Gene Watson's Peers: Paul Overstreet
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 2009 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
Paul Overstreet, which he
submitted to this site on Thursday 6 August 2009.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Paul Overstreet who made a
special contribution to this unique part of this online 'celebration of a
Lone Star Hero'.
Paul Overstreet
This quote was submitted on Thursday 6 August 2009
'Gene Watson has always been one of my favourite
singers in country music.
I first heard him on the radio when I was in Mississippi. My
brother-in-law was so crazy about Gene I had to pay attention.
What a great voice, so smooth I could listen to his music all day & not get
tired of hearing him sing'.
Thank you,
Paul Overstreet for your support
of Gene Watson.
About Paul Overstreet...
Paul Overstreet
was born on Thursday 17 March 1955 in Newton, Mississippi & is a highly
acclaimed singer & songwriter.
After graduating from high school at the age of eighteen, Paul moved from
the bayous of Mississippi to Nashville, the country music capitol of the
world. Not owning a suitcase, he brought with him a laundry basket of
Levis & football jerseys, ten original songs & a guitar.
Paul packed them in a 1968 Ford Fairlane with lots of dreams of how great it
was all going to be when he finally got to Nashville. It was a long,
hard road, but the dream of writing songs & making records was so big that
the toughest roads weren't going to stop him. After sleeping in his
car & eating potato salad sandwiches for a while, Paul got a job at a water
heater factory.
As a songwriter, Paul Overstreet has written & co-written twenty-seven Top
10 songs, his first being 'Same ole me' which
George Jones recorded in 1981 & included on 'Still The Same Ole Me'
(Epic Records, 1981); when released as single, 'Same ole me' (featuring
back-up vocals from the Oak Ridge Boys) reached No.5 on the Billboard
country music singles chart in the spring of 1982.
It was also in 1982 that Paul Overstreet achieved his first charting single,
when 'Beautiful baby' climbed to No.76; the track was included on 'Paul Overstreet' (RCA Victor, 1982),
his self-titled debut album.
Three years later, in 1985, the Forrester Sisters took Paul Overstreet's 'I fell in
love again last night' (co-written with Thom Schuyler) to No.1 on the
Billboard country music singles chart (No.1 for one
week in September 1985).
In 1985, Tanya Tucker achieved success with a Paul Overstreet song; 'One
love at a time' (co-written with Paul Davis) reached No.3 in 1985.
In the latter part of 1985, Randy Travis recorded Paul Overstreet's 'On the
other hand' (co-written with Don Schlitz); the single reached No.67 on
the Billboard country music singles chart in the
autumn/fall of 1985, although it stayed on the Billboard chart for twelve
weeks.
Following the release of Randy Travis' '1982' which reached No.6 in early
1986 & took Travis to stardom, Warner Bros. Records re-released 'On the
other hand'; on this occasion, the single debuted at No.64 (higher than
before) & eventually reached No.1 (No.1 for one week in July/August 1986).
In October 1986, Randy Travis' 'Storms of Life' went gold, while the Country
Music Association (CMA) honoured Randy with the 'Horizon Award' & named 'On
the other hand' the 'Song of the Year'.
In the spring of 1987, the Academy of Country Music (ACM) cited 'On the
other hand' as 'Song of the Year' & 'Single of the Year' and named 'Storms
of Life' as the 'Top Country Album'.
In late 1986, Paul Overstreet's 'Diggin' up bones' (co-written with Al
Gore), which was also included on 'Storms of Life' (Warner Bros. Records,
1986), reached No.1 for Randy Travis (No.1 for one week on November 1986).
Mel Tillis recorded
Paul Overstreet's 'Diggin' up bones' (co-written with Al Gore) & included
the track on 'California Road' (RCA Records, 1985)
The fourth track released from 'Storms of Life' was also a Paul Overstreet
composition; 'No place like home' reached No.2 in late 1986.
