Gene Watson's Peers: Byron Hill
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 2005 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 Byron Hill, which he submitted to this site on
Thursday 28 April 2005.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Byron Hill who has
made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of
a Lone Star Hero'.
Byron Hill
This quote was submitted on Thursday 28 April 2005
'Any true country songwriter should feel that his life
is complete if Gene Watson records one of his songs, for Gene Watson is
perhaps the finest voice in country music.
I don't think I have ever had a song of mine generate more chatter out there
on radio than 'No trash in my trailer'. Nashville's WSM (Radio) spearheaded
the flag-waving, which made this song become sort of an underground die-hard
country anthem. Though the record charted, it never competed with the stuff
that was taking over the country chart at the time.
Gene Watson has always been among the top on my list of great country
singers. To be able to say that Gene recorded one of my songs is worth more
than the royalties it should have earned. This was a novelty song, and
something quite different for Gene to do, but I appreciate him taking the
chance'.
Thank you, Byron Hill, for your
support of Gene Watson.
About Byron Hill...
Byron Hill is from
Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He moved to Nashville in April 1978 & signed
his first song-writing contract with ATV Music Group in September of that
year.
The hits started happening for Byron as a writer in 1979 with Joe Sun's 'Out
of your mind' & in 1981 with Johnny Lee's 'Pickin' up strangers'.
Byron
Hill co-wrote George Strait's first No.1; 'Fool hearted memory'
spent 1 week at No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in
August/September 1982). Please note the photo (above) of Byron Hill &
George Strait (that's Gene Watson in the top left-hand corner of the
picture!).
Many other early cuts include recordings by artists such as Ray Charles,
Juice Newton, Conway Twitty, Mel McDaniel, Ricky Skaggs,
Margo Smith & Reba McEntire.
In 1984, after the sale & closure of ATV Music, Byron spent four years as an
independent songwriter & publisher, writing the Ed Bruce No.4 hit 'Nights',
as well as songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, Anne Murray,
George Jones & Tom Wopat.
In 1988, Byron signed as a staff writer for Collins Music, an association
that yielded Alabama's 'Born country', the hit 'Alright already' for Larry
Stewart, along with cuts for artists such as Asleep at the Wheel, Barbara Mandrell &
Randy Travis.
In 1992, Byron signed with MCA Music Nashville, where he landed singles by
Tracy Byrd ('Lifestyles of the not so rich & famous'), Neal McCoy ('If I was
a drinkin' man'), George Jones ('High-tech redneck'),
Sammy Kershaw
('Politics, religion & her') & River Road ('I broke it, I'll fix it').
In December 1998, Byron signed with Starstruck Writers Group in Nashville,
which was sold (in October 2000) to Warner Chappell Music. In January 2003,
Byron signed with Almo Irving Music. However, Almo Irving closed in October
of that year & consolidated with Universal Music Publishing Group, where
Byron became a staff songwriter.
Byron Hill's songs have generated more than 544 recordings, earning 71 RIAA
certified Gold & Platinum Awards, 9 ASCAP Awards, 20 U.S. & Canadian Top 10
chart hits including 6 No.1's.
Byron Hill has also had his songs recorded by Joe Nichols,
Rhonda Vincent,
Lantana & Hot Apple Pie. His work as a producer includes three albums for
Gary Allan (on Decca Records) & an album for Kathy Mattea (on Mercury
Records).
Byron Hill has also enjoyed a long-time producer/co-writer association with
singer/songwriter Mike Dekle which includes four albums.
Gene Watson recorded Byron Hill's 'No trash in my trailer' (co-written with
Mike Dekle) & included the track on 'From the
Heart' (RMG Records, 2001).
Visit Byron Hill's Official Site