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 2014, 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 Matraca Berg, which she submitted to this site on Friday 28 March 2014.

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





Matraca Berg
This quote was submitted on Friday 28 March 2014.

'Gene Watson is one of my all time favourite country singers!

Not only does he have a beautiful, almost heartbreaking voice, his choice of songs have proved beyond perfection.



'Fourteen Carat Mind', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 February 2022) and Larry Lee Favorite (Saturday 6 January 1940 - Saturday 26 May 2001), is the best!

I'm a forever fan.

Wish I could hear him sing one of my songs!

Gene's music is close to my heart.

It was easy to send my love'

Thank you, Matraca Berg, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Matraca Berg...



Matraca Berg was born Matraca Maria Berg on Monday 3 February 1964 in Nashville.

Matraca berg is an acclaimed country music singer and songwriter, who has seen the release of five albums: three albums for RCA Records, one album for Rising Tide Records and one album for Dualtone Records.

Matraca Berg has charted on the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart with 'Baby, Walk On', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018) (No.36, 1990), and 'The Things You Left Undone', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018) (No.36, 1990).

Besides most of her own material, Matraca Berg has written hit singles for a number of acclaimed country music artists, including T.G. Sheppard, Karen Brooks, Trisha Yearwood and Deana Carter.

In 2008, Matraca Berg was inducted into The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Matraca Berg's mother, Icie Berg, moved from Harlan County in Kentucky, to Nashville, in the 1960s, in order to seek her fortune as a singer and songwriter shortly before Matraca Berg was born.

Matraca's Aunt Sudie Callaway was a successful Music Row back-up singer.  Aunts Coleida Callaway and Clara Howard were back-up vocalists on Kentucky’s Renfro Valley Barn Dance.  Uncle Jim Baker was a steel guitar player, who also spent some time running the song publishing companies of Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 - Sunday 19 November 2017).

Matraca Berg's mother enjoyed only limited success in the music industry and eventually became a nurse.  Matraca Berg then took up songwriting with her mother's encouragement.

When Matraca Berg played her songs for songwriter Bobby Braddock, he volunteered to co-write with her.  Matraca Berg found her earliest success in their collaboration, 'Faking Love', which was recorded by T.G. Sheppard and Karen Brooks; the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1983.

Following her mother's death in 1985, Matraca Berg continued to have great success writing songs for other performers.  Reba McEntire enjoyed a No.1 single with Matraca Berg's 'The Last One To Know', while Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 - Monday 16 December 2013), Marie Osmond, Sweethearts of The Rodeo (Kristine Arnold & Janis Oliver), Martina McBride, Michelle Wright, Sonya Isaacs and others have all recorded her songs.

 

In 1990, Matraca Berg signed a recording contract with RCA Records Nashville and saw the release, on Tuesday 25 September 1990, of her debut album, 'Lying To The Moon' (RCA Records Nashville, 1990), which was produced by Josh Leo and Wendy Waldman, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'Baby, Walk On', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018) (No.36, 1990)

'The Things You Left Undone', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018) (No.36, 1990)

'I Got It Bad' (written by Matraca Berg and Jim Photoglo) (No.43, 1991)

'I Must Have Been Crazy', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018) (No.55, 1991)

Matraca Berg's debut album, 'Lying To The Moon' (RCA Records Nashville, 1990), also included the following tracks:

'Lying To The Moon', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018) / this track was later included on Matraca Berg's 'The Speed of Grace' (RCA Records Nashville, 1994)

'You Are The Storm', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018)
'Calico Plains' (written by Matraca Berg and Mike Noble)
'Appalachian Rain', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018)
'Alice In The Looking Glass', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018)
'Dancin' On The Wire' (written by Matraca Berg, Josh Leo and Wendy Waldman)

Personnel involved in the recording of Matraca Berg's 'Lying To The Moon' (RCA Records Nashville, 1990) included the following:

Sam Bush (mandolin, fiddle)
Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar, Dobro, Weissenborn)
Clara Callaway, Coleida Callaway, Sudie Callaway, Ashley Cleveland, Emmylou Harris, Tracy Nelson and Wendy Waldman (background vocals)
John Catchings (cello)
Dan Dugmore (steel guitar, Dobro)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Bernie Leadon (acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, mandola, mandocello)
Josh Leo and Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Gary Prim (keyboards)
Lisa Silver (fiddle)
Harry Stinson (drums, percussion, background vocals)
Bobby Taylor (oboe)
Willie Weeks (bass guitar, 'cheap fretless bass')
John D. Willis (electric guitar, acoustic guitar)

What was to be Matraca Berg's follow-up album, 'Bittersweet Surrender', was recorded in 1991 and featured the single 'It's Easy To Tell', which charted in November 1991 and eventually peaked at No.66 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1992.

Matraca Berg's album, 'Bittersweet Surrender', was rejected by RCA Records Nashville, who wanted a more mainstream-sounding recording instead.



One of the songs from this canceled album, 'Wrong Side of Memphis' (written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison), was recorded by Trisha Yearwood, who included the track on 'Hearts In Armor' (MCA Records, 1992); Trisha Yearwood's version of the song reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1992.

  

On Tuesday 1 March 1994, Matraca Berg saw the release of 'The Speed of Grace' (RCA Records Nashville, 1994), which was produced by Harry Stinson, Matraca Berg and Stewart Levine, and included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'Slow Poison' (written by Matraca Berg and Jimmie Fadden) / this track was released as a single in 1993, but it did not chart

Matraca Berg's 'The Speed of Grace' (RCA Records Nashville, 1994) also included the following tracks:

'Tall Drink of Water' (written by Matraca Berg)
'Let's Face It' (written by Paul Buchanan)
'I Won't Let Go' (written by Matraca Berg and Jim Photoglo)

'Jolene' (written by Dolly Parton) / the original version of this track was recorded by Dolly Parton, who included it on 'Jolene' (RCA records, 1974); Dolly Parton's version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1974, No.60 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1974, and No.7 on the United Kingdom pop music singles chart in 1976

'Guns In My Head' (written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison)
'Waiting For The Sky To Fall' (written by Matraca Berg and Wendy Waldman)

'Lying To The Moon', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018) / this track was previously included on Matraca Berg's debut album, 'Lying To The Moon' (RCA Records Nashville, 1990)

'Come To Momma' (written by Willie Mitchell and Earl Randle)
'River of No Return' (written by Matraca Berg and Greg Sutton)

Personnel involved in the recording of Matraca Berg's 'The Speed of Grace' (RCA Records Nashville, 1994) included the following:

Matraca Berg (lead vocals, acoustic guitar)
Freddie Washington, Dave Pomeroy, John Patitucci and Larry Kimpel (bass)
Jim Keltner (drums)
Michael Landau (guitar)
Neal Larson (organ, piano, keyboards)
Lenny Castro and Paulinho Da Costa (percussion)
Bunny Hull, Paulette Brown, Valerie Pinkston Mayo and Wendy Waldman (backing vocals)
Kenin Welch (acoustic guitar, backing vocals)
Harry Stinson (drums, backing vocals)
Kieran Kane (mandolin, backing vocals)
Lisa Silver (violin, backing vocals)
Wilton Felder (tenor saxophone)
Arthur Adams (guitar, backing vocals)



Pam Tillis recorded Matraca Berg's 'Calico Plans' (co-written with Michael Noble) and included the track on 'Sweetheart's Dance' (Arista Records, 1994).



Patricia Conroy recorded Matraca Berg's 'Home In Your Arms' (co-written with Lisa Silver) and included the track on 'You Can't Resist' (Warner Music Canada, 1994).



