Gene Watson

Hi Friends-  The Farewell Party Band and I to three Texas shows this weekend and had a great time visiting with all the fans that were there.  Nothing makes us happier than seeing a friendly face on the road.  This picture below was taken at Cuero, TX.   Hard to believe we’re kicking into May already.  Seems like I just took down the Christmas lights. Don’t you remember when we were kids that time ticked by a whole lot slower? I couldn’t wait for a school day to be over and now it seems the hours fly by every day.     Coming up in June I’m going to be back in Nashville for a few CMA Music Fest events.  One is the CMA Global Party that takes place Monday, June 4th.  It’s for international acts and I hear Emerson Drive (from Canada) will perform and a bunch of  others. I’ll be singing a song or two as a guest of Lisa McHugh of Ireland.  On Wednesday June 6, I’ll sing a couple of songs for Billy Yates’ show called the Countriest of the Country. Billy holds that show at the Ernest Tubb Theater by Opryland and you can find out more here: http://countriestofthecountry.ticketleap.com/countriest-of-the-country-2012/        Couple of other shows that week are still to be announced but if you’re planning to come to Nashville for CMA Music Fest in June, check back here and there will be more information for you I’m sure.     Til next time, please take care and I’ll see you on the road,   Gene

Cuero Texas show April 28, 2012

Hi Friends –  Just wanted to say hello to all the fans that came out yesterday to the show at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Had Margaret there visiting all the way from Scotland and several that traveled from Texas , then turns out I had a bunch of friends there in the music business including the great songwriter, Dallas Frazier and his wife.  Dallas sang on one of the recent CFR shows so you may know he’s a great singer himself but he’s one of country music’s finest songwriters of all times.  He wrote “Fourteen Carat Mind” which was a # 1 hit for me.  I told him I’d like to have him writing more for me today!   The band that performed with me were some of my good friends too.  My producer and good friend,  Dirk Johnson was on piano, “The Sheriff” from Larry’s Country Diner, the great Jimmy Capps on guitar, the excellent bass player was David Smith who’s been on a bunch of my albums and the amazing pedal steel player , Mike Johnson.   I was so glad to have the beautiful Michele Capps singing backup. She is a wonderful singer.  Michele is Jimmy Capps wife and was coming along with him anyway so when I found that out, it was just my lucky day that she agreed to sing.  You may know Michele from singing backup for all the artists on Larry’s Country Diner.  Michele and the band made the show extra special.   After the show I signed CDs and then was told that the one and only Merle Haggard was holding HIS show at the Hall of Fame so we could have a visit.  So went off to visit with him backstage and enjoyed talking to him as always. He said he’s  had some health issues this past year but he’s completely well and he said he feels great.  Merle is a national treasure. One of THE greatest singer songwriters ever in country music.  His phrasing with a word just makes an entire song come to life.  I’m so glad he’s back in great health as we need him around for a long, long time.       Tonight I’ll be signing CDs at the Ernest Tubb Record store on Broadway in Nashville.  I’ll be there from 5:30PM -6:30 PM so hope you can come by.  Then I head over to the Ryman for the Opry’s Classic Country Show.  That’s always a great time and I’m going to do my classics, then Rhonda Vincent and I will do a couple of our favorite duets together.  If you are close by Nashville, just come on along and enjoy it with us.    Wishing you all the best and hope to see you somewhere on the road,  Gene

Merle Haggard - Gene Watson April 11 2012