Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Fred Koller: December 2007
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 2007 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 Fred Koller, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 31 December 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Fred Koller who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Fred Koller
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 31 December 2007.
'Gene's recording of my song 'This Dream's On Me' is still one of my favourite records of all time.
I am extremely proud to have had the pleasure of hearing him sing my humble song. His classic voice is instantly recognisable and always makes me turn up the radio.
Nashville needs more artists of his calibre; a true country legend'.
Thank you, Fred Koller, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Fred Koller...
Fred Koller, who is a native of Chicago, has been a professional songwriter since 1973 following his move to Nashville. Fred has also taught the art of writing music in classrooms and at seminars, as well as through the publication of his book 'How To Pitch And Promote Your Songs'.
In addition to his extraordinary songwriting work, Fred Koller has released a number of solo albums, including 'Songs From The Night Before' (1989), 'Night Of The Living Fred' (1989), 'Where The Fast Lane Ends' (1990) and 'Sweet Baby Fred' (1998).
In 2001, Fred Koller also saw the release of 'No Song Left To Sell' (Gadfly Records, 2001), an album which featured songs he had written with his song-writing friend, the legendary Shel Silverstein (Thursday 25 September 1930 - Monday 10 May 1999).
Fred Koller's song-writing contribution to the country music genre is quite outstanding and includes the following songs:
Chris LeDoux (Saturday 2 October 1948 - Wednesday 9 March 2005) recorded Fred Koller's 'True Western Movie' (co-written with Charlie Williams) and included the track on 'Songs Of Rodeo And Country' (Lucky Man Records, 1974).
Chris LeDoux (Saturday 2 October 1948 - Wednesday 9 March 2005) recorded Fred Koller's 'Painted Ladies' and included the track on 'Rodeo And Living Free' (Lucky Man Records, 1975).
Bobby Bare recorded Fred Koller's 'Pretty Painted Ladies' and included the track on 'Cowboys And Daddies' (RCA Records, 1975).
Bobby Bare recorded Fred Koller's 'Yes Mr. Rogers', which was co-written with Shel Silverstein (Thursday 25 September 1930 - Saturday 8/Sunday 9 May 1999) and included the track on 'Winner And Other Losers' (RCA Records, 1976).
Bobby Bare recorded Fred Koller's 'This Guitar Is For Sale', which was co-written with Shel Silverstein (Thursday 25 September 1930 - Saturday 8/Sunday 9 May 1999) and included the track on 'Bare' (Columbia Records, 1978).
Bobby Bare recorded Fred Koller's 'Rock Star's Lament', which was co-written with Shel Silverstein (Thursday 25 September 1930 - Saturday 8/Sunday 9 May 1999) and included the track on 'Down And Dirty' (Columbia Records, 1980).
Jim Rushing recorded Fred Koller's 'I've Loved Enough To Know' (co-written with Jim Rushing); the track was released as a single on Ovation Records and reached No.56 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
Gene Watson recorded Fred Koller's 'This Dream's On Me' and included the track on 'This Dream's on Me' (MCA Records, 1982); the track reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982.
Loretta Lynn recorded Fred Koller's 'Walking With My Memories' (co-written with Mike Pace) and included the track on 'Lyin' Cheatin' Woman Chasin' Honky Tonkin' Whiskey Drinkin' You (MCA Records, 1983).
Bobby Bare recorded Fred Koller's 'Jennifer Johnson And Me', which was co-written with Shel Silverstein (Thursday 25 September 1930 - Saturday 8/Sunday 9 May 1999) and included the track on 'Drinkin' From The Bottle' (Columbia Records, 1983).
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 - Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Fred Koller's 'Ain't It Been Love' and included the track on 'Today My World Slipped Away' (Ami Records, 1983).
Gene Watson recorded Fred Koller's 'I Want My Rib Back', which was co-written with Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 - Tuesday 9 May 1989), and included the track on 'Memories to Burn' (Epic Records, 1985).
Nanci Griffith recorded Fred Koller's 'Goin' Gone' (co-written with Pat Alger and Bill Dale) and included the track on 'Last Of The True Believers' (Philo Records, 1985).
Lacy J Dalton recorded Fred Koller's 'Boomtown' and included the track on 'Highway Diner' (Columbia Records, 1986).
Nanci Griffith recorded Fred Koller's 'Lone Star State Of Mind' (co-written with Pat Alger and Gene Levine) and included the track on 'Lone Star State Of Mind' (MCA Records, 1987); the track reached No.36 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart in 1987.
