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 Don Henry, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 21 September 2004.

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

Don Henry
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 21 September 2004.

'To have a country legend like Gene Watson put his signature voice on one of your songs, 'Class Reunion' (co-written with Craig Morris), is truly an honour.



He used the version with the first verse recitation that Craig Morris and I re-wrote for Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 - Thursday 10 June 2004), but he made it all his own as only Gene can do.

Thank you, Gene.

Your voice on one of my songs gives me the country credibility that I never thought I would have'

Thank you, Don Henry, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Don Henry...



Don Henry is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, whose songs have been recorded by a number of music legends, including Ray Charles (Tuesday 23 September 1930 - Thursday 10 June 2004), Patti Page (Tuesday 8 November 1927 - Tuesday 1 January 2013) and Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993), by country crooners Gene Watson, John Conlee and BJ Thomas (Friday 7 August 1942 - Saturday 29 May 2021), and by a number of young country music hit makers, including Blake Shelton, Lonestar and Kathy Mattea.

Don Henry is a veteran in the music business and has wide experience in the world of writing, publishing, producing and engineering.

Don Henry is an accomplished singer, songwriter and guitarist, and has shared the stage with many artists, including Steve Earle, Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 - Monday 16 December 2013), Emmylou Harris, Jimmy Webb, Guy Clark (Thursday 6 November 1941 - Tuesday 17 May 2016), John Prine (Thursday 10 October 1946 - Tuesday 7 April 2020), Rodney Crowell, Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 - Friday 8 September 2017), Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Dan Seals (Sunday 8 February 1948 - Wednesday 25 March 2009) and Nanci Caroline Griffith (Monday 6 July 1953 - Friday 13 August 2021).

Don Henry is widely renowned for his witty songs, including 'Harley' and 'Where've You Been' (co-written with Jon Vezner), both of which were recorded by Kathy Mattea.

In 1991, Don Henry saw the release, on Sony / Epic Records, of his debut album, 'Wild In The Backyard' (Sony / Epic Records, 1991).

Don Henry also later recorded a 'live' album (on the American Originals label) at the internationally famous Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.



John Conlee recorded Don Henry's 'Blue Highway' (co-written with David Womack) and included the track on 'Blue Highway' (MCA Records, 1984); the track reached No.15 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1985.



John Conlee recorded Don Henry's 'De Island' (co-written with Billy Simon) and included the track on 'Blue Highway' (MCA Records, 1984).



T.G. Sheppard recorded Don Henry's 'Those Eyes' and included the track on 'TG' (Warner Bros. Records, 1985).



The Oak Ridge Boys recorded Don Henry's 'Class Reunion' (co-written with Craig Morris) and included the track on 'Step On Out' (MCA Records, 1985).



John Conlee recorded Don Henry's 'Class Reunion' (co-written with Craig Morris) and included the track on 'Harmony' (Columbia Records, 1986).



Pake McEntire recorded Don Henry's 'Heart Versus Heart' (co-written with Marty Parker) and included the track on 'Too Old To Grow Up Now' (RCA Victor Records, 1986).



Kathy Mattea recorded Don Henry's 'As Long As I Have A Heart' (co-written with Dennis Wilson) and included the track on 'Untasted Honey' (Mercury Records, 1987).



T.G. Sheppard recorded Don Henry's 'The Invitation' (co-written with Debbie Franco) and included the track on 'Crossroads' (Columbia Records, 1988).



Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Don Henry's 'Jenny's Souvenirs' (co-written with Billy Simon) and included the track on 'Still In Your Dreams' (MCA Records, 1988).



Kathy Mattea recorded Don Henry's 'Where've You Been' (co-written with Jon Vezner) and included the track on 'Willow In The Wind' (Mercury Records, 1989); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.



Ray Kennedy recorded Don Henry's 'Scars' (co-written with Bobby David and Ray Kennedy) and included the track on 'What A Way To Go' (Atlantic Records, 1990).



Kathy Mattea recorded Don Henry's 'Whole Lotta Holes' (co-written with Jon Vezner) and included the track on 'Time Passes By' (Mercury Records, 1991); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991.



Kathy Mattea recorded Don Henry's 'Harley' and included the track on 'Time Passes By' (Mercury Records, 1991).



Gary Morris recorded Don Henry's 'The Man Upstairs' and included the track on 'Full Moon, Empty Heart' (Capitol Records, 1991).



Gene Watson recorded Don Henry's 'Class Reunion' (co-written with Craig Morris) and included the track on 'In Other Words' (Canada: Mercury Records / Polygram Records, 1992 / United States: Broadland International Records, 1992).



John Wiggins & Audrey Wiggins recorded Don Henry's 'Has Anybody Seen Amy?' (co-written with Jon Vezner) and included the track on 'John & Audrey Wiggins' (Polygram Records, 1994).



Gene Watson recorded Don Henry's 'Class Reunion' (co-written with Craig Morris) and included the track on 'A Way to Survive' (Step One Records, 1997).



Kathy Mattea recorded Don Henry's 'Beautiful Fool' and included the track on 'Love Travels' (Mercury Records, 1997).



Eddy Raven recorded Don Henry's 'I Know That Car' (co-written with Chris Waters) and included the track on '20 Favourites' (Capitol Records, 1998).



Lonestar recorded Don Henry's 'Don't Let's Talk About Lisa' (co-written with Benmont Tench) and included the track on 'Lonely Grill' (BNA Records, 1999).



Rosie Flores recorded Don Henry's 'Who's Gonna Fix It Now' (co-written with Rosie Flores) and included the track on 'Dance Hall Dreams' (Rounder Records, 1999).



Rosie Flores recorded Don Henry's 'Dance Hall Dreams' (co-written with Rosie Flores) and included the track on 'Dance Hall Dreams' (Rounder Records, 1999).



Kathy Mattea recorded Don Henry's 'B.F.D.' (co-written with Craig Carothers) and included the track on 'Innocent Years' (MCA Records, 2000); the track reached No.63 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2000.



Blake Shelton recorded Don Henry's 'If I Was Your Man' (co-written with Lauren Braddock) and included the track on 'Blake Shelton' (Giant Records, 2001).



Jimmy Wayne recorded Don Henry's 'Elephant Ears' (co-written with Jimmy Wayne) and included the track on 'Sara Smile' (Valory Music Group Records, 2009).



Miranda Lambert recorded Don Henry's 'All Kinds of Kinds' (co-written with Philip Coleman) and included the track on 'Four The Record' (RCA Nashville Records, 2011).



John Conlee recorded Don Henry's 'Love In The Real World' (co-written with Wayland Patton) and included the track on 'Classics 2' (Rose Colored Records, 2015).

• Visit Don Henry's official site at donhenry.com