John Schneider
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 22 October 2014.

'Gene Watson is a true statesman of country music.

A wonderful singer and an amazing story teller'

Thank you, John Schneider, for your support of Gene Watson.



About John Schneider...



John Schneider (actor, singer, director, producer and writer) was born John Richard Schneider III on Friday 8 April 1960 in Mount Kisco, New York.

As a child, John Schneider enjoyed going to the theater watching John Wayne (Sunday 26 May 1907 - Monday 11 June 1979) in the westerns.  John Wayne soon became John Schneider's hero as he set his dreams on becoming a star on the big screen some day.  John Schneider began acting in plays at school and in the community.  John Schneider performed as a magician at children's parties and people were amazed at the card tricks this young boy could perform.

At the age of fourteen, John Schneider's mother Shirley's job was transferred to Atlanta in Georgia, so the two of them packed up and moved.  John Schneider immediately began performing in plays with the North Springs High School drama club.  John Schneider was Tevye in 'Fiddler On The Roof', the lead in 'Pajama Game' after losing weight over the summer break, and Frank Butler in 'Annie, Get Your Gun'.

John Schneider recorded 'The Auctioneer' for the album 'Small One' when he was fifteen years old.  John Schneider sang in a barbershop quartet at Six Flags Over Georgia, and was in the Georgia State Chorus for three years while in high school.  John Schneider graduated high school in three years as he was anxious for his career to begin.

That career began in 1978 when John Schneider auditioned for the role of a 'good ol' boy'.  They were looking for someone 24-30 years of age who was born in the south.  John Schneider went in with a six pack of beer and a torn t-shirt telling them he was 24 years old and was from Snellville in Georgia.  John Schneider got the role of Bo Duke in the new CBS television series, 'The Dukes of Hazzard', and his career had begun.

'The Dukes of Hazzard' was an American television series, which aired on the CBS television network between Friday 26 January 1979 and Friday 8 February 1985.  The series was inspired by the 1975 film, 'Moonrunners', which was also created by Gy Waldron, and had many identical or similar character names and concepts.



Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002) wrote 'Theme From The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)' and included the track on 'Music Man' (RCA Records, 1980); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in November 1980, and peaked at No.21 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1980.

On Tuesday 9 December 1980, 'Theme From The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)' was certified as Waylon Jennings' only million-selling single.



Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002) worked as the narrator on 'The Dukes of Hazzard', and was commonly known as 'The Balladeer', having already contributed to the film, 'Moonrunners', which launched the series.

While working on 'The Dukes of Hazzard', John Schneider also starred in two made-for-television movies, 'Dream House' and 'Happy Endings'.



In January 1981, John Schneider saw the release of the first of four albums he recorded for Scotti Bros. Records, 'It's Now Or Never' (Scotti Bros. Records, 1981), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'It's Now Or Never', which was written by Wally Gold (Tuesday 15 May 1928 - Sunday 7 June 1998), Aaron Schroeder (Tuesday 7 September 1926 - Wednesday 2 December 2009) and Eduardo Di Capua (12 March 1865 - Wednesday 3 October 1917) (No.4, 1981) / the track also reached No.14 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1981

'Them Good Ol' Boys Are Bad' (No.13, 1981) / the 'B'-side of this single was 'Still' (written by Lionel Richie), which reached No.69 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1981

Following the success of 'Them Good Ol' Boys Are Bad', John Schneider's vocal career stalled.  John Schneider did, however, see the release of a further three albums for Scotti Bros. Records.

John Schneider's debut album, his first for Scotti Records, 'It's Now Or Never' (Scotti Bros. Records, 1981), also included the following tracks:

'Stay With Me'
'Let Me Love You'
'No.34 In Atlanta'
'(Am I) Fallin' In Love With Love'
'Next Time Around'
'Stay'
'You Could Be The One Woman'

John Schneider's debut album, his first for Scotti Records, 'It's Now Or Never' (Scotti Bros. Records, 1981), reached No.8 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1981.



