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 2017, 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 JD Martin, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 20 July 2017.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to JD Martin who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
JD Martin
This quote was submitted on Thursday 20 July 2017.
'Gene Watson is the real deal.
A classic country singer with a voice that tells the truth.
I always wanted him to record a song of mine…and maybe one of these days, I'll write one worthy of him'
Thank you, JD Martin, for your support of Gene Watson.
About JD Martin...
JD Martin is an award-winning songwriter of five No.1 and ten Top 10 hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart.
After twenty years of writing for other artists in Nashville and Los Angeles, JD Martin saw the release of his first solo album, 'One Heart' (JD Martin Independent Release, 2001), an inspired collection of original songs featuring his soulful voice and a musical style ranging somewhere between the best of Marc Cohen and Michael McDonald.
JD Martin has seen the release of eight CDs with his wife and musical partner, Jan Garrett.
A native of Harrisonburg, VA, in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, JD Martin encountered his first musical influence singing unaccompanied hymns in the Mennonite Church where his father was the minister. Piano lessons began at the age of eight and continued on through his college years.
Along the way, JD Martin developed a love of everything from classical music to black gospel to singer/songwriters such as James Taylor.
While earning his B.A. in music, JD Martin was assigned to write a song. He took such pleasure in the effort that he was hooked for life.
Following graduation, JD Martin joined a band called Tanglefoot, which was based in Aspen, Colorado. They toured for seven years, opening for artists such as Kenny Rogers and Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. With this band, JD Martin honed his songwriting skills, and moved to Nashville in 1980, determined to break into the music business.
By 1994, JD Martin had established himself as one of Nashville's top songwriters.
As a staff writer with MCA Music, and later with Warner / Chappell Music, JD Martin co-wrote a number of hit singles, including 'Love Will Find It's Way To You' by Reba McEntire, 'Nobody But You' and 'Just As Long As I Have You', both performed by Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 - Friday 8 September 2017), 'Everyday' by The Oak Ridge Boys, 'I'll Never Stop Loving You' and 'Between Two Fires' by Gary Morris, and 'You & Only You' by John Berry.
However, like the seekers he often portrays in his songs, JD Martin wanted to experience new worlds.
So, in 1994, JD Martin moved to Los Angeles, where he found a home in the world of pop music as well.
Kathy Tracolli and Clay Cross recorded his duet, 'One Heart' (co-written with Jamie Houston and Wendy Waldman), while Peter Cetera released 'One Clear Voice', a Billboard Top 10 single on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart.
JD Martin continued writing for country music artists as well; Terri Clark’s version of 'Now That I Found You' reached No.1, while Kellie Coffey's 'When You Lie Next To Me' reached No.8.
Whatever style of music JD Martin chooses, his songs have one unifying trait. 'I'm attracted to writing about themes of the heart', JD Martin says. 'Not only about love, but also of following dreams...going through the dark times and coming out more real on the other side'.
JD Martin & Jan Garrett
JD Martin and his wife, singer / songwriter and teacher Jan Garrett, now live and create their music in the mountains of Colorado.
Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 - Friday 8 September 2017) recorded JD Martin's 'Nobody But You', which was co-written with John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 - Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on 'Yellow Moon' (MCA Records, 1983); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1983.
BJ Thomas (Friday 7 August 1942 - Saturday 29 May 2021) recorded JD Martin's 'Two Car Garage' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'The Great American Dream' (Columbia Records, 1983); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1983.
Gary Morris recorded JD Martin's 'Between Two Fires' (co-written with Jan Buckingham) and included the track on 'Faded Blue' (Warner Bros. Records, 1984); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1984.
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded JD Martin's 'Everyday' (co-written with Dave Loggins) and included the track on 'Greatest Hits 2' (MCA Records, 1984); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in October 1984.
Johnny Lee recorded JD Martin's 'Rollin' Lonely' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'Workin' For A Livin' (Warner Bros. Records, 1984).
