Gene Watson's Peers: Barbara Fairchild
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's Peers who were contacted in 2006 were most
gracious with their time & words. It is here, within this special part of
gene-watson.com, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from
Barbara Fairchild, which she
submitted to this site on Friday 13 January 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you'
to
Barbara Fairchild who has made a special
contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star
Hero'.
Barbara Fairchild
This quote was submitted on Friday 13 January 2006
'Gene is a good friend and one of the best country
singers to ever sing a note.
When we did the special with our friend Ralph Emery, it was a blessing to
sing harmony with Gene in the sing-a-longs we did'.
Thank you, Barbara Fairchild,
for your support of Gene Watson.
About Barbara Fairchild...
Barbara Fairchild was born in
Knobel, Arkansas on 12 November 1950 & started her career at a very young
age singing country music. She cut her very first single when she was
fifteen years old. In 1963, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri & by 1965
was a regular on a local TV show. She also recorded for a local label,
Norman Records; one of her singles, 'A brand new bed of roses', was released
but was only a regional hit.
In 1967, after her high school graduation, Barbara decided to follow her
dream & moved to Nashville. She met producer Jerry Crutchfield &
briefly signed with Kapp Records when she was seventeen years old.
Barbara signed with Columbia Records in 1969 & enjoyed her greatest success
four years later.
Barbara Fairchild's 'A Sweeter Love' album was released by Columbia records
in 1972; initially 'Thanks for the memories' & the title track were released
as singles. Recorded with the Jordanaires
on back-up vocals, 'Teddy bear song' was also included on the album.
Jim Clemens, a disc jockey at WPLO in Atlanta began playing the track off
the album and, upon reporting its local success to Jerry Crutchfield, it was
decided that the track would be released as a single, which it was in
December 1972.
'Teddy bear song' became Barbara Fairchild's first & only No.1 country hit
on Billboard; the song spent two weeks at No.1 in March 1973 & brought
Barbara a nomination for the Academy of Country Music's 'Top Female Vocalist
of the Year' Award.
Barbara also enjoyed further hits; 'Kid stuff' reached No.2 in 1973, while
'Baby doll' reached No.6 in 1974.
Barbara never reached the Top 10 again & in 1980 she moved to Texas.
In 1986, she signed with Capitol Records in an attempt at a comeback but the
single released 'Just out ridin' around' (produced by
Don Williams & Allen
Reynolds) only reached No.84 & would represent her last single to chart.
Visit Barbara Fairchild's Official
Site