Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Jerry Vandiver: February 2005
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 2005 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 Jerry Vandiver, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 24 February 2005.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Jerry Vandiver who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Jerry Vandiver
This quote was submitted on Thursday 24 February 2005.
'It is always a thrill to have someone record a song I've written, but when one of the greatest voices in country music, Gene Watson, sings one, it is an honour beyond measure.
By the way, when world famous violin/fiddle player Mark O'Connor was asked to reflect on his time as a studio musician, he mentioned that playing on Gene's 'Back in the Fire' album was one of the highlights of his career'.
Thank you, Jerry Vandiver, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jerry Vandiver...
Jerry Vandiver is from Kansas City, Missouri and began his professional pursuits when he moved to Nashville in the Fall of 1984. He became an exclusive staff writer on Music Row for Dick James Music, Little Big Town Music, Malaco Music and Talbot Music.
Jerry Vandiver's first major label cut was 'Don't Waste It On The Blues' (co-written with Sandy Ramos). Recorded by Gene Watson, the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989 and won Jerry an esteemed ASCAP Award; the track was included on Gene Watson's 'Back in the Fire' (Warner Bros. Records, 1988).
In 1991, the group Wild Rose reached No.20 on the Billboard country music singles chart with Jerry's penned hit, 'Go Down Swinging'.
Amie Comeaux (Saturday 4 December 1976 - Sunday 21 December 1997) recorded Jerry Vandiver's 'Paper Mill Road' (co-written with Amie Comeaux) and included the track on 'A Very Special Angel' (Rival Records, 1998).
Tim McGraw recorded Jerry Vandiver's 'It Doesn't Get Any Countrier Than This' (co-written with Randy Archer) and included the track on 'Not a Moment Too Soon' (Curb Records, 1994).
Tim McGraw recorded Jerry Vandiver's 'For A Little While' (co-written with Steve Mandile and Phil Vasser) and included the track on 'Everywhere' (Curb Records, 1997).
Jerry Vandiver has also had his compositions recorded by Lee Greenwood, Barbara Mandrell, Ronna Reeves, Cleve Francis and Woody Lee. Two of Jerry's song titles are hanging on the wall in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 2001, Jerry Vandiver saw the release of his own album titled 'Don't Try This At Home'. Band leader and Academy of Country Music (ACM) 'Musician of the Year' nominee Jonathan Yudkin assembled a team of A-list Nashville players for this critically acclaimed acoustic album, which also featured the Grammy award-winning Fairfield Four, who were seen in the 'O Brother, Where Art Thou' film.
Gene Watson recorded Jerry Vandiver's 'Don't Waste It On The Blues' (co-written with Sandy Ramos) and included the track on 'Back in the Fire' (Warner Brothers Records, 1989); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.
Gene Watson recorded Jerry Vandiver's 'This Could Go On Forever' (co-written with Sandy Ramos) and included the track on 'At Last' (Warner Brothers Records, 1991).
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded Jerry Vandiver's 'Train, Train' (co-written with Benny Boling and Dusty Drake) and included the track on 'The Journey' (Springhill Records, 2004).
Visit Jerry Vandiver's Official Site