Gene Watson Discography
'Because You Believed in Me &
Beautiful Country'
Hux Records HUX 072 (2005)
'Because You Believed in Me & Beautiful Country' was released
by Hux
Records on Monday 26 September 2005.
'Because You Believed in Me & Beautiful Country' discography information is
presented on this site for educational purposes only & no infringement of
copyright is intended.
About 'Because You Believed in Me & Beautiful
Country'...
Album Sleeve Note
'Gary Gene Watson was born in Palestine, Texas on October 11 in 1943, one of
seven children. As is often the case in the lives of country music
performers, his early years were spent in rural hardship as his parents and
siblings traveled around in a remodeled school bus where they sought farm
work of many different kinds.
Eventually the family moved to Paris, Texas where Gene attended school
before dropping out in the ninth grade. At this point he went to work in the
auto salvage business and learned to repair cars.
(To this day, after years at the top in the music business, he still owns
his own body shop and remains a car fanatic). However, music had always been
a major part of Gene's life, singing at the local Pentecostal church and
hearing the blues music that his father would play at home.
At the age of 19, Gene relocated to Houston where he would continue to work
as an auto body repair man and painter by day while playing the clubs by
night with one of his brothers and three of his cousins, in a group known as
Gene Watson and the Other Four, eventually recording for the local Tonka
label, though to no great success.
Later, while performing at the city's Dynasty Club he was spotted by local
record businessmen Russ Reeder, a distributor, and Roy Stone who owned a
record store. They approached Gene with a view to making records. As the
singer recalls in an interview with country music journalist Don Ford in the
British magazine
Country Music People, 'the three of us
started out making records but there was some conflict between Russ and Roy
and they parted. I was recording for Wide World Records and when they parted
Roy agreed to give Russ Reeder his half of my contract, and Russ gave him
all of Wide World and all of the masters.
Russ and I went off and formed Resco which stood for 'Record Service
Company'. It was with this label that Gene had his first taste of success,
albeit in a small way as his record 'Bad water', a song previously recorded
by Ray Charles' backing vocal group the Raelettes, reached 87 on the
Billboard chart in 1975.
However Gene's next release on Resco the same year, the New Orleans-set
'Love in the hot afternoon', was to change his life for ever. Despite its
steamy subject matter which initially caused it airplay problems, it came to
the attention of Capitol Records who took over distribution of the single
and signed Gene to the label.
The record peaked at No.3 on Billboard's country chart and a new star was
born. Keeping with rather risqué themes, Gene's follow-up was the
sensational, sensual and sexual ballad 'Where Love Begins'.
This was penned
by the great Canadian songwriter Ray Griff, whom Gene was to champion
together with another Canadian writing talent Dallas Harms
for much of his
stay at Capitol Records, 'Dallas
probably had my biggest hits but Ray had
more', reflected Gene looking back.
For the next five years Gene scored no less than seventeen top twenty hits
for Capitol, ten of which made the top ten. Gene's success was due in some
part to his manager and producer Russ Reeder. He remembers, 'Russ was real
laidback, real loose. He never told me how or what to record. He stayed in
the control room and I would get out there with musicians'.
In 1980 he left Capitol Records for MCA Records. The hits continued
throughout that decade, later with Curb in 1984 and 1985 and from then on
with Epic until 1987, always recording traditionalist honky tonk country
music of the highest order. When his contract with Epic expired, he
concentrated on working on the road, eventually playing some dates with a
young, up and coming artist named
Randy Travis, who was managed by the woman
who discovered him, Lib Hatcher (they later married in 1991).
With Russ Reeder now retired, Gene turned to Hatcher for management.
Unfortunately things did not work out well and a long legal wrangle ensued
which effectively prevented him from signing with another label. During this
time the artist was now with Warner Brothers although when the label became
aware of the legal situation, they dropped Gene from their roster.
Help next came in the shape of Jack McFadden, a formidable talent manager
whose list of clients included
Merle Haggard, Freddie Hart, Keith Whitley
and, a little later, Billy Ray Cyrus. 'I went to talk to Jack. He was aware
of my situation and agreed to manage and book me without a contract',
recalls Gene, indicating an act of supreme trust.
With no American major label willing to take on an artist with an ongoing
legal suit, McFadden struck an album deal with Canadian Gary Buck forging
another north-of-the-border connection following his associations with
Dallas Harms
& Ray Griff.