Sawyer Brown recorded JD Martin's 'Staying Afloat' (co-written with Donald Alan 'Don' King) and included the track on 'Sawyer Brown' (Capitol Records, 1984).
BJ Thomas (Friday 7 August 1942 - Saturday 29 May 2021) recorded JD Martin's 'From This Moment On' (co-written with Gloria Thomas and Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'Shining' (Columbia Records, 1984).
Barbara Mandrell & Lee Greenwood recorded JD Martin's 'Can't Get Too Much of A Good Thing' and included the track on 'Meant For Each Other' (MCA Records, 1984).
Gary Morris recorded JD Martin's 'I'll Never Stop Loving You' (co-written with Dave Loggins) and included the track on 'Anything Goes' (Warner Bros. Records, 1985); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in November 1985.
BJ Thomas (Friday 7 August 1942 - Saturday 29 May 2021) recorded JD Martin's 'Broken Toys' (co-written with Gary Harrison and Gloria Thomas) and included the track on 'Throwin' Rocks At The Moon' (Columbia Records, 1985).
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded 'Staying Afloat' (co-written with Donald Alan 'Don' King) and included the track on 'Step On Out' (MCA Records, 1985).
In 1985, Dave Loggins and Gus Hardin (Monday 9 April 1945 - Saturday 17 February 1996) recorded JD Martin's 'Just As Long As I Have You' (co-written with Dave Loggins); the track, which reached No.72 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985, was included on the various artists compilation 'Duets' (RCA Records, 1985).
Marie Osmond recorded JD Martin's 'Love Will Find Its Way To You' (co-written with Dave Loggins) and included the track on 'There's No Stopping Your Heart' (Capitol Records / Curb Records, 1985); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in 1985.
The Forester Sisters - Kathy, June, Kim and Christy Forester - recorded JD Martin's 'Lonely Alone', which was co-written with John Jarrad (Thursday 7 May 1953 - Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on 'Perfume, Ribbons & Pearls' (Warner Bros. Records, 1986); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1986.
T. Graham Brown recorded JD Martin's 'Don't Go To Strangers', which was co-written with Russell Smith (Friday 17 June 1949 - Friday 12 July 2019), and included the track on 'I Tell It Like It Used To Be' (Capitol Records, 1986); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in May 1987.
John Conlee recorded JD Martin's 'Domestic Life' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'American Faces' (Columbia Records, 1987); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1987.
Anne Murray recorded JD Martin's 'The Great Divide' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'Harmony' (Capitol Records, 1987).
Cliff Richard recorded JD Martin's 'Under The Gun', which was co-written with James Andrew Rushing (26 August 1901 - Thursday 8 June 1972), and included the track on the CD re-issue of 'Always Guaranteed' (United Kingdom: EMI Records, 1987 / United States: Striped Horse Records, 1987 / Canada: Capitol Records, 1987).
Reba McEntire recorded JD Martin's 'Love Will Find It's Way To You' (co-written with Dave Loggins) and included the track on 'The Last One To Know' (MCA Records, 1987); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart ffor one week in April 1988.
Sawyer Brown recorded JD Martin's 'Running Out of Reasons To Run' (co-written with Jim Rushing) and included the track on 'Wide Open' (Capitol Records / Curb Records, 1988).
Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 - Friday 8 September 2017) recorded JD Martin's 'Just As Long As I Have You' (co-written with Dave Loggins) and included the track on 'One Good Well' (RCA Records, 1989); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1990.
Ronnie Milsap recorded JD Martin's 'Love Certified' (co-written with Chuck Jones) and included the track on 'Back To The Grindstone' (RCA Records, 1991); the track was a duet with Patti Labelle.
The Forester Sisters - Kathy, June, Kim and Christy - recorded JD Martin's 'What About Tonight', which was co-written with John Jarrad (Thursday 7 May 1953 - Thursday 1 February 2001), and included the track on 'Talkin' About Men' (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).
