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 2009, 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 Howard & David Bellamy, which they submitted to this site on Saturday 15 August 2009.

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





Howard & David Bellamy
This quote was submitted on Saturday 15 August 2009.

'Gene Watson is one of the greatest voices ever in country music.

Howard and I are in complete agreement; Gene is one of our all-time favourites'

Thank you, Howard & David Bellamy, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Howard & David Bellamy (Bellamy Brothers)...



Howard & David Bellamy (Bellamy Brothers) are an American country and pop music duo composed of brothers Homer Howard Bellamy (born on Saturday 2 February 1946) and David Milton Bellamy (born on Saturday 16 September 1950), who were both born in Darby, Florida.

Howard & David Bellamy enjoyed considerable musical success in the 1970s and 1980s, starting with the release, in 1976, of their crossover hit 'Let Your Love Flow', which was written by Larry E. Williams, a former roadie for Neil Diamond; the track was a No.1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart, and was the title cut of their debut album, 'Let Your Love Flow' (Warner Bros. Records, 1976), which was released in April 1976.



Howard & David Bellamy's debut album, 'Let Your Love Flow' (Warner Bros. Records, 1976), included the following tracks:

'Satin Sheets' (No.73 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1976)

'Nothin' Heavy'
'Rainy Windy Sunshine (Rodeo Road)'
'Let Fantasy Live'

'Highway 2-18 (Hang On To Your Dreams)' / this track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1976, but it did not chart

'Let Your Love Flow' (written by Larry E. Williams) (No.21, 1976) / this track also reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1976
'Livin' In The West'
'I'm The Only Same Man Left Alive'
'Inside of My Guitar'

'Hell Cat' (No.70, 1976)

Starting in the late 1970s, Howard & David Bellamy found success in country music as well, charting twenty No.1 singles and more than fifty hits overall on the Billboard country music singles chart.  To date, Howard & David Bellamy have seen the release of more than fifty albums, primarily on Curb Records.

Howard & David Bellamy were inspired by many musical sources from an early age.  Their father played country music around the house and he was also a member of a local Western Swing band; in addition, Howard & David Bellamy were inspired by the rock 'n' roll music their sister played, as well as the calypso music sung by Jamaican harvesters working in the family orange groves.

Despite having never had formal music training, Howard & David Bellamy learned how to play guitar, mandolin and banjo.  In addition, David Bellamy learned accordion, fiddle, organ and piano.

Their first musical gig was in 1968 at a benefit concert with their father in San Antonio, Florida at Rattlesnake Roundup.  Soon after, Howard & David Bellamy moved to Atlanta, Georgia and formed a band called Jericho.

However, playing in bands and clubs proved tiresome for Howard & David Bellamy, who soon moved back home.



Howard & David Bellamy were soon noticed by a friend of recording artist Jim Stafford, who eventually recorded 'Spiders & Snakes' (written by David Bellamy and Jim Stafford) (No.3, 1974), which became a Billboard Top 5 pop music hit single, providing The Bellamy Brothers with the money to move to Los Angeles, California.

'Spiders & Snakes' (written by David Bellamy and Jim Stafford) also reached No.3 on the Cash Box Top 100 Chart in 1974, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Chart.

'Spiders & Snakes' (written by David Bellamy and Jim Stafford) spent five and a half months on the United States charts, sold over one million copies, and was awarded a 'Gold' disc by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on Friday 8 March 1974.

'Spiders & Snakes' (written by David Bellamy and Jim Stafford) was included on Jim Stafford's self-titled debut album, 'Jim Stafford' (MGM Records, 1974).

Howard Bellamy became a road manager for Jim Stafford; Jim Stafford's previous road manager, Leo Gallagher, later gained fame as a comedian.



Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 - Tuesday 4 October 2022) & Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded 'Spiders & Snakes' (written by David Bellamy and Jim Stafford) and included the track on 'Country Partners' (MCA Records, 1974).

In 1975, Howard & David Bellamy signed to Curb Records; a single featuring only David Bellamy, 'Nothin' Heavy', was unsuccessful.

However, at the suggestion of Neil Diamond's drummer Dennis St. John, Howard & David Bellamy recorded and released the single 'Let Your Love Flow', which was written by Larry E. Williams, a former roadie for Neil Diamond.

Released in 1976, 'Let Your Love Flow' (written by Larry E. Williams) was No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1976, in addition to a dozen countries worldwide.