It was also in 1986 that Marie Osmond with Paul Davis achieved success with
a Paul Overstreet song; 'You're still new to me' (co-written with Paul
Davis) was a No.1 hit for Marie Osmond with Paul Davis (No.1 for one week in
November 1986). 'You're still new to me' was included on Marie
Osmond's 'I Only Wanted You' (Capitol Records, 1986).
In early 1986, in conjunction with two other songwriters, Thom Schuyler &
J Fred Knobloch, Paul Overstreet formed the group SKO. Signed to Mary
Tyler Moore's label, MTM Records, they scored immediately with 'You can't
stop love' (No.9, 1987) & 'Baby's got a new baby' (No.1 for one week in
March 1987); both tracks were included on 'SKO' (MTS Records, 1986).
In June/July 1987, Randy Travis achieved a No.1 hit with Paul Overstreet's
'Forever & ever, amen' (co-written with Don Schlitz); the track spent three
weeks at No.1 in June/July 1987.
'Always & Forever', the album on which 'Forever & ever, amen' was included,
had been released on Monday 4 May 1987 & within two months had sold one
million copies. On Saturday 4 June 1988, 'Always & Forever' completed
a remarkable run - forty-three weeks at the top of the Billboard country
album chart.
In August 1987, Michael Martin Murphey achieved a No.1 hit with Paul
Overstreet's 'A long line of love' (co-written with Thom Schuyler); the
track spent 1 week at No.1 in August 1987 & had been included on 'Americana'
(Warner Bros. Records, 1986).
In October 1987, the Forrester Sisters achieved a No.1 hit with Paul
Overstreet's 'You again' (co-written with Don Schlitz); the track spent 1
week at No.1 in October 1987.
In the late part of 1987, Paul Overstreet left SKO in order to pursue a solo
career.
In February 1988, Tanya Tucker with Paul Davis & Paul Overstreet achieved a
No.1 hit with Paul Overstreet's 'I won't take less than your love'
(co-written with Don Schlitz); the track was No.1 for one week in
February/March 1988.
In 1988, Keith Whitley achieved a Billboard No.1 country music hit with Paul Overstreet's 'When you
say nothing at all' (co-written with Don Schlitz); the track was No.1 for
two weeks in December 1988/January 1989 & was included on Keith's highly
acclaimed 'Don't Close Your Eyes' (RCA Records, 1988).
Alison Krauss & Union Station also recorded Paul Overstreet's 'When you say
nothing at all' & included the track on 'Now That I've Found You' (Rounder
Records, 1995).
Paul Overstreet's 'When you say nothing at all' (co-written with Don
Schlitz) was also included on the major
motion picture soundtrack of 'Notting Hill' in 1999, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant;
the track was performed by Ireland's Ronan
Keating.
Randy Travis recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Deeper than the holler' (co-written
with Don Schlitz) & included the track on 'Old 8x10' (Warner Bros. Records,
1988); the track was No.1 for one week on the Billboard country music
singles chart in January/February 1989
Randy Travis recorded Paul Overstreet's 'How do I wrap my heart up for
Christmas' (co-written with Randy Travis) & included the track on 'An Old
Time Christmas' (Warner Bros. Records, 1989)
In 1989, Paul Overstreet saw the release of his debut album for RCA Records;
the five singles released from 'Sowin' Love' (RCA Records, 1989) were all Top
10 hits, including the
title cut, 'All the fun' (Paul's 'signature' song) & his first
No.1, 'Seein' my father in me' (1990).
In 1990, the Judds (Naomi & Wynonna) achieved a Billboard No.5 country
music hit with Paul
Overstreet's 'Love can build a bridge' (co-written with Naomi Judd & John B.
Jarvis); the track was included on the Judds' 'Love Can Build a Bridge' (RCA
Records, 1990).