Kathy Mattea recorded Fred Koller's 'Life As We Knew It' (co-written with Walter Carter) and included the track on 'Untasted Honey' (Mercury Records, 1987); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.
Kathy Mattea recorded Fred Koller's 'Goin' Gone' (co-written with Pat Alger and Bill Dale) and included the track on 'Untasted Honey' (Mercury Records, 1987); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January/February 1988.
New Grass Revival recorded Fred Koller's 'Angel Eyes' (co-written with John Hiatt) and included the track on 'Friday Night In America' (Capitol Records, 1989).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 - Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Fred Koller's 'I Don't Know You Well Enough To Say Goodbye' (co-written with Kix Brooks) in 1982; the track was subsequently included on 'Sad Songs And Waltzes' (Rounder Records, 1990).
Rhonda Vincent recorded Fred Koller's 'Lone Star State Of Mind' (co-written with Pat Alger and Gene Levine) and included the track on 'A Dream Come True' (Rebel Records, 1990).
Rhonda Vincent recorded Fred Koller's 'Goin' Gone' (co-written with Pat Alger and Bill Dale) and included the track on 'A Dream Come True' (Rebel Records, 1990).
Don Williams recorded Fred Koller's 'Lone Star State Of Mind' (co-written with Pat Alger and Gene Levine) and included the track on 'Currents' (RCA Records, 1992).
Kenny Chesney recorded Fred Koller's 'I Want My Rib Back', which was co-written with Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 - Tuesday 9 May 1989), and included the track on 'In My Wildest Dreams' (Capricorn Records, 1994).
Charlie Sizemore recorded Fred Koller's 'I Want My Rib Back', which was co-written with Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 - Tuesday 9 May 1989), and included the track on 'In My View' (Rebel Records, 1996).
The New Coon Creek Girls, featuring Dale Ann Bradley, recorded Fred Koller's 'Sassafrass' (co-written with Si Kahn) and included the track on 'Our Point Of View' (Pinecastle Records, 1998).
Fred Koller Compositions
'Caught In The Spotlight', recorded by Bobby Bare and Lacy J. Dalton
'Circumstantial Evidence', recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis
'Habits Of The Heart', recorded by The Woodys
'Heart To Heart', recorded by Gail Davies
'I Get The Picture', recorded by Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 - Tuesday 9 May 1989)
'If You Came Back Tonight', recorded by Lorrie Morgan
'I'm Going To Town', recorded by Robert Earl Keen
'In My Dreams', recorded by Asleep At The Wheel
'Jennifer Johnson And Me', recorded by Bobby Bare, Mac Davis, Dr. Hook, Paul Overstreet, Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) and Robert Earl Keen
'Juanita', recorded by David Allan Coe
'Lady Jane', recorded by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 - Sunday 11 January 2004)
'Let's Talk Dirty In Hawaiian', recorded by John Prine
'Love Can Be A Dangerous Thing', recorded by Pat Alger
'Make It Pretty For Me', recorded by Bobby Bare
'Man's Best Friend Is His Automobile', recorded by Barry and Holly Tashian
'Melancholy Moon', recorded by Tim O'Brien
'Missionary Ridge', recorded by Claire Lynch
'Monroe's Mule', recorded by John Cowan
'Never Be The Same', recorded by Pam Tillis
'New Day', recorded by Laurie Lewis
'On Grafton Street', recorded by Frances Black and Nanci Griffith
'Pretty Painted Ladies', recorded by Bobby Bare, Chris LeDoux (Saturday 2 October 1948 - Wednesday 9 March 2005) and The Sons of the Pioneers
'Rock In My Shoe', recorded by Tom O'Brien
'She Came From Fort Worth', recorded by Kathy Mattea and Pat Alger
'She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not', recorded by Hal Ketchum
'She's Just A Place To Fall', recorded by Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 - Tuesday 28 April 2009)
'Sidestepping The Blues', recorded by Stonewall Jackson
'Skip A Stone', recorded by Beccy Cole
'Summer Melody', recorded by Stoney Edwards (Tuesday 24 December 1929 - Saturday 5 April 1997) and The Kendalls
'This Town', recorded by Pat Alger
'Til The Coast Is Clear', recorded by Hal Ketchum
'Wheel Of Fortune', recorded by Peter Rowan
'Where The Fast Lane Ends', recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys
'Wichita Way', recorded by John Cowan
'Whiplash Will', recorded by Bobby Bare
'Will It Be Love By Morning', recorded by Michael Martin Murphey
'Winding Down', recorded by Lacy J. Dalton
Visit Fred Koller's Official Site