Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Dirk Johnson: August 2009
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 2009 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 Dirk Johnson, which he submitted to this site on Monday 24 August 2009.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Dirk Johnson who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Sean Brady would also like to express a heartfelt 'thank you' to Sarah Brosmer at Lytle Management in Nashville without whose assistance this quote would not have been possible.
Gene Watson and Dirk Johnson at Hilltop Studios in Nashville on Wednesday 6 May 2009
Dirk Johnson
This quote was submitted on Monday 24 August 2009.
'Growing up in the 1970s in Virginia, I knew at an early age I wanted to be a studio musician and producer. I was producing records on folks like Jesse McReynolds of Jim & Jesse fame and engineering on Ralph Stanley albums at thirteen years old in 1977.
My inspiration came from a very select few records that I listened to. My passion was and always will be country music.
When I listened to Gene Watson records, I heard what set off something in me I hadn't ever felt before. But it was obvious to me - this was the way country records should be done! It totally affected my playing and my whole thoughts on arrangements. Gene was producing his records; he absolutely was and still is the most amazing vocalist. I used to sit and study those records and think to myself, 'If I someday could play on something anywhere near as good as this, I will die a happy man'.
Amazing was that first call I got to play on my first Gene Watson record. I was so scared I couldn't hardly find the piano! After several more of those albums and meeting plus getting to know the 'real deal' that is Gene Watson, I came to respect him even more! Which is why I have now nicknamed him 'Genius Watson'. Ha! Ha!
When he asked me earlier this year to produce his upcoming album, I was honoured more than I have ever been in my entire life. He was one of my biggest musical heroes and after getting to be around him and actually know him, I am more in awe of him than I was before I really knew him.
When we decided to name this album 'A Taste of the Truth', I said to myself, 'How fitting!' This man is the walking, talking, breathing 'taste of the truth' and this record proves it. Not only is age just a number, in this case it just goes to further prove that some things get better with age.
You'll hear the man sing things he's never sung before with a passion and love for the music I've never experienced in all the years I've played on and produced many records.
Trace Adkins, Dirk Johnson and Gene Watson at Hilltop Studios in Nashville on Thursday 28 May 2009
The duet with Trace Adkins, 'We've Got A Pulse', is a perfect example of our philosophy going into this album's production. Country music is not dead! It's alive and well. You may have to look a little harder to buy it these days, but it's worth the search. When you find this album, you'll know real country is still kicking'!
'Genius Watson' - (sorry pal)...he hates it when I call him that - is truly a genius. He's a master of the hardest instrument in the world. The voice! He also is musically one of the most 'alert' and 'spot on', minds I've ever encountered! And the best thing of all that I could say about Gene is, 'He is without a doubt, the most real person, the kindest gentleman and man of his word I've ever run across in this business!
Gene Watson is literally, in every way, 'A taste of the truth'.
Thank you, Dirk Johnson, for your support of Gene Watson.
Gene Watson and Dirk Johnson at Hilltop Studios in Nashville on Wednesday 6 May 2009
About Dirk Johnson...
Dirk Johnson started playing at around three years of age in his parents house just down the road from the AP Carter family fold and home-place near Bristol, Virginia the year was 1967. When Dirk was four years old, he discovered that he had perfect pitch and could accurately identify up to eleven 'nonsense' notes together all at the same time.
When Dirk Johnson was thirteen years old, he met Charlie and Alan Maggard at the Maggard Sound Studio in Big Stone Gap, Virginia where he got his first job as a studio pianist, producer and engineer.
Two years later, at the age of fifteen, Dirk Johnson got to work as an engineer on a Ralph Stanley album. He also played on and produced some records for Jesse McReynolds, Opry member of 'Jim & Jesse' fame and mandolin virtuoso.
A number of years later, Dirk Johnson moved to Nashville, where he started doing studio, stage and television work with many talented people he is blessed to now call friends.
Dirk Johnson has recorded with/produced or played with many great artists either on television, records (CDs) or stage; the list of artists reads like a 'who's who' of country music and includes the following:
Alan Jackson
Dolly Parton
George Jones
Clay Walker
Buddy Emmons and The Swing Shift Band
Joe Diffie
Steve Wariner
Alison Krauss
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 - Tuesday 9 May 1989)
Shania Twain
Diamond Rio
Terri Clark
John Conlee
Toby Keith
John and Audrey Wiggins
Rhonda Vincent
Jerry Reed (Saturday 20 March 1937 - Sunday 31 August 2008)
Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 - Wednesday 19 February 2003)
Trisha Yearwood
Brooks & Dunn
Billy Currington
Jo Dee Messina
Lee Ann Womack
Vince Gill
Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers
T.G. Sheppard
BJ Thomas
Ricky Skaggs
The Whites
Gene Watson
Ray Price
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 - Tuesday 10 December 1996)
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991)
Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 - Wednesday 30 March 2011)
Deborah Allen
Clinton Gregory
Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 - Thursday 7 May 1998)
John Anderson
Brent Mason
Aaron Tippin
Darryl Singletary
Ken Mellons
Eddy Arnold
Sonny James
Wesley Dennis
Lisa Brokop
Charlie Rich (Wednesday 14 December 1932 - Tuesday 25 July 1995)
Connie Smith
Marty Stuart
Charley Pride
Little Jimmy Dickens
Jeannie Seely
Mark Wills
Marty Raybon
Roy Acuff (Tuesday 15 September 1903 - Monday 23 November 1992)
Bill Anderson
Lynn Anderson
Crystal Gayle
Keith Stegall
Jerry Douglas
Dirk Johnson has also worked with his 'A Team' heroes Hargus 'Pig' Robbins, Harold Bradley, Jimmy Capps, Pete Wade, Buddy Harmon, Roy Huskey Junior (Monday 17 December 1956 - Saturday 6 September 1997) and Owen Bradley (Thursday 21 October 1915 - Wednesday 7 January 1998).
Dirk Johnson played piano on the Gene Watson albums 'Uncharted Mind' (Step One Records, 1993), 'The Good Ole Days' (Step One Records, 1996), 'Jesus is All I Need' (Step One Records, 1997), 'A Way to Survive' (Step One Records, 1997) and 'From The Heart' (RMG Records, 2001).