Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Billy Yates: October 2004
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 2004 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 Billy Yates, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 7 October 2004.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Billy Yates who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Billy Yates
This quote was submitted on Thursday 7 October 2004.
'While country music seems to be ever changing more toward a pop sound, you can count on Gene Watson to keep it honest and real. He's never strayed!
Gene Watson is one of the few consistent artists in country music today! He's my hero!'
Thank you, Billy Yates, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Billy Yates...
Billy Yates was born in Doniphan, Missouri where he was raised on a small farm five miles outside the town, which is located near the Arkansas line. Both of Billy Yates' parents came from musical backgrounds and Billy received an early initiation into performing live during a regular Sunday morning broadcast on radio station KDFN-AM in Doniphan.
Country music was all Billy Yates ever knew. He began singing harmonies while digging through his parents' record collection, which was extensive and which included records from Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964), Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 - Thursday 6 September 1984), George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013), Mac Wiseman, Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006), Merle Haggard and The Louvin Brothers - Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 - Sunday 20 June 1965) and Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 - Wednesday 26 January 2011).
Billy Yates' musical tastes later evolved into listening to stylists such as Don Williams and Emmylou Harris.
After his high school graduation, Billy Yates visited the Lake Wappapello Opry in Missouri where, following a performance of 'Cryin' my heart out over you', he was hired and started working there the next weekend. He stayed there for three years, during which time he also made a number of trips to Nashville.
Billy Yates later moved to Poplar Bluff, Missouri where he trained as a barber. He returned to his hometown, where he cut hair for five years in his own shop. Billy also played music at the weekends and worked at the local FM station KOEA.
After years of contemplating a move to Nashville, Billy Yates finally arrived in Music City in 1987. His father's advice about learning a trade was useful; while singing demos and learning the songwriter's craft, he used his barber's license to support himself and his wife Nancy.
Billy Yates landed his first writer's deal with Hori Pro Entertainment Group. His first cut as a songwriter was 'I don't need your rockin' chair', which was recorded by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) and which was named as the Country Music Association (CMA) 'Vocal Event of the Year' in 1993. Billy Yates also supplied the title cut of the George Jones album 'Walls Can Fall' (MCA Records, 1992).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) went on to record Billy Yates' Grammy nominated song 'Choices'; Billy Yates has also had his songs covered by artists such as George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, John Michael Montgomery, Jeff Bates, Chris Young, Tracy Lawrence, Doug Stone, Ricochet, Ricky Van Shelton and David Allan Coe.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Billy Yates' 'I Don't Need Your Rocking Chair', which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 - Friday 23 November 2012) and Kerry Kurt Philips, and included the track on 'Walls Can Fall' (MCA Records, 1992).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Billy Yates' 'Walls Can Fall', which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 - Friday 23 November 2012) and Bruce Bouton, and included the track on 'Walls Can Fall' (MCA Records, 1992).
Dude Mowrey recorded Billy Yates' 'Turn For The Worse', which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 - Friday 23 November 2012) and Kerry Kurt Philips, and included the track on 'Dude Mowrey' (Arista Nashville Records, 1993).
Ricochet recorded Billy Yates' 'From Good To Bad To Worse To Gone', which was co-written with Chris Cummings and Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 - Friday 23 November 2012) and included the track on 'Ricochet' (Columbia Records, 1996).
Kenny Chesney recorded Billy Yates' 'Turn For The Worse', which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 - Friday 23 November 2012) and Kerry Kurt Philips, and included the track on 'Me and You' (BNA Records, 1996).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Billy Yates' 'Honky Tonk Song' (co-written with Frank J. Meyers) and included the track on 'I've Lived To Tell It All' (MCA Records, 1996).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Billy Yates' 'Lone Ranger' (co-written with Gerald Smith and John Northrup) and included the track on 'I've Lived To Tell It All' (MCA Records, 1996).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Billy Yates' 'Hello Heart' (co-written with Melba Montgomery) and included the track on 'I've Lived To Tell It All' (MCA Records, 1996).
Sara Evans recorded Billy Yates' 'These Days' (co-written with Sara Evans) and included the track on 'No Place That Far' (RCA Records, 1998).
Gary Allan recorded Billy Yates' 'I've Got A Quarter In My Pocket' (co-written with Jake Kelly) and included the track on 'It Would Be You' (Decca Records, 1999).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Billy Yates' 'Choices' and included the track on 'Cold Hard Truth' (Asylum Records, 1999).
Tracy Lawrence recorded Billy Yates' 'God's Green Earth' (co-written with Monty Criswell) and included the track on 'Tracy Lawrence' (Warner Bros. Records, 2001).
Doug Stone recorded Billy Yates' 'The Long Way' (co-written with Monty Criswell) and included the track on 'The Long Way' (Audium/Koch Records, 2002).
Gene Watson recorded Billy Yates' 'Flowers' (co-written with Monty Criswell) and included the track on 'Gene Watson...Sings' (Intersound Records, 2003); Billy Yates recorded 'Flowers' and included the track on 'Billy Yates' (Almo Sounds Records, 1997).
Gene Watson recorded Billy Yates' 'Hold Me' (co-written with Pat Bunch) and included the track on 'Gene Watson...Sings' (Intersound Records, 2003); Billy Yates recorded 'Hold Me' amd included the track on 'Country' (My Own Damn Label, 2003).
Joe Diffie recorded Billy Yates' 'Am I' (co-written with Joe Diffie) and included the track on 'Tougher Than Nails' (Broken Bow Records, 2004).
Joe Nichols recorded Billy Yates' 'If I Ever Get Her Back' (co-written with Billy Lawson) and included the track on 'Revelation' (Universal South Records, 2004).
Chris Young recorded Billy Yates' 'Flowers' (co-written with Monty Criswell) and included the track on 'Chris Young' (Sony BMG Records, 2006).
Tracy Lawrence recorded Billy Yates' 'You're Why God Made Me' (co-written with Wil Nance) and included the track on 'For The Love' (Def Cowboy Music, 2007).
Todd Fritsch recorded Billy Yates' 'No Part Of' (co-written with Wil Nance) and included the track on 'Sawdust' (Diamond Records, 2007).
Gene Watson recorded Billy Yates' 'We've Got A Pulse' (co-written with Jerry Salley) and included the track on 'A Taste of the Truth' (Shanachie Records, 2009); the track was a duet with Trace Adkins.
Gene Watson and Rhonda Vincent recorded Billy Yates' 'Alone Together Tonight' (co-wriiten with Ashley Monroe and Terry Clayton) and included the track on 'Your Money & My Good Looks' (Upper Management Music, 2011).
Billy Yates never abandoned his dream of becoming a recording artist in his own right. His self-titled debut album, which was released on the Almo Sounds record label to widespread critical acclaim in 1997, included the hit song 'Flowers'.
Following a brief period when he recorded for Columbia Records, Billy Yates left and formed his own label (M.O.D. Record Label) and saw the release of three critically acclaimed albums.
The albums, 'If I Could Go Back' (MOD Records, 2001), 'Country' (MOD Records, 2003) and 'Anywhere but Nashville' (MOD Records, 2004), which were released on his own MOD label, all demonstrated Billy Yates' talent as a first rate songwriter and country music traditionalist.
Billy Yates has had the experience of travelling all over the United States performing at various venues, so much so that he also concentrates on bringing his brand of traditional country to venues across Europe.
Visit Billy Yates' Official Site