Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Craig Bickhardt: October 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 Craig Bickhardt, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 17 October 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Craig Bickhardt who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Craig Bickhardt
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 17 October 2006.
'I'll tell you how important Gene was to me - he's an artist whose music inspired me to move to Nashville in 1983. The authenticity of that voice and his taste in classic country songs...damn, that made me want to be a better songwriter!
I've never had a Gene Watson cut I'm sorry to say. But Gene if you're reading this, you da man anyway!'
Thank you, Craig Bickhardt, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Craig Bickhardt...
Craig Bickhardt has written songs that have been recorded by more than one hundred artists worldwide. He is the recipient of nine ASCAP 'Popular Song' Awards for his No.1 hits 'In Between Dances' (recorded by Pam Tillis) in 1994, 'It Must Be Love' (recorded by Ty Herndon) in 1998 and 'Turn It Loose' and 'I Know Where I'm Going' (recorded by The Judds) in 1987.
Craig Bickhardt is originally from Philadelphia and first came to Nashville in 1982 in order to record his song 'You Are What Love Means To Me', which was featured as the closing theme in the Academy Award-winning motion picture 'Tender Mercies'. It was in 1983 that Craig Bickhardt made middle Tennessee his permanent residence.
Kathy Mattea recorded Craig Bickhardt's 'Untasted Honey' (co-written with Barry Alfonso) and included the track on 'Untasted Honey' (Mercury Records, 1987).
As a member of SKB (Schuyler, Knoblock and Bickhardt), Craig Bickhardt put the trio in the Billboard country music Top 10 in 1988 with his song 'Givers And Takers', which was included on the MTM Records album 'No Easy Horses'.
Sweethearts Of The Rodeo (Kristine Arnold and Janis Gill) recorded Craig Bickhardt's 'If I Never See Midnight Again' (co-written with Don Schlitz) and included the track on 'One Time, One Night' (Columbia Records, 1988); the track reached No.39 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1988.
Craig Bickhardt also co-wrote, along with Thom Schuyler, the group's hit 'This Old House'. Craig and Tom teamed up again in 1993 to write and produce the Warner Brothers album 'Precious Child: The Story Of Christmas'.
Craig Bickhardt's other hits include 'I Can't Turn The Tide' recorded by Baillie And The Boys (No.9, 1989), 'That's How You Know When Love's Right', a duet featuring Nicolette Larsen and Steve Wariner, which was nominated for a CMA Award (a Billboard Top 10 hit single in 2001) and 'You're The Power' (recorded by Kathy Mattea).
Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 - Thursday 10 June 2004), BB King, Art Garfunkel, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Anne Murray, Allison Krauss and Poco are just some of the artists who have recorded Craig Bickhardt's compositions.
Craig Bickhardt's work has also been featured in the film 'At Close Range' and his song 'Where I Used To Have A Heart' was used as the closing theme for the movie 'Switchback'.
Visit Craig Bickhardt's Official Site