The Original Gene Watson Fan Site - Gene Watson's Peers: Quote from Jon Mabe: June 2009

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 Jon Mabe, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 9 June 2009.

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

Jon Mabe
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 9 June 2009.

'Gene Watson continues to be one of the most recognizable voices in country music.

He captures the struggles of the American heartland while rejoicing in their successes in life.

I get just a little more respect from my die-hard country music fan friends because Gene recorded one of my songs.

I will always be proud of that'.

Thank you, Jon Mabe, for your support of Gene Watson.

About Jon Mabe...

Jon Mabe graduated from the Appalachian State University in 1993.

Jon Mabe then moved from Boone in North Carolina to Nashville in order to pursue a career in the country music business.

Jon Mabe began with EMI Music Publishing as catalogue manager, but was soon elevated to creative director.

Jon Mabe worked with many successful writers and artists over the next several years, while continuing to hone his own skills in the songwriting craft.

In 2002, Jon Mabe accepted a position as Senior Creative Director with Big Picture Entertainment and worked with legendary artist / writer / producer Keith Stegall and his partner / manager Alan Kates.

While with Big Picture Entertainment, Jon Mabe was afforded the opportunity to formally pursue writing and production, while continuing his work as a Nashville music publisher.

In 2006, Jon Mabe signed his first publishing deal with Stage Three Music and garnered cuts with Ronnie Milsap, Chuck Wicks, Danielle Peck, Lila McCann and Little Big Town.

Ronnie Milsap recorded Jon Mabe's 'It's All Coming Back To Me Now' (co-written with Patrick Matthews and Jim McCormick) and included the track on 'My Life' (RCA Nashville Records, 2006), which was produced by Keith Stegall and was released on Tuesday 27 June 2006.

Gene Watson recorded Jon Mabe's 'A Good Place To Turn Around' (co-written with J. Matthews and Rebecca Lynn Howard) and included the track on 'In a Perfect World' (Shanachie Records, 2007) - Connie Smith and Wes Hightower provided background vocals on the track.

Little Big Town recorded Jon Mabe's 'Firebird Fly' (co-written with Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander) and included the track on 'A Place to Land' (Equity Music Group Records, 2007); the album was re-issued by Capitol Records in 2008 as 'A Place to Land' (Capitol Records, 2008).

Chuck Wicks recorded Jon Mabe's 'Mine All Mine' (co-written with Chuck Wicks and Patrick Jason Matthews) and included the track on 'Starting Now' (RCA Nashville Records, 2008).

Danielle Peck recorded Jon Mabe's 'That's What Angels Do' (co-written with Jason Sellers and Michael Dulaney) and included the track on 'Can't Behave' (Big Machine Records, 2008).

Miley Cyrus recorded Jon Mabe's 'The Climb' (co-written with Jessi Alexander); the track was included on the soundtrack for the 2009 film 'Hannah Montana: The Movie' and was released on Thursday 12 March 2009, as the lead single of the film's soundtrack by Walt Disney Records. The song was Miley Cyrus' first solo song to be released to American country music radio.

Miley Cyrus' recording of Jon Mabe's 'The Climb' (co-written with Jessi Alexander) achieved worldwide success and became a Top 10 hit on charts in Australia, Canada, Norway and the United States.

In the United States, the song peaked at No.4 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart and became the eighth best selling digital single of 2009. Five months after its release, the single was certified triple 'Platinum' by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Since, it has been recognised as one of the best-selling singles in the United States.

At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson 'Peer's Quote' from Jon Mabe, in June 2009, Jon Mabe was continuing to work closely with Stage Three's Tim Hunze and Missy Roberts to further his publishing interests.