Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Skip Graves: March 2007
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 2007 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 Skip Graves, which he submitted to this site on Saturday 3 March 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Skip Graves who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Skip Graves
This quote was submitted on Saturday 3 March 2007.
'Gene Watson gives every song he sings a new breath of life. To have him record 'If I'm A Fool For Leaving' was a dream come true. He has recorded it three times and it has been released on five different albums, as well as released on singles.
It was so great to have the first cut on his first album 'Gene Watson' (Wide World Records, 1969/Stoneway Records, 1973) and the first cut on his 'Gene Watson...Then and Now' (Koch Records Nashville, 2005) CD.
I'm grateful for Little Jimmy Dickens to co-write it with me and record it first on his hit album 'May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose' in 1965. Jimmy did an excellent vocal on it also. I appreciate Jimmy giving the song to Gene and would like to thank them both for recording it.
'If I'm A Fool For Leaving' has been recorded by many great artists and is still being recorded by artists worldwide'.
Thank you, Skip Graves, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Skip Graves...
Skip Graves has been involved in the entertainment field since his high school days as a singer, musician, MC and disc jockey. He started in radio in Jackson, Tennessee and later moved to Ohio where he played shows and night clubs. He graduated from the Ohio School of Broadcasting in Cleveland.
After moving to Southern California, Skip Graves was a disc jockey and Music Director at KWOW Radio in Pomona. He later went to Victorville, California where he was a disc jockey and Program Director for KCIN Radio. Skip was also a disc jockey for a short time in Glendale at KIEV Radio.
As an entertainer, Skip Graves has performed at the 'Hollywood Press Club' in Hollywood and nightclubs throughout Southern California. He and his band have played many of the top Air Force and Naval Bases in California and in other parts of the country. Skip was also Master of Ceremonies for the groundbreaking Roy Rogers Museum in Victorville, California in the early 1970s.
As an accomplished songwriter, Skip Graves has had his songs recorded by Little Jimmy Dickens, Gene Watson, Roy Rogers (Sunday 5 November 1911 - Monday 6 July 1998), Miss Norma Jean, Gary Buck, Bobby Barnett, Ray Sanders, Price Mitchell and many, many other fine artists.
As a recording artist, Skip Graves has had several records to his credit. He has had two national chart records: 'Miami Dreaming' and 'Happy Song'. Skip has also recorded two albums: one was on the Binge Label from West Germany and the other was on the Rich-R-Tone label in Nashville.
Skip Graves has played concerts and fairs all across the United States and has been an MC for Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 - Wednesday 8 December 1982), George Jones, Bob Wills (Monday 6 March 1905 - Tuesday 13 May 1975) & His Texas Playboys, Little Jimmy Dickens, Freddie Hart, Roy Rogers (Sunday 5 November 1911 - Monday 6 July 1998) and many others.
Skip Graves performed in Branson, Missouri between 1992 and 2003. Since then, he has been devoting his time to song-writing, demo-ing songs and assisting one of his sons, Zac, with writing stories and children's books. Skip's wife, Sue, is very instrumental in helping with his music and promotion.
Little Jimmy Dickens recorded Skip Graves' 'Call Him Me' (co-written with Little Jimmy Dickens) and included the track on 'May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose' (Columbia Records, 1965).
Little Jimmy Dickens recorded Skip Graves' 'Twice The Fool' (co-written with Little Jimmy Dickens) and included the track on 'May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose' (Columbia Records, 1965).
Little Jimmy Dickens recorded Skip Graves' 'Back Of My Hand' (co-written with Little Jimmy Dickens) and included the track on 'May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose' (Columbia Records, 1965).
Gene Watson recorded Skip Graves' 'If I'm A Fool For Leaving' (co-written with Little Jimmy Dickens) and included the track on 'Gene Watson' (Wide World Records, 1969 / Stoneway Records, 1973).
Gene Watson recorded Skip Graves' 'If I'm A Fool For Leaving' (co-written with Little Jimmy Dickens) and included the track on 'Because You Believed in Me' (Capitol Records, 1976); the track was also included on 'Because You Believed in Me and Beautiful Country' (Hux Records, 2005).
Gene Watson re-recorded Skip Graves' 'If I'm A Fool For Leaving' (co-written with Little Jimmy Dickens) and included the track on 'Gene Watson...Then & Now' (Koch Records Nashville, 2005); the original version of 'If I'm A Fool For Leaving' was included on 'Gene Watson' (Wide World Records, 1969 / Stoneway Records, 1973), 'Because You Believed in Me' (Capitol Records, 1975) and 'Because You Believed in Me and Beautiful Country' (Hux Records, 2005).
Visit Skip Graves' Official Site