Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Jan Howard: February 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 Jan Howard, which she submitted to this site on Wednesday 14 February 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Jan Howard who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Jan Howard
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 14 February 2007.
'Gene Watson has a voice and style entirely his own. And, as been said by many, 'Gene is a singer's singer'. He puts his whole being into every song.
And yet, with what seems to be little or no effort, with his talent he reaches the depth and height of every emotion when he sings.
He is one of the greatest artists to ever grace a stage. And I am proud to say 'I am a Gene Watson fan'.
Thank you, Jan Howard, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jan Howard...
Jan Howard was, during the 1960s, one of the hottest female vocalists in country music. She was born Lula Grace Johnson in West Plains, Missouri on Friday 13 March 1931 to a Cherokee mother and an Irish father and spent much of her early life in West Plains, Missouri.
In 1953, Jan Howard became involved with songwriter Harlan Howard (Sunday 8 September 1929 - Sunday 3 March 2002), whom she married a month after they first met - they married in Las Vegas on Friday 10 May 1957. Harlan helped Jan break into country music, sending her demos to various record companies. As a result of this, she began singing demos for Tex Ritter (Thursday 12 January 1905 - Wednesday 2 January 1974) and Johnny Bond (Tuesday 1 June 1915 - Monday 12 June 1978).
After meeting Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003) and June Carter (Sunday 23 June 1929 - Thursday 15 May 2003) in the late 1950s, Jan Howard started a tour with Johnny Horton (Saturday 30 April 1927 - Saturday 5 November 1960).
In 1960, Harlan and Jan Howard headed for Nashville; once there, Jan appeared on the Prince Albert Show segment of the Grand Ole Opry. In the late part of 1960, Harlan and Jan moved to Nashville permanently, where Jan's successful duet with Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 - Wednesday 17 July 1985), 'The One You Slip Around With', (Thursday 7 June 1934 - Wednesday 17 July 1985) resulted in her first solo single, which made the Top 10.
Jan Howard's next single, on Challenge Records, was another duet with Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 - Wednesday 17 July 1985) titled 'Wrong Company' (written by Harlan Howard), which reached No.26 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1960.
'Wrong Company' was susequently included on Wynn Stewart's 'Come On - Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight' (Bear Family Records, 2011).
In 1962, Jan Howard charted with 'I Wish I Was A Single Girl Again' and saw the release of an eponymous album. Although she didn't do well on the country music charts, Jan continued to tour extensively. In 1964, Jan's career finally gained momentum. Her songs of the period, however, reflected her troubled marriage.
In 1966, Jan Howard reached the Top 30 with Harlan Howard's 'What Makes A Man Wander?'. Later that year, Jan joined Bill Anderson's touring and television shows; she and Bill scored two hits on the Billboard country music singles chart with 'I Know You're Married (But I Love You Still') and 'Time Out'.
Towards the end of 1967, Jan Howard achieved her only No.1 hit with 'For Loving You', a duet with Bill Anderson. Other Jan Howard and Bill Anderson country hits during this period included 'If It's All The Same To You' in 1969, 'Someday We'll Be Together' in 1970 and 'Dissatisfied' in 1971.
Jan Howard also saw the release of a number of solo singles, including 'Evil On Your Mind' (No.5, 1966), 'Bad Seeds' (1966) and 'My Son' (1968).
Connie Smith recorded Jan Howard's 'I Never Once Stopped Loving You' (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on 'I Never Once Stopped Loving You' (RCA Records, 1970); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970.
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) recorded Jan Howard's 'I Never Once Stopped Loving You' (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on 'Forever Yours' (RCA Records, 1970).
In 1971, Jan Howard became a fully fledged member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. She joined the Johnny Cash Show and, in 1977, enjoyed three minor country music hits, including 'To Love A Rolling Stone'.
In 1979, Jan Howard and Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) embarked on a tour of the United States and Great Britain.
In 1984, Jan Howard released the album 'Tainted Love', which was followed by 'Life Of A Country Girl Singer' in 1987. It was also in 1987 that she published her best-selling autobiography 'Sunshine And Shadow'.
Jan Howard remarried on Friday 17 August 1990 and continued to appear on the hallowed stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
Visit Jan Howard's Official Site