Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Steve Wariner: January 2010

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 2010 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 Steve Wariner, which he submitted to this site on Monday 25 January 2010.

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

Steve Wariner
This quote was submitted on Monday 25 January 2010.

'I would be honoured to give a quote about one of my very favourites, Gene Watson.

At the risk of sounding clichéd, Gene Watson is like fine wine; just getting better and better!  He is the consummate professional...Gene is the real deal.

I love Gene Watson.  He is a real deal country singer.  You always know he's gonna deliver!  Besides that, he's one of the nicest guys in the world'.

Thank you, Steve Wariner, for your support of Gene Watson.

About Steve Wariner...

Steve Wariner, fresh from winning his fourth Grammy Award, is the hotshot Nashville guitarist and million-selling country star who is paying homage to the most recorded solo instrumentalist in history.

'Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins' (SelecTone Records, 2009) is a loving reflection of the many playing styles that the late Country Music Hall of Fame member performed during his journey from Appalachian obscurity to international superstardom.  On this outstanding collection, Steve even plays some of the guitars that Chet gave him over the years.

'Chet was an amazing man', remarks Steve.  'Nobody who plays the guitar has ever forgotten him.  He played with so much heart.  In doing this project, I found myself replaying some of his performances over and over, listening closely and wondering, ‘How in the world did he do that?’.  Until you put the microscope on it, you kind of take his playing for granted.  He'll do this backwards roll on the strings or something.  It might go right by your ear, but then you try to imitate it.  It sounds simple, but it’s not simple.  Try to do what he does technically.  Then try to do it with his touch, tone and feeling, and you’re reminded that you can’t out-Chet Chet.  He was something else'.

The legendary Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 - Saturday 30 June 2001), recorded more than one hundred instrumental albums.  He could and did play mountain music, swing, rockabilly, pop, folk and jazz.  'Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute to Chet Atkins' touches all of these bases as the fleet-fingered Steve Wariner moves from track to track.

Sometimes Steve performs the same music that Chet Atkins did - 'Back Home Again In Indiana', 'Producer’s Medley' and the tricky 'Blue Angel', for instance.  But more often, Steve has written and recorded original tunes that emulate the distinctive Atkins styles.  'Leaving Luttrell' reflects Chet’s East Tennessee childhood.  'Leona' is a gorgeous pop tune dedicated to the guitarist’s widow.

'Tuned In' pays homage to Chet Atkins’ late-career, contemporary jazz style on albums such as 'Stay Tuned' (Columbia Records, 1984).  'Silent Strings' is a ballad Steve wrote about the loss the music world felt with Chet’s passing.  The only full vocal performance on the disc is Steve’s upbeat rendering of 'Chet’s Guitar'.

'Reeding Out Loud' tips its hat to Jerry Reed (Saturday 20 March 1937 - Sunday 31 August 2008), one of Chet Atkins’ greatest discoveries.

Not long before Jerry Reed passed away, Steve took a copy of 'Reeding Out Loud' to the elder guitarist’s home.  Jerry put the headphones on, leaned back and shut his eyes.  As the tune ended, he smiled with his eyes still closed and wisecracked, 'This is why I hate you so'.

Few in Nashville, or anywhere else, are as envied on so many levels as Steve Wariner.  He has been acclaimed for his guitar prowess, his heartfelt singing, his expert producing and his hit song-writing.  Steve's lengthy recording career began with the kindness and vision of Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 - Saturday 30 June 2001).

'I’d just turned 18 and was playing bass in Dottie West’s band', Steve recalls.  'I took my first airplane ride, and it was to go to London to do a tour called The Cavalcade of Stars.  Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) was on RCA Records and so were all of the others - Bobby Bare, Jim Ed Brown and Danny Davis and The Nashville Brass.  I was excited to death, because Chet was on part of that tour.

My dad had all his albums, and I’d grown up putting the needle down on the tunes over and over again, trying to figure out how Chet did what he did.  Just like I’m still doing today.

We were in the back of the dressing room at Wembley Stadium in London, and that was my opportunity.  I remember it was freezing.  There was no heat, and we all had colds.  I walked in and introduced myself.   He was so nice.  I remember being struck by the fact that he treated me like I was somebody.  He was so kind.