Deana Carter recorded Matraca Berg's 'Strawberry Wine' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'Did I Shave My Legs For This' (Capitol Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for two weeks in November 1996, and reached No.65 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1996.  Matraca Berg won the 'Song of The Year' Award for the track at the 1997 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards.



On Tuesday 23 September 1997, Matraca Berg saw the release of 'Sunday Morning To Saturday Night' (Rising Tide Records, 1997), which included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'That Train Don't Run' (written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison) (No.59, 1997)

'Back When We Were Beautiful' (written by Matraca Berg) / this track was released as a single in 1997, but it did not chart

'Back In The Saddle' (written by Matraca Berg and Stan Lynch) (No.51, 1998)

Matraca Berg's 'Sunday Morning To Saturday Night' (Rising Tide Records, 1997) also included the following tracks:

'Along For The Ride' (written by Matraca Berg and Sharon Rice)
'Here You Come Raining On Me' (written by Matraca Berg, Jeff Hanna and Sharon Rice)
'Some People Fall, Some People Fly', which was written by Matraca Berg and Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 - Tuesday 17 April 2018)
'Sunday Morning To Saturday Night' (written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison)
'Good Ol' Girl', which was written by Matraca Berg and Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 - Tuesday 17 April 2018)
'Give Me Tonight', which was written by Matraca Berg and Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 - Tuesday 17 April 2018)
'If I Were An Angel' (written by Matraca Berg, Kim Carnes and Gary Harrison)
'The Resurrection' (written by Matraca Berg and Alice Randall)



The Chicks recorded Matraca Berg's 'If I Fall You're Going Down With Me' (co-written with Annie Roboff) and included the track on 'Fly' (Monument Records, 1999); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks & Singles Chart in 2001, and No.38 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2001.

 

On Tuesday 10 August 1999, Matraca Berg saw the release of 'Lying To The Moon & Other Stories' (RCA Records Nashville, 1999), a compilation album, which included the re-issue of Matraca's debut album, 'Lying To The Moon' (RCA Records Nashville, 1990), along with tracks from her 'Sunday Morning To Saturday Night' (Rising Tide Records, 1997) album.

Matraca Berg's 'Lying To The Moon & Other Stories' (RCA Records Nashville, 1999) included the following tracks:

'The Things You Left Undone', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018) (No.36, 1990)

'I Got It Bad' (written by Matraca Berg and Jim Photoglo) (No.43, 1991)

'Lying To The Moon', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018)

'Calico Plains' (written by Matraca Berg and Michael Noble)

'Baby, Walk On', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018) (No.36, 1990)

'Back In The Saddle' (written by Matraca Berg and Stan Lynch) (No.51, 1998)

'Appalachian Rain', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018)

'Back When We Were Beautiful' (written by Matraca Berg) / this track was released as a single in 1997, but it did not chart

'Along For The Ride' (written by Matraca Berg and Sharon Vaughn)

'I Must Have Been Crazy', which was written by Matraca Berg and Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018) (No.55, 1991)

'Alice In The Looking Glass' (written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison)

'Eat At Joe's' (written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison) / this track was also recorded by Suzy Bogguss, who included it on 'Voices In The Wind' (Liberty Records, 1992)



Beverly Ellis recorded Matraca Berg's 'Home In Your Arms' (co-written with Lisa Silver) and included the track on 'A Diamond Won't Cut It' (Slipdisc Records, 1999).



Sonya Isaacs recorded Matraca Berg's 'Give Me Tonight' (co-written with Gary Scruggs) and included the track on 'Sonya Isaacs' (Lyric Street Records, 2000).



Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 - Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Matraca Berg's 'Working Girl', which was co-written with Dolly Parton and Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 - Tuesday 17 April 2018), and included the track on 'Still Country' (Audium Records, 2000).



Terri Clark recorded Matraca Berg's 'Working Girl', which was co-written with Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 - Tuesday 17 April 2018), and included the track on 'Pain To Kill' (Mercury Nashville Records, 2003); the album was produced by Byron Gallimore and Keith Stegall.



