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 2022, 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 Jason James, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 9 October 2022.

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





Jason James
This quote was submitted on Sunday 9 October 2022.

'Some of my earliest memories as a kid was hearing Gene Watson on the radio.

At just about any family event or party, his singing would fill the air, along with the other greats like Lefty Frizzell (Saturday 31 March 1928 - Saturday 19 July 1975), Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016) and George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013).

His music was part of the building blocks that formed my music taste and I consider him one of the few remaining artists from the best decades in real country music.

I hold a special place in my heart for his singing.



I’ve even had the opportunity to open for him one time.

Talk about a dream come true!'

Thank you, Jason James, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Jason James...



Jason James is a native of Texas City, Texas a refinery town on the shoreline of the Gulf Coast near Houston.

When Jason James walks onstage, he declares his love of classic country, before he even sings a note.  Jason James' choice of attire - embroidered suits or pearl-snap shirts and sharply creased slacks - offers a visual tribute to his musical heroes and the traditions they established.

But it’s not Jason James' looks or style which provide the most convincing evidence of his kinship with other giants of the genre.  It's his sound: the pure, honest voice of a singer who rediscovered his soul when he reawakened his early love of well-crooned waltzes and hook-filled honky-tonkers.



Jason James evolved into a true-blue country singer, in tune with the spirit of his idols, but forging his own personal path.  When he started to record his previous album, 'Jason James' (New West Records, 2015), for New West Records, Jason James had more of a high-lonesome sound.  By the time it was released, two producers and three years later, Jason James' voice had become a deeper croon.

When 'Jason James' (New West Records, 2015) was finally released, the label had re-staffed and re-located and, in many ways, orphaned the release.  When he was asked to sound less traditional on his next effort, the writing was on the wall that Jason James and the label would part ways.



On Friday 21 August 2015, Jason James saw the release of his self-titled debut album, 'Jason James' (New West Records, 2015), which was produced by John Evans and Keith Gattis, and included the following tracks:

'Here Comes The Heartache' (written by Jason James)

'I've Been Drinkin' More' (written by Jason James)
'Hot Mouth Mama' (written by Jason James)
'Fancy Limousine' (written by John Evans and Jason James)
'World of Make Believe' (written by Jason James)
'Back In My Arms' (written by Jason James)
'Buppa-Bup-Bow-Bow' (written by Jason James)
'True Blues' (written by Jason James)
'I Wonder If You'll Ever Come Around' (written by Jason James)
'I'll Set You Free' (written by Jason James)
'Pullin' Out The Suit' (written by Jason James)
'Welcome To The Blues' (written by Jason James)
'Walk Through My Heart' (written by Odie Blackmon, Jason James and Jim Lauderdale)

Personnel involved in the recording of Jason James' 'Jason James' (New West Records, 2015) included the following:

Emily Bell (harmonia)
Jim 'Moose' Brown (piano)
Katy Cox, Glen Duncan and Sean Orre (fiddle)
Scott Davis (guitar, baritone guitar)
Robert Ellis (vocal harmonies)
John Evans (rhythm guitar, background vocals)
Keith Gattis (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals)
Steve Hinson and Will Van Horn (pedal steel guitar)
Jason James (lead vocals, acoustic guitar)
Jim Lauderdale (background vocals)
Elvin Levins, George Reiff and Dave Roe (bass)
Josh Owen (guitar, lap steel guitar)
Dave Racine and Kenny Smith (drums)
John Henry Trinko (Hammond B3)



Jason James' last recording for New West Records was a cover of 'Let’s Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello' (written by Ernest Tubb and Ernest Skinner), the original version of which was recorded by Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 - Thursday 6 September 1984); Ernest Tubb's version of the track reached No.5 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1948, and was subsequently included on Ernest Tubb's 'Favorites' (Decca Records, 1956).



The recording sessions for 'Seems Like Tears Ago' (Melodyville Records / Smith Music, 2019) were the exact opposite experience of those for Jason James' previous album.  Reconvening with his first producer, John Evans, who had worked with Hayes Carll and Corb Lund, Jason James tracked the album in just three days at Signal Hill Recordings in Dripping Springs, outside of Austin, with Patrick Herzfeld engineering.

John Evans rounded up top talents for the recording sessions: Geoff Queen on electric and steel guitars, Reckless Kelly’s Cody Braun on fiddle, Rick Richards on drums, T Jarrod Bonta on piano, and Chris C Cook on rubboard.  Some of the songs on Jason James' 'Seems Like Tears Ago' (Melodyville Records / Smith Music, 2019) were recorded in two takes.  The writing came easily, too, particularly after Jason James moved 'back to the vortex' of Texas City, on the Gulf Coast near Houston.



On Friday 4 October 2019, Jason James saw the release, through his own record label, Melodyville Records (Smith Music), of 'Seems Like Tears Ago' (Melodyville Records / Smith Music, 2019); the album, which was produced by John Evans, was recorded at Signal Hill Recordings in Dripping Springs, outside of Austin, Texas and included the following tracks:

'Seems Like Tears Ago' (written by Jason James)

'I Miss You After All' (written by Jason James)
'Move A Little Closer' (written by Jason James)
'We're Gonna Honky Tonk Tonight' (written by Jason James)
'Achin' Takin' Place' (written by Jason James)
'Simply Divine' (written by Jason James)
'Coldest Day of The Year' (written by Jason James)
'Cry On The Bayou' (written by Jason James)
'Foolish Heart' (written by Jason James)
'Ole Used To Be' (written by Jason James)

Personnel involved in the recording of Jason James' 'Seems Like Tears Ago' (Melodyville Records / Smith Music, 2019) included the following:

Emily Bell (background vocals)
T Jarrod Bonta (piano)
Cody Braun (fiddle)
John Evans (electric guitar, Jaw Harp, background vocals)
Geoff Queen (baritone guitar, electric guitar, steel guitar)
Patrick Herzfeld (background vocals)
Jason James (lead vocals, acoustic guitar)
Chris C Cook (rubboard)
Jacob Marchese (standup bass)
Rich Richards (drums)
Sara Stein (background vocals)




• Visit Jason James' official site at thejasonjamesband.com
• Like Jason James on Facebook