Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Hal Ketchum: May 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 Hal Ketchum, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 27 May 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Hal Ketchum who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Hal Ketchum
This quote was submitted on Sunday 27 May 2007.
'Gene has one of the most wonderful voices in country music. I've been a huge fan and his music is an inspiration to my career.
Thank you, Gene.
Your friend, Hal Ketchum'.
Thank you, Hal Ketchum, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Hal Ketchum...
Hal Ketchum was born in Greenwich, New York on Thursday 9 April 1953. He has a younger sister Janie, who is also a singer/songwriter, and an older brother Frank.
Music played a big part in Hal Ketchum's upbringing; his father Frank played with a high school band, his grandfather was a concert violinist and his mother Janet played the Hawaiian guitar. Hal's mother was his greatest influence; she was a great singer and would sing around the family home every day. In 1963, Janet was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and died of complications of the disease in 1986.
As a teenager, Hal and Frank played in a bluegrass band. At the age of fifteen, Hal began performing in clubs with a local rhythm and blues trio. He later moved to the west coast of Florida when he was seventeen years old and started doing carpentry work.
In 1981, Hal Ketchum moved to Austin, Texas where he lived close to Gruene Hall and where he discovered singer/songwriters Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.
In 1986, after making the trip to Nashville, Hal Ketchum recorded an independent album, 'Threadbare Alibis' (Watermelon Records, 1987), an album that cost $9,000 to record, the masters of which remained under Hal's bed for two years.
Hal Ketchum eventually signed a recording contract with Curb Records, who released 'Past The Point Of Rescue' (Curb Records, 1991) in 1991. The album was produced by Allen Reynolds and Jim Rooney; the title track of 'Past The Point Of Rescue' (Curb Records, 1991) was written by Ireland's Mick Hanly.
'Past The Point Of Rescue' was originally included on Mick Hanly's 'All I Remember' (Round Tower Records, 1989).
Hal Ketchum's 'Past The Point Of Rescue' (Curb Records, 1991) yielded a number of hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart; 'Small Town Saturday Night' (No.2, 1991), 'I Know Where Love Lives' (No.13, 1991), 'Past The Point Of Rescue' (No.2, 1991) and 'Five O'Clock World' (No.16, 1991).
Trisha Yearwood recorded Hal Ketchum's 'Fools Like Me' (co-written with Kostas) and included the track on 'Trisha Yearwood' (MCA Records, 1991).
Hal Ketchum's second album, 'Sure Love' (Curb Records, 1992), was released in early 1993 and yielded a number of successful Billboard country music singles; 'Sure Love' (No.3, 1992), 'Hearts Are Gonna Roll' (No.2, 1992), 'Mama Knows The Highway' (No.8, 1992) and 'Someplace Far Away' (No.21, 1992).
On Saturday 22 January 1994, Hal Ketchum achieved a career highlight when he was inducted, as the 71st member, into the Grand Ole Opry. Hal was joined on stage that night by Ferlin Husky (Thursday 3 December 1925 - Thursday 17 March 2011) and the two of them sang 'Wings Of A Dove', which was a No.1 hit for Ferlin in 1960.
In May 1994, Hal Ketchum made a brief appearance in the film 'Maverick' starring Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster and James Garner; Hal Ketchum sang 'Solitary Traveller' on the soundtrack.
Hal Ketchum's third album, 'Every Little Word' (Curb Records, 1994), was released in June 1994 and was jointly produced by Allen Reynolds and Jim Rooney; it yielded two Billboard country music hit singles; 'Tonight We Just Might Fall In Love Again and 'Stay Forever'.
Neil Diamond recorded Hal Ketchum's 'Shame' (co-written with Neil Diamond) and included the track on 'Tennessee Moon' (Columbia Records, 1996); the track was a duet with Hal Ketchum.
On Thursday 9 April 1998, on what was Hal Ketchum's 45th birthday, while performing a show in Tampa, Florida he lost all feeling in his left arm. He returned home to Austin, Texas where he underwent an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan and a spinal tap (lumber puncture). His neurologist stated that his symptoms were compatible with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Hal Ketchum was later diagnosed as suffering from ATM (acute transverse myelitis). Hal later lost the use of the left side of his body and had to relearn basic tasks, including how to play the guitar.
As well as music, Hal Ketchum still paints a lot and has much of his work hung on the walls of his home. He also still enjoys carpentry and constructed the crib for his daughter Ruby Joy.
Other important Hal Ketchum album releases include 'I Saw The Light' (Curb Records, 1998), 'Awaiting Redemption' (Curb Records, 1999), 'Lucky Man' (Curb Records, 2001) and 'The King Of Love' (Curb Records, 2003).
Hal Ketchum visiting with Gene Watson at the Curb recording studio in Nashville on Thursday 17 May 2007 - Gene was recording vocal tracks for his Shanachie Records debut album, 'In a Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007)
On Thursday 17 May 2007, Hal Ketchum visited with Gene Watson at the Curb recording studio in Nashville; Gene was there recording vocal tracks for his Shanachie Records debut album, 'In a Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007), which was released in September 2007.
Visit Hal Ketchum's Official Site