In May 1978, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Beautiful Friends' (Warner Bros. Records, 1978), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Bird Dog', which was written by Boudleaux Bryant (Friday 13 February 1920 - Thursday 25 June 1987) (No.86, 1978)

'Slippin' Away' (No.19, 1978)

'Wild Honey' (No.99, 1978)



Although 'Let Your Love Flow' (written by Larry E. Williams) was also a hit on the Billboard country music singles chart, where it reached No.21, Howard & David Bellamy's country music success was limited until 1979, when 'If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body, Would You Hold it Against Me' (written by David Bellamy) was released; the track was included on 'The Two & Only' (Warner Bros. Records, 1979), an album which also included 'You Ain't Just Whistling Dixie' (written by David Bellamy) (No.5, 1979).

'If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body, Would You Hold it Against Me' (written by David Bellamy), whose double entendre title was derived from a Groucho Marx quote, landed Howard & David Bellamy their first country music No.1 hit single in the United States (No.1 for three weeks in May / June 1979) and secured a Grammy Award nomination in the process.  The song was first played on radio in the United Kingdom, in Northern Ireland, before becoming 'Song of The Year' for all of the United Kingdom in 1979.

Following the success of 'If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body, Would You Hold it Against Me' (written by David Bellamy), Howard & David Bellamy decided to revamp their sound and headed back to Florida in order to put a new band together.  They enlisted the help of Ron & The Starfires, a Billboard Top 40 R&B group, along with bass player Jesse Chambers and his cousin, guitarist Carl Chambers.

 

This new group of musicians also supported Howard & David Bellamy in the recording studio and played on 'The Two & Only' (Warner Bros. Records, 1979) and 'You Can Get Crazy' (Warner Bros. Records, 1980).



In January 1980, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'You Can Get Crazy' (Warner Bros. Records, 1980), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Sugar Daddy' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for one week in April 1980)

'Dancin' Cowboys' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for one week in August 1980)



In November 1980, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Sons of The Sun' (Warner Bros. Records, 1980), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Lovers Live Longer' (written by David Bellamy) (No.3 in early 1981)

'Do You Love as Good as You Look', which was written by Jerry Gillespie, Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 - Friday 23 April 2021) and Rory Bourke (No.1 for one week in March 1981)

In 1981, Howard & David Bellamy ended an agreement with Warner Bros. Records by releasing two singles which never appeared on any album; 'They Could Put Me in Jail' (written by Bob McDill) peaked at No.12 in 1981, while 'You're My Favourite Star' (written by David Bellamy), blending country music with Jamaican rhythms, became the only reggae record ever to hit the Top 10 on the Billboard country music singles chart (No.7, 1981).

Signing with Elektra Records, Howard & David Bellamy were sceptical of working with another producer and persuaded Elektra Records head Jimmy Bowen to allow them to make their next album at home.



In April 1982, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'When We Were Boys' (Elektra Records, 1982), which was recorded in Florida and mixed in Nashville, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'For All The Wrong Reasons' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for one week in June 1981)

'Get into Reggae Cowboy' (written by David Bellamy) (No.21, 1981)



Even after Howard & David Bellamy left Warner Bros. Records and started releasing product on Elektra Records, they still owed their prior label more material.  The company closed out the agreement with 'Greatest Hits' (Warner Bros. Records, 1982), which was released in August 1982 and included the following tracks:

'Let Your Love Flow' (written by Larry E. Williams) (No.21, 1976) / this track also reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1976

'If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body, Would You Hold it Against Me' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for three weeks in May / June 1979); the track also reached No.39 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1979

'You Ain't Just Whistling Dixie' (written by David Bellamy) (No.5, 1979)

'Sugar Daddy' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for one week in April 1980)

'Dancin' Cowboys' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for one week in August 1980)

'Lovers Live Longer' (written by David Bellamy) (No.3 in early 1981)

'Do You Love As Good As You Look', which was written by Jerry Gillespie, Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 - Friday 23 April 2021) and Rory Bourke (No.1 for one week in March 1981)

'For All The Wrong Reasons' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for one week in June 1981)

'Get Into Reggae Cowboy' (written by David Bellamy) (No.21, 1981)

'Redneck Girl' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for one week in December 1982) / this track was also included on 'Strong Weakness' (Elektra Records, 1982)

Howard & David Bellamy's 'Greatest Hits' (Warner Bros. Records, 1982) reached No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1982.



In December 1982, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Strong Weakness' (Elektra Records, 1982), which included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Redneck Girl' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for one week in December 1982)

'When I'm Away from You' (written by Francis John 'Frankie' Miller) (No.1 for one week in April 1983) / this track was Howard & David Bellamy's last single to be released by Elektra Records

'I Love Her Mind' (written by David Bellamy) (No.4, 1983)

'Strong Weakness' (written by David Bellamy) (No.15, 1983)

Howard & David Bellamy's 'Strong Weakness' (Elektra Records, 1982) reached No.17 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1982.

In January 1983, Elektra Records / Asylum Records merged its country music division with Warner Bros. Records.



