Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Freddy Powers: October 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 Freddy Powers, which he submitted to this site on Monday 12 October 2009.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Freddy Powers who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Freddy Powers
This quote was submitted on Monday 12 October 2009.
'Gene is a great credit to country music and his voice is worthy of admiration, a real country singer'.
Thank you, Freddy Powers, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Freddy Powers...
Freddy Powers (singer/songwriter/producer/musician) was born in Duncan, Oklahoma and was raised in Seminole, Texas; his full name is Fredrick Dale Powers, although he prefers to be known as Freddy. His instrument of choice is the guitar and his major musical influences include Django Reinhardt, Paul Buskirk and Floyd Tillman (Tuesday 8 December 1914 - Friday 22 August 2003).
Freddy Powers holds many BMI and CMA Awards, including CMA’s 'Triple Play Award', 'Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall Of Fame' and 'Texas Guitar Association Lifetime Achievement Award'.
Freddy Powers’ songs have been recorded by such legendary country music artists as Merle Haggard, George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013), Willie Nelson, Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 - Thursday 10 June 2004), The Wilburn Brothers, Janie Fricke, Rattlesnake Annie, along with newcomers John Cody, Lee Duffy and Big & Rich.
Although he was born in Oklahoma, Freddy Powers is a true 'Texan' all the way with several famous Texas songs including the title track for James Michener’s movie 'Texas'. Other Texas-themed songs include 'Texas And Oklahoma', 'My San Antonio Rose', 'Texas All The Way' and 'One Less Honky Tonk In Texas'; the latter track was a Texas Music Chart No.1 which was recorded by Pauline Reese.
Freddy Powers lives in Spicewood, Texas on the outskirts of Austin on Willie Nelson’s golf course. He continues to contribute to the Texas music scene and his fellow musicians. One of his most recent songs, which was recorded by Scotty Joss, was 'Back Playing Honky Tonk Again'.
In January 2004, Freddy Powers saw the release of his 'My Great Escape' album; the set was produced by Merle Haggard and was recorded with Merle Haggard's Strangers band, along with Freddy's guitar player Django Porter. The album features Merle Haggard on three duets with Freddy; 'Ol' Country Singer', 'Wild Party Blues' and 'Tom Sawyer And Huckleberry Finn'.
Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2004, Freddy Powers vowed to help in research and to aide in the needs of other central Texas Parkinson's patients; the Freddy Powers Parkinson's Foundation was founded in his honour on Monday 11 April 2005.
Freddy Powers was inducted into the 'Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall Of Fame' on Sunday 12 March 2006. Freddy Powers received the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' from the Texas Guitar Association on Saturday 20 May 2006.
Freddy Powers co-produced, sang and played guitar on Willie Nelson's 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' (Columbia Records, 1981).
Merle Haggard's recorded Freddy Powers' 'I Always Get Lucky With You' (co-written with Merle Haggard and Gary Church) and included the track on 'Big City' (Epic Records, 1981).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Lonely Night' and included the track on 'Going Home For Christmas' (Epic Records, 1982).
Merle Haggard and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Freddy Powers' 'Silver Eagle' (co-written with Gary Church) and included the track on 'A Taste Of Yesterday's Wine' (Epic Records, 1983); Freddy Powers also played guitar on the recording sessions for the album.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Freddy Powers' 'I Always Get Lucky With You' (co-written with Merle Haggard and Gary Church) and included the track on 'Shine On' (Epic Records, 1983); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July/August 1983.
Merle Haggard and Leona Williams recorded Freddy Powers' 'It's Cold In California Tonight' and included the track on 'Heart To Heart' (Mercury Records, 1983).
Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 - Thursday 10 June 2004) recorded Freddy Powers' 'Little Hotel Room' and included the track on 'Friendship' (Columbia Records, 1984); the track was a duet with Merle Haggard.
Ray Charles' 'Friendship' (Columbia Records, 1984) was re-issued by Columbia/Legacy Records in 2005.
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Let's Chase Each Other Around The Room' (co-written with Merle Haggard and Sherill Rodgers) and included the track on 'It's All In The Game' (Epic Records, 1984); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in September 1984. Freddy Powers also played rhythm guitar on the album.
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'A Place To Fall Apart' (co-written with Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson) and included the track on 'It's All In The Game' (Epic Records, 1984); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1985. Janie Fricke provided harmony vocals on the track, while Freddy Powers played rhythm guitar on the album.
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Natural High' and included the track on 'It's All In The Game' (Epic Records, 1984); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in June 1985. The track, which was also included on 'Kern River' (Epic Records, 1984), featured Janie Fricke on harmony vocals on the track, while Freddy Powers played rhythm guitar on both albums.
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Little Hotel Room' and included the track on 'It's All In The Game' (Epic Records, 1984); Freddy Powers also played rhythm guitar on the album.
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'All I Want To Do Is Sing My Songs' and included the track on 'It's All In The Game' (Epic Records, 1984); Freddy Powers also played rhythm guitar on the album.
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Ridin' High' and included the track on 'Kern River' (Epic Records, 1984); Janie Fricke provided harmony vocals on the track.
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'You Don't Love Me Anymore' and included the track on 'Kern River' (Epic Records, 1984).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Amber Waves Of Grain' and included the track on 'Amber Waves Of Grain' (Epic Records, 1985).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Friend In California' and included the track on 'Friend In California' (Epic Records, 1986).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'This Time I Really Do' and included the track on 'Friend In California' (Epic Records, 1986).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Texas' and included the track on 'Friend In California' (Epic Records, 1986).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Okie From Muskogee Is Comin' Home' and included the track on 'Friend In California' (Epic Records, 1986).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'This Song Is For You' and included the track on 'Friend In California' (Epic Records, 1986).
Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson recorded Freddy Powers' 'Shotgun And A Pistol' and included the track on 'Seashores Of Old Mexico' (Columbia Records, 1987).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' '1929' and included the track on 'Chill Factor' (Epic Records, 1987).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'More Than This Old Heart Can Take' and included the track on 'Chill Factor' (Epic Records, 1987).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Man From Another Time' and included the track on 'Chill Factor' (Epic Records, 1987).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Wouldn't That Be Something' and included the track on '5:01 Blues' (Epic Records, 1988).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Somewhere Down The Line' and included the track on '5:01 Blues' (Epic Records, 1988).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Blue Jungle' and included the track on 'Blue Jungle' (Curb Records, 1990).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Bar In Bakersfield' and included the track on 'Blue Jungle' (Curb Records, 1990).
Freddy Powers co-produced and played on Merle Haggard's pop standards album 'Unforgettable' (Capitol Records/Hag Records, 2004); Freddy also composed one of the featured tracks, 'Still Missing You'.
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'Wouldn't That Be Something' and included the track on 'The Bluegrass Sessions' (McCoury Music/Hag Records, 2007).
Merle Haggard recorded Freddy Powers' 'The Road To My Heart' and included the track on 'I Am What I Am' (Vanguard Records, 2010).
Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers
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