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 Watson's Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2004, were most gracious with their time and words.

It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Jack Greene, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 3 October 2004.

Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Jack Greene who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.





Jack Greene
This quote was submitted on Sunday 3 October 2004.

'Gene Watson has a great voice.

Gene has an individual style and he is an all round nice guy'

Thank you, Jack Greene, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Jack Greene...



Jack Greene was born on Tuesday 7 January 1930 in Maryville, Tennessee and first picked up the guitar at the age of eight.

Jack Greene made his professional debut in 1944, singing on radio station WGAP in Tennessee while still a high school freshman.  In 1948, Jack Greene took up the bass and, two years later, in 1950,after making a move to Atlanta, he learned to play the drums.

However, it wasn't until 1962 that Jack Greene got his first big break when Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 - Thursday 6 September 1984) hired him as a member of The Troubadours.

Owen Bradley (Thursday 21 October 1915 - Wednesday 7 January 1998) signed Jack Greene to Decca Records because of his vocal performance on 'The Last Letter', one of Ernest Tubb's hit singles.

 

In December 1966, Jack Greene saw the release of his debut album, 'There Goes My Everything' (Decca Records, 1966), which was produced by Owen Bradley (Thursday 21 October 1915 - Wednesday 7 January 1998), and included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Don't You Ever Get Tired (of Hurting me)', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010) / this track was released as a single in 1965, but it did not chart / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'In A Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007)

'Ever Since My Baby Went Away', which was written by Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 - Wednesday 8 December 1982) (No.37, 1966)

'There Goes My Everything', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022) (No.1 for seven weeks in December 1966 / January 1967) / this track earned Jack Greene a 'Male Vocalist of The Year' Award from the Country Music Association (CMA)

Jack Greene's debut album, 'There Goes My Everything' (Decca Records, 1966), also included the following tracks:

'Walking On New Grass', which was written by Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 - Wednesday 7 October 2020)
'Almost Persuaded', which was written by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 - Tuesday 4 August 2015) and Glenn Sutton (Tuesday 28 September 1937 - Tuesday 17 April 2007)
'A Wound Time Can't Erase' (written by Bill D. Johnson)
'Think I'll Go Somewhere & Cry Myself To Sleep' (written by Bill Anderson)

'Together Again', which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006) / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'In A Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007)

'The Hurt's On Me', which was written by Don Bowman (Thursday 26 August 1937 - Wednesday 5 June 2013)
'Make The World Go Away', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010)
'Here Comes My Baby', which was written by Bill West (1933 - Thursday 19 September 2013) and Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991)
'Tender Years', which was written by Darrell Edwards and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013)

Personnel involved in the recording of Jack Greene's debut album, 'There Goes My Everything' (Decca Records, 1966), included the following:

Harold Bradley (Saturday 2 January 1926 - Thursday 31 January 2019), Ray Edenton (Wednesday 3 November 1926 - Wednesday 21 September 2022) and Pete Wade (guitar)
Pete Drake (Saturday 8 October 1932 - Friday 29 July 1988) and Harald 'Hal' Rugg (Tuesday 21 July 1936 - Tuesday 9 August 2005) (steel guitar)
Jack Greene (lead vocals)
Buddy Harman (Sunday 23 December 1928 - Thursday 21 August 2008) (drums)
Roy Huskey and Bob Moore (Wednesday 30 November 1932 - Wednesday 22 September 2021) (bass)
The Jordanaires (background vocals)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 - Sunday 30 January 2022) and Jerry Smith (piano)

Technical personnel involved in the recording of Jack Greene's debut album, 'There Goes My Everything' (Decca Records, 1966), included the following:

Owen Bradley (Thursday 21 October 1915 - Wednesday 7 January 1998) (producer)
Roy Buksbaum (photography)
Ralph Emery (Friday 10 March 1933 - Saturday 15 January 2022) (liner notes)

Jack Greene's debut album, 'There Goes My Everything' (Decca Records, 1966), reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in February 1967, and No.66 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in April 1967; the album won the Country Music Association's 'Album of The Year' Award.

Jack Greene earned the nickname 'The Jolly Green Giant' and, by the end of 1967, he had become, literally, a gigantic force within country music.



