Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Jack Greene: October 2004
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 2004 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 Jack Greene, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 3 October 2004.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Jack Greene who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Jack Greene
This quote was submitted on Sunday 3 October 2004.
'Gene Watson has a great voice.
Gene has an individual style and he is an all round nice guy'.
Thank you, Jack Greene, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jack Greene...
Jack Greene was born on Tuesday 7 January 1930 in Maryville, Tennessee and first picked up the guitar at the age of eight. He made his professional debut in 1944, singing on radio station WGAP in Tennessee while still a high school freshman. In 1948, Jack took up the bass and, two years later, after making a move to Atlanta, he learned to play the drums.
However, it wasn't until 1962 that Jack Greene got his first big break when Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 - Thursday 6 September 1984) hired him as a member of the Troubadours. Owen Bradley (Thursday 21 October 1915 - Wednesday 7 January 1998) signed Jack to Decca Records because of his vocal performance on 'The Last Letter', one of Ernest Tubb's hit singles.
Jack Greene saw the release of 'There Goes My Everything' (Decca Records, 1966), an album which included the tracks 'Together Again' and 'Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me'.
Gene Watson recorded 'Together Again' and 'Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me' and included both tracks on 'In a Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007).
Jack Greene earned the nickname 'The Jolly Green Giant' and, by the end of 1967, he had become, literally, a gigantic force within country music.
Charley Pride recorded Jack Greene's 'Why Didn't I Think Of That' (co-written with Clay Allen) and included the track on 'Make Mine Country' (RCA Records, 1968).
Cal Smith recorded Jack Greene's 'Afraid To Care' (co-written with Ken Campbell) and included the track on 'Travelin' Man' (Kapp Records, 1968).
Jack Greene's long list of Billboard country music hit singles include the following:
'There Goes My Everything' (7 weeks at No.1 in December 1966/January 1967)
'All The Time' (5 weeks at No.1 in June/July 1967)
'What Locks The Door' (No.2, 1967)
'You Are My Treasure' (1 week at No.1 in April 1968)
'Until My Dreams Come True' (2 weeks at No.1 in February 1969)
'Statue Of A Fool' (2 weeks at No.1 in July 1969)
Other hit songs from Jack Greene include 'Back In The Arms Of Love' (No.4, 1969) and 'Wish I Didn't Have To Miss You', the latter a duet with Jeannie Seely (No.2, 1970).
Jack Greene remained with Decca Records, which later became MCA Records, until 1975, after which he recorded for a number of labels including Frontline and Step One Records.
Both Jack Greene and Gene Watson have recorded Hank Cochran's 'He Little Thing'd Her Out Of My Arms'; Gene Watson included the track on 'Beautiful Country' (Capitol Records, 1977).
Jack Greene and Gene Watson have also recognised the talents of extraordinary country music writers and have both recorded songs by writers such as Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 - Wednesday 8 December 1982), Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 - Saturday 17 April 2004), Dallas Frazier and Mel Tillis.
Sadly, Jack Greene, who was known affectionately within country music circles as 'The Jolly Green Giant', passed away on Thursday 14 March 2013; Jack Greene was eighty-three years old.
Jack Greene
Tuesday 7 January 1930 - Thursday 14 March 2013
Gene Watson & Friends rehearsing 'There Goes My Everything' (written by Dallas Frazier), backstage at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, on Wednesday 27 March 2013
A memorial service, 'A Celebration of the Life of Jack Greene', took place at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Wednesday 27 March 2013, commencing at 11.00am. The service was open to the public.
Gene Watson, Vince Gill, Lorrie Morgan, Mandy Barnett, The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, Penn Pennington, Joe Rucker and members of the Opry Band, including Jimmy Capps, paid musical tribute to Jack Greene, a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1967.
Jeannie Seely, who recorded several hit duets with Jack Greene, was among those delivering a eulogy.
Eulogies were also given by Dallas Frazier, Keith Bilbrey, Charlie Ammerman and Roxanne Atwood.
Visit Jack Greene's Official Site