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Harold Bradley (February 2007)

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
Harold Bradley's quote, which he submitted to this site on Monday 5 February 2007.

I (Sean Brady) would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Harold Bradley who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.


Harold BradleyHarold Bradley
This quote was submitted on Monday 5 February 2007

 


'
Gene Watson is one of the greatest & natural country music singers of all time.  I was very privileged to be his leader on some of his hits.

When we did 'Farewell party' in one take, Gene turned my head when he hit the high note on the end.  He's been turning peoples heads ever since he started his career'.

Thank you, Harold Bradley, for your support of Gene Watson.


'Beautiful Country' | Capitol Records (1977)Three tracks ('The old man & his horn', 'Cowboys don't get lucky all the time' & 'I won't be sleeping alone') from Gene's 'Beautiful Country' album (Capitol Records S11715) were recorded at Bradley's Barn in Mount Juliet, Tennessee in 1977. 

Harold's brother Owen (21 October 1915 - 7 January 1998) had purchased a farm outside of Nashville in 1961 & had converted a barn into a demo studio.  With a few years, 'Bradley's Barn' had become a legendary recording venue within country music circles.

'Reflections' | Capitol Records (1978) 'Should I Come Home' | Capitol Records (1979) 'No One Will Ever Know' | Capitol Records (1980)

Harold Bradley was also a session musician on the Gene Watson albums (above & below): 'Reflections' on Capitol Records in 1978 (Rhythm Guitar & Lead Guitar), 'Should I Come Home' on Capitol Records in 1979 (Rhythm Guitar & Lead Guitar), 'No One will Ever Know' on Capitol Records in 1980 (Rhythm Guitar & Lead Guitar), 'Between this Time & the Next Time' on MCA Records in 1981 (Acoustic Guitar & Electric Guitar), 'Old Loves Never Die' on MCA Records in 1981 (Guitar & Mandolin) & 'This Dream's on Me' on MCA Records in 1982 (Rhythm Guitar, Lead Guitar & Bass).

'Between This Time & The Next Time' | MCA Records (1981) 'Old Loves Never Die' | MCA Records (1981) 'This Dream's on Me' | MCA Records (1982)


About Harold Bradley...

Harold Bradley is the Nashville native who holds down the Presidency of the Nashville Association of Musicians Local 257 & is the man who may be the most recorded guitarist in history.

Harold Bradley was born on 2 January 1926 in Nashville.  His older brother, Owen (a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame), was a strong early musical influence.  Although Owen had earned his spurs as a pianist, Harold was at first fascinated by the banjo.  However, he also began learning to play a guitar.  While still a teenager, Harold landed a much-coveted band spot with legendary Ernest Tubb in 1943.  After high school graduation, Harold joined the navy.

Upon his discharge in 1946, he studied at George Peabody College under the GI Bill.  To enhance his income, however, Harold played on the Opry with Eddy Arnold & Bradley Kincaid.  Harold's first recording session took place on 17 December 1946 with Pee Wee King & the Golden West Cowboys in Chicago.  Two King songs on which Harold's contribution was notable are 'Texas Toni Lee' & Tennessee Central Number Nine'.

Harold soon recorded with Red Sovine.  The first million seller he was on was Red Foley's 'Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy', recorded at Castle.  Harold also did one recording session with Hank Williams Senior.

As Nashville began to expand recording-wise, Harold began to be involved in more sessions.  He was on 'Jingle Bell Rock' & 'Fraulein' (both recorded by Bobby Helms), 'I'm Sorry' & 'Rockin' around the Christmas Tree' (both recorded by Brenda Lee), along with all of Patsy Cline's recording sessions bar two.

Harold also played on such classic country tracks as 'Only the Lonely' (Roy Orbison), 'Crazy' (Patsy Cline), 'Battle of Now Orleans' (Johnny Horton), 'Big Bad John' (Jimmy Dean), 'King of the Road' (Roger Miller), 'Harper Valley PTA' (Jeannie C. Riley), 'Stand by your Man' (Tammy Wynette), 'Make the World go Away' (Eddy Arnold), 'Coal Miner's Daughter' (Loretta Lynn), 'Ebony Eyes' (The Everly Brothers) & 'Swinging' (John Anderson).

Among the cinematic soundtracks boasting Harold's touch are 'Kissin' Cousins', 'Clambake', 'Stay Away Joe', 'The Fastest Guitar Alive', 'Sugarland Express', 'A Walk in the Spring Rain', 'Tick, Tick, Tick', 'Breathless', 'Smokey & the Bandit II', 'Coal Miner's Daughter', 'Six-pack', 'Missing' & 'Sweet Dreams'.  Harold also appeared briefly In Robert Altman's award-winning movie 'Nashville' in 1975.

Harold
worked with Elvis Presley from 1962 until 1967, a period during which he had 10 No.1 songs.  Elvis was one of twenty-five musicians in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with whom Bradley worked.

Harold can be heard on some of Elvis Presley's records & movie soundtracks as well as those of such entertainers as Perry Como, Buddy Holly, Pee Wee King, George Morgan, Hank Williams Senior, Burl Ives, Connie Francis, Hank Snow, Jim Reeves, Charley Pride, Leon Russell, Marty Robbins, Freddie Hart, Conway Twitty & Roy Clark.

Artists Harold has represented or produced personally include Byron & Slim Whitman, Eddy Arnold & Irish singer Sandy Kelly.

Harold Bradley can boast a trio of his own albums on the Columbia label, namely 'Misty Guitar', 'The Bossa Nova Goes to Nashville' & 'Guitar for Lovers Only'.  His musical input can be heard too, on such other LP's as the Bear Family's ambitious four-compact disc set 'Webb Pierce: The Wandering Boy, 1951-1958' & Alan Jackson's 'Here in the Real World' album for Arista Records from 1991.

Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame Website

Visit the Nashville Association of Musicians Local 257
 


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