Glen Campbell recorded Paul Overstreet's
'Somebody's doing me right' (co-written with Fred Knobloch &
Dan Tyler) & included the track on
'Unconditional Love' (Capitol Records, 1990)
Pam Tillis recorded Paul Overstreet's 'One of those things' (co-written with
Pam Tillis) & included the track on 'Put Yourself in My Place' (Arista
Records, 1991)
In 1991, Paul Overstreet saw the release of 'Heroes', his second album for
RCA Records; the album included a number of tracks which were released as
singles, including 'Ball & chain' (No.5, 1991), 'If I could bottle
this up' (No.30, 1991), 'Daddy's come around' (No.1, 1991),
'Heroes' (No.4, 1991) & 'Billy can't read' (No.57, 1991).
The latter track, 'Billy can't read', became the theme song for the Country
Music Association (CMA)/Country Music Television (CMT) Literacy Project.
In 1992, Paul Overstreet saw the release of 'Love is Strong', his third
album for RCA Records; the album included a number of tracks which were
released as singles, including 'Take another run' (No.60, 1992),
'Still out there swinging' (No.57, 1992) & 'Me & my baby' (No.22,
1992).
'Love is Strong' (RCA Records, 1992) also gave Paul his first No.1 song on
Christian radio with the title cut & gave him another chart topper with
'There but for the grace of God go I'.
George Strait recorded
Paul Overstreet's 'Trains make me
lonesome' (co-written with Tom Schuyler) & included the track on 'Holding My
Own' (MCA Records, 1992)
Glen Campbell recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Those words' & included
the track on 'Somebody Like That' (Capitol Records, 1993)
Aside from being a writer & an artist, Paul Overstreet is also an accomplished
producer. He co-produced his own albums & was sole-producer for Christian
country artist Suzie Luchsinger (the younger sister of Reba McEntire).
Paul Overstreet produced Susie's 'Real Love' (Integrity Records, 1993) & the album
successfully launched her career. Paul
also co-wrote many songs on the project, two of which topped the Christian
country charts, one being a duet they performed together.
Travis Tritt recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Draggin' my heart around'
(co-written with Marty Stuart) & included the
track on 'The Restless Kind' (Warner Bros. Records, 1996)
Kenny Chesney recorded Paul Overstreet's 'She
thinks my tractor's sexy' (co-written with Jim Collins) & included
the track on 'Everywhere We Go' (BNA Records, 1999); the track
reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1999
Kenny Chesney recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Everywhere we go' (co-written with Billy Aerts)
& included the track on 'Everywhere We Go' (BNA Records, 1999)
Kenny Chesney recorded Paul Overstreet's 'A
woman knows' (co-written with Kenny Chesney & Don Sampson) & included
the track on 'Everywhere We Go' (BNA Records, 1999)
Mark Chesnutt
recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Jolie' (co-written with Paul Davis &
Skip Ewing) & included the track on 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing'
(Decca Records, 1999)
Not only have Paul Overstreet's songs been recorded by other artists, but they have
earned him numerous awards. Paul, along with other co-writers, has
earned two Grammy Awards, his first for 'Forever & ever, amen' & the other
for 'Love can build a bridge.
BMI honoured Paul Overstreet as 'Songwriter of the
Year' for five consecutive years between 1987 & 1991. Paul has also won CMA
& ACM
'Song of the Year' Awards in 1987 & 1988.
Paul also earned Dove Awards for 'Country Recorded Song of the Year' in 1991
for 'Seein my father in me' & 'There but for the grace of God go I' in 1994.
'Love is Strong' (RCA Records, 1992) earned Paul Overstreet a Dove Award for
'Country Recorded Album of the Year' in 1992. Paul has also been awarded the TNN Viewer's Choice Award for
'Christian
Country Artist' & received the Christian Country Music Association Award
for 'Mainstream Artist of the Year' as well.
In late 1999, Paul Overstreet founded Scarlet Moon Records & saw the release
of a number of fine albums including 'Songwriter's Project, Volume 1'
(Scarlet Moon Records, 1999), 'Living by the Book' (Scarlet Moon Records,
2001) & 'Christmas, My Favorite Time of the Year' (Scarlet Moon Records,
2001).
Songwriter extraordinaire!