In November 1981, John Schneider saw the release of his second album for Scotti Bros. Records, 'White Christmas' (Scotti Bros. Records, 1981), which included the following tracks:

'White Christmas'
'O, Little Town of Bethlehem'
'Winter Wonderland'
'Silver Bells'
'Silent Night'
'Christmas Song'
'Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer'
'Kathy's Christmas Card'
'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'
'It's Christmas'

John Schneider's second album for Scotti Records, 'White Christmas' (Scotti Bros. Records, 1981), reached No.39 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1981.



In April 1982, John Schneider saw the release of his third album for Scotti Records, 'Quiet Man' (Scotti Bros. Records, 1982), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Dreamin' (written by Barry De Vorzon and Ted Ellis) (No.32, 1982)

'In The Driver's Seat' (No.56, 1982)

John Schneider's third album for Scotti Records, 'Quiet Man' (Scotti Bros. Records, 1982), also included the following tracks:

'I Need Someone To Miss'
'Hurts Like The Devil'
'Quiet Man'
'Livin' For Saturday Night'
'Every Night With You'
'They Got Nothin' On Him'
'Love Like Ours'
'Love Letters In The Sand'



In 1983, John Schneider saw the release of his fourth, and final album, for Scotti Bros. Records, 'If You Believe' (Scotti Bros. Records, 1983), which included the following tracks:

'Are You Lonesome Tonight'
'If You Believe'
'Look At Me Now'
'Lincoln County Queen'
'Love Stays On'
'Good Old Country Music'
'Hard Memories'
'Legend In My Own Mind'
'How Long'
'Long Neck Bottle of Beer'

John Schneider co-starred in the movie 'Eddie Macon's Run' and filmed two television specials, 'John Schneider: Back Home' and 'John Schneider's White Christmas'.

John Schneider's career expanded when he wrote and directed the last episode of 'The Dukes of Hazzard', which was entitled 'Opening Night At The Boar's Nest'.

In 1983, John Schneider and Marie Osmond co-founded Children's Miracle Network, a charity which raised billions of dollars for children's hospitals throughout the United States and Canada.

It was at this time that John Schneider was unwilling to throw in the towel on his musical career and enlisted the help of producer Jimmy Bowen, who had recently left Warner Bros. Records, to work on an album with him.  John Schneider paid for it out of his own pocket and looked for material in Nashville.

John Schneider became frustrated when publishers pitched him songs in the same vein as 'It's Now Or Never' so, after going through demo after demo at Welk Music, he asked company representative, Bob Kirsch, to play him a song that he really liked but wouldn't think was suitable for John Schneider.

Bob Kirsch pulled out an eight-year-old song, 'I've Been Around Enough To Know' (written by Dickey Lee and Bob McDill), and John Schneider immediately decided to record it.



Jo-El Sonnier had originally recorded a Cajun version of 'I've Been Around Enough To Know' (written by Dickey Lee and Bob McDill), which was partially translated into French, for Mercury Records in 1975 (the track reached No.78), but writers Dickey Lee and Bob McDill had given up hope of ever having it recorded again.

When Jimmy Bowen arrived at MCA Records, he had John Schneider's single released in an unusual manner.  MCA Records shipped seventy-five copies to radio stations with no identification on the record label.  Only three radio programmers recognised John Schneider - many thought it was George Strait - but they all agreed to play the track.



In July 1984, John Schneider saw the release of his first album for MCA Records, 'Too Good To Stop Now' (MCA Records, 1984), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'I've Been Around Enough To Know' (written by Dickey Lee and Bob McDill) (No.1 for one week in November 1984)

'Country Girls', which was written by Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020) (No.1 for one week in April 1985)

John Schneider's first album for MCA Records, 'Too Good To Stop Now' (MCA Records, 1984), also included the following tracks:

'What'll You Do About Me', which was written by Dennis Linde (Thursday 18 March 1943 - Friday 22 December 2006)
'Low Class Reunion' (written by Sterling Whipple)
'Too Good To Stop Now' (written by Bob McDill)
'Time After My Life'
'Trouble', which was written by Gary Morris and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020)
'The Party of The First Part' (written by Sonny Curtis and Ron Hellard)
'I'm Your Man', which was written by Max D. Barnes (Friday 24 July 1936 - Sunday 11 January 2004) and Troy Seals
'Hollywood Heroes', which was written by Mike Reid, Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020)

