Gene Watson: UK Tour: June/July 1979

Gene Watson has been a consistent touring act within the world of country music since the very early days of his career in the 1970s.

Gene Watson Fan Site

In this section of the Gene Watson Fan Site, you will find information with regard to Gene Watson's first full tour of the United Kingdom, a tour that he undertook in June/July 1979.

The tour also included one concert performance in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Gene Watson: 'Reflections' (Capitol Records, 1978)

At the time of Gene Watson's first full tour of the United Kingdom, he was enjoying one of the biggest USA country music hits of his career with the defining 'Farewell party', a track included on his then latest album 'Reflections'.

'Reflections' (Capitol Records, 1978) had been released in the USA in 1978, but it gained a British & Irish release in 1979 to coincide with the tour.

During the duration of his first tour of the United Kingdom, Gene Watson also recorded a special session of his (country) music for inclusion within BBC Radio 2's then highly influential 'Country Club' show.

Gene Watson Fan Site

Details of Gene Watson's UK tour schedule for June/July 1979 are reproduced within the Gene Watson Fan Site with the approval of Mike Storey of Mike & Margaret Storey Entertainments, Huddersfield, England & Norman Rainey in Northern Ireland.

Country Music People: June 1979

Gene Watson: 1st UK Tour (June/July 1979)
Presented by Mike & Margaret Storey Entertainments / Crawford Bell
Tuesday 12 June 1979 - Sunday 1 July 1979

Monday 11 June 1979

Prior to Gene Watson's tour of the UK in June/July 1979, Gene travelled to Northern Ireland where he stayed at the Drumkeen Hotel in Belfast.

Gene Watson with Barbara & Eddie Graham at the Drumkeen Hotel, Belast on Monday 11 June 1979

Gene Watson with Barbara & Eddie Graham in the Drumkeen Hotel, Belfast on Monday 11 June 1979
Photo credit: Norman Rainey

Gene Watson with Eugene O'Dornan, Barbara Forsythe & guests at the Drumkeen Hotel, Belast on Monday 11 June 1979


Gene Watson with Ballymena, Co. Antrim musician Eugene O'Dornan, along with his sister Maureen Forsythe & guests in the Drumkeen Hotel in Belfast on Monday 11 June 1979
Photo credit: Norman Rainey


Tuesday 12 June 1979
Wellington Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland **



Gene Watson is presented with a Waterford Crystal Clock by Norman Rainey (note the June 1979 issue of 'Country Music People' in Norman's left hand) following his performance in the Wellington Hall, Belfast
Photo credit: Norman Rainey

Thursday 14 June 1979
Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, Merseyside, England

Friday 15 June 1979
Greenways Hotel, Addington, Maidstone, Kent, England

Saturday 16 June 1979
Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, England

Sunday 17 June 1979
Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, England

Monday 18 June 1979
Skelton Civic Hall, near Middlesborough, England

Tuesday 19 June 1979
Lower Mead Hall, Wealdstone, Harrow, England

Wednesday 20 June 1979
Spa Pavilion, Whitby, North Yorkshire, England

Thursday 21 June 1979
Sunset Inn, Silloth, Carlisle, Cumbria, England

Friday 22 June 1979
City Hall, Hull, Humberside, England

Saturday 23 June 1979
Fry's Club, Keynsham, Bristol, England

Sunday 24 June 1979
7-11 Club, Kenton Road, Kenton, Middlesex, England

Monday 25 June 1979
Rock Gardens Pavilions, Southsea, Hampshire, England

Wednesday 27 June 1979
The Shetland Islands, Scotland *

Thursday 28 June 1979
Aberdeen, Scotland

Friday 29 June 1979
Bicc Club, Prescot, Lancashire, England

Saturday 30 June 1979
Town Hall, Kendal, Cumbria, England

Sunday 1 July 1979
Woods Leisure Centre, Braiswick, Colchester, Essex, England

Gene Watson was backed by the group Southbound, except where indicated * & **

On Tuesday 12 June 1979, Gene Watson was backed (indicated thus **) by Crawford Bell (guitar & trumpet), Brian Nicholl (steel guitar & lead guitar), Brendan McGarrity (drums), Seamus Costello (keyboards) & Jimmy Hendry (bass guitar)

Gene Watson Fan Site

Gene Watson Fan Site

The Gene Watson Fan Site is proud of its association (since January 2006) with Carrie Moore-Reed at Third Coast Talent in Nashville.

Third Coast Talent, Nashville

Carrie Moore-Reed's position at Third Coast Talent is that of Gene Watson's Booking Representative - it was in January 2006 that Carrie Moore-Reed acknowledged the existence of the Gene Watson Fan Site.

Gene Watson Music Site

The Gene Watson Fan Site is proud of its firm commitment to bringing you the Latest Tour Info for Gene Watson.

Lytle Management

All tour info is courtesy of Carrie Moore-Reed at Third Coast Talent in Nashville & Sarah Brosmer at Lytle Management in Nashville, unless otherwise stated.

If you have missed any tour info (since June/July 1979), you can check out the Gene Watson Tour Info Archives by accessing one of the links (above left).

Gene Watson Fan Site