Gene Watson's Peers: Billy Yates
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 2004 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 Yates, which he submitted to this site on
Thursday 7 October 2004.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Billy Yates who has
made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of
a Lone Star Hero'.
Billy Yates
This quote was submitted on Thursday 7 October 2004
'While country music seems to be ever changing more
toward a pop sound, you can count on Gene Watson to keep it honest & real.
He's never strayed!
Gene Watson is one of the few consistent artists in country music today!
He's my hero!'
Thank you, Billy Yates, for your
support of Gene Watson.
About Billy Yates...
Billy Yates was born in Doniphan,
Missouri where he was raised on a small farm five miles outside the town,
which is located near the Arkansas line. Both of Billy's parents came from
musical backgrounds & Billy received an early initiation into performing
live during a regular Sunday morning broadcast on radio station KDFN-AM in
Doniphan.
Country music was all Billy ever knew. He began singing harmonies while
digging through his parents' record collection, which was extensive & which
included records from Jim Reeves, Ernest Tubb, George Jones, Mac Wiseman,
Buck Owens, Merle Haggard & the Louvin Brothers. Billy's musical tastes
later evolved into listening to stylists such as Don Williams & Emmylou
Harris.
After his high school graduation, Billy visited the Lake Wappapello Opry in
Missouri where, following a performance of 'Cryin' my heart out over you',
he was hired & started working there the next weekend. He stayed there for
three years, during which time he also made a number of trips to Nashville.
Billy later moved to Poplar Bluff, Missouri where he trained as a barber. He
returned to his hometown, where he cut hair for five years in his own shop.
Billy also played music at the weekends & worked at the local FM station
KOEA.
After years of contemplating a move to Nashville, Billy finally arrived in
Music City in 1987. His father's advice about learning a trade was useful;
while singing demos & learning the songwriter's craft, he used his barber's
license to support himself & his wife Nancy.
Billy landed his first writer's deal with Hori Pro Entertainment Group. His
first cut as a songwriter was 'I don't need your rockin' chair', which was
recorded by George Jones & which was named as the CMA
'Vocal Event of the
Year' in 1993. Billy also supplied the title cut of the George Jones album
'Walls can fall'.
George Jones went on to record Billy's Grammy nominated song 'Choices' &
Billy has also had his songs covered by artists such as George Strait, Kenny
Chesney, Sara Evans, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery, Jeff
Bates, Chris Young, Tracy Lawrence, Doug Stone, Ricochet, Ricky Van Shelton
& David Allan Coe.
Billy Yates never abandoned his dream of becoming a recording artist in his
own right. His self-titled debut album, which was released on the Almo
Sounds record label to widespread critical acclaim in 1997, included the hit
song 'Flowers'.
Following a brief period when he recorded for Columbia Records, he left &
formed his own label (M.O.D. Record Label) & saw the release of three
critically acclaimed albums.
The albums 'If I Could Go Back' (2001), 'Country' (2003) & 'Anywhere but
Nashville' (2004) which were released on his own MOD label, all demonstrated Billy
Yates' talent as a first rate
songwriter & country music traditionalist.
Billy Yates has had the experience of traveling all over the United States
performing at various venues, so much so that he also concentrates on
bringing his brand of traditional country to venues across Europe.
Gene Watson recorded two Billy Yates compositions; 'Flowers' & 'Hold
me' were included on 'Gene
Watson...Sings' (Intersound Records, 2003).
Billy Yates had originally recorded 'Flowers'
& included the track on 'Billy
Yates' (Almo Sounds Records,
1997), while 'Hold me' had been originally recorded by
Billy Yates & included on 'Country' (MOD Label, 2003).
Visit Billy Yates' Official Site