Gene Watson's Peers: Kelly Lang
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 2010 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
Kelly Lang, which she
submitted to this site on Wednesday 10 February 2010.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Kelly Lang
who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online
'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Kelly Lang
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 10 February 2010
'The music of Gene Watson is of comfort, lonesome, yet refreshing,
poetic, heart-wrenching, yet uplifting. Like a wonderful movie, with
ups & downs, happy & sad turns, Gene's catalogue of music, takes you
on a journey, as you hear the pain in his voice, leaving you to
believe that he has actually lived the words he is singing.
His
signature piano licks has every fan knowing that Gene has truly put
his remarkable stamp on 'Fourteen carat
mind' & leaves them wanting
more.
A genuine country music legend!'
Thank you, Kelly Lang, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Kelly Lang...
Kelly Lang,
one of four children, was born in Oklahoma City & raised in
Hendersonville, Tennessee. Her father, Velton Lang, worked as Conway Twitty's
road manager for more than twenty-five years. Kelly recalled:
'As a little girl, I used to sit on the side
of the stage with my Dad & watch Conway perform…and I remember thinking to
myself, now that’s what I want to do when I grow up!'
Kelly remembers thinking too that growing up around Conway & the biggest
name in country music was something quite natural.
Kelly recorded her first Billboard single, 'Lady, lady' when she was fifteen
years old & she filmed a video that came to the attention of CMT (Country
Music Television). For six years, Kelly Lang was also a regular on Ralph
Emery's local morning program in Nashville.
Kelly also opened concerts for
Ronnie Milsap, Brenda Lee, George Jones, Lorrie Morgan, Ricky Skaggs
&
T.G. Sheppard. However, she left the music business in her late teens to get
married & raise a family.
During this time, Kelly concentrated on song-writing & Lorrie Morgan
produced some demos for her. In 2003, she signed to the independent Destiny
Row Records label in Nashville; she wrote her first single for that label, 'Goodbye
darling', as a tribute to Conway Twitty & the track was included on
Kelly's debut album, 'It’s About Time' (Destiny Row Records, 2004).
Confident & comfortable onstage, Kelly Lang launched into more national
spotlights: the Statler Brothers Show, Church Street Station, Fantasy, Pickin’
in the
Paradise - she was an in demand young artist for virtually every Nashville
based production of the day.
Kelly Lang became a semi-regular artist on Ralph’s Emery’s popular 'Nashville Now'
on TNN, pulling in major viewer mail & a large national fan base.
On the road in concert, Kelly Lang shared billings with country music legends such as Ronnie Milsap, Brenda Lee,
George Jones, Lorrie Morgan, Ricky Skaggs & TG
Sheppard, as well as many of the hot new artists from her own peer group.
She
won raves for acting roles in commercials for Oldsmobile with fellow artist
Mark Collie & in her rare time off the road, she fielded national modelling
offers.
To the music industry’s surprise, in her late teens, Kelly married & moved
out of the spotlight, ultimately to have two beautiful daughters, Payton &
Kennedy, both of whom became the consuming lights of her life.
Although happy
in the role of motherhood, Kelly still somehow never lost her desire for
music & the desire for success in the love of music that had been
instilled in childhood.
While not actively touring or doing major television, she reached deep within
herself to pull out a yet untapped goldmine of creativity - song-writing.
Her
songs were deep, sensitive & reflective, or bright & filled with the
sparkle that have become a Kelly Lang trademark. Each held an obvious spark
of the heart & soul of their writer.
On most days, Kelly Lang can be found writing either with her dear friend, Lorrie
Morgan & co-writer Mark Oliverius (the trio worked together on the
Lorrie Morgan album 'I Walk Alone' in 2008), or working alongside her new husband,
country legend, T.G. Sheppard in the studio.
Kelly Lang had so many songs stored
up in her catalogue from her life experiences, from going through a divorce,
becoming a single mother of two girls for seven years & a battle with
aggressive breast cancer, it was time she began to share them with a
listening audience & they began to strike a lot of nerves & pull at
heartstrings.
Her love of life & passion for helping others showed in the 'Night of
Healing' tornado benefit she spearheaded & raised money for the victims.
Kelly lang's career highlight was singing a duet that evening with her favourite
artist, Barry Gibb.
Kelly Lang Fact Sheet
Regular on Ralph Emery Morning Show (7 years)
Three-time winner on Ed McMahon's Star Search
Regular on Music City Tonight (starring Crook & Chase)
Co-writer on Lorrie Morgan's album 'I Walk Alone' (2008)
Writer/singer on new album for Cracker Barrel Baby L ('Lullaby Country',
August 2008)Host of television show 'Give A Living Rose'
Writer/singer on three songs in Burt Reynolds' movie 'Deal' (April 2008)
National spokesperson for Cindy Crawford's skin care line "Meaningful
Beauty" in 2008
Opening act for most country music legends for years
Writer on compilation album 'Gone Fishing' for Bandit Records (featuring
Lorrie Morgan on song entitled, 'Something fishy going on'
Writer/singer on three tracks on Christmas compilation
album 'Still
Believing in Christmas' with legends Gene Watson, Bill Anderson, Tanya Tucker,
Lorrie Morgan, T.G. Sheppard & Crystal Gayle
Some of the artists who have recorded Kelly Lang's songs include Crystal
Gayle, B.J. Thomas, Jimmy Fortune, Lorrie Morgan, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky
Skaggs, The Whites, T.G. Sheppard, George Jones,
Janie Fricke & Jerry Lee Lewis.
Visit Kelly Lang's Official Site
Visit Kelly Lang's Official MySpace Site
