Gene Watson's Peers: Jerry Vandiver
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 2005 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 Jerry Vandiver, which
he submitted to this site on Thursday 24 February 2005.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Dave Pomeroy who has
made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of
a Lone Star Hero'.
Jerry Vandiver
This quote was submitted on Thursday 24 February 2005
'It is always a thrill to have someone record a song
I've written, but when one of the greatest voices in country music (Gene
Watson) sings one, it is an honour beyond measure.
By the way, when world famous violin/fiddle player
Mark O'Connor
was asked
to reflect on his time as a studio musician, he mentioned that playing on
Gene's 'Back in the Fire' album was one of the
highlights of his career'.
Thank you, Jerry Vandiver, for
your support of Gene Watson
About Jerry Vandiver...
Jerry Vandiver is from Kansas
City, Missouri & began his professional pursuits when he moved to Nashville
in the Fall of 1984. He became an exclusive staff writer on Music Row for
Dick James Music, Little Big Town Music, Malaco Music & Talbot Music.
Jerry's first major label cut was 'Don't waste it on the blues', recorded by
Gene Watson, which reached No.5 on the Billboard
country music singles chart in 1989, winning Jerry an esteemed ASCAP Award.
In 1991, the group Wild Rose reached No.20 with Jerry's penned hit, 'Go down
swinging'.
Amie Comeaux recorded Jerry Vandiver's 'Paper Mill
Road' (co-written with Amie Comeaux) & included the track on 'A Very Special
Angel' (Rival Records, 1998)
Tim McGraw recorded Jerry Vandiver's 'It doesn't
get any countrier than this' (co-written with Randy Archer) & included the
track on 'Not a Moment Too Soon' (Curb Records, 1994)
Tim McGraw recorded Jerry Vandiver's 'For a little
while' (co-written with Steve Mandile & Phil Vasser) & included the track on
'Everywhere' (Curb Records, 1997)
Jerry Vandiver has also had songs recorded by Tim McGraw ('It doesn't get any countrier than this' & 'For a little while'), Lee Greenwood, Barbara
Mandrell, Ronna Reeves, Cleve Francis & Woody Lee. Two of Jerry's song
titles are hanging on the wall in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
In 2001, Jerry saw the release of his own album titled 'Don't Try This at
Home'. Band leader & Academy of Country Music (ACM) Musician of the Year
nominee Jonathan Yudkin assembled a team of A-list Nashville players for
this critically acclaimed acoustic album, which also features the Grammy
award-winning Fairfield Four (who were seen in the 'O Brother, Where Art
Thou' film).
Gene Watson recorded Jerry Vandiver's 'Don't
waste it on the blues', which
was a Top 5 hit for Gene in 1989. The track was included as the opening cut
on 'Back in the Fire' (Warner Brothers Records,
1989).
Gene Watson also recorded Jerry Vandiver's 'This could go on forever', a
track which was included on 'At Last' (Warner
Brothers Records, 1991).
Visit Jerry Vandiver's Official Site
