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 during 2018, 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 Jeannie C. Riley, which she submitted to this site on Friday 13 April 2018.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Jeannie C. Riley who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Jeannie C. Riley
This quote was submitted on Friday 13 April 2018.
'The Country Music Hall of Fame? Yes, by all means, I’d vote for Gene Watson!
Not only can he sing circles around most of his peers, but the man’s got heart and soul to go with it!
Dedicated, talented, honest and humble describes him to a 'T'!
Let’s vote him in...he deserves it!'
Thank you, Jeannie C. Riley, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jeannie C. Riley...
Jeannie C. Riley, who was born Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson in Stamford, Texas on Friday 19 October 1945, is an acclaimed American country music and gospel music singer, who is best known for her 1968 Billboard country music and pop music hit single 'Harper Valley PTA' (written by Tom T. Hall), which missed (by one week) becoming the Billboard country and pop No.1 hit single at the same time.
Jeannie C. Riley and Tom T. Hall
In subsequent years, Jeannie C. Riley had moderate chart success with country music, but never again duplicated the success of 'Harper Valley PTA' (written by Tom T. Hall). Jeannie c. Riley became a born-again Christian and began recording gospel music during the late 1970s.
As a teenager, Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson married Mickey Riley and gave birth to a daughter, Kim Michelle Riley, on Tuesday 11 January 1966. Later, they moved to Nashville, after receiving a letter from Weldon Myrick (Monday 10 April 1939 - Monday 2 June 2014), who heard a demo tape of Jeannie's and believed she could be successful.
In Nashville, Jeannie C. Riley worked as a secretary for Passkey Music while recording demos on the side.
Jeannie C. Riley's career was stagnant until former Mercury Records producer Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 - Wednesday 7 October 2009) received a demo tape of Jeannie's voice.
Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 - Wednesday 7 October 2009) was starting and succeeding with his own record label, Plantation Records, at the time.
Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 - Wednesday 7 October 2009) worked with Jeannie C. Riley in the recording of the Tom T. Hall demo song that Shelby Singleton saw potential in, 'Harper Valley PTA' (written by Tom T. Hall), which quickly became one of the best-known country music songs of all time.
'Harper Valley PTA' (written by Tom T. Hall) immediately became a hit single for Jeannie C. Riley and went to No.1 on both the Billboard country music singles chart and the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart, a feat not repeated by a woman until 1981 when Dolly Parton saw the release of '9 To 5' (written by Dolly Parton) (No.1 in January 1981).
'Harper Valley PTA' (written by Tom T. Hall) is about a widowed woman by the name of Mrs. Johnson, who confronts a group of members of the PTA after her daughter brings home a note from school which is critical of her (Mrs. Johnson's) habits of wearing miniskirts, going out with men, and other behaviour of which they do not approve.
The climax of 'Harper Valley PTA' (written by Tom T. Hall) comes when Mrs. Johnson turns the tables on the PTA and exposes their hypocrisy, one member at a time, noting that their private behaviour is far worse than what their letter criticised her for.
Jeannie C. Riley and 'Harper Valley PTA' (written by Tom T. Hall) became an overnight sensation; the song earned her the Grammy Award for 'Best Female Country Vocal Performance' and the Country Music Association (CMA) 'Single of The Year' Award.
Jeannie C. Riley also became one of the few country music artists ever nominated in the major pop Grammy Award categories of 'Best New Artist' and 'Record of The Year'.
Globally, Jeannie C. Riley's recording of 'Harper Valley PTA' (written by Tom T. Hall) sold over five and a half million copies, and was awarded a 'Gold' disc by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) just four weeks after the release of the song.
The album of the same name, 'Harper Valley PTA' (Plantation Records, 1968) sold over one million units to gain a further 'Gold' disc for Jeannie C. Riley.
Jeannie C. Riley's recording of 'Harper Valley PTA' (written by Tom T. Hall) was a phenomenon which led to Jeannie C. Riley making country music history in 1969 as the first female vocalist to have her own major network variety special, 'Harper Valley USA', which she hosted along with Jerry Reed (Saturday 20 March 1937 - Monday 1 September 2008), and which featured performances by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 - Sunday 19 November 2017) and the song's writer, Tom T. Hall.
Jeannie C. Riley's recording of 'Harper Valley PTA' (written by Tom T. Hall) spawned a 1978 film and a 1981 - 1983 television series, both titled 'Harper Valley PTA' and both starring Barbara Eden as the widow Mrs. Johnson.

On Sunday 29 April 2018, between 3:00pm and 5:00pm, Jeannie C. Riley hosted a special 'meet & greet' event at Heart of Texas Country Music Museum in Brady, Texas.
As part of the event, Jeannie C. Riley signed albums, photos and CDs which fans brought along.
It was a free event at 1701 South Bridge in Brady, Texas.


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