A few years later, I was working in Bob Luman’s band.  He was making a comeback, and he was thrilled that Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003) was going to be producing an album on him.  Bob Luman (Thursday 15 April 1937 - Wednesday 27 December 1978) was picking up on my song-writing, so he wanted me to play bass on the record and to sing some of my songs'.

In 1977, Bob Luman (Thursday 15 April 1937 - Wednesday 27 December 1978) saw the release of the Johnny Cash-produced 'Alive And Well' (Epic Records, 1977); the album included four Steve Wariner compositions; 'Got To Have Room To Change My Mind', 'Blond Haired Woman', 'Labour Of Love' and 'He's Got A Way With Women'.

'I came to the session and played my songs in front of Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003) and everybody.  Bob Luman wound up recording four of my songs.  On that recording session was guitarist Paul Yandell, who was Chet’s right-hand guy for many years.  He took me aside and said, ‘I’m going to take a tape to Chet, because I think he’d really like your picking and singing.

Well, Chet called me at my mom and dad’s house.  I picked up the phone.  He said, ‘This is Chet Atkins'.  I said, ‘Shut up, Kenny'.  I thought it was my brother messing with me.  Chet laughed and said, ‘No, it really is me.  Paul told me to call you'.  He wanted to hear more, so I came down to Nashville from Kentucky immediately.

He took me into RCA Studio B to make a test recording.  He said, ‘Play some guitar.  I'll record that'.  And I played one of Chet’s songs, with him sitting right there.  What an idiot I was.  I'm so embarrassed even now I can’t remember what the song was.

He started talking about someone else to produce my records.  I said, ‘Nope.  I want you to produce me, Chet'.  I learned later, years down the line, that he was stepping away from RCA at the time and really wasn’t wanting to take on anybody.

The very first thing I recorded with Chet producing was my song ‘I’m Already Taken' (co-written with Terence Ryan).  It flopped.  But twenty years later, when I re-recorded it for Capitol Records, it was a big hit.  So that tells you that Chet really had an ear.  He really knew what he was doing'.

Steve Wariner recorded 'I'm Already Taken' and included the track on 'Steve Wariner' (RCA Records, 1982); he re-recorded the track and included it on 'Two Teardrops' (Capitol Records, 1999).

With his early RCA singles faltering on the charts and Bob Luman having died on Wednesday 27 December 1978, Steve Wariner was out of work for the first and only time in his life.  His mentor Chet Atkins came to the rescue.

'I travelled with Chet for a year and a half, starting in 1979.  He hired me to play bass in his band.  We went to Hawaii, Europe, England.  In the middle of the show, he’d feature me on guitar doing some songs.  It was so generous of him and very cool.

Then two things happened.  He called me in one day and said, ‘You’re never going to have a hit with me producing you, because I’m stepping away from the label'.  I was devastated, of course.  But Chet was right.  I got with Tom Collins.  The first single with Tom was ‘Don't Your Memory Ever Sleep At Night'.  It immediately became my first Top 10 hit, bang, right out of the chute.

'Don't Your Memory Ever Sleep At Night' was written by Steve Dean; Steve Wariner included the track on 'Midnight Fire' (RCA Records, 1983) and it reached No.23 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983.

Chet called me back in and said, ‘Your record is going into the Top 10 next week.  You're fired'.  I went, ‘What? Why?’  He said, ‘You need to go out and do your own thing and get your own band.  Get out of here'.  I said, ‘Holy crap!  I've just been fired by Chet Atkins.  Chet loved to tell that story.  He used to tell it all the time'.

Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Steve Wariner's 'I'm Already Taken' (co-written with Terry Ryan) and included the track on 'Mr. T' (MCA Records, 1981).

Steve Wariner's 'Your Memory' reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982 and was included on 'Steve Wariner' (RCA Records, 1982).

'On the 1994 'Read My Licks' album by Chet Atkins (Columbia Records, 1994), when I played my solo, you can hear him in the background.  He says, ‘Steve, I thought I fired you'.  So that was always a joke between us'.

After seven years with RCA and hits such as 'All Roads Lead To You' and his remake of Bob Luman’s 'Lonely Women Make Good Lovers', Steve Wariner moved to MCA Records and stardom.

Between 1984 and 1990, Steve Wariner topped the Billboard country music singles chart consistently with self-penned smashes, including 'You Can Dream Of Me', 'Where Did I Go Wrong' and 'I Got Dreams', plus hits such as 'Lynda', 'Life’s Highway', 'The Weekend' and 'Some Fools Never Learn'.  To date, Steve Wariner has over thirty Billboard Top 10 singles to his credit, including fourteen No.1 hits.



