Gene Watson Peer's Quote from Tom Ghent: November 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 Tom Ghent, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 19 November 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Tom Ghent who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Tom Ghent
This quote was submitted on Sunday 19 November 2006.
'Ah yes, Gene Watson. I remember well the day, several years ago, when we gathered at Jack Clement's studio to witness the recording of Gene's album 'Reflections' (Capitol Records, 1978).
Gene's performance of 'Farewell Party' dramatically exceeded the melodic content presented by the demo of the song. When Gene hit that famous high note at the conclusion of the song, everyone in the studio had their mouth hanging open in amazement.
I recently saw Gene on the Legends series TV broadcast hosted by Ralph Emery. He still has that same velvety smooth vocal prowess that he had back then. It is good to know that he still has fans like you to enjoy his artistry'.
Thank you, Tom Ghent, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Tom Ghent...
Tom Ghent began his career in country music at the age of fifteen when he ran away to New York, where he became involved in many areas of the music business.
As a musician, Tom Ghent has played lead guitar for Mickey Newbury (Sunday 19 May 1940 - Sunday 29 September 2002), appeared as a background vocalist on Joan Baez’ 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down' and Steve Goodman’s 'City Of New Orleans'.
Tom Ghent has recorded a number of albums including 'Tom Ghent' on Tetragrammaton Records, 'Yankee's Rebel Son' on Kapp/MCA Records and 'All Strings Attached' on Sutherland Records, the latter label his own.
Nat Stuckey (Sunday 17 December 1933 - Wednesday 24 August 1988) recorded Tom Ghent's 'Whiskey, Whiskey' and included the track on 'Country Fever' (RCA Victor, 1970).
Rita Coolidge recorded Tom Ghent's 'Whiskey, Whiskey' and included the track on 'The Lady's Not For Sale' (A&M Records, 1973).
Gene Watson recorded Tom Ghent's 'When My World Left Town' and included the track on 'Because You Believed in Me' (Capitol Records, 1976).
In 2005, Hux Records in England released 'Because You Believed in Me' (Capitol Records, 1976), as a special 2-for-1 CD set, with 'Beautiful Country' (Capitol Records, 1977).
Gene Watson recorded Tom Ghent's 'Take Off Them Shoes' and included the track on 'Reflections' (Capitol Records, 1978).
In 2009, Hux Records in England released 'Reflections' (Capitol Records, 1978), as a special 2-for-1 CD set, with 'Should I Come Home' (Capitol Records, 1979).
Kris Kristofferson recorded Tom Ghent's 'Whiskey Whiskey' and included the track on 'Shake Hands With The Devil' (Monument Records, 1979).
Bobby Bare recorded Tom Ghent's 'Easy As Dreaming' and included the track on 'Drinkin' From The Bottle' (Columbia Records, 1983).
Tom Ghent's performances have taken him from the coffeehouses of the Greenwich Village folk scene, to country honky tonks, to the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Big Sur Folk Festival, Monterey Pop Festival and Willie Nelson's Picnic and the Hollywood Bowl.
In 1970, Tom Ghent sang 'Hey Ned' on the soundtrack album for the Tony Richardson-directed movie 'Ned Kelly', which starred Mick Jagger; the soundtrack album also featured Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002) and Mick Jagger.
Tom Ghent's brainchild, Sutherland Records, was originally founded in 1983 as a vehicle for his self-produced 'All Strings Attached' album; the roster later included artists such as Jerry Merrick and Justin Devereaux.