Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Norman Wade: September 2006
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 2006 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 Norman Wade, which he submitted to this site on Saturday 9 September 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Norman Wade who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Norman Wade
This quote was submitted on Saturday 9 September 2006.
'Gene Watson will go down as one of the all-time greats; one of the best voices ever in country music'.
Thank you, Norman Wade, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Norman Wade...
Norman Wade was born in Columbus, Georgia on Saturday 2 March 1946. Little is known of Norman Wade's early years, except that he developed an interest in country music as a child and was particularly attracted to the music of Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 - Thursday 1 January 1953).
As a teenager, Norman Wade spent his boyhood between his birthplace in Columbus, Georgia and Marianna, Florida and often slipped into the honky tonks of both areas to sing his music before he was even sixteen years old.
In 1959, after learning guitar and singing in local clubs, Norman Wade relocated to Nashville. Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 - Wednesday 8 December 1982), who became Norman's biggest influence, offered him a job that led to his working for the star for the next fifteen years, including appearances with him on the Grand Ole Opry.
Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 - Wednesday 8 December 1982) later played dobro on some tracks on Norman Wade's 'Pure Country' album. Norman Wade first recorded in 1959, but it was in 1978 that he achieved minor success with 'Close Every Honky Tonk'.
The name Norman Wade appeared once on the Billboard country music singles chart, for two weeks in 1979, with a version of Hank Williams' 'I'm A Long Gone Daddy', which peaked at No.97.
Norman Wade has written many songs and excels at recording honky tonk tunes. He has played the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in his own right and, in 1984, he was honoured with lifetime membership of the Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival in Meridian, Mississippi.
Norman Wade remains active but, like Vernon Oxford, his ability to sing in the style of Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 - Thursday 1 January 1953) and his love for the down-home country sound of fiddle and steel guitar mean that he was probably born ten years too late to gain the proper acclaim his ability merits.
Norman Wade's album discography includes 'Back To The Country' (CMI, 1980s), 'Wadin' Deep In The Country' (CMI, 1980s), 'Pure Country' (Ritason, 1985), 'Remember Country' (NCR, 1986), 'Tennessee Eyes' (Bob Grady Records, 1993), 'For A Minute There' (Associated Artists, 1997) and 'Old Time Country Music' (Associated Artists, 2003).
Visit Norman Wade's Official Site