Gene Watson's 'In a Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007)

'In A Perfect World'
Shanachie Records 6206 (2007)

'In A Perfect World' was officially released by Shanachie Records on Tuesday 25 September 2007.

'In A Perfect World' discography information is presented on the Gene Watson Fan Site for educational purposes only and no infringement of copyright is intended.

About 'In A Perfect World'...

Album Sleeve Notes
'A special thanks to Randall Grass and the great staff at Shanachie Records for allowing me to make this record.

Thanks to some of the greatest musicians I've ever had the pleasure of working with: Pig Robbins, Shannon Forrest, John Gardner, Sonny Garrish, Bobby All, Gregg Galbraith, Aubrey Haynie and David Smith who added their unique talent to this record. It was a true pleasure and honor to work with you.

To Brent Rowan, thank you for every minute you spent working on this record. Your personal dedication to this project will never be forgotten.

To Craig White, thank you for your fine engineering skills.

To John Lytle, Sarah Brosmer, Hannah Sanford at Lytle Management group - thank you for believing in me and tirelessly working on my behalf.

To Carrie Moore, my agent, thanks for keeping me on the road.

To Sean Brady, thank you for the great job you do managing the website'.

'To Mark Chesnutt, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Connie Smith, Joe Nichols and Rhonda Vincent, I am so flattered for your great contribution on this record. Each of you makes this world a better place with the beauty of your music. I couldn't have asked for a better gift than you gave me.

To my Farewell Party Band, without you there would be no Gene Watson style.

Thanks to all my fans who have been so loyal throughout my career.

To Texas - you are my heart, my soul and my inspiration.

Most of all, thanks to God for my health and happiness and allowing me to continue to share the talent He has given me.

Gene Watson'.

'In A Perfect World' was produced by Brent Rowan; the album was recorded and mixed by Craig White at Curb studios, Nashville;
Assisted by Greg Strizek

Additional recording by Craig White and Brent Rowan at Curb Studios, Nashville, TN & Studio 44, Nashville.
Mastered by Eric Conn and Don Cobb at Independent Mastering, Nashville.

Photos by Traci Goudie
Design by Lorien Babajian

Overview
'In A Perfect World' on Shanachie Records
'Gene Watson is widely considered the finest pure country singer of his generation. Here he is joined by an all-star cast as he delivers heartfelt interpretations of great new songs as well as some classics, all done in authentic country style'.

In order to promote the release of 'In A Perfect World', a CD single - 'I Buried Our Love' - was released to country music radio stations worldwide on Monday 20 August 2007.

'In A Perfect World'
Shanachie Records 6206 (2007)

1 'Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me'
Writer: Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010)
Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/BMI

Musician Credits
Drums: Shannon Forrest
Bass: David Smith
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Acoustic Guitar: Bobby All
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle: Aubrey Haynie
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Background Vocals: Morgane Hayes and Wes Hightower

Ray Price recorded Hank Cochran's 'Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me' and included the track on 'The Other Woman' (Columbia Records, 1965); when released as a single, it reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1965.

Jack Greene recorded Hank Cochran's 'Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me' and included the track on 'There Goes My Everything' (Decca Records, 1966).

Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 - Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Hank Cochran's 'Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me' and included the track on 'In A New Dimension' (Mercury Records, 1966).



Merle Haggard recorded Hank Cochran's 'Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me)' and included the track on 'I'm Always On A Mountain When I Fall' (MCA Records, 1978).

Ray Price and Willie Nelson recorded Hank Cochran's 'Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me' and included the track on 'San Antonio Rose' (Columbia Records, 1980); when released as a single, it reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980.

Ronnie Milsap recorded Hank Cochran's 'Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me' and included the track on 'Stranger Things Have Happened' (RCA Records, 1989; the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in March 1989 (11-18 March 1989).

George Jones recorded Hank Cochran's 'Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me' and included the track on 'One Woman Man' (Epic Records, 1989).

2 'Let Me Be The First To Go'
Writer: by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002)
Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/BMI

Musician Credits
Drums: Shannon Forrest
Bass: David Smith
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Acoustic Guitar: Bobby All
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle: Aubrey Haynie
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Background Vocals: Vince Gill and Wes Hightower

3 'What Was I Thinking'
Writers: Skip Ewing and James Dean Hicks
Publishers: Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music, Write On Music, On The Mantle Music/BMI

Musician Credits
Drums: John Gardner
Bass: David Smith
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Acoustic Guitar: Bobby All
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle: Aubrey Haynie
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Background Vocals: Morgane Hayes and Wes Hightower

4 'Today I Started Loving You Again'
Writers: Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006)
Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/BMI

Musician Credits
Drums: Shannon Forrest
Bass: David Smith
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Acoustic Guitar: Bobby All
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle: Aubrey Haynie
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Electric Guitar Solo: Brent Rowan
Background Vocals: Lee Ann Womack

Merle Haggard recorded 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'The Legend of Bonnie & Clyde' (Capitol Records, 1968); the title track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April/May 1968 (27 April 1968 - 11 May 1968), while its 'B' side, 'Today I Started Loving You Again', was never released as a single.

Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Jewels' (RCA Records, 1968).

Johnny Bush recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Undo The Right' (Stop Records, 1968).

Hank Locklin (Friday 15 February 1918 - Sunday 8 March 2009) recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Softly' (RCA Records, 1968).

Bill Anderson recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Happy State of Mind' (Decca Records, 1968).

Wanda Jackson recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'The Many Moods of Wanda Jackson' (Capitol Records, 1968).

Freddie Hart recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Born a Fool' (Kapp Records, 1968).

Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 - Wednesday 8 December 1982) recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'I Walk Alone' (Columbia Records, 1968).

Loretta Lynn recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Woman of the World' (RCA Records, 1969).

Connie Smith recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Connie's Country' (RCA Records, 1969).

Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 - Wednesday 14 December 2011) recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Miss Sincerity' (Capitol Records, 1969).

Skeeter Davis (Wednesday 30 December 1931 - Sunday 19 September 2004) recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'A Place in the Country' (RCA Records, 1970).

Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 - Monday 17 November 2003) recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Hits, Hits, The Don Gibson Way' (Hickory Records, 1970).

Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Country & West' (RCA Records, 1970).

Bob Luman (Thursday 15 April 1937 - Wednesday 27 December 1978) recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Is It Any Wonder That I Love You' (Epic Records, 1971).

Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 - Monday 16 July 2012) recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'They're Stepping All Over My Heart' (Decca Records, 1971).

Jimmy Dean (Friday 10 August 1928 - Sunday 13 June 2010) recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Everybody Knows' (RCA Records, 1971).

Kenny Rogers and First Edition recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Backroads' (Jolly Rogers Records, 1972).

Hank Snow (Saturday 9 May 1914 - Monday 20 December 1999) recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Hello Love' (RCA Records, 1974).

Sammi Smith (Thursday 5 August 1943 - Saturday 12 February 2005) recorded Merle Haggard's 'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was co-written by Merle Haggard with Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) and included the track on 'Today I Started Loving You Again' (Mega Records, 1975); the track was a Top 10 hit on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975.

5 'In A Perfect World'
Writers: Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 - Wednesday 30 March 2011) and Tim Mensy
Publishers: EMI April Music Inc., Tunes of Tim/ASCAP, Coburn Music Inc., Harley Allen Music/BMI

Musician Credits
Drums: Shannon Forrest
Bass: David Smith
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Acoustic Guitar: Bobby All
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle: Aubrey Haynie
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Fender Rhodes: Brent Rowan
Background Vocals: Joe Nichols, Morgane Hayes and Wes Hightower

6 'She's Already Gone'
Writer: Tim Mensy
Publishers: EMI April Music Inc., Tunes of Tim/ASCAP

Musician Credits
Drums: Shannon Forrest
Bass: David Smith
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Acoustic Guitar: Bobby All
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle: Aubrey Haynie
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Fender Rhodes: Brent Rowan
Background Vocals: Wes Hightower

7 'I Buried Our Love'
Writers: Tim Mensy and Tony Haselden
Publishers: WB Music Corp., Patrix Janus Music Inc./ASCAP, Universal Millhouse Music, Ashwords Music/BMI

Musician Credits
Drums and Percussion: John Gardner
Bass: David Smith
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Acoustic Guitar: Bobby All
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Mandolin: Aubrey Haynie
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Dobro, Wurlitzer and Acoustic Guitar: Brent Rowan
Background Vocals: Wes Hightower

8 'Together Again'
Writer: Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006)
Publishers: Central Songs/BMI

Musician Credits
Drums: John Gardner
Bass: David Smith
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Acoustic Guitar: Bobby All
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle: Aubrey Haynie
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Gut String Guitar: Brent Rowan
Background Vocals: Rhonda Vincent

Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006) recorded 'Together Again' and included the track on 'Together Again/Under Your Spell' (Capitol Records, 1963); the track was the 'B' side of 'My Heart Skips A Beat', which reached No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1964.

Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 - Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded Buck Owens' 'Together Again' and included the track on 'Yesterday's Gone' (Mercury Records, 1964).

Skeeter Davis (Wednesday 30 December 1931 - Sunday 19 September 2004) and Bobby Bare recorded Buck Owens' 'Together Again' and included the track on 'Tunes For Two' (RCA Records, 1965).

Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 - Thursday 23 September 2004) and Priscilla Mitchell recorded Buck Owens' 'Together Again' and included the track on 'Together Again' (Mercury Records, 1966).

Glen Campbell recorded Buck Owens' 'Together Again' and included the track on 'Burning Bridges' (Capitol Records, 1967).

Nat Stuckey (Sunday 17 December 1933 - Wednesday 24 August 1988) recorded Buck Owens' 'Together Again' and included the track on 'Country Style' (Paula Records, 1969).

Emmylou Harris recorded 'Together Again' and included the track on 'Elite Hotel' (Reprise Records, 1975); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in April/May 1976.

Three years later, in 1979, Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006) and Emmylou Harris teamed up on a derivative duet, 'Play Together Again Again'.

9 'This Side Of The Door'
Writers: by Tim Mensy and Shawn Camp
Publishers: WB Music Corp., Universal Music Corp., Patrix Janus Music Inc., Second Wave Music/EMI Full Keel Music/ASCAP

Musician Credits
Drums: John Gardner
Bass: David Smith
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Acoustic Guitar: Bobby All
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle: Aubrey Haynie
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Electric Guitar: Brent Rowan
Background Vocals: Mark Chesnutt and Wes Hightower

Mark Chesnutt recorded 'This Side Of The Door' and included the track on 'What a Way to Live' (Decca Records, 1994).

Tim Mensy recorded 'This Side Of The Door' and included the track on 'Tim Mensy' (PJM Records, 2002).

10 'A Good Place To Turn Around'
Writers: J. Matthews, Rebecca Lynn Howard and Jon Mabe
Publishers: EMI April Music Inc., Songfighter Music, Castle Street Music Inc./Hightunes Music (administered by Castle Street Music)/ASCAP, Music of Stage Three/Mabe It Big Music/BMI

Musician Credits
Drums: Shannon Forrest
Bass: David Smith
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Acoustic Guitar: Bobby All
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle & Mandolin: Aubrey Haynie
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Electric Guitar Solo and B-3 Organ: Brent Rowan
Background Vocals: Connie Smith and Wes Hightower

11 'Like I Wasn't Even There'
Writers: Wes Hightower, Tim Mensy and Monty Criswell
Publishers: Sony/ATV Cross Keys Publishing, Shmenonga Music/ASCAP Sony/ATV Tree Publishing, Wenonga Music, Una Writer Music/BMI

Musician Credits
Drums: John Gardner
Bass: David Smith
Piano: Hargus 'Pig' Robbins
Acoustic Guitar: Bobby All
Steel Guitar: Sonny Garrish
Fiddle: Aubrey Haynie
Electric Guitar: Gregg Galbraith
Electric Guitar and Electric Keyboards: Brent Rowan
Background Vocals: Morgane Hayes and Wes Hightower

The mastering of 'In A Perfect World' took place at Independent Mastering, 114 17th Avenue South, Nashville TN 37203 on Monday 9 July 2007.

The mastering was undertaken by Eric Conn, Don Cobb and producer Brent Rowan.

Eric Conn
Eric opened Independent Mastering in Nashville in October 2001, having spent four years at Georgetown (with Don Cobb), three years at Doug Sax's Sheffield Lab recording, one year at The Smithsonian and one year at The Airshow.

Eric also spent many years in recording and mastering at facilities in California, Colorado, Washington DC and Nashville. He also spent two years repairing woodwind instruments, brass winds and orchestral string instruments. Eric Conn holds a degree in music from The University of Massachusetts in Boston.

Don Cobb
Don Cobb has been a recoding and mixing engineer for artists such as Take Six, Quincy Jones and Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002). He has managed, edited and mastered at Denny Purcell's Georgetown Masters for eleven years. Don Cobb is a multi-instrumentalist and can play mandolin, guitar and bass.

Read a CMP review of Gene Watson's 'In a Perfect World'
The review, which was written by Jon Philibert, was published in the October 2007 issue of the United Kingdom monthly publication Country Music People.

'In A Perfect World'
Shanachie Records 6206 (2007)