Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Mark D. Sanders: June 2012

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 2012 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 Mark D. Sanders, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 19 June 2012.

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

Mark D. Sanders
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 19 June 2012.

'I'd only been in Nashville for a couple of years when my friends Randy Albright and Butch Paulson and I got together and wrote 'Thinking 'Bout Leaving' at the old Acuff-Rose building on 8th Avenue South.  It was the same place where Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 - Thursday 1 January 1953) had first come in the door while Wesley Rose and his father Fred were playing ping-pong.

Dean May, who was there when Hank walked in, was still running the office.  The actual ping-pong table was upstairs, and Floyd Cramer (Friday 27 October 1933 - Wednesday 31 December 1997) would come in at lunch time and play a few games with Wesley.

Whitey Shaffer, Dallas Frazier, Mickey Newbury (Sunday 19 May 1940 - Sunday 29 September 2002), Don Everly and Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 - Monday 17 November 2003) made regular appearances in the halls of that building.  In other words, there was a whole lot of country music history around us.

When we finished the song, we felt like we might've added something to that history, maybe, or we might if some great country singer were to record it.  Of course, we never dreamed that Gene Watson would, and when he did, we were thrilled beyond belief.

Here was one of the most wonderful country voices ever, the voice that sang 'Love In The Hot Afternoon' and 'Farewell Party', singing a song written by three unknown writers.  It was stunning, I was ecstatic, we were honoured.  All that plus we actually made a few dollars!

Since that time, I've been lucky enough to have some other great country voices record my songs, and it's always exciting to listen for the first time, but there won't ever be a moment quite equal to hearing Mr. Gene Watson sing 'Thinking 'Bout Leaving'.

Thank you, Mark D. Sanders, for your support of Gene Watson.

About Mark D. Sanders...

Mark Daniel Sanders was born in Los Angeles, California on Thursday 7 September 1950.  While majoring in literature, Mark also enjoyed playing basketball and surfing at Fullerton College and the University of California-San Diego.  Mark first wrote songs as a hobby, until Wednesday 5 March 1980, when he went to Nashville to give his first few songs a shot.

Mark D. Sanders worked at a variety of jobs, such as tour bus driving and substitute teaching, until he was able to develop his songwriting into a full-fledged career about a decade later.

In June 1986, Mark D. Sanders married Cindy Sasser whom he met while they were both working at Hillsboro High School in Nashville.  In addition to a successful songwriting career, Mark D. Sanders has two daughters Kate and Sophie Sanders, a son Dylan Sanders, a stepdaughter Jill Goodwin and a stepson Ethan Goodwin.

After spending a successful decade writing in Nashville, Mark D. Sander’s career began to skyrocket in the early 1990s, with his songs recorded by artists, including Diamond Rio, Tracy Lawrence and John Anderson.

Mark D. Sanders was nominated for NSAI 'Songwriter Of The Year' in 1995, a year that brought him five No.1 Billboard country music hits.  He was nominated a second time in 1996.  It was also in 1996 that Mark won an award for 'Country Song Of The Year' for 'No News', which was recorded by Lonestar.

Mark D. Sanders was also awarded 'Country Songwriter Of The Year' in 1997.  He also won 'Songwriter Of The Year' in 1995 and 1997 from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).

Mark D. Sanders has held a previous staff position at Starstruck Publishing, Reba McEntire’s company, located on Nashville’s Music Row, working with many famous artists.

On Monday 7 November 2011, Mark D. Sanders released 'History And Hope', an album which featured him singing ten of his songs spanning his career.

Mark D. Sanders’ major career achievement, however, would be his collaboration with Tia Sillers on the Lee Ann Womack song 'I Hope You Dance'.  The duo had previously written the Martina McBride song 'I Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere' in 1999, but it was their collaboration on the Lee Ann Womack song that gained them recognition.

'I Hope You Dance' became a Billboard No.1 country music hit and a Top 20 pop hit for Lee Ann Womack; the track received a Grammy Award for 'Best Country Song', as well as a Grammy nomination for 'Song Of The Year'.  The song also received CMA and ACM Awards for 'Song Of The Year' in 2000 and stayed at the top of the Billboard country music singles chart for five consecutive weeks.

The song’s popularity led to the release of a book entitled 'I Hope You Dance', another collaboration of Tia Sillers and Mark D. Sanders; the book contains poems and writings inspired by the song.  There is also an 'I Hope You Dance' children’s book and journal.  Mark and Tia later collaborated again on an inspirational book entitled 'Climb'.

