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 2013, 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 Wayne Carson, which he submitted to this site on Sunday 23 June 2013.

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





Wayne Carson
This quote was submitted on Thursday 11 June 2013.

'Years ago, I heard Gene Watson's voice on the radio and, like millions of other fans, I fell for one of the top three or four voices ever in this business.



I'm a writer and have been for most all my life, and I'm proud to brag about having one or two of my songs attached to this man's wonderful career.

Keep on, Gene!

Always a fan and a friend, Wayne'

Thank you, Wayne Carson, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Wayne Carson...



Wayne Carson was an internationally known music maker and was right at home in rock 'n' roll, country music, and rhythm & blues.

A two-time Grammy Award winner, Wayne Carson was a songwriter, producer and musician, equally comfortable on percussion, piano, guitar or bass.

Wayne Carson's most famous songs include the following:

'Neon Rainbow'

'The Letter', which was recorded by The Box Tops, The Beach Boys, and Joe Cocker (Saturday 20 May 1944 - Monday 22 December 2014) featuring Leon Russell (Thursday 2 April 1942 - Sunday 13 November 2016)

'Always On My Mind' (written with Mark James and Johnny Christopher)

'Soul Deep', which was recorded by The Box Tops, Clarence Carter, Gary U.S. Bonds, Tina Turner, Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 - Thursday 8 May 2008) and Gin Blossoms

'Keep On' (recorded by Bruce Channel)

Wayne Carson was born Wayne Carson Thompson in Denver, Colorado on Monday 31 May 1943.  Wayne Carson Thompson's parents, Odie and Olivia Thompson, played music professionally.  They met in Nebraska while working for radio station KMMJ, moved to Colorado and eventually to Springfield, Missouri to join the music staff at KWTO-AM.

By then, Wayne Carson's parents were better known by their stage names, Shorty and Sue Thompson.  Shorty was perhaps best known around the Ozarks as a member of radio and television mainstay 'The Tall Timber Boys'.

Wayne Carson picked up a guitar when he was about fourteen years old after hearing a recording by Merle Travis (Thursday 29 November 1917 - Thursday 20 October 1983).

Wayne Carson was quickly taken by the newer sound of rock 'n' roll.  He lived in several cities, including Denver, as a young man leading bands.

Wayne Carson, through an association with record producer Lincoln Wayne 'Chips' Moman (Saturday 12 June 1937 - Monday 13 June 2016), played on many of the pop music recording sessions which emanated from Memphis in the 1960s, and he wrote The Box Tops hit singles 'The Letter' (No.1, 1967), 'Neon Rainbows' (No.24, 1967) and 'Soul Deep' (No.18, 1969).

In 1962, Wayne Carson moved to Nashville and eventually moved back to Springfield, Missouri where he began working with music publisher and promoter Si Siman.

Together they pitched songs for years, but without success, until Si Siman's friend, producer Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 - Saturday 30 June 2001), took a liking to a song called 'Somebody Like Me' and wanted Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 - Thursday 8 May 2008) to record it.

Wayne Carson was taken aback when he received a call from Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 - Thursday 8 May 2008), one of the most successful country music artists of all time: 'Wayne, I love the song, but it needs another verse', Wayne recalled. 'So I said, the third verse goes like this and I just wrote it right there over the phone'.



Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 - Thursday 8 May 2008) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Somebody Like Me' and included the track on 'Somebody Like Me' (RCA Victor Records, 1966); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for four weeks in late 1966, and also reached No.53 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1966.



Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 - Sunday 19 November 2017) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Who's Julie' and included the track on 'Who's Julie' (Kapp Records, 1969).



Ike Turner (Thursday 5 November 1931 - Wednesday 12 December 2007) & Tina Turner recorded Wayne Carson's 'Cussin', Cryin' & Carryin' On' and included the track on 'Cussin', Cryin' & Carryin' On' (Pompeii Records, 1969).



Ike Turner (Thursday 5 November 1931 - Wednesday 12 December 2007) & Tina Turner recorded Wayne Carson's 'You Got What You Wanted' and included the track on 'Cussin', Cryin' & Carryin' On' (Pompeii Records, 1969).



Lynn Anderson (Friday 26 September 1947 - Thursday 30 July 2015) recorded Wayne Carson's 'No Love At All' (co-written with Johnny Christopher) and included the track on 'No Love At All' (Columbia Records, 1970); the track reached No.15 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970.



Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Something's Wrong In California' (co-written with Rodney Lay) and included the track on 'The Best of Waylon Jennings' (RCA Victor Records, 1970); the track reached No.19 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970.



Eddy Arnold (Wednesday 15 May 1918 - Thursday 8 May 2008) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Soul Deep' and included the track on 'Love & Guitars' (RCA Victor Records, 1970); the track reached No.22 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970.



BJ Thomas recorded Wayne Carson's 'No Love At All' (co-written with Johnny Christopher) and included the track on 'Most of All' (Scepter Records, 1970); the track reached No.16 on the Billboard pop music singles chart in 1971.



Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Wayne Carson's '(Don't Let The Sun Set On You In) Tulsa' and included the track on 'The Taker/Tulsa' (RCA Victor Records, 1971); the track reached No.16 on the Billboard country music singles in 1971.



Barbara Mandrell recorded Wayne Carson's 'The Letter' and included the track on her debut album, 'Treat Him Right' (Columbia Records, 1971).



Brenda Lee recorded Wayne Carson's 'Always On My Mind' (co-written with Mark James and Johnny Christopher) and included the track on 'Brenda' (MCA Records, 1973); the track reached No.45 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973.



Elvis Presley (Tuesday 8 January 1935 - Tuesday 16 August 1977) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Always On My Mind' (co-written with Mark James and Johnny Christopher) and included the track on 'Separate Ways' (RCA Victor Records, 1973); the track reached No.16 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1973.



Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 - Tuesday 8 August 2017) recorded Wayne Carson's 'No Love At All' (co-written with Johnny Christopher) and included the track on 'Houston (I'm Comin' To See You)' (Capitol Records, 1974).



Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Wayne Carson's 'I See The Want To In Your Eyes' and included the track on 'I'm Not Through Loving You Yet' (MCA Records, 1974); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in October / November 1974.



Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 - Tuesday 16 December 2003) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Drinkin' Thing' and included the track on 'Out of Hand' (RCA Victor Records, 1975); the track reached No.10 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975.



Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 - Tuesday 16 December 2003) recorded Wayne Carson's 'I See The Want To In Your Eyes' and included the track on 'Out of Hand' (RCA Victor Records, 1975).



Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 - Tuesday 16 December 2003) recorded Wayne Carson's 'She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)' and included the track on 'Out of Hand' (RCA Victor Records, 1975); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in May 1975.



Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 - Tuesday 16 December 2003) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Lord, What A Woman' (co-written with Gary Stewart) and included the track on 'Steppin' Out' (RCA Victor Records, 1976).



Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 - Tuesday 16 December 2003) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Oh, Sweet Temptation' and included the track on 'Steppin' Out' (RCA Victor Records, 1976); the track reached No.23 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1976.



Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 - Wednesday 19 February 2003) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Slide Off of Your Satin Sheets' (co-written with Donn Tankersley) and included the track on 'Slide Off of Your Satin Sheets' (Epic Records, 1977); the track reached No.7 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977.



Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 - Tuesday 16 December 2003) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Ten Years of This' (co-written with Gary Stewart) and included the track on 'Your Place Or Mine' (RCA Victor Records, 1977); the track, which reached No.16 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977, featured guest vocals from Lea Jane Bennati.



Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 - Tuesday 16 December 2003) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Whiskey Trip' (co-written with Donn Tankersley) and included the track on 'Little Junior' (RCA Victor Records, 1978); the track reached No.16 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1978.



Moe Bandy recorded Wayne Carson's 'Barstool Mountain' (co-written with Donn Tankersley) and included the track on 'It's A Cheating Situation' (Columbia Records, 1979); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979.



Gene Watson recorded Wayne Carson's 'That Evil Child' and included the track on 'Should I Come Home' (Capitol Records, 1979).



John Wesley Ryles recorded Wayne Carson's 'Always On My Mind' (co-written with Mark James and Johnny Christopher) and included the track on 'Let The Night Begin' (MCA Records, 1979); the track reached No.20 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979.



Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 - Monday 16 December 2013) recorded Wayne Carson's 'That's The Only Way To Say Good Morning' and included the track on 'There's Always Me' (Monument Records, 1979); the track reached No.18 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979.



Shakin' Stevens (Michael Barratt) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Nobody' and included the track on 'This Ole House' (Epic Records, 1981).



