Gene Watson News Archive: May 2009
Read Archive News with regard to Gene Watson, his music &
his career from May 2009...
May 2009:
Sunday 31
The Gene Watson Fan Site was proud to announce, in association with Sarah
Brosmer at Lytle Management,
Nashville & Bob Cannella at Upclose
Concerts, the following news:
'It will be an amazing night!
On Thursday 11 June 2009 at 7.30pm, Country Music Hall of Fame member
Merle
Haggard & the incredible Gene Watson will be in concert at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, MO.
Tickets for this spectacular show went on sale to the public on Wednesday 25 February 2009.
And here's even more exciting news!
Ticket prices will be kept at the cost of what fans would normally pay to see
just one of these country music superstars; tickets range in price from $35.00 to
$50.00.
Tell your friends about this blockbuster concert. Better yet, bring them
along!
Merle
Haggard always draws a huge crowd &
Gene Watson sold-out his November concert
in Branson, so don't delay in getting your tickets. We'll see you at the
show!'
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management, Nashville
Bob Cannella, Upclose Concerts
May 2009:
Saturday 30
The Gene Watson Fan Site was proud to announce, in association with Sarah
Brosmer at Lytle Management,
Nashville & Bob Cannella at Upclose
Concerts, the following news:
'It will be an amazing night!
On Thursday 11 June 2009 at 7.30pm, Country Music Hall of Fame member
Merle
Haggard & the incredible Gene Watson will be in concert at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, MO.
Tickets for this spectacular show went on sale to the public on Wednesday 25 February 2009.
And here's even more exciting news!
Ticket prices will be kept at the cost of what fans would normally pay to see
just one of these country music superstars; tickets range in price from $35.00 to
$50.00.
Tell your friends about this blockbuster concert. Better yet, bring them
along!
Merle
Haggard always draws a huge crowd &
Gene Watson sold-out his November concert
in Branson, so don't delay in getting your tickets. We'll see you at the
show!'
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management, Nashville
Bob Cannella, Upclose Concerts
May 2009
Friday 29
Today, Gene Watson was at the Hilltop
recording studios in Nashville working on tracks for his
forthcoming Shanachie Records album
which will be officially released on Tuesday 25 August 2009.
Accompanying Gene in the
studio were Sonny Garrish on steel guitar, Aubrey Haynie on fiddle,
David Smith on bass, Dirk Johnson on piano (Dirk was also producing the
sessions), Kelly Back on lead guitar, Joel Key on acoustic guitar & Robb
Tripp on drums - a genuine 'who's who' of country music's finest musicians!
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management,
Nashville
May 2009:
Friday 29
The Gene Watson Fan Site was proud to announce, in association with Sarah
Brosmer at Lytle Management,
Nashville & Bob Cannella at Upclose
Concerts, the following news:
'It will be an amazing night!
On Thursday 11 June 2009 at 7.30pm, Country Music Hall of Fame member
Merle
Haggard & the incredible Gene Watson will be in concert at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, MO.
Tickets for this spectacular show went on sale to the public on Wednesday 25 February 2009.
And here's even more exciting news!
Ticket prices will be kept at the cost of what fans would normally pay to see
just one of these country music superstars; tickets range in price from $35.00 to
$50.00.
Tell your friends about this blockbuster concert. Better yet, bring them
along!
Merle
Haggard always draws a huge crowd &
Gene Watson sold-out his November concert
in Branson, so don't delay in getting your tickets. We'll see you at the
show!'
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management, Nashville
Bob Cannella, Upclose Concerts
May 2009
Thursday 28
Today, Gene Watson was at Hilltop studios in Nashville working on tracks for his
forthcoming Shanachie Records album
which will be officially released on Tuesday 25 August 2009.