The Nashville recorded album 'In Other Words' was released in Canada on
Mercury/Polygram and in the US on the indie label Broadland. This gave Gene
his last official single hit 'One and
one and
one' which peaked at
No.66 in
1993. 'It was a great song and we had a lot of airplay on it but we didn't
have the wherewithal to create a hit', ruminated Gene later.
By the end of the 1990s, Garth Brooks and a new raft of country artists
under the loose umbrella of 'New Country' had caused the centre of country
music gravity to shift away from the honky tonk style of music Watson had
always performed.
Moreover Jack McFadden was now concentrating on his new star Billy Ray
Cyrus. 'When Billy Ray released 'Achy Breaky Heart' Jack's whole focus was
turned on him, naturally, because that's where the money was. But it seemed
everywhere I turned I was going down a blind alley. I didn't have any
management and I didn't have anything to look forward to'.
At this low point in his career Gene was on the verge of quitting. However
an old friend and booking agent Allen Whitcomb was instrumental in talking
him out of this and helped him secure a deal with the prestigious label Step
One, which kick-started Gene's career all over again.
With the advent of the new century Gene had mixed fortunes; in 2000 he was
diagnosed with colon cancer, although after rigorous hospital treatment, he
was declared well enough again to continue with his heavy touring schedule.
He continues to record, and signed with RMG and Intersound and on August
17th 2002 Gene was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, an
honour long, long overdue.
That same year Hux Records
in the UK released two of Gene's classic Capitol
albums, 'Love in the Hot Afternoon' and 'Paper Rosie' on
one re-mastered CD
(HUX036). The critical response and success of the venture has led
Hux to
follow this up.
Again two great Capitol albums 'Because You Believed in Me' from 1976 and
'Beautiful Country' from 1977, have been released back to back. These tracks
are quintessential Gene Watson and capture an artist at the very top of his
form.
Five of Gene's superlative hits are featured, the heartfelt waltz 'Because
you believed in me' (No.20, 1976), the tense, anguished 'Her body couldn't
keep you (off my mind)' (No.52, 1976) and the beautiful and tender love song
'I don't need a thing at all' (No.8, 1977).
Also among the hits are two great
Dallas Harms
numbers, the wry and rueful 'Cowboys don't get lucky all the
time' (No.11, 1978) and the unusual jazz-themed story song 'The old man and
his horn' (No.11, 1977) with its surprise payoff.
Add to this Gene's superlative tour de force reading of
Larry Gatlin's
breathless heartbreaker 'Bitter they are, harder they fall',
Roger Miller's
unusual bluesy composition 'Sorry Willie', the humorous self-pitying 'Hey
Barnum and Bailey' and any number of beautifully executed country shuffles
and waltzes contained on this album and you begin to understand why Gene
Watson's fans number George Jones, George Strait, Jean Shepherd,
Randy
Travis and Marty Robbins and why Gene has legions of devoted country record
buying fans throughout the world.
In short, this is simply country music at its very, very best'.
Jon Philibert
Country Music People
September 2005
'Because You Believed in Me'
Original Album Sleeve Notes
'Gene Watson sings songs that explore the intimate side of love and life,
songs that capture both the feelings of pleasure and joy as well as
heartache and sorrow, songs that make the listener laugh and cry because
they tug at the heartstrings.
Gene Watson vocally dramatises the feeling of holding the right person in
your arms...or not holding the person...or sometimes holding the wrong
person.
When Gene Watson sings a song, a great many of the listeners invariably nod
their heads in agreement as the lyrics strike a responsive chord.
'Because You Believed in Me' is a highly appropriate title for Gene Watson's
second Capitol album. The record is Gene's way of thanking everyone for
believing in him. This album will undoubtedly assure everyone's continued
faith in Gene'.
Ed Keeley
National Country Field Manager
Capitol Records, Inc.
'Beautiful Country'
Original Album Sleeve Notes
'At the Fan Fair in Nashville recently, I was emceeing the Capitol Records
Show and at that time, I introduced Gene Watson as 'the next
Merle Haggard', and I really meant
it. He is a song stylist who's phrasing reminds you of Merle but there is
enough difference to indicate that he isn't trying to be Merle.
Gary Gene Watson has been building a ladder of success and the rings in that
ladder have been some of the biggest country hits in the last three years.
