Gene Watson's Peers: Skip Graves
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 2007 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
Skip Graves, which he
submitted to this site on Saturday 3 March 2007.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Skip Graves who has made a
special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone
Star Hero'.
Skip Graves
This quote was submitted on Saturday 3 March 2007
'Gene Watson gives every song he sings a new breath of
life. To have him record 'If I'm a fool for leaving' was a dream come true.
He has recorded it three times & it has been released on five different
albums, as well as released on singles.
It was so great to have the first cut on his first
album & the first cut on his 'Then & Now'
CD.
I'm grateful for Little Jimmy Dickens to co-write it with me & record it
first on his hit album 'May the bird of paradise fly up your nose' in 1965.
Jimmy did an excellent vocal on it also. I appreciate Jimmy giving the song
to Gene & would like to thank them both for recording it.
'If I'm a fool for leaving' has been recorded by many great artists & is
still being recorded by artists worldwide'.
Thank you, Skip Graves, for
your support of Gene Watson.
About Skip Graves...
Skip Graves has been involved
in the entertainment field since his high school days as a singer, musician,
MC & disc jockey. He started in radio in Jackson, Tennessee & later moved to
Ohio where he played shows & night clubs. He graduated from the Ohio School
of Broadcasting in Cleveland.
After moving to Southern California, Skip was a disc jockey & Music Director
at KWOW Radio in Pomona. He later went to Victorville, California where he
was a disc jockey & Program Director for KCIN Radio. Skip was also a disc
jockey for a short time in Glendale at KIEV Radio.
As an entertainer, Skip has performed at the 'Hollywood Press Club' in
Hollywood & nightclubs throughout Southern California. He & his band have
played many of the top Air Force & Naval Bases in California & in other
parts of the country. Skip was also Master of Ceremonies for the
groundbreaking Roy Rogers Museum in Victorville, California in the early
1970s.
As an accomplished songwriter, Skip has had his songs recorded by Little
Jimmy Dickens, Gene Watson, Roy Rogers, Miss Norma Jean, Gary Buck
RIP, Bobby
Barnett, Ray Sanders, Price Mitchell & many, many other fine artists.
As a recording artist, Skip Graves has had several records to his credit. He has
had two national chart records: 'Miami Dreaming' & the 'Happy Song'. Skip
has also recorded two albums: one was on the Binge Label from West Germany &
the other was on the Rich-R-Tone label in Nashville.
Skip Graves has played concerts & fairs all across the country & has been an
MC for Marty Robbins RIP, George Jones, Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys, Little
Jimmy Dickens, Freddie Hart, Roy Rogers & many others.
Skip Graves performed in Branson, Missouri between 1992 until 2003. Since then, he
has been devoting his time to song-writing, demo-ing songs & assisting one
of his sons, Zac with writing stories & children's books. Skip's wife, Sue
is very instrumental in helping with his music & promotion.
'If I'm a fool for leaving' (co-written by Little Jimmy Dickens & Skip
Graves) was originally included on the following Gene Watson albums:
'Gene Watson' (Wide World Records, 1969)
'Gene Watson' (Stoneway Records, 1973)
'Because You Believed in Me' (Capitol
Records, 1975)
'Gene Watson...Then & Now' (Koch Records
Nashville, 2005)
'Because You Believed in Me & Beautiful
Country' (Hux Records,
2005)
Visit Skip Graves' Official Site