John Berry recorded JD Martin's 'You & Only You' (co-written with Chuck Jones) and included the track on 'John Berry' (Liberty Records, 1993); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1993.
Anne Murray recorded JD Martin's 'Until I Was Loved By You' (co-written with Christopher Ward) and included the track on 'Anne Murray' (Capitol Records, 1996).
Terri Clark recorded JD Martin’s 'Now That I Found You' (co-written with Paul Begaud and Vanessa Corish) and included the track on 'How I Feel' (Mercury Records, 1998); the track reached No.1 on the Radio & Records Chart in 1998, No.2 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in July 1998, and No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.
Since 2001, JD Martin have been singing and recording his own songs, often with his wife and musical partner, Jan Garrett.
JD Martin is also a song coach and a session keyboard player.
Kellie Coffey recorded JD Martin's 'When You Lie Next To Me' (co-written with Kellie Coffey and Trina Harmon) and included the track on 'When You Lie Next To Me' (BNA Records, 2002); the track reached No.8 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2002.
Kathy Mattea recorded JD Martin's 'Only Heaven Knows' (co-written with Jamie Houston) and included the track on 'Right Out of Nowhere' (Narada Records, 2005).
John Conlee recorded JD Martin's 'Domestic Life' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'Classics 2' (Rose Colored Records, 2015).
Jan Garrett is a jazz singer with a poet’s soul.
A native of Colorado and a lifelong musician, Jan Garrett is a wilderness vision quester, creativity guide, and certified laughing instructor who teaches with a twinkle and inspires by example.
Jan Garrett’s songs have won multiple awards in the world of positive music, and have been arranged and published by a Canadian choral music company.
John Denver (Friday 31 December 1943 - Sunday 12 October 1997) recorded Jan Garrett's 'Tenderly Calling' and included the track on 'Different Directions' (Windstar Records, 1991).
Windstar Records was a record label based in Snowmass, Colorado which was founded by John Denver (Friday 31 December 1943 - Sunday 12 October 1997) in 1976.
Windstar Records primarily catered to folk music artists and bands, and signed acts including John Denver (Friday 31 December 1943 - Sunday 12 October 1997), Starland Vocal Band (and its precursor, Fat City), Maxine Nightingale, Johnny's Dance Band, Nanette Mancini, and Tom Crum.
Founded as a subsidiary of RCA Records, under the name Windsong Records, Windstar Records became an independent record label in 1986, when RCA Records and John Denver parted ways.
Hot Rize, a legendary bluegrass band consisting of members Nick Forster (bass, vocals), Tim O'Brien (vocals, mandolin, violin), Pete Wernick (banjo, vocals) and Charles Sawtelle (guitar, vocals) recorded Jan Garrett's 'Tenderly Calling' and included the track on 'Take It Home' (Sugar Hill Records, 2000).
Jan Garrett's 'Tenderly Calling' was also featured in a PBS documentary.
In her colourful musical past, Jan Garrett recorded and toured with John Denver and Steve Martin (when he was still doing his stand-up act) and appeared on 'The Tonight Show'.
In 1977, Jan Garrett joined the Dirt Band for their historic Soviet Tour. As if this weren’t enough of a thrill, Jan garrett was later listed in Rolling Stone's 'Who’s Who in Rock & Roll'.
Guided by her Indian guru, and a fine sense of humour, Jan Garrett practiced meditation through it all.
Jan Garrett and her husband, acclaimed songwriter JD Martin, have co-written and produced seven albums of original songs, described as 'rich and intelligent, a feast of musical endorphins, universally inclusive and uplifting…a velvet hammer wake-up call, as satisfying to the soul as they are to the ear, music to open the heart and refresh the spirit'
When they are not touring, Jan Garrett and JD Martin are grateful to be living and creating their music in the mountains of Colorado near Aspen.
• Visit Jan Garrett & JD Martin's official site at garrett-martin.com