In 1987, Steve Wariner was a special guest vocalist on 'The Hand That Rocks The Cradle', a track which was included on Glen Campbell's 'Still Within The Sound Of My Voice' (MCA Records, 1987); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.



In 1990, Steve Wariner was a special vocal guest on two tracks on Glen Campbell's 'Walkin' In The Sun' (Capitol Records, 1990); 'You Will Not Lose' and 'Woodcarver', the latter also featured guest vocals from Lacy J. Dalton.

Steve Wariner took home his first Grammy Award for his 1991 performance of 'Restless'; the track featured Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs and Mark O’Connor and was included on Mark O'Connor's 'New Nashville Cats' (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).

Steve Wariner's 1991-1992 country music hits on Arista Records, 'Tips Of My Fingers' (written by Bill Anderson), 'Leave Him Out Of This' and 'A Woman Loves' (written by Steve Bogard and Rick Giles) (No.9, 1992), led to a 'Gold' record for his album 'I Am Ready' (Arista Records, 1991).  In 1996, Steve Wariner was invited into the prestigious cast of the Grand Ole Opry.

Steve Wariner's tenure at Capitol Records between 1997 and 2000 resulted in gold records for 'Burnin’ The Roadhouse Down' (Capitol Records, 1998) and 'Two Teardrops' (Capitol Records, 1999).

Steve Wariner's self-written 1998 hit 'Holes In The Floor Of Heaven', which was included on 'Burnin' The Roadhouse Down' (Capitol Records, 1998) was named 'Single Of The Year' and 'Song Of The Year' by the Country Music Association (CMA), and 'Song Of The Year' by the Academy of Country Music (ACM).

During this phase of his career, Steve Wariner also scored notable hits with songs he written for fellow country music artists Garth Brooks, Clint Black and Keith Urban.

Clay Walker recorded Steve Wariner's 'Love Me Like You Love Me' (co-written with Bill LaBounty) and included the track on 'Hypnotize The Moon' (Giant Records, 1995).

Garth Brooks recorded Steve Wariner's 'Longneck Bottle' (co-written with Garth Brooks) and included the track on 'Sevens' (Capitol Nashville Records, 1997).

Clint Black recorded Steve Wariner's 'Nothing But The Taillights' (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on 'Nothing But The Taillights' (RCA Records, 1997); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart in 1998.

Clint Black recorded Steve Wariner's 'You Know It All' (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on 'Nothing But The Taillights' (RCA Records, 1997).

Collin Raye recorded Steve Wariner's 'Make Sure You Got It All' (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on 'The Walls Came Down' (Epic Records, 1998).

Keith Urban recorded Steve Wariner's 'Where The Blacktop Ends' (co-written with Allen Shamblin) and included the track on 'Keith Urban' (Capitol Records, 1999).

Clint Black recorded Steve Wariner's 'Been There' (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on 'D'lectrified' (RCA Records, 1999); the track was a duet with Steve Wariner and reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart in 2000.

Clint Black recorded Steve Wariner's 'Where Your Love Won't Go' (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on 'D'lectrified' (RCA Records, 1999).

Collaborating with his fellow stars has also led to two more Grammy Awards.  Steve Wariner's 1999 'Bob’s Breakdown' western-swing instrumental with Asleep At The Wheel. which was included on 'Ride With Bob' (DreamWorks Records, 1999), earned the music world’s highest accolade.

Clint Black recorded Steve Wariner's 'A Lover's Clown' (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on 'Spend My Time' (Equity Music Group, 2004).

Clint Black recorded Steve Wariner's 'Drinkin' Songs And Other Logic' and included the track on 'Drinkin' Songs And Other Logic' (Equity Records, 2005).

Steve Wariner's 2009 Grammy win was for 'Cluster Pluck', an instrumental collaboration with Brad Paisley and stellar guitarists James Burton, Vince Gill, Albert Lee, John Jorgenson, Brent Mason and Redd Volkaert; the track was included on Brad Paisley's 'Play' (Arista Records, 2008).

In the new millennium, Steve Wariner and his wife Caryn formed their own label, SelecTone Records.

'Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute To Chet Atkins' was Steve's fourth collection for the company, following 'Steal Another Day' (SelecTone Records, 2003), 'Guitar Christmas' (SelecTone Records, 2003) and 'This Real Life' (SelecTone Records, 2005).

