Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Rob Ickes: August 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 Rob Ickes, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 3 August 2006.

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

Rob Ickes
This quote was submitted on Thursday 3 August 2006.

'I think Gene is awesome; he is one of my all-time favourite country singers'.

Thank you, Rob Ickes, for your support of Gene Watson.

About Rob Ickes...

Rob Ickes, who was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area, comes from a musical family. His grandparents played old-time fiddle music and Rob trained his young musical ear at their weekly jam sessions. Although his family wanted Rob to play fiddle, the instrument didn't interest him.

At the age of thirteen, Rob Ickes was exposed to the dobro playing of Mike Auldridge and the sound immediately caught his attention. Soon after, Rob got his first dobro and he has been playing music ever since.

Rob Ickes moved to Nashville in 1992, where his career immediately took off. Rob Ickes is a founding member of the bluegrass group Blue Highway, one of the fastest rising groups in the genre; Tim Stafford is also a member.

The group's first recording, 'It's a Long, Long Road' (Rebel Records, 1995), was released on Rebel Records in 1995.  The group swept the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards with wins for 'Album Of The Year', 'Emerging Artist Of The Year' and 'Dobro Player Of The Year'.

In 1994, Rob Ickes appeared on two Grammy Award-winning recordings: Alison Krauss and The Cox Family's 'I Know Who Holds Tomorrow' and the all-star dobro release 'The Great Dobro Sessions', which was produced by Jerry Douglas.

Rob Ickes has also seen the release of four solo albums on Rounder Records; 'Hard Times' (Rounder Records, 1997), 'Slide City' (Rounder Records, 1999), 'What It Is' (Rounder Records, 2002 and 'Big Time' (Rounder Records, 2004), all of which have been landmark achievements for the dobro.

Rob Ickes has performed and/or recorded with a host of country music artists, including Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless, Earl Scruggs (Sunday 6 January 1924 - Wednesday 28 March 2012), Steve Wariner, Marty Stuart, David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Marty Raybon, Jeannie Kendall, Mila Mason, Oak Ridge Boys, Jerry Douglas, Susan Ashton, Claire Lynch, Lynn Morris, John Cowan, Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 - Wednesday 30 March 2011), Cox Family, Reba McEntire and Mary Chapin Carpenter.



On Tuesday 2 October 2007, Merle Haggard saw the release of 'The Bluegrass Sessions' (McCoury Music Records, 2007), the majority of which was recorded 'live' in the studio in one day, with very little overdubbing.  Guests on the album included Alison Krauss, Marty Stuart and dobro virtuso Rob Ickes.

Merle Haggard's 'The Bluegrass Sessions' (McCoury Music Records, 2007) included the following tracks:

'Runaway Momma' (written by Merle Haggard)
'Pray' (written by Merle Haggard)
'What Happened?' (written by Merle Haggard)
'Jimmie Rodgers Blues' (written by Merle Haggard)
'Learning To Live With Myself' (written by Merle Haggard)
'Mama's Hungry Eyes' (written by Merle Haggard) / this track features Alison Krauss
'I Wonder Where To Find You' (written by Merle Haggard)
'Holding Things Together' (written by Merle Haggard)
'Big City' (written by Merle Haggard and Dean Holloway)
'Momma's Prayers' (written by Merle Haggard)
'Wouldn't That Be Something' (written by Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers)
'Blues Stay Away From Me' (written by Alton Delmore, Rabon Delmore, Henry Glover and Wayne Raney)

Visit Rob Ickes' Official Site