.com website praised it as "Album of the Decade." In a national contest on the 9513.com site, Gene Watson's "A Taste of the Truth" was voted by the site's journalists as well as fans worldwide the Album Of The Year, beating out young country music darling, Miranda Lambert.
On 7 June 2011, Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent released an all duets album, "Your Money and My Good Looks" (on independent UMM Records). This very traditional country music release garnered this quote from George Jones: "This is the real deal. Together they have created something very special. I haven't heard country music like this in years." Bill Anderson noted "It doesn't get any better than this! The first time I heard Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent sing together, I knew it was a match made in country music heaven." A first single, "Gone For Good," was released with a video shot in and around Nashville, Tennessee. Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent are touring together on selected dates in the United States.
Gene Watson is managed by Nashville's Lytle Management.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer. He is most famous for his 1975 hit "Love in the Hot Afternoon
Love in the Hot Afternoon
"Love in the Hot Afternoon" is a country music song written by V. Matthews and Kent Westbury, and recorded in 1974 by newcomer Gene Watson. Released in the spring of 1975, the song reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart....
," his 1982 hit "Fourteen Carat Mind
Fourteen Carat Mind
"Fourteen Carat Mind" is a 1981 single written by Dallas Frazier and Larry Lee and recorded by Gene Watson. "Fourteen Carat Mind" would be Gene Watson's twentieth country hit and his only song to hit number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent a total...
," and his signature song "Farewell Party." Watson's long career has notched six number ones, 23 top tens and over 75 charted singles.
Biography
Watson was born in PalestinePalestine, Texas
Palestine is a city in Anderson County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 17,598, and 18,458 in the 2009 estimate. It is the county seat of Anderson County and is situated in East Texas...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, in 1943. He began his music career in the early 1970s, performing in local clubs at night while working in a Houston
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
auto body shop
Automobile repair shop
An automobile repair shop is a place where automobiles are repaired by auto mechanics and electricians.- Types :The automotive garage can be divided in so many category....
during the day. He recorded for only a few small, regional record labels until 1974, when Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
picked up his album Love in the Hot Afternoon and released it nationally. The title track, a mid-tempo ballad
Ballad
A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads were particularly characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from the later medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe and later the Americas, Australia and North Africa. Many...
in three-quarter time, was released in June 1975, and it quickly reached Number three on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart.
Watson's national success continued throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, as he recorded several Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
top-40 hits, including "Where Love Begins," "Paper Rosie," "Should I Go Home (or Should I Go Crazy)," "Nothing Sure Looked Good on You," and "Farewell Party," which was released in 1979 and quickly became Watson's signature song and the namesake of his Farewell Party Band.
In 1982, after switching to the MCA label, he recorded the #1 Billboard hit, "Fourteen Carat Mind." He followed up with several more hits in the early 1980s, including "Speak Softly (You're Talking to My Heart)," "You're Out Doing What I'm Here Doing Without," and "Got No Reason Now for Going Home." By the mid-1980s, he was recording for Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
, where his most notable hit was 1985's "Memories to Burn."
Watson never gave up his classical country style, even as he continued to record music throughout the 1980s. He signed with Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
and released two new albums in 1989 and 1991. He recorded From the Heart, on the Row Music Group label in 2001.
In 2005, Watson released his album, "Then & Now."
In May 2007, Gene Watson signed with the independent Shanachie Records and began work on his first album for the label, which includes new material, along with three covers of some of Watson's favourite classic country tunes such Merle Haggard's classic "Today I started Loving You Again," a duet with Lee Ann Womack. Also featured on this album are Vince Gill, Mark Chesnutt, Rhonda Vincent, Connie Smith, and Joe Nichols. The album, 'In a Perfect World', was officially released on Tuesday, 25 September 2007. The duet with Vince Gill, "Let Me Be The First To Go," reached #1 on the HotDisc European chart. The US-released single "I Buried Our Love" reached #59 on the Music Row charts while "A Good Place To Turn Around" (featuring Connie Smith) placed #4 on the Gospel Radio Active chart.
It was also in May 2007, on the fifth, that the (all new) Gene Watson Fan Site went 'live'. The site, which is owned & maintained by Sean Brady, is based in Ireland (one of many countries outside the US where fans fully appreciate Watson and his unique traditional country music) and receives full support from Lytle Management in Nashville (Gene Watson's management team) and Gene Watson himself.
In September 2007 "In A Perfect World" was released to great critical acclaim. The album was received by the country music industry as one of the best recordings of the year. The Associated Press noted "Like a well-aged whiskey, Gene Watson has gained smoothness yet maintained his visceral bite...Watson can make contemporary songs sound like timeless classics. He's never sounded better, which is saying something." The Philadelphia Inquirer stated 'In A Perfect World' is a stunning reminder of why the Texan is considered one of country's all time great balladeers."
The Ireland-based Gene Watson Fan Site received a further revamp between February 2009 and May 2009. The new version went 'live' on Monday, 4 May 2009.
