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 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 Tony Jackson, which he submitted to this site on Friday 24 June 2022.

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





Tony Jackson
This quote was submitted on Friday 24 June 2022.

'I have had the privilege to share the stage with Gene Watson on a few occasions.

Not only is he an amazing vocalist with stage presence, he is fun to be around and always good for a laugh.

Thank God for country music and Gene Watson!'

Thank you, Tony Jackson, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Tony Jackson...



Tony Jackson is a country music artist, who formerly headlined the Richmond, Virginia-based band, Jackson Ward, and is currently an independent solo artist, who performs across the United States and Canada, and made a guest appearance on RFD-TV's 'Larry's Country Diner'.  His video, 'The Grand Tour' has been featured on CMT's Music Channel, and has accumulated a total of over 35 million views on Facebook.

Prior to his life as a country music artist, Tony Jackson enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school, and served four years, and he was then redeployed during the Iraq War.

During his time in the United States Marine Corps, Tony Jackson participated in a Marine sponsored Computer Science school in Quantico, Virginia.  Upon finishing his service, Tony Jackson worked an Information Technology job in finance for a major bank in Richmond, Virginia.

Tony Jackson's music career began when a local rock band needed a new singer, and Tony Jackson decided to take the role.  In 2014, Tony Jackson combined his name with his friend and bandmate's middle name to form Jackson Ward.  Tony Jackson then recorded the album, 'Goodbye Trouble', with Jackson Ward.



Following the death of George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013), Tony Jackson recorded a tribute, 'The Grand Tour', which was one of George Jones' iconic hit singles, and caught the attention of Donna Meade, who was the widow of Jimmy Dean (Friday 10 August 1928 - Sunday 13 June 2010).

Donna Meade invited Tony Jackson to perform at her yearly barn dance; his reception was received with a standing ovation, and he was then scheduled to be a regular performer.  Tony Jackson was then advised to head to Nashville to connect with one of Donna Meade's producers, Jim Della Croce, who was a publicist for The Beach Boys.

Upon his arrival in Nashville, Tony Jackson immediately began recording music alongside Rock & Roll Hall of Famers John Sebastian and Steve Cropper, and Country Hall of Famers, Vince Gill and Bill Anderson, and saw the release of his first two singles, 'Nashville Cats' and 'The Grand Tour'.

The video of Tony Jackson's 'The Grand Tour' was No.1 in the Country Music Television (CMT) 12-Pack Countdown Chart for multiple weeks, and Top 40 on the Music Row Country Breakdown Chart; this led to the release of his self-titled debut album, 'Tony Jackson' (DDS Entertainment, 2017), when he was 40 years old and had been immersed in music for only about ten years.

Born to a Navy officer, Tony Jackson wound up enlisting in the United States Marines and, while in the service, he was exposed to country music for the first time.

Tony Jackson initially didn't pursue singing, nor did he after his service was finished.  Instead, Tony Jackson worked IT at a Fortune 500 company in Virginia.



On Friday 5 May 2017, Tony Jackson saw the release of his self-titled debut album, 'Tony Jackson' (DDS Entertainment, 2017), which included the following tracks:

'Go' (written by Steve Dean, Cara Hogan and Ben Rue)

'Nashville Cats' (written by John Sebastian) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Lovin' Spoonful, who included it on 'Hums of The Lovin' Spoonful' (Kama Sutra Records, 1966); The Lovin Spoonful's version of the track reached No.8 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1966

'The Grand Tour', which was written by George Richey (Saturday 30 November 1935 - Saturday 31 July 2010), Carmol Taylor (Saturday 5 September 1931 - Friday 5 December 1986) and Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 - Thursday 8 June 2017) / the original version of this track was recorded by George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013), who included it on 'The Grand Tour' (Epic Records, 1974); George Jones' version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in August 1974

'I Didn't Wake Up This Morning' (written by Bill Anderson, Mo Pitney and Bobby Tomberlin)
'Old Porch Swing' (written by Cole Capshaw and Tony Jackson)
'Drink By Drink' (written by Tony Jackson and Jeffrey Ward Richardson)

'It's Only Make Believe', which was written by Jack Nance and Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) / the original version of this track was recorded by Conway Twitty, who included it on 'Conway Twitty Sings' (MGM Records, 1959); Conway Twitty's version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1958, No.1 on the Canadian Singles Chart in 1958, No.5 on the Australian Singles Chart in 1958, No.9 on the Italian Singles Chart in 1958, No.2 on the Norwegian Singles Chart in 1958, No.1 on the United Kingdom Singles Chart in 1958, and No.12 on the Billboard R&B Best Sellers in Stores Chart in 1958

'She's Taking Me Home' (written by Cole Capshaw and Tony Jackson)
'Such A Night' (written by Mac Rebennack)
'They Lived It Up' (written by Bill Anderson, Lance Miller and Bobby Tomberlin)
'Do I Ever Cross Your Mind?' (written by Billy Burnette and Micheal Smotherman)
'Last Call' (written by Phil Galdston and John Sebastian)

Tony Jackson's self-titled debut album, 'Tony Jackson' (DDS Entertainment, 2017), reached No.35 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Charts, under the 'Independent Albums' category, in 2017.




• Visit Tony Jackson's official site at tonyjacksonmusic.com
• Like Tony Jackson on Facebook