Stella Parton recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Long lost love'
(co-written with Even Stevens) & included the track on 'Love Ya' (Elektra
Records, 1979)
George Jones recorded Paul Overstreet's
'Same ole me' & included the track on 'Still The Same Ole Me'
(Epic Records, 1981); the track, featuring
back-up vocals from the Oak Ridge Boys, reached No.5 on the Billboard
country music singles chart in the spring of 1982
The Forester Sisters recorded Paul Overstreet's 'I fell in
love again last night' (co-written with Thom Schuyler) in 1985; the
track was No.1 for one week on the Billboard country music singles chart in September 1985
Mel Tillis recorded
Paul Overstreet's 'Diggin' up bones' (co-written with Al Gore) & included
the track on 'California Road' (RCA Records, 1985)
Tanya Tucker recorded Paul Overstreet's 'One
love at a time' (co-written with Paul Davis) & included the track on
'Girls Like Me' (Capitol Records, 1986); the track reached No.3 on the
Billboard country music singles chart in 1986
Randy Travis recorded Paul Overstreet's 'On the
other hand' (co-written with Don Schlitz) in 1985; the single reached No.67
on the Billboard country music singles chart in the
autumn/fall of 1985, although it stayed on the Billboard chart for twelve
weeks.
Following the release of Randy Travis' '1982', which reached No.6
on the Billboard country music singles chart in early
1986 & took Travis to stardom, Warner Bros. Records re-released 'On the
other hand'; on this occasion, the single debuted at No.64 (higher than
before) & was at No.1 for one week in July/August 1986 (both tracks were
included on Randy Travis' 'Storms of Life' on Warner Bros. Records in 1986)
Randy Travis recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Diggin' up bones' (co-written with Al
Gore) & included the track on 'Storms of Life' (Warner Bros. Records,
1986); the track was No.1 for one week on the Billboard country music
singles chart in November 1986
Marie Osmond & Paul Davis recorded Paul Overstreet's 'You're still new to
me' (co-written with Paul Davis) & included the track on 'I Only Wanted You'
(Capitol Records, 1986); the track was No.1 for one week on the Billboard
country music singles chart in November 1986
Randy Travis recorded Paul Overstreet's
'Forever & ever, amen' (co-written with Don Schlitz) & included
the track on 'Always & Forever' (Warner Bros. Records, 1987); the track was
No.1 for three
weeks on the Billboard country music singles chart in June/July 1987
Randy Travis recorded Paul Overstreet's
'My house' (co-written with Al Gore) & included
the track on 'Always & Forever' (Warner Bros. Records, 1987)
Michael Martin Murphey recorded Paul Overstreet's
'A long line of love' (co-written with Thom Schuyler) & included the track
on 'Americana' (Warner Bros. Records, 1986); the track was No.1 for one week
in August 1987
The Forrester Sisters recorded Paul
Overstreet's 'You again' (co-written with Don Schlitz) in 1987; the track
was No.1
for one week in October 1987
Tanya Tucker with Paul Davis & Paul Overstreet
recorded Paul Overstreet's 'I won't take less than your love'
(co-written with Don Schlitz) & included the track on 'Love Me Like You Used
To' (Capitol Records, 1987)
The track was No.1 for one week on the
Billboard country music singles chart in February/March 1988
Keith Whitley recorded Paul Overstreet's 'When you
say nothing at all' (co-written with Don Schlitz) & included the track on
'Don't Close Your Eyes' (RCA Records, 1988)
The track was No.1 for two
weeks on the Billboard country music singles chart in December 1988/January
1989
Randy Travis recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Deeper than the holler' (co-written
with Don Schlitz) & included the track on 'Old 8x10' (Warner Bros. Records,
1988); the track was No.1 for one week on the Billboard country music
singles chart in January/February 1989
Lionel Cartwright recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Like father, like son'
(co-written with Don Schlitz) & included the track on 'Lionel Cartwright'
(MCA Records, 1989)
The Judds (Naomi & Wynonna) recorded Paul
Overstreet's 'Love can build a bridge' (co-written with Naomi Judd & John B.