Accompanying Gene in the
studio were Sonny Garrish on steel guitar, Aubrey Haynie on fiddle,
David Smith on bass, Dirk Johnson on piano (Dirk was also producing the
sessions), Kelly Back on lead guitar, Joel Key on acoustic guitar & Robb
Tripp on drums - a genuine 'who's who' of country music's finest musicians!
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management,
Nashville
May 2009:
Thursday 28
The Gene Watson Fan Site was proud to announce, in association with Sarah
Brosmer at Lytle Management,
Nashville & Bob Cannella at Upclose
Concerts, the following news:
'It will be an amazing night!
On Thursday 11 June 2009 at 7.30pm, Country Music Hall of Fame member
Merle
Haggard & the incredible Gene Watson will be in concert at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, MO.
Tickets for this spectacular show went on sale to the public on Wednesday 25 February 2009.
And here's even more exciting news!
Ticket prices will be kept at the cost of what fans would normally pay to see
just one of these country music superstars; tickets range in price from $35.00 to
$50.00.
Tell your friends about this blockbuster concert. Better yet, bring them
along!
Merle
Haggard always draws a huge crowd &
Gene Watson sold-out his November concert
in Branson, so don't delay in getting your tickets. We'll see you at the
show!'
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management, Nashville
Bob Cannella, Upclose Concerts
May 2009:
Wednesday 27
The Gene Watson Fan Site was proud to announce, in association with Sarah
Brosmer at Lytle Management,
Nashville & Bob Cannella at Upclose
Concerts, the following news:
'It will be an amazing night!
On Thursday 11 June 2009 at 7.30pm, Country Music Hall of Fame member
Merle
Haggard & the incredible Gene Watson will be in concert at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, MO.
Tickets for this spectacular show went on sale to the public on Wednesday 25 February 2009.
And here's even more exciting news!
Ticket prices will be kept at the cost of what fans would normally pay to see
just one of these country music superstars; tickets range in price from $35.00 to
$50.00.
Tell your friends about this blockbuster concert. Better yet, bring them
along!
Merle
Haggard always draws a huge crowd &
Gene Watson sold-out his November concert
in Branson, so don't delay in getting your tickets. We'll see you at the
show!'
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management, Nashville
Bob Cannella, Upclose Concerts
May 2009:
Tuesday 26
The Gene Watson Fan Site was proud to announce, in association with Sarah
Brosmer at Lytle Management,
Nashville & Bob Cannella at Upclose
Concerts, the following news:
'It will be an amazing night!
On Thursday 11 June 2009 at 7.30pm, Country Music Hall of Fame member
Merle
Haggard & the incredible Gene Watson will be in concert at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, MO.
Tickets for this spectacular show went on sale to the public on Wednesday 25 February 2009.
And here's even more exciting news!
Ticket prices will be kept at the cost of what fans would normally pay to see
just one of these country music superstars; tickets range in price from $35.00 to
$50.00.
Tell your friends about this blockbuster concert. Better yet, bring them
along!
Merle
Haggard always draws a huge crowd &
Gene Watson sold-out his November concert
in Branson, so don't delay in getting your tickets. We'll see you at the
show!'
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management, Nashville
Bob Cannella, Upclose Concerts
May 2009:
Monday 25
The Gene Watson Fan Site was proud to announce, in association with Sarah
Brosmer at Lytle Management,
Nashville & Bob Cannella at Upclose
Concerts, the following news:
'It will be an amazing night!
On Thursday 11 June 2009 at 7.30pm, Country Music Hall of Fame member
Merle
Haggard & the incredible Gene Watson will be in concert at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, MO.
Tickets for this spectacular show went on sale to the public on Wednesday 25 February 2009.
And here's even more exciting news!
Ticket prices will be kept at the cost of what fans would normally pay to see
just one of these country music superstars; tickets range in price from $35.00 to
$50.00.
Tell your friends about this blockbuster concert. Better yet, bring them
along!
Merle
Haggard always draws a huge crowd &
Gene Watson sold-out his November concert
in Branson, so don't delay in getting your tickets. We'll see you at the
show!'