Other hits from the pen of Mark D. Sanders include 'Blue Clear Sky' (co-written with Bob DiPiero) for George Strait, 'Heads Carolina, Tails California' for Jo Dee Messina and 'My Heart Has A History' for Paul Brandt.

Mark D. Sanders was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame; the induction ceremony took place at the 39th Anniversary Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony in Nashville on Monday 19 October 2009.

Mark D. Sanders - Songwriter Extraordinaire!




Gene Watson recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Thinkin' 'Bout Leaving' (co-written with Randy Albright and Butch Paulson) and included the track on 'Sometimes I Get Lucky' (MCA Records, 1983).



Mel Tillis recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'A Matter Of Wine' and included the track on 'After All This Time' (MCA Records, 1983).



Vince Gill recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Oh, Carolina' (co-written with Randy Albright and Jim Elliott) and included the track on 'Turn Me Loose' (RCA Records, 1984); the track reached No.38 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1984.

Holly Dunn recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Small Towns (Are Smaller For Girls)' (co-written with Verlon Thompson and Alice Randall) and included the track on 'Cornerstone' (MTM Records, 1987).

Kathy Mattea recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Like A Hurricane' (co-written with Pat Alger) and included the track on 'Untasted Honey' (Mercury Records, 1987).

Garth Brooks recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Victim Of The Game' (co-written with Garth Brooks) and included the track on 'Garth Brooks' (Capitol Nashville Records, 1989).

Randy Travis recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Have A Nice Rest Of Your Life' (co-written with Verlon Thompson) and included the track on 'No Holdin' Back' (Warner Bros. Records, 1989).

Kathy Mattea recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Here's Hoping' (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on 'Willow In The Wind' (Mercury Records, 1989).

Kathy Mattea recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Willow In The Wind' (co-written with Randy Albright and Lisa Silver) and included the track on 'Willow In The Wind' (Mercury Records, 1989).

Kathy Mattea recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'I'll Take Care Of You' (co-written with Karen Staley) and included the track on 'Willow In The Wind' (Mercury Records, 1989).



Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003) recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'That's One You Owe Me' (co-written with Jim Elliott) and included the track on 'Boom Chicka Boom' (Mercury Records, 1990).

Diamond Rio recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Mirror, Mirror' (co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard) and included the track on 'Diamond Rio' (Arista Records, 1991); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1991.

Trisha Yearwood recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Victim Of The Game' (co-written with Garth Brooks) and included the track on 'Trisha Yearwood' (MCA Records, 1991).



Linda Davis recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'From Him To Here' (co-written with Verlon Thompson) and included the track on 'In A Different Light' (Liberty Records, 1991).



Tracy Lawrence recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Running Behind' (co-written with Ed Hill) and included the track on 'Sticks And Stones' (Atlantic Records, 1991); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks and Singles Chart in 1992.

Chris LeDoux (Saturday 2 October 1948 - Wednesday 9 March 2005) recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy' (co-written with Garth Brooks) and included the track on 'Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy' (Liberty Records, 1992); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks and Singles Chart in 1992.



Collin Raye recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Many A Mile' (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on 'In This Life' (Epic Recods, 1992).

John Anderson recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Money In The Bank' (co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard) and included the track on 'Solid Ground' (BNA Records, 1993); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks and Singles Chart in 1993.



Billy Dean recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'That's What I Like About Love' (co-written with Verlon Thompson) and included the track on 'Fire In The Dark' (Liberty Records, 1993).



Reba McEntire recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter' (co-written with Kim Williams and Ed Hill) and included the track on 'Read My Mind' (MCA Records, 1994); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1994.



John Michael Montgomery recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'If You've Got Love' (co-written with Steve Seskin) and included the track on 'Kickin' It Up' (Atlantic Records, 1994); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks and Singles Chart in 1994.

Rick Trevino recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Save This One For Me' (co-written with Verlon Thompson) and included the track on 'Looking For The Light' (Columbia Records, 1995).

Rick Trevino recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Bobbie Ann Mason' and included the track on 'Looking For The Light' (Columbia Records, 1995); the track reached No.6 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks and Singles Chart in 1995.

Neal McCoy recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'They're Playing Our Song' (co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard) and included the track on 'You Gotta Love That' (Atlantic Records, 1995); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks and Singles Chart in July 1995.