Jarvis) & included the track on 'Love Can Build a Bridge' (RCA
Records, 1990); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music
singles chart in 1990
Glen Campbell recorded Paul Overstreet's
'Somebody's doing me right' (co-written with Fred Knobloch &
Dan Tyler) & included the track on
'Unconditional Love' (Capitol Records, 1990)
Pam Tillis recorded Paul Overstreet's 'One of those things' (co-written with
Pam Tillis) & included the track on 'Put Yourself in My Place' (Arista
Records, 1991)
George Strait recorded
Paul Overstreet's 'Trains make me
lonesome' (co-written with Tom Schuyler) & included the track on 'Holding My
Own' (MCA Records, 1992)
Glen Campbell recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Those words' & included
the track on 'Somebody Like That' (Capitol Records, 1993)
Alison Krauss & Union Station recorded Paul Overstreet's 'When you say
nothing at all' (co-written with Don Schlitz) & included the track on
'Now That I've Found You' (Rounder Records, 1995)
Travis Tritt recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Draggin' my heart around'
(co-written with Marty Stuart) & included the
track on 'The Restless Kind' (Warner Bros. Records, 1996)
Kenny Chesney recorded Paul Overstreet's 'She
thinks my tractor's sexy' (co-written with Jim Collins) & included
the track on 'Everywhere We Go' (BNA Records, 1999); the track
reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1999
Kenny Chesney recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Everywhere
we go' (co-written with Billy Aerts) & included
the track on 'Everywhere We Go' (BNA Records, 1999)
Kenny Chesney recorded Paul Overstreet's 'A
woman knows' (co-written with Kenny Chesney & Don Sampson) & included
the track on 'Everywhere We Go' (BNA Records, 1999)
Mark Chesnutt
recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Jolie' (co-written with Paul Davis &
Skip Ewing) & included the track on 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing'
(Decca Records, 1999)
Kenny Chesney recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Never gonna feel like that
again' (co-written
with Philip Coleman) & included the track on 'No Shoes, No Shirt, No
Problems' (BNA Records, 2002)
Randy Travis recorded Paul Overstreet's 'When Mama prayed' (co-written
with Rory Lee Feek) & included the track on 'Rise
& Shine' (Word/Warner Bros/Curb Records, 2002)
Tracy Byrd recorded Paul Overstreet's 'The truth about men' (co-written with
Tim Johnson &
Rory Lee Feek) & included the track
on 'Truth About Men' (RCA Records, 2003); the track featured guest vocals
from Blake Shelton, Andy Griggs & Montgomery
Gentry
Tracy Byrd recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Baby put your clothes on' (co-written
with Bill Anderson & Buddy Cannon)
& included the track on 'Truth About Men' (RCA Records, 2003)
Hank Williams Junior recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Liquor to like her'
(co-written with Tom Hernby) & included the track on 'I'm One of You' (Curb
Records, 2003)
Kenny Chesney recorded Paul Overstreet's 'When I think about leaving'
(co-written with Tim Johnson & Rory Lee Feek) &
included the track on 'When The Sun Goes Down' (BNA Records, 2004)
Julie Roberts recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Unlove
me' (co-written with Patrick Jason Matthews) & included the track on 'Julie
Roberts' (Mercury Records, 2004)
Blake Shelton recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Some beach' (co-written with
Rory Feek) & included the track on
'Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill' (Warner Bros. Records, 2004)
Blake Shelton recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Cotton pickin' time' (co-written with
Even Stevens) & included the track on
'Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill' (Warner Bros. Records, 2004)
Joe Nichols recorded
Paul Overstreet's 'All things new'
(co-written with
Bill Anderson & Buddy Cannon)
& included the track on 'All Things New' (Universal South Records, 2009)
Daryle Singletary recorded Paul Overstreet's 'Rockin'
in the country'
(co-written with Sonny Tillis)
& included the track on
'Rockin' in the Country' (E1 Music Records, 2009)
Visit Paul Overstreet's Official
Site