Gene Watson recorded Wayne Carson's 'We Got A Bad Thing Going' (co-written with Donn Tankersley) and included the track on 'Between This Time & The Next Time' (MCA Records, 1981).



Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 - Saturday 5 June 1993) recorded Wayne Carson's 'The Clown' (co-written with Charlie Chambers, Sandra Rhodes and Brenda Barnett) and included the track on 'Southern Comfort' (Elektra Records, 1981); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1982.



Willie Nelson recorded Wayne Carson's 'Always On My Mind' (co-written with Mark James and Johnny Christopher) and included the track on 'Always On My Mind' (Columbia Records, 1982); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in May 1982, and No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1982.

Willie Nelson's recording of Wayne Carson's 'Always On My Mind' (co-written with Mark James and Johnny Christopher), which was Willie's biggest record ever, earned three Grammy Awards, including 'Song of The Year', plus two Academy of Country Music (ACM) trophies and four from the Country Music Association (CMA).



In 1987, The Pet Shop Boys (Neil Tennant & Chris Lowe) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Always On My Mind' (co-written with Mark James and Johnny Christopher); the track was a worldwide pop music hit single in many countries, including the United Kingdom (No.1, 1987), the United States (No.4, 1987), Canada (No.1, 1987) and Ireland (No.2, 1987); the track was subsequently included on The Pet Shop Boys' 'Introspective' (EMI Manhattan Records / Parlaphone Records, 1988).



Willie Nelson recorded Wayne Carson's 'A Horse Called Music' and included the track on 'A Horse Called Music' (Columbia Records, 1989).



Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 - Tuesday 16 December 2003) recorded Wayne Carson's 'Nothing Cheap About A Cheap Affair' (co-written with Gary Stewart) and included the track on 'Battleground' (Hightone Records, 1990).



Shelby Lynne recorded Wayne Carson's 'Dog Day Afternoon' and included the track on 'Tough All Over' (Epic Records, 1990).



Ronnie Reno & The Reno Brothers (Don Wayne Reno and Dale Reno) recorded Wayne Carson's 'I'm So Dog Gone Used To Lovin' You', which was co-written with Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 - Sunday 19 November 2017), and included the track on 'Swing West' (Pinecastle Records, 1995); the track namechecked Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016).



In 1997, Wayne Carson was inducted into The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.



In 1998, Wade Hayes recorded Wayne Carson's 'She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)'; the track was included on the Various Artists compilation 'Tribute To Tradition' (Columbia Nashville Records, 1998).



Randy Travis recorded Wayne Carson's 'A Horse Called Music' and included the track on 'You & You Alone' (Dreamworks Records, 1998).

 

Willie Nelson recorded Wayne Carson's 'Always On My Mind' (co-written with Mark James and Johnny Christopher) and included the track on 'American Classic' (Blue Note Records, 2009); Willie Nelson's original recording of this track, which was included on 'Always On My Mind' (Columbia Records, 1982), was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in May 1982, and reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1982.

Willie Nelson's original recording of Wayne Carson's 'Always On My Mind' (co-written with Mark James and Johnny Christopher), which was Willie Nelson's biggest record ever, earned three Grammy Awards, including 'Song of The Year', plus two Academy of Country Music (ACM) trophies and four from the Country Music Association (CMA).

At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson 'Peer's Quote', in June 2013, Wayne Carson was continuing to promote Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and the songwriting community by appearing for events throughout Nashville.



Gene Watson recorded Wayne Carson's 'Slide Off of Your Satin Sheets' (co-written with Donn Tankersley) and included the track on 'My Heroes Have Always Been Country' (Fourteen Carat Music, 2014).

Wayne Carson's favourite recreations were golf and fishing.  He also loved dogs and devoted a great deal of his time and resources to the rescue of Boston Terriers, often fostering and rehabilitating abandoned or abused animals in his home in Franklin, Tennessee.

During his 'semi-retirement', Wayne Carson wrote, on occasion, with old friends, or with new writers and artists, who wanted to tap the creative genius that kept a writer successful in the business for over four decades.

Wayne Carson Thompson, who was born on Monday 31 May 1943, in Denver, Colorado, passed away in Nashville on Monday 20 July 2015.



Landon Dodd recorded Wayne Carson's 'Barstool Mountain' (co-written with Donn Tankersley) and included the track on 'What Comes Natural To A Fool' (Heart of Texas Records, 2016).





• Visit Wayne Carson's official site at waynecarsonmusic.com