Gene Watson's Peers: Robert Joe Vandygriff
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 2006 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
Robert Joe Vandygriff, which he
submitted to this site on Tuesday 29 August 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Robert Joe Vandygriff who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this
online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Robert Joe Vandygriff
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 29 August 2006
'I was first introduced to Gene back in 1967 by my
fiddler at the time, Red Watson. I've been a Gene Watson fan ever since. In
Lamar County, Texas we knew someday Nashville would come calling & the rest
of the world would be introduced to a great vocalist.
Gene has his own style & nobody wraps their heart around a country song any
better than Gene Watson. A perfect Texas night is a cold beer, a VFW in
Reno, Texas & Gene Watson on stage singing his heart out. It doesn't get any
better'.
Thank you, Robert Joe Vandygriff, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Robert Joe Vandygriff...
Robert Joe Vandygriff grew up riding horses & strumming his guitar in Roxton,
Texas. He competed in saddle-bronco & bareback in the sport of rodeo as well
as working as a rodeo clown & bullfighter.
As a country music recording artist, his records of 'Big blue diamond' &
'Say lady' topped the charts in the early 1970s. Robert Joe's 'Dedicated'
album climbed to No.3 on the European country music chart & led to eight
successful tours of England & the European continent.
Robert Joe & his band, 'The Shades of Country', toured the United States,
Canada & Europe, playing to sold-out audiences. Robert Joe appeared on stage
with artists such as Garth Brooks, the Judds, George Jones, Alabama &
Merle
Haggard.
Nashville then came calling & Robert Joe made the move there in order to
pursue a song-writing career. He then ended up a booking agent & represented
acts such as John Anderson, Lee Greenwood, Hank Snow, The Wilburn Brothers,
Archie Campbell and many more. Nashville afforded Robert Joe the opportunity
to work in various capacities, from representing to producing shows with
many of the biggest names in country music, bluegrass and rock 'n' roll.
Nowadays, Robert Joe feels that Nashville is a great place, but Texas is
home. While working on a ranch in Grayson County, he received a call from a
casting agent who needed a band for an episode of a new CBS series, 'Walker,
Texas Ranger' starring Chuck Norris. One thing lead to another & Robert Joe
made several appearances on the show as the character 'Ranger Mike'.
In 2004, Robert Joe Vandygriff became the honoured recipient of the Will Rogers Award from the
Academy of Western Artists.
Visit Robert Joe Vandygriff's Official Site