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management, Nashville
Bob Cannella, Upclose Concerts
May 2009:
Sunday 24
The Gene Watson Fan Site was proud to announce, in association with Sarah
Brosmer at Lytle Management,
Nashville & Bob Cannella at Upclose
Concerts, the following news:
'It will be an amazing night!
On Thursday 11 June 2009 at 7.30pm, Country Music Hall of Fame member
Merle
Haggard & the incredible Gene Watson will be in concert at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, MO.
Tickets for this spectacular show went on sale to the public on Wednesday 25 February 2009.
And here's even more exciting news!
Ticket prices will be kept at the cost of what fans would normally pay to see
just one of these country music superstars; tickets range in price from $35.00 to
$50.00.
Tell your friends about this blockbuster concert. Better yet, bring them
along!
Merle
Haggard always draws a huge crowd &
Gene Watson sold-out his November concert
in Branson, so don't delay in getting your tickets. We'll see you at the
show!'
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management, Nashville
Bob Cannella, Upclose Concerts
May 2009
Friday 15
Today, the Gene Watson Fan Site received the following sad news
from Gene Watson.
Gene's guitar player, Randy
Prince, died in a car accident on the way to meet the bus for departure
to Nashville on the night of Thursday 14 May 2009. Randy Prince had
worked on & off as Gene's guitar player for 20-plus years. As everyone
can imagine, Gene & the rest of the Farewell Party Band members were simply
devastated.
The Gene Watson Fan Site extended deepest condolences
to the family & friends of the late Randy Prince.
As a result of Randy Prince's passing, Greg
Galbraith filled in (on guitar) on Friday night at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville & the
following weekend.
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management,
Nashville
May 2009
Thursday 14
Tonight, Gene Watson participated in
the Opry Country Classics Show at the
Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.
The Opry Country Classics Show was a tribute to the members of the
Country Music Hall of Fame; Gene Watson performed 'Fourteen carat mind', 'Together again'
& 'Today I started loving you again', the latter two as a tribute to the
Country Music Hall of Fame members
Buck Owens &
Merle Haggard who recorded those tracks.
After a glowing introduction, host
Larry Gatlin jumped off stage to sit in the audience to hear Gene sing -
something he doesn’t do for any of the other acts.
'Today I started loving you again' was a duet of sorts with legendary
harmonica player Charlie McCoy (Charlie
became a Hall of Fame member, along with
Roy Clark &
Barbara Mandrell, on
Sunday 17 May 2009), as Charlie had harmonica solos while Gene sang.
Charlie recorded 'Today I started loving you again' & included the track on
'The Real McCoy' (Monuments Records, 1968).
After the song ended, Larry Gatlin returned to the stage & asked the band to
do another chorus so Larry could sing it with Gene; it was a great moment &
you can check out a special gallery of photos
here.
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management,
Nashville
May 2009
Wednesday 13
Today, Gene Watson visited the Hilltop recording studios in Nashville
in order to carry out further vocal work for his
forthcoming Shanachie Records album
which will be officially released on Tuesday 25 August 2009.
Gene Watson's previous visit to the Hilltop recording studios in Nashville
(with
Rhonda Vincent on vocals, Sonny Garrish on steel guitar, Aubrey Haynie on fiddle,
David Smith on bass, Dirk Johnson on piano (Dirk was also producing the
sessions), Kelly Back on lead guitar, Joel Key on acoustic guitar & Robb
Tripp on drums) had taken place on Wednesday 6 May & you can check out a
special gallery of photos
here.
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management,
Nashville
May 2009
Monday 11
Gene Watson was
interviewed backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville (on Thursday 30
April 2009) by Lorraine Crook & Charlie Chase for the 'Crook
& Chase' show.
The interview was aired in the US on the
RFD-TV network on Thursday 14 May 2009
at 8.00pm EST/7.00pm CST.