Rhett Akins recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Those Hands' (co-written with Rhett Akins and Sam Hogin) and included the track on 'A Thousand Memories' (Decca Nashville Records, 1995).

Faith Hill recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'It Matters To Me' (co-written with Ed Hill) and included the track on 'It Matters To Me' (Warner Bros. Records, 1995); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks and Singles Chart in 1995.



Lonestar recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'No News' (co-written with Sam Hogin and Phil Barnhart) and included the track on 'Lonestar' (BNA Records, 1995); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in 1995.



Lonestar recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Runnin' Away With My Heart' (co-written with Michael Britt and Sam Hogin) and included the track on 'Lonestar' (BNA Records, 1995); the track reached No.8 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1996.



Linda Davis recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'If I Could Live Your Life' (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on 'Some Things Are Meant To Be' (Arista Records, 1996); the track was a duet with Reba McEntire.

Jo Dee Messina recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Heads Carolina, Tails California' (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on 'Jo Dee Messina' (Curb Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1996.



George Strait recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Blue Clear Sky' (co-written with Bob DiPiero and Joh Jarrard) and included the track on 'Blue Clear Sky' (MCA Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1996.

Kenny Chesney recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Another Friday Night' (co-written with Zach Turner and Tim Nichols) and included the track on 'Me And You' (BNA Records, 1996).

Sammy Kershaw recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Vidalia' (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on 'Politics, Religion And Her' (Mercury Records, 1996); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks and Singles Chart in 1996.

Mark D. Sanders' 'Vidalia' (co-written with Tim Nichols) was also included on Sammy Kershaw's 'The Ultimate Collection' (HumpHead Country, 2008).

Rick Trevino recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'See Rock City' (co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard) and included the track on 'Learning As You Go' (Sony Music, 1996); the track reached No.44 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks and Singles Chart in 1996.

Rick Trevino recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Anytime' (co-written with Bob DiPiero and John Jarrard) and included the track on 'Learning As You Go' (Sony Music, 1996).

Ty England recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Backslider's Prayer' (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on 'Two Ways To Fall' (RCA Records, 1996).

Randy Travis recorded Mark D. Sanders' ‘Don’t Take Your Love Away From Me’ (co-written with Verlon Thompson) and included the track on 'Full Circle' (Warner Bros. Records, 1996).

Rhett Akins recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Don't Get Me Started' (co-written with Rhett Akins and Sam Hogin) and included the track on 'Somebody New' (Decca Nashville Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1996.



Paul Brandt recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'My Heart Has A History' (co-written with Paul Brandt) and included the track on 'Calm Before The Storm' (Reprise ecords, 1996); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1996.



Ricochet recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Daddy's Money' (co-written with Bob DiPiero and Steve Seskin) and included the track on 'Ricochet' (Columbia Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1996.



Aaron Tippin recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'A Door' (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on 'Greatest Hits...And Then Some' (RCA Records, 1997); the track reached No.65 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks and Singles Chart in 1997.

Reba McEntire recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'I'd Rather Ride Around With You' (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on 'What If It's You' (MCA Records, 1996); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1997.

Clay Walker recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'I'd Say That's Right' (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on 'Rumor Has It' (Giant Records, 1997).



Trace Adkins recorded Mark D. Sanders' '(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing' (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on 'Dreamin' Out Loud' (Capitol Nashville Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1997.



Lonestar recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Come Cryin' To Me' (co-written with Wally Wilson and John Rich) and included the track on 'Crazy Nights' (BNA Records, 1997); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1997.



Lee Ann Womack recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Buckaroo' (co-written with Ed Hill) and included the track on 'Lee Ann Womack' (MCA Records, 1997); the track reached No.27 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1997.



George Strait recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'That's Me (Every Chance I Get)' (co-written with Ed Hill) and included the track on 'Carrying Your Love With Me' (MCA Records, 1997).



Blackhawk recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Love And Gravity (Was Fallin' From Her Good Graces)' (co-written with Henry Paul and Dave Robbins) and included the track on 'Love And Gravity' (Arista Nashville Records, 1997).

Ricky Skaggs recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Time Is A Bandit' (co-written with Lisa Silver and Randy Albright) and included the track on 'Life Is A Journey' (Atlantic Records, 1997).