In 2009, Gene Watson opened for Brad Paisley on his "Paisley Party" tour in Memphis, Tennessee, and released A Taste of the Truth featuring Alison Krauss, Trace Adkins, and bluegrass queen Rhonda Vincent. A Vincent/Watson duet of "Staying Together" was #1 on the World Indie chart. The album is a continuation of Watson's trademark traditional country sound, and critics hailed it as a landmark for him. Paul Dennis of the 9513.com website praised it as "Album of the Decade." In a national contest on the 9513.com site, Gene Watson's "A Taste of the Truth" was voted by the site's journalists as well as fans worldwide the Album Of The Year, beating out young country music darling, Miranda Lambert.
On 7 June 2011, Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent released an all duets album, "Your Money and My Good Looks" (on independent UMM Records). This very traditional country music release garnered this quote from George Jones: "This is the real deal. Together they have created something very special. I haven't heard country music like this in years." Bill Anderson noted "It doesn't get any better than this! The first time I heard Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent sing together, I knew it was a match made in country music heaven." A first single, "Gone For Good," was released with a video shot in and around Nashville, Tennessee. Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent are touring together on selected dates in the United States.
Gene Watson is managed by Nashville's Lytle Management.
Albums
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
CAN Country | |||
| 1974 | Gene Watson | — | — | Wide World |
| 1975 | Love in the Hot Afternoon | 5 | — | Capitol |
| 1976 | Because You Believed in Me | 24 | — | |
| 1977 | Paper Rosie | 22 | — | |
| Beautiful Country | 32 | — | ||
| 1978 | The Best | 29 | 12 | |
| Reflections | 23 | 14 | ||
| 1979 | Should I Come Home | 16 | — | |
| 1980 | No One Will Ever Know | 45 | — | |
| 1981 | The Best 2 | — | — | |
| Between This Time and the Next Time | 38 | — | MCA | |
| Old Loves Never Die | 57 | — | ||
| 1982 | This Dream's on Me | 27 | — | |
| 1983 | Sometimes I Get Lucky | 16 | — | |
| Little By Little | 34 | — | ||
| 1984 | Heartaches and Love and Stuff | 21 | — | |
| 1985 | Greatest Hits | — | — | |
| Memories to Burn | 35 | — | Epic | |
| 1986 | Starting New Memories | 49 | — | |
| 1987 | Honky Tonk Crazy | 54 | — | |
| 1989 | Back in the Fire | 42 | — | Warner Bros. |
| 1990 | At Last | 74 | — | |
| 1992 | In Other Words | — | — | Broadland |
| 1993 | Uncharted Mind | — | — | Step One |
| 1996 | The Good Ole Days | — | — | |
| 1997 | Jesus Is All I Need | — | — | |
| A Way to Survive | — | — | ||
| 2001 | From the Heart | — | — | Row Music Group |
| 2003 | Sings | — | — | Compendia |
| 2004 | Gospel Side | — | — | |
| 2005 | Then and Now | — | — | Koch |
| 2007 | In a Perfect World | — | — | Shanachie |
| 2009 | A Taste of the Truth | — | — | |
| 2011 | Your Money and My Good Looks (with Rhonda Vincent Rhonda Vincent Rhonda Lea Vincent is a bluegrass singer, songwriter, mandolin player, guitarist, and fiddle player.Her musical career started as a child in her family's band, The Sally Mountain Show, and has spanned almost four decades... ) |
56 | — | Upper Management |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
CAN Country | |||
| 1975 | "Bad Water" | 87 | — | Love in the Hot Afternoon |
| "Love in the Hot Afternoon Love in the Hot Afternoon "Love in the Hot Afternoon" is a country music song written by V. Matthews and Kent Westbury, and recorded in 1974 by newcomer Gene Watson. Released in the spring of 1975, the song reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.... " |
3 | 3 | ||
| "Where Love Begins" | 5 | 4 | ||
| 1976 | "You Could Know as Much About a Stranger" | 10 | 42 | |
| "Because You Believed in Me" | 20 | — | Because You Believed in Me | |
| "Her Body Couldn't Keep You (Off My Mind)" | 52 | — | ||
| 1977 | "Paper Rosie Paper Rosie "Paper Rosie" is a song written and originally recorded by Canadian country music artist Dallas Harms. Harms' version peaked at number 21 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in 1975.... " |
3 | 1 | Paper Rosie |
| "The Old Man and His Horn" | 11 | 9 | Beautiful Country | |
| 1978 | "I Don't Need a Thing at All" | 8 | 4 | |
| "Cowboys Don't Get Lucky All the Time" | 11 | 14 | ||
| "One Sided Conversation" | 8 | 6 | Reflections | |
| 1979 | "Farewell Party Farewell Party "Farewell Party" is a single by American country music artist Gene Watson. Released in 1979, it was the second single from the album Reflections. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.-Chart performance:... " |
5 | 9 | |
| "Pick the Wildwood Flower Pick the Wildwood Flower "Pick the Wildwood Flower" is a single by American country music artist Gene Watson. Released in 1979, it was the third single from the album Reflections. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.-Chart performance:... " |
5 | 2 | ||
