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