Ricky Skaggs recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'When Life Hits Hard' (co-written with Steve Seskin) and included the track on 'Life Is A Journey' (Atlantic Records, 1997).



Mindy McCready (Sunday 30 November 1975 - Sunday 17 February 2013) recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'What If I Do' (co-written with Ed Hill and David Malloy) and included the track on 'If I Don't Stay The Night' (BNA Records, 1997); the track reached No.26 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart in 1997.



Mindy McCready (Sunday 30 November 1975 - Sunday 17 February 2013) recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'The Other Side Of This Kiss' (co-written with Bob DiPiero and David Malloy) and included the track on 'If I Don't Stay The Night' (BNA Records, 1997); the track reached No.41 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart in 1998.

Rhett Akins recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Better Than It Used To Be' (co-written with Neil Thrasher) and included the track on 'What Living's All About' (Decca Records, 1998); the track reached No.47 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1998.

Rhett Akins recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Happy As We Wanna Be' (co-written with Tim Nichols) and included the track on 'What Living's All About' (Decca Records, 1998).



Trisha Yearwood recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Wouldn't Any Woman' (co-written with Bob DiPiero and Michelle McCord) and included the track on 'Where Your Road Leads' (MCA Records, 1998).

Diamond Rio recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'What More Do You Want From Me' (co-written with Bob Regan) and included the track on 'Unbelievable' (Arista Records, 1998).



Trace Adkins recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'She's Still There' (co-written with Tim Johnson) and included the track on 'More' (Capitol Nashville Records, 1999).

Martina McBride recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'There You Are' (co-written with Ed Hill and Bob DiPiero) and included the track on 'Emotion' (RCA Records, 1999); the track was a Tio 10 hit on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1999.

Martina McBride recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'I Ain't Goin' Nowhere' (co-written with Tia Sillers) and included the track on 'Emotion' (RCA Records, 1999).



Lee Ann Womack recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'I Hope You Dance' (co-written with Tia Sillers) and included the track on 'I Hope You Dance' (MCA Records, 2000); the track, which featured guest vocals from Sons of the Pioneers, was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks and Singles Chart in 2000 and also reached No.14 on Billboard's Hot 100 pop chart.

Trace Adkins recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Come Home' (co-written with Ed Hill and Bob DiPiero) and included the track on 'Chrome' (Capitol Nashville Records, 2001).

Alan Jackson recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'That'd Be Alright' (co-written with Tim Nichols and Tia Sillers) and included the track on 'Drive' (Arista Records, 2002).



Aaron Tippin recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Honky Tonk If You Love Country' (co-written with Bob DiPiero and Ed Hill) and included the track on 'Stars And Stripes' (Lyric Street Records, 2002).



Trace Adkins recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Baby's Gone' (co-written with Tim Nichols and Tia Sillers) and included the track on 'Comin' On Strong' (Capitol Nashville Records, 2003).



Billy Currington recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'Off My Rocker' (co-written with Carson Chamberlain and Billy Currington) and included the track on 'Billy Currington' (Mercury Records, 2003).

Josh Turner recorded Mark D. Snders' 'Loretta Lynn's Lincoln' (co-written with Shawn Camp) and included the track on 'Your Man' (MCA Records, 2006).



Vince Gill recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'A River Like You' and included the track on 'Little Brother', an acoustic album included within the box set 'These Days' (MCA Records, 2006); the track featured guest vocals from Jenny Gill.



Reba McEntire recorded Mark D. Sanders' 'The Day She Got Divorced' (co-written with Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally) and included the track on 'All The Women I Am' (Starstruck/Valory Records, 2010).

Mark D. Sanders' Career Highlights

Two-time Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) 'Songwriter of the Year' (1995-1996)
ASCAP 'Country Songwriter Of The Year' (1997), among more than forty songwriter performance achievement honors, including two ASCAP Songs of the Year: 'No News' and 'I Hope You Dance'
Best Country Song Grammy winner for writing Lee Ann Womack’s smash 'I Hope You Dance', also named 'Song Of The Year' by Country Music Association (CMA), Academy of Country Music (ACM) and Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)
With co-writer Tia Sillers, authored book inspired by 'I Hope You Dance' (2 million books sold)
Four CMA Triple Play Awards [given for three No.1s in a twelve-month period
Recognized as 'Songwriter Of The Year' by industry publications such as Billboard, Music Row and American Songwriter

Nashville Songwriters Foundation Feature on Mark D. Sanders