In May 1984, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Restless' (MCA / Curb Records, 1984), which was recorded at Criteria Sound Studios in North Miami Beach, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Forget About Me', which was written by Francis John 'Frankie' Miller, Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020) (No.5, 1984)

'World's Greatest Lover' (written by David Bellamy) (No.6, 1984)

'I Need More of You' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for one week in April 1985)



In June 1985, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Howard & David' (MCA Records, 1985), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Old Hippie' (written by David Bellamy) (No.2, 1985)

'Lie To You For Your Love' (written by David Bellamy, Howard Bellamy, Francis John 'Frankie' Miller and Jeff Barry) (No.2, 1985)

'Feeling The Feeling' (written by David Bellamy) (No.2, 1985)



In September 1986, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Country Rap' (MCA Records, 1986), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Too Much Is Not Enough' (written by David Bellamy and Ron Taylor) (No.1 for one week in December 1986) / this track was a duet with The Forester Sisters (Kathy, June, Kim and Christy Forester)

'Kids of The Baby Boom' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for one week in April 1987)

'Country Rap' (written by David Bellamy) (No.31, 1987)



In October 1986, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Greatest Hits 2' (MCA Records, 1986), which included the following tracks:

'Feeling The Feeling' (written by David Bellamy) (No.2, 1985)

'When I'm Away From You' (written by Francis John 'Frankie' Miller) (No.1 for one week in April 1983)

'Old Hippie' (written by David Bellamy) (No.2, 1985)

'Lie To You For Your Love' (written by David Bellamy, Howard Bellamy, Francis John 'Frankie' Miller and Jeff Barry) (No.2, 1985)

'Too Much Is Not Enough' (written by David Bellamy and Ron Taylor) (No.1 for one week in December 1986) / this track was a duet with The Forester Sisters (Kathy, June, Kim and Christy Forester)

'Forget About Me', which was written by Francis John 'Frankie' Miller, Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020) (No.5, 1984)

'World's Greatest Lover' (written by David Bellamy) (No.6, 1984)

'I Need More of You' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for one week in April 1985)

'Strong Weakness' (written by David Bellamy) (No.15, 1983)

'I Love Her Mind' (written by David Bellamy) (No.4, 1983)

Howard & David Bellamy's 'Greatest Hits 2' (MCA Records, 1986) reached No.27 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1986.



In October 1987, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Crazy From The Heart' (MCA Records, 1987), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Crazy From The Heart' (written by David Bellamy and Don Schlitz) (No.3, 1987)

'Santa Fe' (written by David Bellamy and Ron Taylor) (No.5, 1988)

'I'll Give You All My Love Tonight' (written by David Bellamy, Billy Crain and Wally Dentz) (No.6, 1988)

Howard & David Bellamy's 'Crazy From The Heart' (MCA Records, 1987) reached No.50 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987.



In September 1988, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Rebels Without A Clue' (MCA Records, 1988), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Rebels Without A Clue' (written by David Bellamy) (No.9, 1988)

'Big Love' (written by David Bellamy) (No.5, 1989)

Howard & David Bellamy's 'Rebels Without A Clue' (MCA Records, 1988) reached No.45 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1988.



In June 1989, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Greatest Hits 3' (MCA Records, 1989), which included the following tracks:

'Hillbilly Hell' (written by David Bellamy and Bobby Braddock) (No.51, 1989) / this track was new

'Crazy From The Heart' (written by David Bellamy and Don Schlitz) (No.3, 1987)

'The Center of My Universe' (written by David Bellamy, Howard Bellamy and Don Schlitz) (No.37, 1989) / this track was new

'Kids of The Baby Boom' (written by David Bellamy) (No.1 for one week in April 1987)

'Santa Fe' (written by David Bellamy and Ron Taylor) (No.5, 1988)

'I'll Give You All My Love Tonight' (written by David Bellamy, Billy Crain and Wally Dentz) (No.6, 1988)

'You'll Never Be Sorry' (written by David Bellamy, Howard Bellamy and Don Schlitz) (No.10, 1989) / this track was new

'Rebels Without A Clue' (written by David Bellamy) (No.9, 1988)

'Big Love' (written by David Bellamy) (No.5, 1989)

'Country Rap' (written by David Bellamy) (No.31, 1987)

Howard & David Bellamy's 'Greatest Hits 3' (MCA Records, 1989) reached No.50 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1989.



