Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Joe Fish: 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 Joe Fish, which he submitted to this site on Friday 29 October 2004.

Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Joe Fish who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.

Joe Fish
This quote was submitted on Friday 29 October 2004.

'Gene Watson has a unique instantly recognisable voice that is up there with the legends of country music. The first time I heard him on record (vinyl in those days) I knew he was destined to become one of my all-time favourites.

All these years later, he is still a regular on my radio programmes, simply because there is nobody like him (before or since) and he is a firm favourite with my audience, many of whom are going to Ireland in 2005 to see several of his concerts - he is that special!

Meeting Gene Watson and interviewing him on so many occasions has been a personal privilege to me and I could list many of my favourite songs by him, including the 'Gene Watson...Sings' album, which is superb'.

Thank you, Joe Fish, for your support of Gene Watson.

About Joe Fish...

Joe Fish is a firm believer in traditional country music.  'Joe Fish Country' is broadcast on BBC Radio Lancashire in north-west England between 2.00pm and 4.00pm every Sunday afternoon; the show is immensely popular as a result of its balance of traditional and modern day country music.

Joe Fish feels that it is important to keep the music up-to-date and to always remember the 'roots' of country music with a sprinkling of classic songs.

Joe Fish is also the guiding light behind a highly successful Tour Company, which escorts country music fans to all parts of the United States of America.

Joe Fish's lifelong interest in country music began with old 78s of Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 - Thursday 1 January 1953) and Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 - Saturday 19 July 1975); his mother then introduced him to Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 - Monday 17 November 2003) and Slim Whitman and, with the help of his brother, he discovered the 'magic' of the unique voice of Jim Reeves (Monday 20 August 1923 – Friday 31 July 1964).

Other early country music favourites included George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013), Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998) and Patsy Cline (Thursday 8 September 1932 - Tuesday 5 March 1963), but since then Joe has vastly widened his interests to cover both traditional and 'New Country' artists, so that he can keep up-to-date with all newcomers.

By the time he was eighteen, Joe Fish had already achieved his ambition. He became a fire-fighter, after hearing stories that he was rescued from a house fire when he was an infant. He had also tried television repairing and cloth-cutting and printing.

When Joe Fish wrote to a local independent commercial radio station in 1975 to ask them to play more country music, his career took another turn; Joe Fish was asked to produce programmes himself, which he did, for seventeen years!

After stints with various other radio stations as a producer/presenter, Joe Fish finally joined BBC Radio Lancashire in 1999. His many interviewees included Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003), Kenny Rogers, Don Williams, Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 - Tuesday 10 December 1996), Willie Nelson and Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998).

And, of course, Joe Fish has also met and interviewed Gene Watson!

Gene Watson with Joe Fish in Nashville in 2002

And, after visiting America, Joe Fish went on to form a highly successful tour company, Joe Fish Country Tours, and began to escort fans all over the USA including trips to Nashville, Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death Valley, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco, South Dakota, Memphis, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge (Dollywood), the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda and Canada.

Visit Joe Fish's Official Site
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Visit Joe Fish Country on BBC Radio Lancashire