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management, Nashville
May 2009
Saturday 09
Today is the 20th anniversary of the passing of the
great Keith Whitley.
A native of Sandy Hook, Kentucky where he was born on 1 July 1955, Keith
Whitley learned to play guitar by the time he was 6 years old & appeared on
Buddy Starcher's regional television show at the age of 8.
When they were 15, Keith & his friend Ricky Skaggs were asked to play a
local show when Ralph Stanley's band were running late. Upon hearing them
sing, Ralph recruited both of them for his band. Ricky & Keith stayed with
Ralph Stanley for two years until Keith went to work for Carl Jackson in
1972.
By 1974, Keith was back with Ralph Stanley. In 1978, Keith joined JD Crowe &
the New South but his heart was closer to traditional country music than
bluegrass. RCA Records issued a single, 'Turn me to love', in 1984 with
Patty Loveless singing harmony. It was at this time that Keith's excessive
drinking was making him unreliable, but it did give him a hardened,
honky-tonk voice; all he needed was the right song.
In 1986, Keith married Lorrie Morgan & cracked the Top 20 with the single
'Miami, my Amy'. Three Top 10 singles then followed, namely 'Ten feet away',
'Homecoming '63' & 'Hard living'.
Gene Watson recorded 'I want my rib back' (written by Keith Whitley
& Fred Koller) & included the track on 'Memories to Burn'
(Epic Records, 1985).
When contacted by Sean Brady at the
Gene Watson Fan Site for inclusion in the 'Peers' section of the site,
Fred Koller graciously submitted a quote about
Gene Watson on Tuesday 31 December 2007 & you can read
Fred's words about Gene
Watson here.
Keith Whitley finally reached No.1 in 1988 with tracks from his acclaimed
'Don't Close Your Eyes' album on RCA Records; 'Don't close your eyes' (No.1
for 1 week in August 1988), 'When you say nothing at all' (No.1 for 2 weeks
in December 1988/January 1989) & Sonny Curtis' 'I'm no stranger to the rain'
(No.1 for 2 weeks in April 1989).
The 'Don't Close Your Eyes' album also included Keith's heartfelt rendition
of the Lefty Frizzell/Whitey Shafer classic 'I never go around mirrors';
Gene Watson also recorded 'I never go around mirrors' & included the track
on 'From the Heart'
(RMG Records, 2001).
However, in the midst of all this success, Keith Whitley's excessive
drinking finally caught up with him. At 12.30pm on the afternoon of 9 May
1989, his brother-in-law found Keith's lifeless body.
At the time of his death, Keith Whitley had been working on a new album
project with producer Garth Fundis. The subsequent album, 'I Wonder do you
think of me', was released posthumously & the title track spent 1 week at
No.1 in September 1989.
The 'Ernest Tubb Collection' album was originally released on First
Generation Records in 1979 under the title of 'The Legend & the Legacy'. The
record label & this Ernest Tubb tribute album was the brainchild of famed
session steel guitar player Pete Drake (8 October 1932 - 29 July 1988).
Gene Watson contributed guest vocals to Willie Nelson's composition 'Sad
songs & waltzes'; this track did not see the light of day until Laserlight
Records released their version of this Ernest Tubb set in 1992 ('The
Legendary Ernest Tubb & Friends'. The track was also included on 'Ernest
Tubb & Friends' on Prism Leisure Records in 2004.
When Keith Whitley was a member of JD Crowe & the New South in the early
1980s, the hardcore, traditional country album 'Somewhere Between' was
released in 1981.
In 2000, Rounder Records re-released the album as 'Sad Songs & Waltzes'; the
set included five previously unreleased tracks including Willie Nelson's
title track, along with 'Honk Tonk Crazy'. This latter track was recorded by
Gene Watson & was included as the title track of 'Honk Tonk Crazy'
(Epic Records, 1987).