In 1990, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Reality Check' (MCA Records, 1990), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'I Could Be Persuaded' (written by David Bellamy, Howard Bellamy and Don Schlitz) (No.7, 1990) / this track was Howard & David Bellamy's last hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart



In 1991, Howard & David Bellamy switched record labels, moving from MCA Records to Atlantic Records.  Their tenure with Atlantic Records produced only one album, 'Rollin' Thunder' (Atlantic Records, 1991), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'She Don't Know That She's Perfect' (No.46, 1991)



Clint Black recorded David Bellamy's 'A Woman Has Her Way' (co-written with Clint Black and Jerry Lynn Williams) and included the track on 'The Hard Way' (RCA Records, 1992).



In 1992, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Nobody's Perfect' (Jupiter Records, 1992), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'Cowboy Beat' (No.23, 1992)

'Can I Come On Home To You' (No.64, 1992)

'A Hard Way To Make An Easy Living' (No.62, 1992)



In July 1993, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Rip Off The Knob' (Bellamy Brothers Records, 1993), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'Rip Off The Knob' (No.66, 1993)

'Not' (No.71, 1994)



In October 1999, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Lonely Planet' (Blue Hat Records, 1999), which included the following tracks:

'Houston (We Have A Problem)'
'Highway of Regret'
'Come Back Gene & Roy'
'Vertical Expression (of Horizontal Desire)'
'Kookaburra Blues'
'Lonely Planet'
'(Don't Put Me In The) Ex-Files'
'Old Country, New Country'
'Shero'
'Fountain of Middle Age'
'Forever Ain't Long Enough'



In 2005, Howard & David Bellamy returned to the roster at Curb Records and saw the release of 'Angels & Outlaws, Volume 1' (Curb Records, 2005), which was a compilation album featuring re-recordings of the duo's older hits, along with additional artists, including Dolly Parton, George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013), Alan Jackson, Tanya Tucker and Montgomery Gentry.

Howard & David Bellamy's 'Angels & Outlaws, Volume 1' (Curb Records, 2005) marked the initial release of the Bellamy Brothers' two-disc retrospective, which celebrated the 30th anniversary of their first No.1 hit single, 'Let Your Love Flow' (written by Larry E. Williams), in 1976.

To commemorate the occasion, Howard and David Bellamy assembled a wide array of guest artists, including Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) and Tanya Tucker, to add a new twist to several of their most recognisable hits.

As an added bonus, Howard & David Bellamy's 'Angels & Outlaws, Volume 1' (Curb Records, 2005), included two new songs, which were written by David Bellamy; 'Guardian Angel' with Willie Nelson and 'Alligator Alley' featuring John Anderson.

Howard & David Bellamy's 'Angels & Outlaws, Volume 1' (Curb Records, 2005) included the following tracks:

'You Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie' (written by David Bellamy) / this track featured guest vocals from Alan Jackson

'Old Hippie' (written by David Bellamy) / this track featured guest vocals from Montgomery Gentry

'Let Your Love Flow' (written by Larry E. Williams)

'Guardian Angel' (written by David Bellamy) / this track featured guest vocals from Willie Nelson

'If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me)' (written by David Bellamy) / this track, which featured guest vocals from Dolly Parton, spent one week at No.60 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2005

'Redneck Girl' (written by David Bellamy) / this track featured guest vocals from Pat Green

'Dancin' Cowboys' (written by David Bellamy) / this track featured guest vocals from Trini Triggs

'Sugar Daddy' (written by David Bellamy) / this track featured guest vocals from George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013)

'Crazy From the Heart' (written by David Bellamy and Don Schlitz) / this track featured guest vocals from Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen and Rhonda Vincent

'Reggae Cowboy' (written by David Bellamy) / this track featured guest vocals from David Allan Coe and Tanya Tucker

'Kids of The Baby Boom' (written by David Bellamy) / this track featured guest vocals from Bobby Bare and Charlie Daniels (Wednesday 28 October 1936 - Monday 6 July 2020)

'Alligator Alley' (written by David Bellamy) / this track featured guest vocals from John Anderson



On Tuesday 8 May 2007, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'Jesus Is Coming', an album of Gospel music; the title track had originally been included on 'Native American' (Jupiter Records, 1995).

In 2008, 'Let Your Love Flow' (written by Larry E. Williams) was used in the Barclaycard commercial for their new contactless cards.  The song re-entered the United Kingdom Singles Chart at No.48 based on downloads, and peaked at No.21 on the United Kingdom Singles Chart in March 2009; it was listed on BMI’s list of Top 100 'Song of the Century' at No.68 that same year.



On Tuesday 29 September 2009, Howard & David Bellamy saw the release of 'The Anthology, Volume 1' (Bellamy Brothers Records, 2009), a 2-CD set, which included the following (re-recorded) tracks:

Disc 1

'Let Your Love Flow' (written by Larry E. Williams)

'If I Said You Have A Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me)' (written by David Bellamy)

• Visit Howard & David Bellamy's official site at bellamybrothers.com