Jill King recorded Matraca Berg's '98.6 Degrees & Falling', which was co-written with Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002), and included the track on 'Jillbilly' (Blue Diamond Records, 2003).

In 2004 and 2005, Matraca Berg was nominated for induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, making her one of the youngest nominees in history. Matraca Berg continues to be a prolific and respected country music songwriter and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008.



In 2011, Matraca Berg saw the release of 'The Dreaming Fields' (Dualtone Records, 2011), which included the following tracks:

'If I Had Wings' (written by Jessi Alexander and Matraca Berg)
'You And Tequila' (written by Matraca Berg and Deana Carter)
'Racing The Angels' (written by Matraca Berg, Suzy Bogguss and Gretchen Peters)
'Silver & Glass' (written by Matraca Berg)
'Clouds' (written by Matraca Berg and Gary Nicholson)
'The Dreaming Fields' (written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison)
'Oh, Cumberland' (written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison)
'Your Husband's Cheating On Us' (written by Matraca Berg, Marshall Chapman and Jill McCorkle)
'Fall Again' (written by Matraca Berg and Mary Steenburgen)
'South of Heaven' (written by Matraca Berg, Sharon Vaughn and Troy Verges)
'A Cold, Rainy Morning In London In June' (written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison)

On Thursday 24 February 2011, Matraca Berg, Gretchen Peters and Suzy Bogguss ran through an intimate set, which included some of their most beloved songs, in Historic Leipers Fork, Tennessee; the subsequent DVD, 'Wine, Women & Song', was released in 2012.



On Monday 22 October 2012, Matraca Berg saw the release, in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe, of 'Love's Truck Stop' (Planet Records / Proper Music Distribution, 2012), which was produced by David Henry and Matraca Berg, and included the following tracks:

'Love's Truck Stop' (written by Holly Gleason and Matraca Berg) / this track featured backing vocals from Pat McLaughlin

'Her Name Is Mary' (written by Holly Gleason and Matraca Berg) / this track featured backing vocals from Kim Carnes

'Black Ribbons' (written by Matraca Berg) / this track featured backing vocals from Gretchen Peters and Suzy Bogguss

'Foolish Flower' (written by Angaleena Presley and Matraca Berg) / this track featured backing vocals from Ashley Monroe and Jessi Alexander

'We're Already Gone' (written by Angel Snow and Matraca Berg) / this track featured backing vocals from David Henry

'I Buried Your Love Alive' (written by Ashley Monroe and Matraca Berg)

'Magadalene' (written by written by Holly Gleason and Matraca Berg) / this track featured guest vocals from Emmylou Harris

'My Heart Will Never Break This Way Again' (written by Gary Harrison and Matraca Berg)

'Sad Magnolia' (written by Gary Harrison and Matraca Berg)/ this track featured backing vocals from David Henry and Jeff Hanna

'Waiting On A Slow Train' (written by Matraca Berg and Phil Madeira)

'Fistful of Roses' (written by written by Holly Gleason and Matraca Berg)

Personnel involved in the recording of Matraca Berg's 'Love's Truck Stop' (Planet Records / Proper Music Distribution, 2012) included the following:

Matraca Berg (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, harmonica)
Pat Buchanan (acoustic guitar)
Jeff Hanna (baritone guitar)
David Henry (cello, violin, percussion, baritone guitar, organ, bass guitar)
Steve Bowman (drums)
Jason Goforth (lap steel guitar, harmonica, banjo, musical box)

At the time of the acquisition of this Gene Watson 'Peer's Quote', in March 2014, Matraca Berg was living in Nashville with her husband, Jeff Hanna, a member of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

Matraca Berg - Songwriter Extraordinaire!

