Gene Watson's Peers: Karen Staley
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 2008 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
Karen Staley, which she submitted
to this site on Monday 8 December 2008.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Karen Staley who made a special
contribution to this unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star
Hero'.
Karen Staley
This quote was submitted on Monday 8 December 2008
'Gene Watson has a timeless voice. In my opinion, his
voice is as unique as
George Jones, George
Strait,
Merle Haggard
& Lefty
Frizzell.
He subtly takes a song & makes it his own every time. Gene gets emotion out
of the simplest phrases that would elude many singers.
He is one of my favourites & I look forward to hearing him sing for years to
come'.
Thank you, Karen Staley, for your
support of Gene Watson.
About Karen Staley...
Karen Staley was born in WV &
raised in Western, PA & moved to Nashville after
graduating from West Virginia Wesleyan University. This award winning
songwriter has had No.1 hits by Faith Hill, Tracy Byrd, IIIrd Tyme Out &
Michael Martin Murphey.
Karen Staley's songs have been recorded by both new country stars like Terri
Clark, Trick Pony, Rick Trevino & Emma Jacob as well as icons like Reba McEntire, Dolly
Parton, Kathy Mattea, Conway Twitty, Tammy
Wynette & George Jones.
Karen Staley's list of hits include 'Take me as I am, 'Let’s go to Vegas',
'Every time I cry', 'On a night like this', 'Across the miles', 'Face in the
crowd', 'Keep walkin’ on' and many more.
Michael Martin Murphey recorded Karen Staley's
'Face in the crowd' & included the track on 'Americana' (Warner Bros.
Records, 1986)
Reba McEntire recorded Karen Staley's 'Heard her crying' & included the
track on 'What Am I Gonna Do About You' (MCA Records, 1986)
Patty Loveless recorded Karen Staley's 'Lonely days, lonely nights', 'Wicked
ways' & 'Half over you' and included all tracks on 'Patty Loveless' (MCA
Records, 1987)
Patty Loveless recorded Karen Staley's 'So good to be in love' & included
the track on 'If My Heart Had Windows' (MCA Records, 1988)
Conway Twitty recorded Karen Staley's 'Take me home
to Mama' (co-written with Gary Harrison) & included the track on 'House On
Old Lonesome Road' (MCA Records, 1989)
Faith Hill recorded Karen Staley's 'Take me as I
am' (co-written with Bob DiPiero) & included the track on 'Take Me As I Am'
(Warner Bros. Records, 1993)
Rick Trevino recorded Karen Staley's 'Just enough rope' (co-written with
Steve Dean) & included the track on 'Rick Trevino' (Columbia Records, 1994)
Faith Hill recorded Karen Staley's 'Let's go to Vegas' & 'Keep walkin' on'
(the latter co-written with Tricia Walker); both tracks were included on 'It
Matters To Me' (Warner Bros. Records, 1995)
IIIrd Tyme Out recorded Karen Staley's 'Across the miles' & included the
track on 'Living On The Other Side' (Rounder Records, 1997)
Terri Clarke recorded Karen Staley's 'Every time I cry' (co-written with
Bob Regan) & included the track on 'How I Feel'
(Mercury Records, 1998)
Trick Pony recorded Karen Staley's 'On a night like this' (co-written with
Doug Kahan) & included the track on 'Trick Pony' (Warner Bros. Records,
2001)
Tracy Byrd recorded Karen Staley's 'Keeper of the
stars' (co-written with Dickey Lee & Danny Mayo) & included the track on
'Ten Rounds' (RCA Records, 2001)
Three of Karen’s songs, 'Take me as I am', 'Let’s go to Vegas' & 'Keeper of
the stars' have all achieved BMI’s Millionaire Award (songs surpassing 1
million radio airplays) twice over…two songs are approaching 3 million
plays.
Karen Staley won the 'ACM Song of the Year' Award with Tracy Byrd's classic
'Keeper of the stars' which was featured on CMT's '100 Greatest Country Love
Songs of All Time' television special.
Karen Staley's songs have been nominated for both ACM, CMA, Dove, Grammy &
IBMA Awards. As a backup singer & rhythm guitarist, Karen has toured with
Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Patty Loveless & Russ Taff. Karen has also sung
on many of their recordings as well as being in demand as a demo singer.
As a recording artist in her own right, Karen Staley has seen the releases
of two major label projects; 'Wildest Dreams' (MCA Records, 1989) &
'Fearless' (Warner Bros. Records, 1998).
Karen Staley has also recorded a slew of custom projects including
'Phoenix Rising' (Hobo Lizard Records, 2003), 'Me & Mahalia'
(Hobo Lizard Records, 2003), 'Out of the Park - The Hits' (Hobo
Lizard Records, 2003),
'Farther Along - Classic Hymns' (Hobo Lizard Records, 2003) & 'The Story of My Life'
(Hobo Lizard Records, 2003).
Karen Staley has provided background vocals on a wide variety of albums
including the following:
Patty Loveless: 'Patty Loveless'
(MCA Records, 1987)
Patty Loveless: 'On Down the Line'
(MCA Records, 1990)
Glen Campbell: 'Walkin' in the Sun'
(Capitol Records, 1990)
Pam Tillis: 'Put Yourself in My Place'
(Arista Records, 1991)
Michelle Wright: 'Now & Then'
(Arista Records, 1991)
Suzy Bogguss: 'Aces'
(Liberty Records, 1991)
Lee Greenwood: 'Love's on the Way'
(Liberty Records, 1992)
Suzy Bogguss: 'Voices in the Wind'
(Liberty Records, 1992)
Faith Hill: 'Take Me As I Am'
(Warner Bros. Records, 1993)
Ronna Reeves: 'What Comes Naturally'
(Mercury Records, 1993)
Faith Hill: 'It Matters to Me'
(Warner Bros. Records, 1995)
Suzy Bogguss: 'Give Me Some Wheels'
(Liberty Records, 1996)
Karen Staley resides in Brentwood, TN where she continues to write, record,
produce & perform. Eclectic experience & passion for nurturing new talent
has also made her a sought after music business mentor.
Visit Karen Staley's Official Site
Visit Karen Staley's Official
MySpace Site