In June 1967, Jack Greene saw the release of 'All The Time' (Decca Records, 1967), which included one track, which was a single on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'All The Time', which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 - Sunday 19 November 2017) and Wayne P. Walker (No.1 for five weeks in June / July 1967)

'Wanting You But Never Having You', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022) (No.63, 1967)

Jack Greene's 'All The Time' (Decca Records, 1967) also included the following tracks:

'Happy Tracks', which was written by Ray Pennington (Friday 22 December 1933 - Wednesday 7 October 2020)
'Crazy' (witten by Willie Nelson)
I'm A Lonesome Fugitive', which was written by Casey Anderson (Saturday 23 January 1926 - Monday 26 November 2018) and Liz Anderson (Monday 13 January 1930 - Monday 31 October 2011)
'Walk Through This World With Me', which was written by Kay Jeanne Savage (passed away on Friday 18 December 2009) and Sandra Noreen Seamons (Friday 31 May 1935 - Friday 22 Aug 2014)
'The Hardest Easy Thing' (written by J. Lane)
'I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)', which was written by Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 - Thursday 1 January 1953)
'Cryin' Time', which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006)
'She's Gone, Gone, Gone', which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002)
'Touch My Heart', which was written by Donny Young / Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 - Wednesday 19 February 2003) and Aubrey Mayhew (Sunday 2 October 1927 - Sunday 22 March 2009)
'Room For One More Heartache', which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002)

Jack Greene's 'There Goes My Everything' (Decca Records, 1966) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1967.



In November 1967, Jack Greene saw the release of 'What Locks The Door' (Decca Records, 1967), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'What Locks The Door', which was written by Vic McAlpin (Monday 4 February 1918 - Friday 18 January 1980) (No.2, 1967) / this track also reached No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1967

Jack Greene's 'What Locks The Door' (Decca Records, 1967) also included the following tracks:

'Too Much of You' (written by Gene Hood)
'Cincinnati, Ohio' (written by Bill Anderson)
'Love Me & Make It All Better', which was written by Eddie Rabbitt (Thursday 27 November 1941 - Thursday 7 May 1998)
'My Elusive Dreams', which was written by Curly Putman (Thursday 20 November 1930 - Sunday 30 October 2016) and Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 - Tuesday 4 August 2015)
'Left Over Feelings' (written by Willie Rainsford)
'We'll Try A Little Harder', which was written by John Wesley Ryles and David Wilkins)
'I'm Still Not Over You' (written by Willie Nelson)
'Gentle On My Mind', which was written by John Hartford (Thursday 30 December 1937 - Monday 4 June 2001)
'No One's Gonna Hurt You Anymore', which was written by Ted Cooper (1938 - 1975) and Steve Karliski (Sunday 10 March 1940 - Sunday 7 October 2007)
'Don't Put Your Hurt In My Heart', which was written by Maxine Jaco (Friday 3 February 1939 - Wednesday 6 October 2021)
'Your Tender Loving Care', which was written by Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006)

Jack Greene's 'What Locks The Door' (Decca Records, 1966) reached No.3 by Owen Bradley (Thursday 21 October 1915 - Wednesday 7 January 1998), and included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:



Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 - Saturday 12 December 2020) recorded Jack Greene's 'Why Didn't I Think of That' (co-written with Clay Allen) and included the track on 'Make Mine Country' (RCA Records, 1968).



Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 - Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded Jack Greene's 'Afraid To Care' (co-written with Ken Campbell) and included the track on 'Travelin' Man' (Kapp Records, 1968).



In March 1968, Jack Greene saw the release of 'You Are My Treasure' (Decca Records, 1968), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'You Are My Treasure', which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 - Thursday 23 March 2006) (one week at No.1 in April 1968) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968

Jack Greene's 'You Are My Treasure' (Decca Records, 1968) also included the following tracks:

'Fraulein', which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 - Thursday 26 July 2007)
'By The Time I Get To Phoenix' (written by Jimmy Webb)
'Before The Next Teardrop Falls', which was written by Venna Keith and Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 - Wednesday 25 May 2005)
'Am I That Easy To Forget', which was written by Carl Robert Belew (Tuesday 21 April 1931 - Wednesday 31 October 1990) and W.S. Stevenson (1900 - 1978)
'If My Heart Had Windows', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022)
'Your Favorite Fool', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022)
'If God Can Forgive You, So Can I', which was written by Buford Abner and Charlie Gore (Saturday 4 October 1930 - Sunday 3 June 1984)
'You've Still Got A Place In My Heart', which was written by Leon Payne (Friday 15 June 1917 - Thursday 11 September 1969)
'I'll Love You More', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010)
'My Special Angel', which was written by Jimmy Duncan (Saturday 25 June 1927 - Wednesday 9 November 2011)

Jack Greene's 'You Are My Treasure' (Decca Records, 1968) reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1968.



In September 1968, Jack Greene saw the release of 'Love Takes Care of Me' (Decca Records, 1968), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Love Takes Care of Me', which was written by Jimmy Peppers (passed away on Monday 18 February 2019) (No.4, 1968) / this track also reached No.4 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968

Jack Greene's 'Love Takes Care of Me' (Decca Records, 1968), also included the following tracks:

'Chained To A Memory', which was written by Jenny Lou Carson (Wednesday 13 January 1915 - Saturday 16 December 1978)
'With Pen In Hand' (written by Bobby Goldsboro)
'Last Letter', which was written by Rex Griffin (Monday 12 August 1912 - Sunday 11 October 1959)
'Honey' (written by Bobby Russell)
'Image of Me', which was written by Red Lane (Thursday 2 February 1939 - Wednesday 1 July 2015)
'Another Place, Another Time', which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 - Saturday 15 December 2018)
'Next In Line', which was written by Wayne Kemp (Sunday 1 June 1941 - Monday 9 March 2015) and Curtis Wayne
'Today I Started Loving You Again', which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006)
'Born To Be With You', which was written by Donald Irwin Robertson (Tuesday 5 December 1922 - Monday 16 March 2015)
'Like A Bird (Spread My Wings & Fly)', which was written by Larry Kingston (Sunday 10 August 1941 - Sunday 20 February 2005)

Jack Greene's 'Love Takes Care of Me' (Decca Records, 1968) reached No.21 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1968.



In December 1968, Jack Greene saw the release of 'I Am Not Alone' (Decca Records, 1968), which included the following tracks:

'King of Kings'
'Where No One Stands Alone'
'It's Not For Me To Understand'
'Amazing Grace'
'You're Not Home Yet'
'I Am Not Alone'
'In God's Eyes'
'How Great Thou Art'
'Wasted Years'
'Evening Prayer'
'Take My Hand, Precious Lord'



In February 1969, Jack Greene saw the release of 'Until My Dreams Come True' (Decca Records, 1969), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Until My Dreams Come True', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022) (No.1 for two weeks in February / March 1969) / this track also reached No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1969

Jack Greene's 'Until My Dreams Come True' (Decca Records, 1969) also included the following tracks:

'That's What I Tell Myself', which was written by Alex Zanetis (Monday 15 May 1922 - Tuesday 13 September 2005)
'Take My Hand For Awhile' (written by Buffy Sainte-Marie)
'Wichita Lineman' (written by Jimmy Webb)
'I Turn My Mind On You', which was written by Wayne Kemp (Sunday 1 June 1941 - Monday 9 March 2015) and Howard Dale Ward (Thursday 18 August 1938 - Monday 21 January 2013)
'When The Grass Grows Over Me', which was written by Don Chapel (1931 - Sunday 6 December 2015)
'Don't Wake Me, I'm Dreaming' (written by Jack Greene)
'I Take A Lot of Pride In What I Am', which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016)
'Only The Lonely', which was written by Joe Melson and Roy Orbison (Thursday 23 April 1936 - Tuesday 6 December 1988)
'Born To Love You', which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 - Thursday 23 March 2006)
'Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye', which was written by John D. Loudermilk (Saturday 31 March 1934 - Wednesday 21 September 2016)

Jack Greene's 'Until My Dreams Come True' (Decca Records, 1969) reached No.5 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1969.