Personnel involved in the recording of John Schneider's first album for MCA Records, 'Too Good To Stop Now' (MCA Records, 1984), included the following:

Billy Walker and Larry Rolando (electric guitar)
Billy Walker (acoustic guitar)
Tom Robb (bass)
Matt Betton (drums)
John Jarvis (keyboards)
Buddy Spicher (viola)
Rex Peer (trombone)
John Gore (clarinet)
Terry Mead (trumpet)
BIll Lamb and Thom Flora (background vocals)
John Schneider (lead vocals, vocal harmonies)

John Schneider's first album for MCA Records, 'Too Good To Stop Now' (MCA Records, 1984), reached No.4 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1984.

In 1985, following the cancellation of 'The Dukes of Hazzard' by CBS, John Schneider continued acting and singing.

 

In April 1985, John Schneider saw the release of his second album for MCA Records, 'Tryin' To Outrun The Wind' (MCA Records, 1985), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'It's A Short Walk From Heaven To Hell' (written by Ken Bell, Terry Skinner and J.L. Wallace) (No.10, 1985)

'I'm Gonna Leave You Tomorrow', which was written by Eugene David Dobbins (Monday 19 March 1934 - Sunday 23 November 2008), Tim Daniels and Johnny Wilson (No.10, 1985) / John Schneider's vocal performance on this track elicited comparisons to Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016)

John Schneider's second album for MCA Records, 'Tryin' To Outrun The Wind' (MCA Records, 1985), also included the following tracks:

'He's Back In Texas' (written by Wood Newton and Troy Seals) / this track was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'Uncharted Mind' (Step One Records, 1993)

'Say Hello To Goodbye' (written by Tom Kimmel)
'Why Did You Say I Do To Me' (written by Sonny Curtis)
'Tryin' To Outrun The Wind', which was written by Tom Davey, Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020)
'Leavin's Been Comin' (For A Long, Long Time)', which was written by Charlie Craig (Friday 30 September 1938 - Friday 1 July 2011), Stowe Dailey and Mike McGuire
'I Don't Feel Much Like A Cowboy Tonight' (written by Michael Garvin, Bucky Jones and Tom Shapiro)
'Bad Case of Love' (written by Sonny Curtis)
'Honeymoon Wine' (written by Bruce Channel and Kieran Kane)

Personnel involved in the recording of John Schneider's second album for MCA Records, 'Tryin' To Outrun The Wind' (MCA Records, 1985), included the following:

Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 - Thursday 17 January 2019) and Larry Byrom (guitar)
Terry Mead (trumpet)
Hubert 'Hoot' Hester (Monday 13 August 1951 - Tuesday 30 August 2016) (fiddle)
John Barlow Jarvis and Larry Muhoberac (keyboards)
Tom Robb (bass)
Matt Betton (drums)
Thom Flora, Curtis Young, Michael Lack and John Schneider (background vocals)
John Schneider (lead vocals)

John Schneider's second album for MCA Records, 'Tryin' To Outrun The Wind' (MCA Records, 1985), reached No.15 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1985.



In January 1986, John Schneider saw the release of his third album for MCA Records, 'A Memory Like You' (MCA Records, 1986), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'What's A Memory Like You (Doing In A Love Like This)', which was written by Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 - Friday 19 August 2022) and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 - Thursday 1 February 2001) (No.1 for one week in March 1986)

'You're The Last Thing I Needed Tonight', which was written by David Wills and Don Pfrimmer (Thursday 9 September 1937 - Monday 7 December 2015) (No.1 for one week in August 1986)

John Schneider's third album for MCA Records, 'A Memory Like You' (MCA Records, 1986), also included the following tracks:

'Who Cares' (written by Rhonda Fleming and Don Schlitz)
'Somebody's Gonna Love Her' (written by Dickey Lee and Bob McDill)
'Old Rainbow Jukebox & You' (written by Sonny Curtis)
'If We Can't Have Forever (Let's Take Tonight)' (written by Bob McDill and Tommy Rocco)
'One More Night' (written by Jay Lacy)
'He Finally Made Up Her Mind', which was written by Carl Chambers and Herb McCullough (Thursday 18 May 1944 - Tuesday 5 May 2015)
'The One Who Got Away', which was written by Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 - Friday 23 April 2021), Steve Bogard and Rory Bourke
'Welcome Home', which was written by Jerry Allison (Thursday 31 August 1939 - Monday 22 August 2022) and Sonny Curtis

Personnel involved in the recording of John Schneider's third album for MCA Records, 'A Memory Like You' (MCA Records, 1986), included the following:

Matt Betton (drums)
Larry Byrom and Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 - Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar)
John Catchings (cello)
Ralph Childs (tuba)
Sonny Curtis (acoustic guitar on 'Old Rainbow Jukebox & You')
Thom Flora, Michael Lunn and Curtis Young (background vocals)
Emory Gordy Jr. (bass guitar)
Barry Green (trombone)
John Barlow Jarvis (keyboards)
Sam Levine (clarinet)
Terry Mead (trumpet)
Farrell Morris (percussion)
John Schneider (lead vocals, background vocals)
Lisa Silver (violin)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 - Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar)

John Schneider's third album for MCA Records, 'A Memory Like You' (MCA Records, 1986), reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1986.



In August 1986, John Schneider saw the release of his fourth album for MCA Records, 'Take The Long Way Home' (MCA Records, 1986), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'At The Sound of The Tone' (written by Dave Richardson and Max T. Barnes) (No.5, 1986)

'Take The Long Way Home' (written by Doug Crider and John Neel) (No.10, 1986)

John Schneider's fourth album for MCA Records, 'Take The Long Way Home' (MCA Records, 1986), also included the following tracks:

'Broken Promise Land' (written by Bill Rice and Mary Sharon Rice)
'She's Ready For Someone To Love Her', which was written by Tommy Rocco, Jerry Gillespie and Charlie Black (Wednesday 23 November 1949 - Friday 23 April 2021)
'Sounds Like Something I Would Say' (written by Don Cook and John Barlow Jarvis)
'Better Class of Losers', which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002) and Ron Peterson
'Gettin' Even', which was written by Dave Gillon, Sam Hogin (1950 - Monday 9 August 2004) and Gordon Payne
'Auction' (written by Don Goodman, Claude Hendricks, Bill Lancaster and Mark Sherrill)
'This Time' (written by Steve Mason and John Schneider)
'Just When', which was written by Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023) and Alan Rhody

In 1986, John Schneider won 'The Star of Tomorrow' Award at the 20th Annual Music City News Country Awards.  John Schneider toured with his music, but still found time to film several movies, including 'Gus Brown & Midnight Brewster', 'Cocaine Wars', 'Stagecoach', 'The Curse', 'Christmas Comes To Willow Creek', 'Outback Bound', and 'Ministry of Vengeance', along with starring in the television mini-series, 'Wild Jack'.



In March 1987, John Schneider saw the release of his fifth album for MCA Records, 'You Ain't Seen The Last of Me' (MCA Records, 1987), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Love, You Ain't Seen The Last of Me' (written by Kendal Franceschi) (No.6, 1987)

'When The Right One Comes Along', which was written by Russell Smith (Friday 17 June 1949 - Friday 12 July 2019) and James Hooker (No.32, 1987)

'If It Was Anyone But You' (written by Don Schlitz, John Schneider and Lisa Silver) (No.59, 1987)

John Schneider's fifth album for MCA Records, 'You Ain't Seen The Last of Me' (MCA Records, 1987), also included the following tracks:

'I Lost My Head Last Night', which was written by Jim Sales, Ronny Scaife (1947 - Wednesday 3 November 2010) and Phil Thomas (1944 - Saturday 5 January 2019)
'So Good' (written by Bruce Channel and Don Cook)
'Angelena' (written by John Berrafato)
'Hillbilly Boy With The Rock 'N' Roll Blues', which was written by Mark Collie and Ronny Scaife (1947 - Wednesday 3 November 2010)
'Credit' (written by Larry Byrom and John Schneider)
'Gunfighter' (written by John Schneider)
'Redneck Is The Backbone of America' (written by Bucky Jones, Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters)