There was 'Love in the hot afternoon', 'Where love begins', 'You could know
as much about a stranger', 'Because you believed in me', 'Paper Rosie'. And
you're saying to yourself, is that the guy who sang all those songs? My
friend, he's right inside this album with another batch of good listening.
Who is Gene Watson? Here are a few facts:
Lives in Houston, Texas, worked on automobiles for ten years as a mechanic
and body man, does not like for fans to kiss him (it embarrasses him), has
strange hobby - likes to grow ivy in pots, CB handle: 'Hail Ball' because an
old car he was driving was caught in a hail storm, married, two children (15
& 13) boy and girl, went to Central High in the big town of Direct, Texas
(population: 150).
Gene is good natured, a pleasure to know. It is difficult to convey to you
on paper his friendliness and his ability to sing a country song. In another
three years he will be country music's biggest star. It's nice to know that
we fans of his know it first'.
Ralph Emery (Host)
'Pop Goes the Country'
National syndicated television show
'Because You Believed in Me &
Beautiful Country'
Hux Records HUX 072 (2005)
1 'Because you
believed in me'
Written by Arthur Leo Owens,
Shorty Hall & Gene Vowell
Published by Unichapell Music Inc. / BMI
2 'If I'm a fool for leaving'
Written by Little Jimmy Dickens &
Skip Graves
Published by Cedarwood Publishing Company Inc. / BMI
Gene Watson originally recorded
'If I'm a fool for leaving'
&
included the track
on 'Gene
Watson' (Wide World Records,
1969 / Stoneway Records,
1973)
'If I'm a fool for leaving'
was also
included on 'Love
in the Hot Afternoon' (Capitol Records,
1975)
Gene Watson re-recorded 'If I'm a fool for leaving'
& included the track on 'Gene
Watson: Then & Now'
(Koch Records Nashville,
2005)
3 'Bitter they are, harder they fall'
Written by Larry Gatlin
Published by First Generation Music Company / BMI
Larry Gatlin
recorded 'The bitter they are, harder they fall'
&
included the track on 'The Pilgrim' (Monument Records, 1974);
the album includes liner notes written by Johnny Cash (Friday
26 February
1932 - Friday 12 September 2003).
'The Pilgrim' was re-released by Columbia Records (PC 36541) in 1980
Elvis Presley recorded Larry Gatlin's 'Bitter
they are, harder they fall' & included the track on
'From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee' (RCA Records, 1976)
Anne Murray recorded
Larry Gatlin's 'The bitter they are, harder they fall'
& included the track
'Where Do You Go When You Dream' (Capitol Records, 1981)
Dottie West recorded
Larry Gatlin's 'The bitter they are, harder they fall'
& included the track on
'Full Circle' (Liberty Records, 1982)
4 'When my world left town'
Written by
Tom Ghent & R. Paul
Published by Jando Music Inc. / ASCAP
5 'Sorry Willie'
Written by Roger Miller
Published by Tree Publishing Company Inc. / BMI
Roger Miller
(Thursday 2 January 1936 - Sunday 25 October 1992) recorded
'Sorry Willie'
& included the track on 'Roger
Miller' (RCA Camden Records, 1964)
'Sorry Willie'
was recorded at the
RCA Victor studio in Nashville on Tuesday 19 September 1961
6 'How good a bad woman feels'
Written by Ray Griff
Published by Blue Echo Music / ASCAP
7 'Her body couldn't keep you (off my mind)'
Written by Ray Griff
Published by Blue Echo Music / ASCAP
8 'I fell apart'
Written by Hank Cochran
Published by Tree Publishing Company Inc. / BMI
9 'Hey Louella'
Written by Ray Griff
Published by Blue Echo Music / ASCAP
10 'And then you came along'
Written by Ray Griff
Published by Blue Echo Music / ASCAP
11 'The old man and his horn'
Written by
Dallas Harms
Published by Doubleplay Music / BMI
Produced by Russ Reeder
Recorded recorded at Bradley's
Barn, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Recording Engineer:
Joe Mills
12 'Cowboys don't get lucky all the time'
Written by
Dallas Harms
Published by Doubleplay Music / BMI
Produced by Russ Reeder
Recorded recorded at Bradley's
Barn, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Recording Engineer:
