Gene Watson's Peers: Janie Fricke
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's Peers who were contacted in 2007 were most gracious with their
time & words. It is here, within this special part of gene-watson.com, that
you have an opportunity to read a quote from
Janie Fricke, which she submitted
to this site on Monday 27 August 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Janie Fricke who has made a special
contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star
Hero'.
Janie Fricke
This quote was submitted on Monday 27 August 2007
'The unique purity of Gene Watson's voice is amazing.
He is the best and one of my favourites.
I am proud to say I have shared the show stage with him many times!'
Thank you, Janie Fricke, for your
support of Gene Watson.
About Janie Fricke...
Janie Fricke, a native of Whitley,
Indiana was one of the most popular female country music artists of the
1980s.
After studying at the University of Indiana, she acquired a teaching degree
in Memphis, where she started singing sessions. After graduation, she moved
to Los Angeles, back to Memphis, and finally to Nashville (in 1975), where
she became one of the hottest session singers in Music City.
Janie sang jingles for Coors, Pizza Hut, American Airlines, 7-Up & Red
Lobster, among others, but she also earned a reputation singing on records.
After joining the Lea Jane Singers, Janie started to tour, backing artists
such as Johnny Rodriguez, which drew her to the attention of producer Billy
Sherrill; it was Billy Sherrill who produced Gene Watson's 'Honky
Tonk Crazy' (Epic Records, 1987).
Janie Fricke received her first major exposure in 1976, when Billy Sherrill
teamed her with Johnny Duncan for a series
of duets, including 'Jo and the cowboy' (No.26, 1976) & 'Stranger' (No.4,
1976).
Janie Fricke also provided a supporting vocal role on Johnny Duncan's hits 'Thinkin'
of a rendezvous' (No.1 for 2 weeks in December 1976),
Ray Griff's 'It couldn't have been any better'
(No.1 for 1 week in April 1977) & 'Come a little bit closer' (Top 5 in late
1977).
Janie Fricke's vocal presence can also be felt on 'On my knees', which was a
hit for Charlie Rich in 1978 (No.1 for 1 week in December 1978).
It was also in 1978, under the guidance of Billy Sherrill, that Janie was
signed to Columbia Records & enjoyed her first hit with a remake of Hank
Locklin's classic 'Please help me, I'm falling' which reached No.12 on the
Billboard country music singles chart; the track was included on Janie's
debut album 'Singer of Songs' (Columbia Records, 1977).
Hank Locklin's original version of 'Please help me, I'm falling' reached
No.1 on the country chart & No.8 on the pop chart in 1960 & was the title
track of his second album 'Please Help Me, I'm Falling' (RCA Victor, 1960).
Janie Fricke was also heavily involved as a session singer on many country
music recordings throughout the course of the 1970s including the following:
TG Shepard's
'Devil in the bottle' (No.1 for 1 week in February 1975)
Elvis Presley's 'My way' (No.2, 1978)
Vern Gosdin's 'Til the
end' (Top 5, 1978)
Moe Bandy's 'It's a cheatin' situation' (No.2, 1979)
Conway Twitty's 'I'd love to lay you down' (No.1 for 1 week in
March/April 1980)
Janie Fricke graciously provided the (above) quote about Gene Watson, so
let's not forget that Janie provided exquisite background vocals to the
track 'I don't know how to tell her (she don't love me anymore)'
which
was included on Gene Watson's album 'Reflections'
(Capitol Records, 1978).
Janie Fricke teamed up with producer Jim Ed Norman & enjoyed a succession of
hits including 'Down to my last broken heart' (No.2, 1980), 'I'll need
someone to hold me (when I cry)' (Top 5, 1981) & 'Do me with love' (Top 5,
1981).
Finally, 'Don't worry 'bout me baby' (co-written by Bruce Channel,
Kieran Kane & Deborah Allen), featuring
backing vocals from Ricky Skaggs, brought Janie Fricke to No.1 as a solo
artist in 1982 (No.1 for 1 week in July 1982).
In 1982 & 1983, Janie Fricke was named as the 'Female Vocalist of the Year'
by the Country Music Association (CMA).
In the period between November 1982 & October 1986, Janie Fricke was a major
force on the Billboard country music singles charts; her successful hit
songs during this period included the following amazing list of singles:
'It ain't easy bein' easy' (No.1 for week in November/December 1982)
'You don't know love' (No.4 in early 1983)
'He's heartache (looking for a place to happen)' (No.1 for 1 week in Aug 83)
'Tell me a lie' (No.1 for 1 week in December 1983)
'Let's stop talkin' about it' (No.1 for 1 week in March/April 1984)
'If the fall don't get you' (No.8 in the summer of 1984)
'Your heart's not in it' (No.1 for 1 week in December 1984)
'A place to fall apart' (with Merle
Haggard) (No.1 for 1 week in Feb 1985)
'Always have, always will' (No.1 for 1 week in October 1986)
Janie Fricke's commercial momentum slowed down in the late 1980s and,
following the release of two highly acclaimed albums, 'Saddle The Wind'
(Columbia Records, 1988) & 'Labor of Love' (Columbia Records, 1989), she &
CBS Records parted company.
Janie Fricke recorded a self-titled album for Intersound Records in 1992 &
the gospel album 'Crossroads' for the Branson label in 1993.
In 2000, Janie Fricke mounted a comeback tour with the issue of 'Bouncin'
Back' (JMF Records, 2000) & in 2002 the concert set 'Live at Billy Bob's
Texas' (Smith Music, 2004) was released & featured many of Janie's old hits.
Janie Fricke recorded & issued 'The Bluegrass Sessions' on DM Records in
2004 and, as the title suggests, this release featured bluegrass versions of
her biggest hits from the 1980s.
Visit Janie Fricke's Official Site
Visit Janie Fricke's Official MySpace Site