Personnel involved in the recording of John Schneider's fifth album for MCA Records, 'You Ain't Seen The Last of Me' (MCA Records, 1987), included the following:

Matt Betton (drums)
Emory Gordy, Jr. (bass)
Larry Byrom, Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 - Thursday 17 January 2019), Fred Newell, Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 - Tuesday 25 July 2017) and John Schneider (electric guitar)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 - Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar)
John Barlow Jarvis (piano)
John Barlow Jarvis and Mike Lawler (keyboards, synthesizer)
Terry McMillan (Monday 12 October 1953 - Friday 2 February 2007) (harmonica)
John Schneider and Curtis Young (background vocals)
John Schneider (lead vocals)

John Schneider's fifth album for MCA Records, 'You Ain't Seen The Last of Me' (MCA Records, 1987), reached No.41 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1987.



In September 1987, John Schneider saw the release of 'Greatest Hits' (MCA Records, 1990), which included the following tracks:

'I've Been Around Enough To Know' (written by Dickey Lee and Bob McDill) (No.1 for one week in November 1984)

'Country Girls', which was written by Troy Seals and Edward F. Setser (1945 - Monday 27 January 2020) (No.1 for one week in April 1985)

'It's A Short Walk From Heaven To Hell' (written by Ken Bell, Terry Skinner and J.L. Wallace) (No.10, 1985)

'I'm Gonna Leave You Tomorrow', which was written by Eugene David Dobbins (Monday 19 March 1934 - Sunday 23 November 2008), Tim Daniels and Johnny Wilson (No.10, 1985) / John Schneider's vocal performance on this track elicited comparisons to Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016)

'What's A Memory Like You (Doing In A Love Like This)', which was written by Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 - Friday 19 August 2022) and John Jarrard (Thursday 7 May 1953 - Thursday 1 February 2001) (No.1 for one week in March 1986)

'You're The Last Thing I Needed Tonight', which was written by David Wills and Don Pfrimmer (Thursday 9 September 1937 - Monday 7 December 2015) (No.1 for one week in August 1986)

'At The Sound of The Tone' (written by Dave Richardson and Max T. Barnes) (No.5, 1986)

'Take The Long Way Home' (written by Doug Crider and John Neel) (No.10, 1986)

'Love, You Ain't Seen The Last of Me' (written by Kendal Franceschi) (No.6, 1987)

'If It Was Anyone But You' (written by Don Schlitz, John Schneider and Lisa Silver) (No.59, 1987)

During the 1990s, John Schneider's career alternated between television / movies and musicals.  In 1990, John Schneider co-starred as Hardball in the television series 'Grand Slam'.

From there, John Schneider went to Broadway where his talents were once again displayed on the stage.  In 1991, John Schneider portrayed Felix Von Gaigern in the musical, 'Grand Hotel'.  This was followed in 1992 by his performance in the off-Broadway musical, 'Brigadoon.  It was also in 1992 when John Schneider starred in the television movie, 'Highway Heartbreaker', along with guest-starring roles in a few television series.

During the rest of the 1990s, John Schneider appeared in many roles on television, including the following:

• 'Desperate Journey: The Allison Wilcox Story' (1993)
• 'Second Chances' (1994)
• 'Burke's Law' (1994)
• 'Bandit: Bandit Bandit' (1994)
• 'Christy' (1994)
• 'Texas' (1994)
• 'Heaven Help Us' (1994)
• 'The Little CHP' (1995)
• 'The Legend of The Ruby Silver' (1996)
• 'Night of The Twisters' (1996)
• 'Kung Fu: The Legend Continues' (1996)
• 'The Dukes of Hazzard: Reunion!' (1997)
• 'True Women' (1997)
• 'Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman' (1997 - 1998)
• 'JAG' (1998)
• 'Walker, Texas Ranger' (1999)
• 'Michael Landon, The Father I Knew' (1999)
• 'Sam Churchill: Search For A Homeless Man' (1999)