Gene Watson Fan Site:
Joe Eddie Gough - In Memoriam
The Gene Watson Fan Site has been online since September 2004 & is an
online attempt to reach out to Gene's existing army of fans, with the added
intention of drawing in new fans too. The intention of the Fan Site is to
bring together an online community of Gene's fans and, with the assistance
of the Official Gene Watson Site
based in Nashville, further the music career of Gene Watson.
August 2009
Friday 14
Today, the Gene Watson Fan Site received the following sad news
from Sarah Brosmer at Lytle Management
in Nashville.
Gene's piano player, Joe Eddie Gough, passed away early on the morning
of Friday 14 August 2009. Joe Eddie had
worked on & off as Gene's piano player for many years. As everyone
can imagine, Gene & the rest of the Farewell Party Band members are simply
devastated.
Gene Watson recorded Joe Eddie Gough's 'After the party' & 'Beautiful you' &
included the tracks on ‘Beautiful Country’
(Capitol Records, 1979).
Gene Watson also recorded Joe Eddie Gough's 'I'm telling me a lie'
(co-written with Rick Winston) & included the track on ‘Between
This Time & the Next Time’ (MCA Records, 1981).
As a member of Gene Watson's highly acclaimed Farewell Party Band, Joe Eddie
Gough played piano on ‘Sometimes I Get Lucky’
(MCA Records, 1983),
‘Heartaches, Love & Stuff’ (MCA
Records, 1984),
‘Little by Little’ (MCA Records, 1984),
‘Memories to Burn’ (Epic Records, 1985) &
‘Starting New Memories’ (Epic
Records, 1986).
Joe Eddie Gough is also noted as the writer of the highly acclaimed 'Cold
brown bottle', as recorded by Joe Slick (in the 1970s) & by Walt Junior &
the Country Division (also in the 1970s).
Joe Eddie Gough's ‘Cold brown bottle’ was also recorded by Hank Stone &
included on the ‘In a Texas Honky Tonk’ album in 2000.
The funeral service of Joe Eddie Gough was conducted at 10.00am CST on
Monday 17 August 2009, in the chapel of Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home,
12800 Westheimer in Houston, Texas.
May He Rest in Peace.
The Gene Watson Fan Site extends deepest condolences
to the family & friends of the late Joe Eddie Gough.
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management,
Nashville
The following piece was posted on the
Steel Guitar Forum on
Sunday 16 August 2009 by Chris 'Tiny' Olson:
'Sadly, I was informed yesterday morning while out on the road that Joe
Eddie had passed away after his battle with cancer. It was
Tony Booth who also toured with Gene back in
the 1980s who called me with this very sad information. I don't know
the particulars at this time regarding arrangements & the like.
Here's a little Joe Eddie Gough history...
He came to work with us with Gene in June 1978. Prior to Joe joining
the band, we were a four piece band plus Gene playing an Ovation while he
performed. When Joe joined the band, it was a huge improvement to our
sound as he played such great, rhythmic & country piano. He was a big
fan of Hargus 'Pig' Robbins & could play Pig's cool left-hand style really
well.
Besides working the road gigs, Joe was a member of the band when we started
cutting Gene's records. Some of Gene's hits on which Joe played
include but are not limited to, 'Got no reason now for going home',
'Sometimes I get lucky' & 'Memories to burn'. Joe had worked for Gene
for over 30 years & that's really cool in itself.
Over the past year, Joe was unable to return to the road due to the cancer,
although I believe it was his desire to get back out there.
I have many funny & fond memories of Joe. We did many things together
as a band back then as we spent just so much time out on the road. I'm
proud to say he was my friend of over 30 years too. I'll sure miss
him.
May the Lord bless & keep Joe Eddie in his loving embrace. We'll miss
ya 'Grandma'.
Sincerely,
Chris 'Tiny' Olson
Source
Steel Guitar Forum
The following obituary is reproduced here courtesy of the
Houston Chronicle:
'Joseph Edwin Gough Junior, who was 70 years old,
passed away in the early hours of Friday 14 August 2009 after a courageous
battle with colon cancer.
Known in the music industry as Joe Eddie Gough, he was an exceptionally
talented piano & keyboard player for country singer Gene Watson for thirty
years & travelled the world playing for thousands of fans.
Joe was also a talented songwriter & wrote many songs including the hit
'Cold brown bottle' & the popular songs 'Beautiful you' & 'After the party'.
Joe Eddie was born in Galveston, Texas on Friday 27 January 1939 & was
preceded in death by his parents Joseph & Sadie Gough of Houston, Texas.
Joe Eddie is survived by his beloved sister & brother-in-law, Frances &
Bruce Cameron of Houston; his beloved children, Joseph C. Locust of Tucson,
Arizona, Clinton Bender Gough of Cypress, Joseph Eddie Gough of San Antonio,
Kelly Michael Gough of College Station & Sadie Gough Kersting of Plano; his
grandchildren Kendall, Clinton Jr., Kyle, Garrett, Brent, Evan, Jordan &
Parker; and his beloved nephews & niece, Bruce Cameron Jr., Douglas Cameron,
Craig Cameron & Frances Franz.
Joe Eddie graduated from Lamar High School in Houston & attended Trinity
University in San Antonio. He served in the United States Army in the
Army Security Agency. Joe was an independent, kind & fun loving
soul who created excitement & laughter for those around him'.
Source
Houston Chronicle
The fine photo of Joe Eddie Gough was taken at Lamar High School in Houston
in 1957; the photo was taken by Tom Tomlinson who lives in Conroe, Texas &
who attended the same high school as Joe Eddie.
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management,
Nashville
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