In 1983, T.G. Sheppard & Karen Brooks recorded Matraca Berg's 'Faking Love' (co-written with Bobby Braddock); the track, which was included on T.G. Sheppard's 'Perfect Stranger' (Warner Bros. Records, 1982), was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in February 1983.

 

Tanya Tucker recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Girl's Like Me', which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on 'Girls Like Me' (Capitol Records, 1986).

In 2010, Tanya Tucker's 'Girls Like Me' (Capitol Records, 1986), along with Tanya Tucker's 'Love Me Like You Used To' (Capitol Records, 1987), was re-issued by Hump Head Records, as a '2-on-1' CD set, 'Girls Like Me / Love Me Like You Used To' (Hump Head Records, 2010).



Highway 101 recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Bridge Across Forever', which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on 'Highway 101' (Warner Bros. Records, 1987).



Reba McEntire recorded Matraca's Berg's 'The Last One To Know' (co-written with Jane Mariash) and included the track on 'The Last One To Know' (MCA Records, 1987); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in December 1987.



Marie Osmond recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Baby Blue Eyes', which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on 'All In Love' (Capitol Records, 1988 / Curb Records, 1990).



Tanya Tucker recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Lonesome Town', which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on 'Strong Enough To Bend' (Capitol Records, 1988).



Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 - Monday 16 December 2013) recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Just Enough Love' (co-written with Jane Mariash) and included the track on 'Just Enough Love' (Step One Records, 1988).



Highway 101 recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Somewhere Gone & Goodbye', which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on 'Highway 101²' (Warner Bros. Records, 1988).



Randy Travis recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Mining For Coal', which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on 'No Holdin' Back' (Warner Bros. Records, 1989).



Highway 101 recorded Matraca's Berg's 'If Love Had A Heart' (co-written with Curtis Stone) and included the track on 'Paint The Town' (Warner Bros. Records, 1989).



Sweethearts of The Rodeo (Kristine Arnold & Janis Oliver) recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Como Se Dice (I Love You)' (co-written with Janis Oliver) and included the track on 'Buffalo Zone' (Columbia Records, 1990).



Michelle Wright recorded Matraca's Berg's 'As Far As Lonely Goes' (co-written with Janis Ian) and included the track on 'Michelle Wright' (Arista Nashville Records, 1990).



Patty Loveless recorded Matraca Berg's 'I'm That Kind of Girl', which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on 'On Down The Line' (Epic Records, 1990); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in late March 1991.



Trisha Yearwood recorded Matraca Berg's 'Wrong Side of Memphis' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'Hearts In Armor' (MCA Records, 1992); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1992.



Suzy Bogguss recorded Matraca Berg's 'Eat At Joe's' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'Voices In The Wind' (Liberty Records, 1992).



Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded Matraca Berg's 'Little Angel' (co-written with Jeff Hanna) and included the track on 'Not Fade Away' (Capitol Records, 1992).



Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded Matraca Berg's 'Don't Underestimate Love' (co-written with Jeff Hanna) and included the track on 'Not Fade Away' (Capitol Records, 1992); this track featured guest vocals from Suzy Bogguss.



Trisha Yearwood recorded Matraca Berg's 'Lying To The Moon', which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on 'The Song Remembers When' (MCA Records, 1993).



Highway 101 recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Who's Gonna Love You' (co-written with Curtis Stone) and included the track on 'The New Frontier' (Liberty Records, 1993).



Suzy Bogguss recorded Matraca Berg's 'Diamonds & Tears' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'Something Up My Sleeve' (Liberty Records, 1993).



Suzy Bogguss recorded Matraca Berg's 'Hey, Cinderella' (co-written with Gary Harrison and Suzy Bogguss) and included the track on 'Something Up My Sleeve' (Liberty Records, 1993); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994.



Pam Tillis recorded Matraca Berg's 'Calico Plans' (co-written with Michael Noble) and included the track on 'Sweetheart's Dance' (Arista Records, 1994).



