Gene Watson's Peers: Billy Swan

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 Billy Swan, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 1 August 2006.

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

Gene Watson Fan Site

Billy Swan

Billy Swan
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 1 August 2006

'I think Gene Watson is one of the very best country stylists/singers around.

Thanks so much for asking me to provide a quote'.


Thank you, Billy Swan, for your support of Gene Watson.

Gene Watson Fan Site

About Billy Swan...


Billy Swan, who was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri in May 1942 & grew up listening to country music until he discovered rock & roll as a teenager.  He learned drums, piano & guitar and also began writing songs.  'Lover please', a song he wrote when he was sixteen years old, was recorded by a local group he played with called Mirt Mirly & the Rhythm Stoppers.

Later, when Swan's friends travelled to Memphis to record with Elvis bassist Bill Black, Black wound up cutting the tune himself.  Not long after, 'Lover please' found its way to R&B star Clyde McPhatter, who turned it into a Top Ten hit in 1962.

Billy Swan stayed in Memphis to write for Black's combo & also worked as a guard at Graceland for a time.  He soon moved to Nashville, where he worked as a janitor at the Columbia recording studios (later handing the job over to a young Kris Kristofferson) & later as a roadie for Mel Tillis; Billy also wrote songs recorded by Mel Tillis, Conway Twitty & Waylon Jennings.

Mel Tillis: 'Stateside' (Kapp Records, 1966)

Mel Tillis recorded Billy Swan's 'Buried alive' & included the track on 'Stateside' (Kapp Records, 1966)

Conway Twitty: 'Here's Conway Twitty' (Decca Records, 1968)

Conway Twitty recorded Billy Swan's 'Sensitive heart' & included the track on 'Here's Conway Twitty' (Decca Records, 1968)

Waylon Jennings: 'Hangin On' (RCA Records, 1968)

Waylon Jennings recorded Billy Swan's 'I fall in love so easily' (co-written with Glenn Martin) & included the track on 'Hangin On' (RCA Records, 1968)


Tony Joe White: 'Black & White' (Monument Records, 1969)

An association with Monument Records led to Billy Swan's first gig as a record producer; he was nominated to produce Tony Joe White's debut album, 'Black & White' (Monument Records, 1969).  The album included 'Polk salad Annie', which reached No.8 on the American pop music singles chart in 1969.

Elvis Presley: 'On Stage: February 1970' (RCA Victor, 1970)

'Polk Salad Annie' was subsequently recorded by Elvis Presley & included on 'On Stage: February 1970' (RCA Victor, 1970).

In 1971, Billy joined Kris Kristofferson's backing band as the bass player & toured with him for the next year & a half.  He next served as a sideman for Kinky Friedman & Billy Joe Shaver & shortly after his return to Kristofferson's band, he got a recording deal of his own with Monument.

In 1974, Fred Foster signed Billy Swan to the Monuments Records label, where he enjoyed his biggest hit song. 'I can help' spent two weeks at No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in December 1974. The song was also a huge hit on the pop music charts; it reached No.1 in America & No.6 in the UK.

Billy Swan: 'I Can Help' (Monument Records, 1974)

The accompanying album, 'I Can Help' (Monument Records, 1974), also topped the country music album chart.

Johnny Russell: 'Rednecks, White Socks & Blue Ribbon Beer' (RCA Records, 1974)

Johnny Russell recorded Billy Swan's 'Queen of my heart' (co-written with Benny Whitehead) & included the track on 'Rednecks, White Socks & Blue Ribbon Beer' (RCA Records, 1974)

Billy Swan: 'Rock & Roll Moon' (Monument Records, 1975)

Billy Swan never came close to duplicating the success of 'I can help', but he did reach the Billboard country music Top 20 with a 1975 single, 'Everything's the same (ain't nothing changed)', which was included on 'Rock & Roll Moon' (Monument Records, 1975).

Loretta Lynn: 'Back to the Country' (Decca Records, 1975)

Loretta Lynn recorded Billy Swan's 'I can help' & included the track on 'Back to the Country' (Decca Records, 1975)

Elvis Presley: 'Elvis Today' (RCA Records, 1975)

Elvis Presley recorded Billy Swan's 'I can help' & included the track on 'Elvis Today' (RCA Records, 1975)


Billy Swan: 'Billy Swan' (Monument Records, 1976) Billy Swan: 'Four' (Monument Records, 1977) Billy Swan: 'At His Best' (Monument Records, 1978)

Billy Swan subsequently recorded three more albums for Monument Records; 'Billy Swan' (Monument Records, 1976), 'Four' (Monument Records, 1977) & 'At His Best' (Monument Records, 1978).

Mel Tillis: 'The Great Mel Tillis' (Gusto Records, 1979)

Mel Tillis recorded Billy Swan's 'Not in front of the kids' & included the track on 'The Great Mel Tillis' (Gusto Records, 1979)

Billy Swan: 'You're OK, I'm OK' (A&M Records, 1978) Billy Swan: 'I'm Into Lovin' You' (Epic Records, 1981)


In the late 1970s & early 1980s, Billy Swan recorded two albums; 'You're OK, I'm OK' (A&M Records, 1979) & 'I'm Into Lovin' You (Epic Records, 1981).

Emmylou Harris: 'White Shoes' (Warner Bros. Records, 1983)

Emmylou Harris recorded Billy Swan's 'Drivin' wheel' & included the track on 'White Shoes' (Warner Bros. Records, 1983)

Black Tie: 'When The Night Falls' (Bench Records, 1986)

In 1986, Billy Swan teamed up with Randy Meisner in the country-rock band Black Tie, & saw the release of 'When The Night Falls' (Bench Records, 1986).

Kris Kristofferson: 'Repossessed' (Mercury Records, 1986) Kris Kristofferson: 'Third World Warrior' (Mercury Records, 1990)

In the late 1980s, Billy Swan resumed work with Kris Kristofferson's band & appeared on two Kris Kristofferson albums; 'Repossessed' (Mercury Records, 1986) & 'Third World Warrior' (Mercury Records, 1990).

Aaron Tippin: 'Tool Box' (RCA Records, 1995)

Aaron Tippin recorded Billy Swan's 'I can help' & included the track on 'Tool Box' (RCA Records, 1995)

Billy Swan: 'Like Elvis Used To Do' (Koch Records, 2000)

Taking time out from his still-active career as a session & back-up musician, Billy Swan recorded a new album at the original Sun studios, 'Like Elvis Used to Do' (Koch Records, 2000).

Billy Swan: 'Meisner, Swan & Rich' (Revola records, 2002)

In 2002, Billy Swan teamed up with Randy Meisner again, as well as Alan Rich, on a self-titled album, 'Meisner, Swan & Rich' (Revola Records, 2002).

Gene Watson Fan Site

Gene Watson Fan Site Visit Billy Swan at the Rockabilly Hall of Fame's Official Site

Gene Watson Fan Site