Keith Whitley (1 July 1955 - 9 May 1989)
RIP
Source
Sean Brady, Gene Watson Fan Site
May 2009
Friday 08
Today, the Gene Watson Fan Site was proud to announce that Gene Watson was
interviewed backstage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville (on Thursday 30
April 2009) by Lorraine Crook & Charlie Chase for the 'Crook
& Chase' show.
The interview was aired in the US on the
RFD-TV network on Thursday 14 May 2009.
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management, Nashville
May 2009
Thursday 07
Today, Gene Watson was at Hilltop studios in Nashville working on tracks for his
forthcoming Shanachie Records album
which will be officially released on Tuesday 25 August 2009.
Accompanying Gene in the
studio today were Sonny Garrish on steel guitar, Aubrey Haynie on fiddle,
David Smith on bass, Dirk Johnson on piano (Dirk was also producing the
sessions), Kelly Back on lead guitar, Joel Key on acoustic guitar & Robb
Tripp on drums - a genuine 'who's who' of country music's finest musicians!
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management,
Nashville
May 2009
Wednesday 06
Today, Gene Watson was at Hilltop studios in Nashville working on tracks for his
forthcoming Shanachie Records album
which will be officially released on Tuesday 25 August 2009.
Accompanying Gene in
the studio today were Sonny Garrish on steel guitar, Aubrey Haynie on fiddle,
David Smith on bass, Dirk Johnson on piano (Dirk was also producing the
sessions), Kelly Back on lead guitar, Joel Key on acoustic guitar & Robb
Tripp on drums - a genuine 'who's who' of country music's finest musicians!
Rhonda Vincent was also in the studio today
(Wednesday 6 May 2009) with Gene adding her exquisite voice to a track called 'Staying together'
which was written by Jerry Salley &
Monty Holmes.
You can check out a special gallery of photos taken at Hilltop Studios in
Nashville on Wednesday 6 May 2009
here.
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management,
Nashville
May 2009
Tuesday 05
Today, it was with deep sadness that
the Gene Watson Fan Site learned of the passing (on
Thursday 19 March 2009) in Nashville of Bobby All, a rhythm guitarist &
highly respected session player.
Bobby All's distinctive picking style graced a number of
country music albums down
through the years, including John Michael Montgomery's 'Life's a Dance'
(Atlantic Records, 1992), Trisha Yearwood's 'Sweetest Gift' (MCA Records,
1994), Oak Ridge Boys' 'Colors' (Springhill Records, 2003) and, of course, Gene Watson's 'In
a Perfect World' (Shanachie Records,
2007).
The Gene Watson Fan Site extended deepest
condolences to the family & friends of Bobby All - RIP.
Source
Duncan Warwick, Editor,
Country Music People
May 2009
Monday 04
Tonight, the (all new) Gene Watson Fan Site went 'live' @ 11.25pm Irish/UK time.
A special web template had been purchased from
RTB Wizards on Tuesday 9 December
2008 & work began immediately on the site build.
RTB Wizards is based in Katy, Texas
& is the brainchild of Karey Cummins.
Source
Sean Brady, Gene Watson Fan Site
May 2009
Monday 04
Following a performance on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Thursday 2
April 2009, Gene Watson & Vince Gill
were photographed together by Sarah Brosmer of
Lytle Management.
This photo of Gene & Vince was subsequently published in the May 2009 issue of the
UK's highly influential
Country Music People magazine.
Source
Sarah Brosmer, Lytle Management,
Nashville
Duncan Warwick, Editor,
Country Music People
May 2009
Friday 01
Today, it was announced that Gene Watson had been invited to participate in
the Opry Country Classics show which was scheduled to take place at the
Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Thursday 14 May 2009.
The Opry Classic Country show on Thursday 14 May 2009 was planned to be a salute to
the Country Music Hall of Fame members.
It was also announced (on Friday 1 May 2009) that Gene Watson & the Farewell
Party Band would perform at the regular Grand Ole Opry on Friday 15 May
2009.