Joe Mills
'Cowboys don't get lucky all the time' was also featured on
'Convoy' (soundtrack)
(United Artists Records,
1978)
13 'I won't be sleeping alone'
Written by C. Stewart & J. Abbott
Published by Pantego Sound / BMI
Produced by Russ Reeder
Recorded recorded at Bradley's
Barn, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Recording Engineer:
Joe Mills
14 'Hey Barnum and Bailey'
Written by C. Stewart, J. Abbott & K. Hagler
Published by Pantego Sound / BMI
Produced by Russ Reeder
Recorded recorded at Bradley's
Barn, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee
Recording Engineer:
Joe Mills
15 'I'd love to live with you again'
Written by Dick Overbey
Published by Back Bay Music / BMI
Produced by Russ Reeder
Recorded at the Jack Clement Studios, Nashville,
Tennessee
Recording Engineer: Jim Williamson)
16 'I don't need a thing at all'
Written by
Joe Allen
Published by Joe Allen Music / BMI
Produced by Russ Reeder
Recorded at
the Jack Clement Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Recording Engineer: Jim
Williamson
Gene Watson re-recorded 'I
don't need a thing at all'
& included the track on 'The
Good Ole Days' (Step One Records,
1996)
17 'Raining in Dallas'
Written by J. Gostick & R. Moreland
Published by Calloway Music
Produced by Russ Reeder
Recorded at
the Jack Clement Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Recording Engineer: Jim
Williamson
18 'It don't hurt me half as bad'
Written by
Joe Allen, D. Lay & B. Lindsay
Published by Combine Music Corporation / BMI
Produced by Russ Reeder
Recorded at
the Jack Clement Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Recording Engineer: Jim
Williamson
19 'I knew we could never love for long'
Written by David Barnes
Published by Neverbreak Music / ASCAP
Produced by Russ Reeder
Recorded at
the Jack Clement Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Recording Engineer: Jim
Williamson
20 'He little thinged her out of my arms'
Written by Hank Cochran
Published by Tree International / BMI
Produced by Bob
Webster
Recorded at
the Jack Clement Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
Recording Engineer: Jim
Williamson
Produced by Russ Reeder & Bob Webster
Licensed courtesy of EMI Music
Mastered by Russell Pay at The CD Clinic
Hux thanks: Alan Gardiner, Sean Brady & Richard Martin
You can read a CMP review of Gene Watson's 'Because You Believed in Me &
Beautiful Country' here. The review, which was written by Craig Baguley, was
published in the February 2006 issue of
Country Music People.
'Because You Believed in Me &
Beautiful Country'
Hux Records HUX 072 (2005)
Musician Credits
(on the original 'Because You Believed in Me'
album)
Rhythm Guitar & Bass Guitar: Tommy Allsup
Rhythm & Lead Guitar: Leon Rhodes
Steel Guitar: Lloyd Green
Fiddle: Norman 'Buddy' Spicher
Bass: Joe Allen
Piano: Hargus (Pig) Robbins
Lead Guitar: Jimmy Colvard & Pete Wade
Drums: Jimmy Isbell, Buddy Harman & Kenny Malone
Musician Credits
(on the original 'Beautiful
Country' album)
Guitar: Dale Sellers, Jimmy Colvard, Dave Kirby &
Harold Bradley
Steel: Lloyd Green
Bass: Joe Allen
Drums: Buddy Harman & Kenny Malone
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Fiddle: Buddy Spicher & Tommy Williams
Vocals: The Nashville Edition (Joe Babcock, Hurshel Wiginton, Dolores Edgin
& Wendy Suits)
'Love in the Hot Afternoon'
(Capitol Records, 1975) was released as a special
2-on-1 CD set,
along with 'Paper Rosie'
(Capitol Records, 1977), by
Hux Records (England)
on Tuesday 3 December 2002
'Reflections' (Capitol
Records, 1978) was released as a special
2-on-1 CD
set, along with
'Should I Come Home' (Capitol Records, 1979), by
Hux Records
(England) on
Monday 27 January
2009
'Memories
to Burn' (MCA
Records, 1985)
was released as a special
2-on-1 CD
set, along with
'Starting New Memories' (MCA Records, 1986), by
Hux Records
(England) (in the UK &
Ireland) on
Monday 9 May 2011; the CD set will be released worldwide on Tuesday 17 May 2011
