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 during 2010, 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 Kenny Malone, which he submitted to this site on Wednesday 10 November 2010.

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





Kenny Malone
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 10 November 2010.

'Gene Watson is one of the all time greats.

What a wonderful talent he is.

I'm thankful I got a chance to play music with him'

Thank you, Kenny Malone, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Kenny Malone...



Photo of Kenny Malone courtesy of Rick Malkin

Kenny Malone, who was born on Thursday 4 August 1938, made a reputation as a master of the free-flowing groove, of the organic, never-know-what’s-coming-next whir of percussive improvisation and sure had a lot of formal training.

From whacking a snare at the age of five and progressing to drum and marimba lessons at the age of nine, to learning to read music and the parts for the rest of the orchestra at the age of twelve for Denver Junior Police Band, Kenny Malone was well prepared for a life of music-making.

By the time he was fifteen years old, Kenny Malone was splitting his time between gigs with a sixteen-piece accordion band from Wells School of Music and the pit orchestra of D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.

Still a teenager, Kenny Malone saw the world as part of the United States Navy Big Band, playing Eisenhower’s South American tour and John F. Kennedy’s inauguration, before switching to the service's School of Music, eventually writing the manual as Head of the Percussion Department.

Then Kenny Malone moved to Nashville and his real career began.

Thanks to the help of legendary Cowboy Jack Clement (Sunday 5 April 1931 - Thursday 8 August 2013), Kenny Malone broke into the big time.

Among various sessions he did soon after moving to Nashville in 1970, was one for Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 - Friday 8 September 2017), a writer for Cowboy’s publishing house, Jack Music, and an artist on the roster of Cowboy’s record label JMI Records.



The production was turned over to another writer there, Allen Reynolds, and the result was a surprise hit record with 'Amanda' (written by Bob McDill), which was included on 'Don Williams: Volume 1' (JMI Records, 1973), Don Williams' debut album, which was released in June 1973.

Don Williams' recording of 'Amanda' (written by Bob McDill) was a charted 'b' side, reaching No.33 in 1973, while the 'a' side, 'Come Early Morning' (written by Bob McDill), reached No.12 in 1973.



Almost simultaneously, the Kenny Malone beat propelled another unknown to the Top 5 of the Billboard pop music singles chart, when Dobie Gray (Friday 26 July 1940 - Tuesday 6 December 2011) hit with 'Drift Away', which was written by Mentor Williams (Tuesday 11 June 1946 - Wednesday 16 November 2016) (No.5, 1973).

Kenny Malone found himself 'in demand' and, for the next forty years, Kenny’s graceful rhythms complemented the most subtle of lyricists, as well as the most virtuosic of instrumentalists.

And, although he has mostly been in the studio, behind the scenes, Kenny Malone found time to play in some adventurous performing bands with other stellar musicians - Barefoot Jerry, Tone Patrol, Cowboy's Ragtime Band and, as a trio, with Darrell Scott and Danny Thompson.

Between 1972 and 2007, Kenny Malone played on an astonishing array of country music albums.

Kennny Malone: 1970s

Kenny Malone: 1980s

Kenny Malone: 1990s

Kennny Malone: 2000s

• Visit Kenny Malone's official site at kennymalone.net