'I’ve been thinking about doing this for a long time', says Steve.  'Chet meant so much to me, so much to the world.  Aside from his body of work as a player, a great artist and musician, look at his work as a record producer and a label executive.  It's astounding.  There will never be anybody who will touch what he did on all levels'.

Chet Atkins gave himself the title 'c.g.p.' (for Certified Guitar Player).  Only four other men were so honoured by the legendary picker: Tommy Emmanuel, John Knowles, the late Jerry Reed…and the great Steve Wariner, whose 'My Tribute To Chet Atkins' is his personal statement of deepest gratitude.

Biography courtesy of Robert K. Oermann and Karen Byrd Public Relations
Photo of Steve Wariner courtesy of Karen Byrd Public Relations, Franklin, TN

The 52nd Grammy Awards ceremony was held at the Los Angeles' Staples Centre on Sunday 31 January 2010 and was broadcast 'live', in America, on the East Coast (of the United States) and on tape delay on the West Coast (of the United States).

Steve Wariner was announced as the winner of the 'Best Country Instrumental Performance' for 'Producer's Medley', a track from his highly acclaimed 'Steve Wariner, c.g.p., My Tribute To Chet Atkins' (SelecTone Records, 2009).

Steve Wariner can boast of an extraordinary list of country music song-writing credits, which include the following tracks:

Bob Luman (Thursday 15 April 1937 - Wednesday 27 December 1978) recorded Steve Wariner's 'Got To Have Room To Change My Mind' and included the track on 'Alive And Well' (Epic Records, 1977).

Bob Luman (Thursday 15 April 1937 - Wednesday 27 December 1978) recorded Steve Wariner's 'Blond Haired Woman' and included the track on 'Alive And Well' (Epic Records, 1977).

Bob Luman (Thursday 15 April 1937 - Wednesday 27 December 1978) recorded Steve Wariner's 'Labour Of Love' and included the track on 'Alive And Well' (Epic Records, 1977).

Bob Luman (Thursday 15 April 1937 - Wednesday 27 December 1978) recorded Steve Wariner's 'He's Got A Way With Women' and included the track on 'Alive And Well' (Epic Records, 1977).

Bob Luman (Thursday 15 April 1937 - Wednesday 27 December 1978) recorded Steve Wariner's 'He'll Be The One (Who's Hurtin')' and included the track on 'Bob Luman' (Polydor Records, 1978).

Mark O’Connor included Steve Wariner's 'Now It Belongs To You' on 'New Nashville Cats' (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).

Kenny Rogers recorded Steve Wariner's 'I'm Missing You' and included the track on 'If Only My Heart Had A Voice' (Giant Records, 1993).

Clay Walker recorded Steve Wariner's 'Love Me Like You Love Me' and included the track on 'Hypnotise The Moon' (Giant Records, 1995).

Lisa Brokop recorded Steve Wariner's 'At The End Of The Day' (co-written with Billy Kirsch) and included the track on 'Lisa Brokop' (Capitol Records, 1996).

Alabama recorded Steve Wariner's 'Christmas In Your Arms' (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on 'Christmas 2' (RCA Records, 1996).

Clint Black recorded Steve Wariner's 'Nothing But The Taillights' (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on 'Nothing But The Taillights' (RCA Records, 1997); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart in 1998.

Clint Black recorded Steve Wariner's 'You Know It All' (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on 'Nothing But The Taillights' (RCA Records, 1997).

Bryan White recorded Steve Wariner's 'One Small Miracle' (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on 'The Right Place' (Asylum Records, 1997).

Collin Raye recorded Steve Wariner's 'Make Sure You Got It All' (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on 'The Walls Came Down' (Epic Records, 1998).

Lila McCann recorded Steve Wariner's 'You're Gone' (co-written with Bryan White) and included the track on 'Something in the Air' (Asylum Records, 1999).

Clint Black recorded Steve Wariner's 'Been There' (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on 'D'lectrified' (RCA Records, 1999); the track was a duet with Steve Wariner and reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart in 2000.

Clint Black recorded Steve Wariner's 'Where Your Love Won't Go' (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on 'D'lectrified' (RCA Records, 1999).

Kathy Mattea recorded Steve Wariner's 'Trust Me' and included the track on 'The Innocent Years' (MCA Records, 2000).

