Gene Watson's Peers: Helen Cornelius
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 2006 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
Helen Cornelius, which she
submitted to this site on Saturday 21 October 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Helen Cornelius who has made a
special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone
Star Hero'.
Helen Cornelius
This quote was submitted on Saturday 21 October 2006
'As one of Gene's fellow country performers, I must say
that he is without a doubt, one of the finest vocalists anyone could hope to
hear.
His range, his soul, his distinctive styling; none better anywhere. Hats off
to Gene Watson!'
Thank you, Helen Cornelius, for
your support of Gene Watson.
About Helen Cornelius...
Helen Cornelius grew up on a
farm in Missouri, where she listened to the Grand Ole Opry on radio & sang
with her sisters, accompanied by her brothers who played in country bands.
Helen made her musical debut at the age of five & won numerous talent
contests, including three winning appearances on 'The Ted Mack Amateur Hour'
in 1970.
Initially it was Helen's song-writing that swung open the doors along the
corridors of Nashville's Music Row. By the mid-1970s, her songs were being
recorded by a number of major artists, including the Oak Ridge Boys, Reba
McEntire, Jeannie C. Riley, Connie Smith, Charlie Louvin & Melba Montgomery
and LaCosta.
Helen's writing first won her major credibility, but it was her voice that
RCA Record executives heard that won Helen her first major recording
contract in 1975. It was producer Bob Ferguson who suggested that Helen team
up with fellow country performer Jim Ed Brown. They enjoyed a major hit with
their first recording - 'I don't want to have to marry you' spent two weeks
at No.1 in September 1976.
In 1977, Helen & Jim Ed earned a Vocal Duo of the Year Award from the
Country music Association. Together they earned a number of hit singles on
Billboard including 'Saying hello, saying I love you, saying goodbye' (No.2,
1977), 'If it ain't love by now' (No.12, 1977), 'Born believer' (No.12,
1977), 'Lying in love with you' (No.2, 1977), 'I'll never be free' (No.11,
1978), 'You don't bring me flowers' (No.10, 1979), 'Fools' (No.3, 1980) &
'Lying in love with you' (No.2, 1981).
Following four successful years together, Helen & Jim Ed went their separate
ways in 1980. Helen went on to headline her own solo tours & co-starred with
Dave Rowland, of Dave & Sugar, in a touring production of 'Annie Get Your
Gun' in 1984.
Following the closure of the 'Annie Get Your Gun' touring schedule, Helen
went on tour with the Statler Brothers on
their sell-out concert series for a period of two years, as well as
continuing her individual concert dates.
In 1988, Helen & Jim Ed returned to touring as a duo. In 1991, Helen opened
a dinner theatre in Gatlinburg, Tennessee & in 1997 joined forces with Jim
Ed Brown & Con Hunley to perform at the Eagle Mountain Theatre in Pigeon
Forge, also in Tennessee.
In May 2005, Helen was honoured by the State of Missouri when she was
inducted into the Missouri Country Music Hall of Fame during a ceremony in
Springfield.
Visit Helen Cornelius' Official Site