| "Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy) Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy) "Should I Come Home " is a single by American country music artist Gene Watson. Released in 1979, it was the first single from the album Should I Come Home. The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
3 | 6 | Should I Come Home | |
| 1980 | "Nothing Sure Looked Good on You Nothing Sure Looked Good on You "Nothing Sure Looked Good on You" is a single by American country music artist Gene Watson. Released in 1980, it was the second single from the album Should I Come Home. The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
4 | 3 | |
| "Bedroom Ballad" | 18 | 43 | ||
| "Raisin' Cane in Texas" | 15 | 53 | No One Will Ever Know | |
| "No One Will Ever Know" | 13 | 22 | ||
| 1981 | "Any Way You Want Me" | 33 | — | Single only |
| "Between This Time and the Next Time" | 17 | 8 | Between This Time and the Next Time | |
| "Maybe I Should Have Been Listening" | 23 | 12 | ||
| "Fourteen Carat Mind Fourteen Carat Mind "Fourteen Carat Mind" is a 1981 single written by Dallas Frazier and Larry Lee and recorded by Gene Watson. "Fourteen Carat Mind" would be Gene Watson's twentieth country hit and his only song to hit number one on the country chart. The single stayed at number one for one week and spent a total... " |
1 | 5 | Old Loves Never Die | |
| 1982 | "Speak Softly (You're Talking to My Heart) Speak Softly (You're Talking to My Heart) "Speak Softly " is a single by American country music artist Gene Watson. Released in 1982, it was the second single from album Old Loves Never Die. The song reached #9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
9 | 4 | |
| "This Dream's on Me This Dream's on Me "This Dream's on Me" is a single by American country music artist Gene Watson. Released in 1982, it was the first single and title track from the album This Dream's on Me. The song reached #8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
8 | 11 | This Dream's on Me | |
| "What She Don't Know Won't Hurt Her What She Don't Know Won't Hurt Her "What She Don't Know Won't Hurt Her" is a single by American country music artist Gene Watson. Released in 1982, it was the second single from the album This Dream's on Me. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
5 | 3 | ||
| 1983 | "You're Out Doing What I'm Here Doing Without You're Out Doing What I'm Here Doing Without "You're Out Doing What I'm Here Doing Without" is a single by American country music artist Gene Watson. Released in 1983, it was the first single from the album Sometimes I Get Lucky. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singless & Tracks chart.-Chart performance:... " |
2 | 5 | Sometimes I Get Lucky |
| "Sometimes I Get Lucky and Forget" | 9 | 6 | ||
| "Drinkin' My Way Back Home" | 10 | 8 | Little By Little | |
| 1984 | "Forever Again" | 10 | 18 | |
| "Little by Little" | 33 | 21 | ||
| "Got No Reason Now for Goin' Home Got No Reason Now for Goin' Home "Got No Reason Now for Goin' Home" is a single by American country music artist Gene Watson. Released in 1984, it was the first single from the album Heartaches and Love and Stuff. The song reached #7 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.-Chart performance:... " |
7 | 15 | Heartaches and Love and Stuff | |
| 1985 | "One Hell of a Heartache" | 43 | 38 | |
| "Cold Summer Day in Georgia" | 24 | 22 | Memories to Burn | |
| "Memories to Burn Memories to Burn "Memories to Burn" is a single by American country music artist Gene Watson. Released in 1985, it was the second single and title track from the album Memories to Burn. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
5 | 2 | ||
| 1986 | "Carmen" | 32 | 27 | |
| "Bottle of Tears" | 50 | 40 | Starting New Memories | |
| "Everything I Used to Do" | 29 | 27 | ||
| 1987 | "Honky Tonk Crazy" | 43 | 30 | Honky Tonk Crazy |
| "Everybody Needs a Hero" | 28 | 46 | ||
| 1988 | "Don't Waste It on the Blues Don't Waste It on the Blues "Don't Waste It on the Blues" is a single by American country music artist Gene Watson. Released in 1988, it was the first single from the album Back in the Fire. The song reached #5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.... " |
5 | * | Back in the Fire |
| 1989 | "Back in the Fire" | 20 | 24 | |
| "The Jukebox Played Along" | 24 | 40 | ||
| "The Great Divide" | 41 | — | ||
| 1991 | "At Last" | 61 | 59 | At Last |
| "You Can't Take It with You When You Go" | 67 | 56 | ||
| 1993 | "One and One and One" | 66 | 92 | In Other Words |
| 1997 | "Change Her Mind" | 44 | 90 | The Good Ole Days |
| "No Goodbyes" | 73 | — | ||
| 2009 | "We've Got a Pulse" (with Trace Adkins Trace Adkins Tracy Darrell "Trace" Adkins is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1996 with the album Dreamin' Out Loud, released on Capitol Records Nashville. Since then, Adkins has released seven more studio albums and two Greatest Hits compilations... ) |
— | — | A Taste of the Truth |
| "Staying Together" (with Rhonda Vincent Rhonda Vincent Rhonda Lea Vincent is a bluegrass singer, songwriter, mandolin player, guitarist, and fiddle player.Her musical career started as a child in her family's band, The Sally Mountain Show, and has spanned almost four decades... ) |
— | — | ||