Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Barbara Fairchild: January 2006
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 Watson's Peers who were contacted during 2006 were most gracious with their time and words. It is here, within this special part of the Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Barbara Fairchild, which she submitted to this site on Friday 13 January 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Barbara Fairchild who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Barbara Fairchild
This quote was submitted on Friday 13 January 2006.
'Gene is a good friend and one of the best country singers to ever sing a note.
When we did the special with our friend Ralph Emery, it was a blessing to sing harmony with Gene in the sing-a-longs we did'.
Thank you, Barbara Fairchild, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Barbara Fairchild...
Barbara Fairchild was born in Knobel, Arkansas on Sunday 12 November 1950 and started her career at a very young age singing country music. She cut her very first single when she was fifteen years old. In 1963, Barbara moved to St. Louis, Missouri and by 1965 was a regular on a local TV show. She also recorded for a local label, Norman Records; one of her singles, 'A Brand New Bed Of Roses', was released but was only a regional hit.
In 1967, after her high school graduation, Barbara Fairchild decided to follow her dream and moved to Nashville. She met producer Jerry Crutchfield and briefly signed with Kapp Records when she was seventeen years old. Barbara Fairchild signed with Columbia Records in 1969 and enjoyed her greatest success four years later.
Liz Anderson recorded Barbara Fairchild's 'This Stranger (My Little Girl)' (co-written with Ruby VanNoy and Ann Burns) and included the track on 'Country Style' (RCA Records, 1969).
Loretta Lynn recorded Barbara Fairchild's 'This Stranger (My Little Girl)' (co-written with Ann Burns and Ruby VanNoy) and included the track on 'Wings Upon Your Horns' (Decca Records, 1970).
Barbara Fairchild's 'A Sweeter Love' (Columbia Records, 1972) was released by Columbia Records in 1972; initially 'Thanks For The Memories' and the title track were released as singles. Recorded with the Jordanaires on back-up vocals, 'Teddy Bear Song' was also included on the album.
Jim Clemens, a disc jockey at WPLO in Atlanta, began playing the track off the album and, upon reporting its local success to Jerry Crutchfield, it was decided that the track would be released as a single, which it was in December 1972.
'Teddy Bear Song' became Barbara Fairchild's first and only No.1 country hit on the Billboard country music singles chart; the song was No.1 for two weeks in March 1973 and brought Barbara a nomination for the Academy of Country Music's 'Top Female Vocalist of the Year' Award.
Barbara Fairchild also enjoyed further Billboard country music hits; 'Kid Stuff' (No.2, 1973) and 'Baby Doll' (No.6, 1974).
Barbara Fairchild never reached the Billboard country music Top 10 again and in 1980 she moved to Texas. In 1986, Barbara Fairchild signed with Capitol Records in an attempt at a comeback, but the single which was released, 'Just Out Ridin' Around' (produced by Don Williams and Allen Reynolds) only reached No.84 and would represent Barbara's last single to chart.
Visit Barbara Fairchild's Official Site