Trisha Yearwood recorded Matraca Berg's 'XXX's & OOO's (An American Girl)' (co-written with Alice Randall) and included the track on 'Thinkin' About You' (MCA Records, 1995); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994, No.14 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Chart in 1994, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1994.



Dusty Springfield (Sunday 16 April 1939 - Tuesday 2 March 1999) recorded Matraca Berg's 'You Are The Storm', which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on 'A Very Fine Love' (Columbia Records, 1995).



Linda Ronstadt recorded Matraca Berg's 'Walk On', which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on 'Feels Like Home' (Elektra Records, 1995); the track reached No.61 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995.



Martina McBride recorded Matraca Berg's 'Wild Angels' (co-written with Gary Harrison and Harry Stinson) and included the track on 'Wild Angels' (RCA Nashville Records, 1995); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1996.



Martina McBride recorded Matraca Berg's 'Cry On The Shoulder of The Road', which was co-written with Tim Krekel (Tuesday 10 October 1950 - Wednesday 24 June 2009), and included the track on 'Wild Angels' (RCA Nashville Records, 1995).



Patty Loveless recorded Matraca Berg's 'You Can Feel Bad', which was co-written with Tim Krekel (Tuesday 10 October 1950 - Wednesday 24 June 2009), and included the track on 'The Trouble With The Truth' (Epic Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for one week in March 1996.



Suzy Bogguss recorded Matraca Berg's 'Give Me Some Wheels' (co-written with Gary Harrison and Suzy Bogguss) and included the track on 'Give Me Some Wheels' (Liberty Records, 1996); the track reached No.60 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996.



Deana Carter recorded Matraca Berg's 'Strawberry Wine' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'Did I Shave My Legs For This' (Capitol Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart for two weeks in November 1996, and reached No.65 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1996.  Matraca Berg won the 'Song of The Year' Award for the track at the 1997 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards.



Deana Carter recorded Matraca Berg's 'We Danced Anyway', which was co-written with Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 - Tuesday 17 April 2018), and included the track on 'Did I Shave My Legs For This' (Capitol Records, 1996); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997, and reached No.72 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1997.



Trisha Yearwood recorded Matraca Berg's 'Under The Rainbow', which was co-written with Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 - Tuesday 17 April 2018), and included the track on 'Everybody Knows' (MCA Records, 1996); Matraca Berg also provided harmony vocals on the album.

 

Martina McBride recorded Matraca Berg's 'Still Holdin' On' (co-written with Marty Stuart and Clint Black) and included the track on 'Evolution' (RCA Nashville Records, 1997); the track, which was a duet with Clint Black, reached No.11 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997, and was also included on Clint Black's 'Nothin' But The Taillights' (RCA Nashville Records, 1997).



Suzy Bogguss recorded Matraca Berg's 'Somebody To Love' (co-written with Doug Crider and Suzy Bogguss) and included the track on 'Nobody Love, Nobody Gets Hurt' (Capitol Records, 1998); the track reached No.33 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1998.



Sara Evans recorded Matraca Berg's 'Fool, I'm A Woman' (co-written with Sara Evans) and included the track on 'No Place That Far' (RCA Nashville Records, 1998); the track reached No.32 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1999.



Deana Carter recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Ruby Brown', which was co-written with Tim Krekel (Tuesday 10 October 1950 - Wednesday 24 June 2009), and included the track on 'Everything's Gonna Be Alright' (Capitol Records, 1998).



Deana Carter recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Dickson County' (co-written with Deana Carter) and included the track on 'Everything's Gonna Be Alright' (Capitol Records, 1998).



The Chicks recorded Matraca Berg's 'If I Fall, You're Going Down With Me' (co-written with Annie Roboff) and included the track on 'Fly' (Monument Records, 1999); the track reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1999 and No.38 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1999.



