Gene Watson's Peers: Hal Ketchum

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 2007 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 Hal Ketchum, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 27 May 2007.

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

Gene Watson Fan Site

Hal Ketchum

Hal Ketchum
This quote was submitted on Sunday 27 May 2007

'Gene has one of the most wonderful voices in country music. I've been a huge fan & his music is an inspiration to my career.

Thank you, Gene.
Your friend, Hal Ketchum'.


Thank you, Hal Ketchum, for your support of Gene Watson.

Gene Watson Fan Site

About Hal Ketchum...

Hal Ketchum was born in Greenwich, New York on Thursday 9 April 1953. He has a younger sister Janie (who is also a singer/songwriter) & an older brother Frank.

Music played a big part in Hal's upbringing; his father Frank played with a high school band, his grandfather was a concert violinist & his mother Janet played the Hawaiian guitar. Hal's mother was his greatest influence; she was a great singer & would sing around the family home every day. In 1963, Janet was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) & died of complications of the disease in 1986.

As a teenager, Hal & Frank played in a bluegrass band. At the age of 15, Hal began performing in clubs with a local rhythm & blues trio. He later moved to the west coast of Florida when he was 17 & started doing carpentry work.

In 1981, Hal moved to Austin, Texas where he lived close to Gruene Hall & where he discovered singer/songwriters Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely & Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

Hal Ketchum: 'Threadbare Alibis' (Watermelon Records, 1987)

In 1986, after making the trip to Nashville, Hal Ketchum recorded an independent album, 'Threadbare Alibis' (Watermelon Records, 1987), an album that cost $9,000 to record, the masters of which remained under Hal's bed for two years.

Hal Ketchum: 'Past the Point of Rescue' (Curb Records, 1991)

Hal Ketchum eventually signed a recording contract with Curb Records, who released his 'Past the Point of Rescue' album in 1991. The album was produced by Allen Reynolds & Jim Rooney & the title track was written by Ireland's Mick Hanly.

Mick Hanly Mick Hanly: 'All I Remember' (Ringsend Road Music, 1989)

'Past the Point of Rescue' was originally included on Mick Hanly's 'All I Remember' (Round Tower Records, 1989).

Hal Ketchum's 'Past the Point of Rescue' (Curb Records, 1991) album yielded a number of hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart; 'Small town Saturday night' (No.2), 'I know where loves lives' (No.13), 'Past the point of rescue' (No.2) & 'Five o'clock world' (No.16).

Hal Ketchum: 'Sure Love' (Curb Records, 1992)

Hal Ketchum's second album 'Sure Love' (Curb Records, 1992) was released in 1993 & it too yielded a number of successful Billboard singles; 'Sure love' (No.3), 'Hearts are gonna roll' (No.2), 'Mama knows the highway' (No.8) & 'Someplace far away' (No.21).

Read Ferlin Husky's Quote about Gene Watson Here

On 22 January 1994, Hal Ketchum achieved a career highlight when he was inducted (as the 71st member) into the Grand Ole Opry. Hal was joined on stage that night by Ferlin Husky & the two of them sang 'Wings of a dove' (a No.1 hit for Ferlin in 1960).

'Maverick' (1994 movie starring Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster & James Garner)

In May 1994, Hal Ketchum made a brief appearance in the film 'Maverick' starring Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster & James Garner; Hal sang 'Solitary traveller' on the soundtrack.

Hal Ketchum: 'Every Little Word' (Curb Records, 1994)

Hal Ketchum's third album, 'Every Little Word' (Curb Records, 1994), was released in June 1994 & was jointly produced by Allen Reynolds & Jim Rooney; it yielded the hit singles 'Tonight we just might fall in love again & 'Stay forever'.

On 9 April 1998 (Hal's 45th birthday), while performing a show in Tampa, Florida Hal lost all feeling in his left arm. He returned home to Austin, Texas where he underwent an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan & a spinal tap (lumber puncture). His neurologist stated that his symptoms were compatible with MS (multiple sclerosis).

Hal was later diagnosed as suffering from ATM (acute transverse myelitis). Hal later lost the use of the left side of his body & had to relearn basic tasks, including how to play the guitar.

As well as music, Hal Ketchum still pints a lot & has much of his work hung on the walls of his home. He also still enjoys carpentry & constructed the crib for his daughter Ruby Joy.

Hal Ketchum: 'I Saw the Light' (Curb Records, 1998) Hal Ketchum: 'Awaiting Redemption' (Curb Records, 1999) Hal Ketchum: 'Lucky Man' (Curb Records, 2001) Hal Ketchum: 'The King of Love' (Curb Records, 2003)

Other important Hal Ketchum album releases include 'I Saw the Light' (Curb Records, 1998), 'Awaiting Redemption' (Curb Records, 1999), 'Lucky Man' (Curb Records, 2001) & 'The King of Love' (Curb Records, 2003).

Hal Ketchum & Gene Watson at the Curb Studio in Nashville on Thursday 17 May 2007 (Gene was working on his Shanachie Records album 'In a Perfect World' when Hal made a visit)

On Thursday 17 May 2007, Hal Ketchum visited with Gene Watson at the Curb recording studio in Nashville while Gene was recording vocal tracks for his Shanachie Records debut album, 'In a Perfect World' - the album was released in September 2007.

Gene Watson Fan Site

Gene Watson Fan Site Visit Hal Ketchum's Official Site
Gene Watson Fan Site Visit Hal Ketchum's Official MySpace Site
Gene Watson Fan Site Visit Diane's Hal Ketchum Fan Site (based in the UK)

Gene Watson Fan Site