Gene Watson's Peers: Joe Fish
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 2004 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 Joe Fish, which he submitted to this site on
Friday 29 October 2004.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Joe Fish who has
made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of
a Lone Star Hero'.
Joe Fish
This quote was submitted on Friday 29 October 2004
'Gene Watson has a unique instantly recognisable voice
that is up there with the legends of country music. The first time I heard
him on record (vinyl in those days) I knew he was destined to become one of
my all-time favourites.
All these years later, he is still a regular on my radio programmes, simply
because there is nobody like him (before or since) and he is a firm
favourite with my audience, many of whom are going to Ireland in 2005 to see
several of his concerts - he is that special!
Meeting Gene Watson and interviewing him on so many occasions has been a
personal privilege to me and I could list many of my favourite songs by him,
including the 'Gene Watson...Sings'
album, which is superb'.
Thank you, Joe Fish, for your
support of Gene Watson.
About Joe Fish...
Joe Fish is a firm believer in
traditional country music. His 'Joe Fish Country' programme on
BBC Radio Lancashire in north-west England (12.00pm-2.00pm every Sunday
afternoon) is immensely popular as a result of its balance of traditional &
modern day country music.
Joe feels that it is important to keep the music up-to-date and to always
remember the 'roots' of country music with a sprinkling of classic songs.
Joe is also the guiding light behind a highly successful Tour Company, which
escorts country music fans to all parts of the United States of America.
Joe's lifelong interest in country music began with old 78s of Hank Williams
& Lefty Frizzell; his mother then introduced him to Don Gibson & Slim
Whitman and, with the help of his brother, he discovered the 'magic' of Jim
Reeves’ unique voice.
Other early country music favourites included George Jones, Tammy Wynette &
Patsy Cline, but since then Joe has vastly widened his interests to cover
both traditional & 'New Country' artists o that he can keep up-to-date with
all newcomers.
By the time he was eighteen, Joe Fish had already achieved his ambition. He
became a fire-fighter, after hearing stories that he was rescued from a
house fire when he was an infant. He had also tried television repairing and
cloth-cutting and printing.
When he wrote to a local independent commercial radio station in 1975 to ask
them to play more country music, his career took another turn; Joe was asked
to produce programmes himself - which he did - for seventeen years!
After stints with various other stations as a producer/presenter, Joe Fish
finally joined
BBC Radio Lancashire in 1999. His many interviewees include Dolly
Parton, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Don Williams, Faron Young, Willie Nelson
& Tammy Wynette.
And, of course, Joe Fish has also met & interviewed Gene Watson; the photo
(above) was taken in Nashville in 2002.
And, after visiting America, he went on to form a highly successful tour
company - Joe Fish Country Tours
- & began to escort fans all over the USA including trips to Nashville,
Atlanta, New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, Death
Valley, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco, South Dakota, Memphis,
Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge (Dollywood), the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii,
Bermuda & Canada.
Visit Joe Fish's Official Site
Visit BBC Radio Lancashire Site