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 2006, 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 Gerry Ford, which he submitted to this site on Friday 24 November 2006.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Gerry Ford who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Gerry Ford
This quote was submitted on Friday 24 November 2006.
'I am indeed honoured to be considered as one of Gene Watson's peers; indeed on viewing the web site, I find myself among many of my country heroes and am delighted to join that illustrious list.
Gene has always been and will always be, one of my favourite singers, a unique vocalist who brings his own style to every country song he sings.
When it comes to 'traditional country', Gene stands out as a true traditionalist, who can perform the old and the new in a style that remains the perfect bridge between then and now; true to the era, yet fresh as today.
Every one of his albums is a treat to listen to. He is the consummate stylist with a recognisable voice that can do what only a few others can do, that is to tear at your heartstrings with one song and lift your mood with another.
I am enclosing pictures taken when I met Gene at the Wembley Festival of Country Music in London, England (the last time he performed there) and we met for the second time.
On both occasions, he gave me some of his valuable time to do lengthy interviews for my radio programme in Scotland back then.
(I previously met him at one of the DJ conventions some years previous at Opryland).
Seeing him perform on both occasions was indeed a delight.
Can I also add that my wife Joan (who took the pictures) echoes my sentiments and has never forgiven me for not taking her picture with Gene!'
Thank you, Gerry Ford, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Gerry Ford...
Gerry Ford is a native of Athlone, County Westmeath in Ireland, where he was born Gerard Corcorran, on Tuesday 25 May 1943.
Gerry Ford heard American country music on the radio as a boy and took a fancy to it.
Gerry Ford taught himself to play guitar and eventually moved to London, working as a baker by day and a deejay and emcee by night.
After marrying in 1964, Gerry Ford and his new bride returned to Scotland, and he became a policeman while singing in local establishments at night.
In 1974, Gerry Ford made his radio broadcasting debute on Radio Clyde in Glasgow.
Gerry Ford's time at Radio Clyde in Glasgow led to his own show, 'Forth Country Special', on Radio Forth, an independent local radio (ILR) service, which was based in Edinburgh.
Gerry Ford hosted shows on Radio Forth for four years between 1974 and 1978.
In 1976, Gerry Ford made his recording debut with 'Reuben James' (written by Alex Harvey and Barry Etris), and afterwards decided to become a full-time musician.
Gerry Ford began working in clubs as a performer and deejay and then signed with Emerald Records.
In 1977, Gerry Ford saw the release of his first album, 'These Songs are Just for You' (Emerald Records, 1977), after which he began touring the nation's clubs with his Gerry Ford Country Show.
In 1978, Gerry Ford moved from Radio Forth in Edinburgh to BBC Radio Scotland in Glasgow, where he hosted 'Country Corner', a show he presented for fifteen years, between 1978 and 1993.
Gerry Ford also hosted his own series on BBC Radio 2.
Gerry Ford was a guest presenter on BBC Radio 2’s 'Country Club' on various occasions and presented the first country gospel show on BBC Radio 2.
Gerry Ford later presented country music shows for radio services Glasgow Country 105 and Clan FM in Lanarkshire, both of which were based in Scotland.
Gerry Ford also contributed CD reviews for Country Music & Dance Magazine, which was based in Scotland.
Gerry Ford interviewed Gene Watson backstage at Wembley Festival of Country Music at Wembley Arena in London, England in 1986 and we have, courtesy of Gerry's wife Joan, the photographic evidence to prove it, as you can see above!
Gerry Ford hosted BBC Radio Scotland's 'Country Corner' for fifteen years, beginning in 1978. When the show was finally pulled, a national outcry resulted and the network was swamped with petitions, irate phone calls and letters of complaint.
Gerry Ford toured with American country music performers, including Willie Nelson and Boxcar Willie (Tuesday 1 September 1931 - Monday 12 April 1999), and also hosted and performed at Wembley Country Music Festival for many years.
Among Gerry Ford's albums were 'On The Road' (1981), '16 Country Favourites, Volume 1' (1990) and '16 Country Favourites, Volume 2' (1994) and 'Can I Count on You' (1992).
At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson 'Peer's Quote', in November 2006, Gerry Ford was residing in Scotland, where he was regarded as that country's leading singer / songwriter.
Gerry Ford was a professional entertainer, appeared all around the United Kingdom and performed on twenty-one occasions at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville as guest of legendary country singer Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 - Sunday 25 September 2016).
