Gene Watson's Peers: Claire Lynch
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 2008 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
Claire Lynch, which she submitted
to this site on Wednesday 30 January 2008.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Claire Lynch who has made a special
contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star
Hero'.
Claire Lynch
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 30 January 2008
'Gene Watson's rich country voice has always conveyed
taste & dignity.
He's genuine & true!'
Thank you, Claire Lynch, for your
support of Gene Watson.
About Claire Lynch...
Claire Lynch is a native of
Poughkeepsie, New York; her family moved to the tiny North Alabama town of
Hazel Green (about two hours south of Nashville) when Claire was twelve
years old. Inspired by the pop songs of Joni Mitchell & The Beatles, Claire
sang as a youngster in an informal trio with her sisters.
In her late teens, Claire was deeply inspired by The Nitty Gritty Dirt
Band's landmark 'Will the Circle be Unbroken' album in 1972. She then heard
her first bluegrass band, The McLain Family Band, & was immediately smitten
by this genre of music.
Claire met her future husband Larry in high school. Following graduation,
Claire worked at an insurance agency while Larry attended the University of
Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Multi-instrumentalist Larry Lynch formed Hickory Wind in 1973 & Claire was
invited to become their lead singer.
The band landed a 'house-band' job in Birmingham, Alabama & renamed
themselves the Front Porch String Band. Over the next seven years, Claire &
Larry, who were married in 1976, & the Front Porch String Band became one of
the hardest-working groups in Alabama.
In 1975, Larry borrowed $1,000 & made 'Smilin' at You', the first Front
Porch String Band album. A year later, in 1976, six hours in a recording
studio resulted in the 'Country Rain' album. Both releases, however, sank
without a trace.
But at a festival appearance, Claire & Larry met John Starling, a former
member of Seldom Scene who had moved to Alabama in the hope of finding some
musical soul-mates.
In 1981, the Front Porch String Band saw the release of a self-titled,
nationally-distributed album on Rebel Records, while Claire released her
solo debut album, 'Breakin' It', on the smaller Ambush label.
When Claire became pregnant with the first of two children in 1982, she &
Larry disbanded the Front Porch String Band & settled in northern Alabama.
Larry returned to college to earn a degree in accounting & Claire took a job
in university administration.
For Claire, retirement was short-lived. John Starling had introduced her to
Nashville songwriter Paul Craft who took an interest in Claire's
song-writing abilities & urged Kathy Mattea
to record 'Hills of Alabam' (included on the 'Willow in the Wind' album on
Mercury Records in 1989) & Patty Loveless to record 'Some morning soon'
(included on 'On Down The Line' for MCA Records in 1990).
As a result of the release of her solo debut album 'Breakin' It' in 1981,
Claire soon found herself commuting to Nashville to sing backup vocals on
albums by Patty Loveless ('If My Heart Had Windows' for MCA Records in 1988
& 'Honky Tonk Heart' for MCA Records in 1988),
Karen Staley ('Wildest
Dreams' for MCA Records in 1989), Irene Kelley ('Simple Path' for Relentless
Nashville Records in 2001) & Skip Ewing ('Coast of Colorado' for MCA Records
in 1988).
In 1990, Claire & Larry reformed a new version of the Front Porch String
Band & saw the release of their comeback album 'Lines & Traces' on Rebel
Records, a mainstream bluegrass record label, who also re-released the first
Front Porch String Band album from 1981.
In 1992, Claire was offered her first Music Row staff song-writing contract.
Stephanie Davis recorded Claire's 'Moonlighter' (included on Stephanie
Davis' self titled debut album for Elektra/WEA Records in 1993) & dazzled
thousands with the song when she performed it as the opening act for Garth
Brooks in 1993.
'Friends for a Lifetime', a Claire Lynch gospel album, saw the light of day
on the Brentwood Records label in the late part of 1993 & received glowing
reviews in the musical press; the album was subsequently re-released in
1995.
Claire Lynch's 1995 album 'Moonlighter' was released by the highly respected
Rounder Records label & was nominated for a Grammy Award as 'Best Bluegrass
Album'.
Subsequent album releases from Claire Lynch include 'Silver & Gold' (Rounder
Records, 1997), 'Lovelight' (Rounder Records, 2000), 'Out in the Country'
(Copper Creek Records, 2001), 'New Day (Rounder Records, 2006)' & 'Crowd
Favourites' (Rounder Records, 2007).
Visit Claire Lynch's Official Site
Visit Claire Lynch's Official
MySpace Site