The Statler Brothers recorded Steve Wariner's 'Darlin' I Do' (co-written with Gordon Kennedy) and included the track on 'Showtime' (Crossroads Records, 2001).

Bill Anderson recorded Steve Wariner's 'Love Is A Fragile Thing' (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on 'A Lot Of Things Different' (Varese Records, 2001).

Diamond Rio recorded Steve Wariner's 'Make Sure You Got It All' (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on 'Completely' (Arista Records, 2002).

Gene Watson recorded Steve Wariner's 'Make Sure You Got It All' (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on 'Gene Watson...Sings' (Intersound Records, 2003).

Kenny Rogers recorded Steve Wariner's 'I'm Missing You' (co-written with Billy Kirsch) and included the track on 'Back To The Well' (Dreamcatcher Records, 2003).

Clint Black recorded Steve Wariner's 'A Lover's Clown' (co-written with Clint Black) and included the track on 'Spend My Time' (Equity Music Group, 2004).

Clint Black recorded Steve Wariner's 'Drinkin' Songs And Other Logic' and included the track on 'Drinkin' Songs And Other Logic' (Equity Records, 2005).

Garth Brooks recorded Steve Wariner's 'You Can't Help Who You Love' (co-written with Marcus Hummon) and included the track on 'The Lost Sessions' (Pearl Records, 2006).

Brad Paisley recorded Steve Wariner's 'More Than Just This Song' (co-written with Brad Paisley) and included the track on 'Play' (Arista Records, 2008); the track featured guest vocals from Steve Wariner.

Sammy Sadler recorded Steve Wariner's 'I'll Always Have Denver' (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on 'Heart Shaped Like Texas' (S Records, 2012); the track was a duet with Steve Wariner.

Steve Wariner has achieved quite a remarkable run of hit songs on the Billboard country music singles chart, as evidenced by this extraordinary list:

'Your Memory' (Top 10 hit, 1980)
'By Now' (Top 10 hit, 1981)
'All Roads Lead To You' (No.1 for one week in December 1981)
'Kansas City Lights' (Top 15 hit, 1982)
'Midnight Fire' (Top 5 hit, 1984)
'Lonely Women Make Good Lovers' (Top 10 hit, 1984)
'Why Goodbye' (Top 10 hit, 1984)
'What I Didn't Do' (Top 5 hit, 1985)
'Heart Trouble' (Top 10 hit, 1985)
'Some Fools Never Learn' (No.1 for one week in November 1985)
'You Can Dream Of Me' (No.1 for one week in March 1986)
'Life's Highway' (No.1 for one week in June 1986)
'That's How You Know When Love's Right' (duet with Nicolette Larson) (Top 10 hit, 1986)
'Starting Over Again' (Top 5 hit, 1986)
'Small Town Girl' (No.1 for one week in March 1987)
'The Weekend' (No.1 for one week in July/August 1987)
'The Hand That Rocks The Cradle' (duet with Glen Campbell) (Top 10 hit, 1987)
'Lynda' (No.1 for one week in November 1987)
'Baby I'm Yours' (Top 5 hit, 1988)
'Hold On (Just A Little Longer)' (Top 10 hit, 1988)
'Where Did I Go Wrong' (No.1 for one week in June 1989)
'I Got Dreams' (No.1 for one week in October 1989)
'When I Could Come Home To You' (Top 5 hit, 1989)
'The Domino Theory' (No.1, 1990)
'Precious Thing' (Top 10 hit, 1990)
'Leave Him Out Of This' (Top 10 hit, 1991)
'Tips Of My Fingers' (No.1, 1992)
'A Woman Loves' (written by Steve Bogard and Rick Giles) (No.9, 1992)
'If I Didn't Love You' (Top 10 hit, 1993)
'What If I Said' (duet with Anita Cochran) (No.1, 1998)
'Holes In The Floor Of Heaven' (No.1, 1998)
'Burnin' The Roadhouse Down' (duet with Garth Brooks) (Top 15 hit, 1998)
'Two Teardrops' (Top 5 hit, 1999)
'I'm Already Taken' (Top 5 hit, 1999)
'Been There' (duet with Clint Black) (Top 5 hit, 2000)
'Katie Wants A Fast One' (Top 15 hit, 2000)

Visit Steve Wariner's Official Site
Visit Steve Wariner's Official MySpace Site