Gerry Ford toured within the United Kingdom with numerous country music artists, including the following:
Bill Anderson
Rayburn Anthony
Moe Bandy
Skeeter Davis (Wednesday 30 December 1931 - Sunday 19 September 2004)
Dottsy
Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 - Thursday 23 September 2004)
Melba Montgomery
Vernon Oxford
Jean Shepard (Tuesday 21 November 1933 - Sunday 25 September 2016)
Boxcar Willie (Tuesday 1 September 1931 - Monday 12 April 1999)
Peggy Sue
Faron Young (Thursday 25 February 1932 - Tuesday 10 December 1996)
Gerry Ford has also shared billing with the following artists:
Rattlesnake Annie
Carroll Baker
Bobby Bare
Gail Davies
Barbara Fairchild
Narvel Felts
Tompall Glaser (Sunday 3 September 1933 - Tuesday 13 August 2013)
Jack Greene (Tuesday 7 January 1930 - Thursday 15 March 2013)
George Hamilton IV (Monday 19 July 1937 - Wednesday 17 September 2014)
George Hamilton V
Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 - Wednesday 26 January 2011)
Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 - Wednesday 14 December 2011)
Red Stegall
Robert Joe Vandygriff
Billy Walker (Monday 14 January 1929 - Sunday 21 May 2006)
Doyle Wilburn (Monday 7 July 1930 - Saturday 16 October 1982)
Joy Lynn White
Dwight Yoakam
During his illustrious radio career, Gerry Ford met and interviewed most country music artists, from the United States, for his radio programmes, including the following illustrious acts:
Roy Acuff (Tuesday 15 September 1903 - Monday 23 November 1992)
John Anderson
Bobby Bare
Johnny Cash (Friday 26 February 1932 - Friday 12 September 2003)
June Carter Cash (Sunday 23 June 1929 - Thursday 15 May 2003)
Charlie Daniels
Larry Gatlin
Crystal Gayle
The Glaser Brothers
Tom T Hall
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013)
Patty Loveless
Ronnie Milsap
Bill Monroe (Wednesday 13 September 1911 - Monday 9 September 1996)
Willie Nelson
Jimmy C. Newman (Monday 29 August 1927 - Saturday 21 June 2014)
Dolly Parton
Kenny Rogers
Buck Owens (Monday 12 August 1929 - Saturday 25 March 2006)
Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 - Tuesday 3 July 2001)
Ricky Skaggs
Hank Snow (Saturday 9 May 1914 - Monday 20 December 1999)
Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 - Thursday 6 September 1984)
Billy Walker (Monday 14 January 1929 - Sunday 21 May 2006)
Steve Wariner
Don Williams
Gene Watson
Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991)
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 - Tuesday 9 May 1989)
Slim Whitman (Saturday 20 January 1923 - Wednesday 19 June 2013)
Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998)
Gerry Ford has also appeared at Wembley International Country Festival in London, England on four occasions as a performer and compere on the main stage, as well as hosting the 'Best of British Festival' for five years in the Conference Centre.
Gerry Ford has worked with nearly every top name on the British and Irish country music scene as support or as compere on their shows and also appeared regularly at country music festivals around Britain.
On Saturday 20 September 2008, Gerry Ford was inducted into The British Country Music Hall of Fame, during a special ceremony, which took place at Great Birchwood Country Park in Lytham St. Anne’s in England.
In November 2008, Gerry Ford made his final radio broadcast in the United Kingdom, when he was a special guest of presenter and journalist Stewart Fenwick on Celtic Music Radio, which broadcast on 1530AM in the Glasgow area in Scotland.
On Tuesday 1 July 2014, Celtic Music Radio commenced broadcasting on 95.0FM; the station ceased broadcasting on 1530AM, on this date, as per the terms of a new broadcasting licence agreement.
Gerry Ford's album discography included the following releases:
'Some One to Give My Love To' (Emerald Records, 1978)
'With Love' (Emerald Records, 1979)
'On The Road' (Big R Records, 1981)
'Lets Hear it for the Working Man' (Big R Records, 1982)
'Thank God for Radio' (Trim Top Records, 1986)
'Memory Machine' (Trim Top Records, 1987)
'All Over Again' (Trim Top Records, 1988)
'Stranger Things Have Happened' (Trim Top Records, 1989)
'Better Man' (Trim Top Records, 1991)
'Can I Count on You' (Trim Top Records, 1992)
'Sixteen Country Favorites, Volume 2' (Trim Top Records, 1994)
• Visit Gerry Ford's Official Site at gerryford.weebly.com