In June 1969, Jack Greene saw the release of 'Statue of A Fool' (Decca Records, 1969), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Statue of A Fool', which was written by Jan Crutchfield (Saturday 26 February 1938 - Thursday 1 November 2012) (No.1 for two weeks in July 1969) / this track also reached No. on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1969

Jack Greene's 'Statue of A Fool' (Decca Records, 1969) also which included the following tracks:

'Ribbon of Darkness', which was written by Gordon Lightfoot ()

'You Gave Me A Mountain', which was written by Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 - Wednesday 8 December 1982) / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'Paper Rosie' (Capitol Records, 1977)

'Just Enough To Start Me Dreamin', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010)

'Hungry Eyes', which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016) / the original version of this track was recorded by Merle Haggard & The Strangers, who included it on 'A Protrait of Merle Haggard' (Capitol Records, 1969); Merle Haggard's version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles for one week in

'Yesterday's Letters', which was written by Ted Harris ()
'There's More To Love', which was written by Barbara Greene () and Ken Hunt ()
'Bring Me Sunshine', which was written by Sylvia Dee () and Arthur Kent ()
'Watching My World Walk Away', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022)

'Montego Bay', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010) and Glenn W. Martin () / this track was also recorded by

'I Don't Need Tomorrow', which was written by Jimmy Peppers ()

Jack Greene's 'Statue of A Fool' (Decca Records, 1969) reached No.3 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1969.







Jack Greene's long list of Billboard country music hit singles included the following:

'There Goes My Everything', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022) (No.1 for seven weeks in December 1966 / January 1967)

'All The Time', which was written by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 - Sunday 19 November 2017) and Wayne P. Walker (No.1 for five weeks in June / July 1967)

'What Locks The Door', which was written by Vic McAlpin (Monday 4 February 1918 - Friday 18 January 1980) (No.2, 1967)

'You Are My Treasure', which was written by Cindy Walker (Saturday 20 July 1918 - Thursday 23 March 2006) (No.1 for one week in April 1968)

'Until My Dreams Come True', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022) (No.1 for two weeks in February 1969)

'Statue of A Fool', which was written by Jan Crutchfield (Saturday 26 February 1938 - Thursday 1 November 2012) (No.1 for two weeks in July 1969)

Other hit songs from Jack Greene included 'Back In The Arms of Love', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022) (No.4, 1969) and 'Wish I Didn't Have To Miss You', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010) and Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 - Saturday 17 April 2004), and was a duet with Jeannie Seely (No.2, 1970).

Jack Greene remained with Decca Records, which later became MCA Records, until 1975, after which he recorded for a number of record labels, including Frontline Records and Step One Records.



Both Jack Greene and Gene Watson recorded Hank Cochran's 'He Little Thing'd Her Out of My Arms'; Gene Watson included the track on 'Beautiful Country' (Capitol Records, 1977).

Jack Greene and Gene Watson also recognised the talents of extraordinary country music songwriters and have both recorded songs by writers such as Marty Robbins (Saturday 26 September 1925 - Wednesday 8 December 1982), Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 - Saturday 17 April 2004), Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022) and Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 - Sunday 19 November 2017).



On Thursday 14 March 2013, Jack Greene, who was known affectionately within country music circles as 'The Jolly Green Giant', passed away; Jack Greene was eighty-three years old.

Jack Greene
(Tuesday 7 January 1930 - Thursday 14 March 2013)

Gene Watson, Michelle Capps & friends rehearsing 'There Goes My Everything', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022), backstage at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, on Wednesday 27 March 2013

A memorial service, 'A Celebration of the Life of Jack Greene', took place at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Wednesday 27 March 2013, commencing at 11:00am, and was open to the public.



Gene Watson, Vince Gill, Lorrie Morgan, Mandy Barnett, The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, Penn Pennington, Joe Rucker and members of The Opry Band, including Jimmy Capps (Thursday 25 May 1939 - Monday 1 June 2020), paid musical tribute to Jack Greene, who had been a member of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville since 1967.

Jeannie Seely, who recorded several hit duets with Jack Greene, was among those delivering a eulogy.

Eulogies were also given by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022), Keith Bilbrey, Charlie Ammerman and Roxanne Atwood.

• Visit Jack Greene's Wikipedia Profile