Martina McBride recorded Matraca Berg's 'Anything's Better Than Feelin' The Blues', which was co-written with Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 - Tuesday 17 April 2018), and included the track on 'Emotion' (RCA Nashville Records, 1999).



Susan Ashton recorded Matraca Berg's 'Our Little World' (co-written with Jeff Hanna) and included the track on 'Closer' (Capitol Records, 1999).



Susan Ashton recorded Matraca Berg's 'Shot For The Moon' (co-written with Sharon Vaughn) and included the track on 'Closer' (Capitol Records, 1999).



Mindy McCready (Sunday 30 November 1975 - Sunday 17 February 2013) recorded Matraca Berg's 'All I Want Is Everything' (co-written with Marshall Chapman) and included the track on 'I'm Not That Tough' (BNA Records, 1999).



Trisha Yearwood recorded Matraca Berg's 'I'm Still Alive' (co-written with Al Anderson) and included the track on 'Real Live Woman' (MCA Records, 2000); Matraca Berg also provided harmony vocals on the album.



Patty Loveless recorded Matraca Berg's 'You're So Cool' (co-written with Carolyn Dawn Johnson) and included the track on 'Strong Heart' (Epic Records, 2000).



Patty Loveless recorded Matraca Berg's 'My Heart Will Never Break This Way Again' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'Strong Heart' (Epic Records, 2000).



Sonya Isaacs recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Give Me Tonight' (co-written with Gary Scruggs) and included the track on 'Sonya Isaacs' (Lyric Street Records, 2000).



Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 - Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Working Girl', which was co-written with Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 - Tuesday 17 April 2018), and included the track on 'Still Country' (Audium Records, 2000).



Trisha Yearwood recorded Matraca Berg's 'For A While', which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on 'Inside Out' (MCA Records, 2001).



Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded Matraca Berg's 'Oh, Cumberland' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Volume III' (Capitol Records, 2002).



Lee Ann Womack recorded Matraca Berg's 'You Should've Lied' (co-written with Angelo Petraglio) and included the track on 'Something Worth Leaving Behind' (MCA Nashville Records, 2002).



Terri Clark recorded Matraca Berg's 'Working Girl', which was co-written with Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 - Tuesday 17 April 2018), and included the track on 'Pain To Kill' (Mercury Nashville Records, 2003); the album was produced by Byron Gallimore and Keith Stegall.



Faith Hill recorded Matraca Berg's 'You're Still Here' (co-written with Aimee Mayo) and included the track on 'Cry' (Warner Bros. Nashville Records, 2002); the track reached No.28 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2003.



Jill King recorded Matraca Berg's '98.6 Degrees & Falling', which was co-written with Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002), and included the track on 'Jillbilly' (Blue Diamond Records, 2003).



Deana Carter recorded Matraca's Berg's 'You & Tequila' (co-written with Deana Carter) and included the track on 'I'm Just A Girl' (Arista Records, 2003).



Deana Carter recorded Matraca's Berg's 'Goodbye Train' (co-written with Deana Carter) and included the track on 'I'm Just A Girl' (Arista Records, 2003).



Patty Loveless recorded Matraca Berg's 'On Your Way Home', which was co-written with Ronnie Samoset (1947 - Sunday 29 July 2018), and included the track on 'On Your Way Home' (Epic Records, 2003).



Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded Matraca Berg's 'Jealous Moon', which was co-written with Jeff Hanna and Tim Krekel (Tuesday 10 October 1950 - Wednesday 24 June 2009), and included the track on 'Welcome To Woody Creek' (Dualtone Records, 2004).



Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded Matraca Berg's 'It's A New Day', which was co-written with Tim Krekel (Tuesday 10 October 1950 - Wednesday 24 June 2009), and included the track on 'Welcome To Woody Creek' (Dualtone Records, 2004).



Melonie Cannon recorded Matraca Berg's 'Tennessee Roads' (co-written with Jim Photoglo) and included the track on her self-titled debut album, 'Melonie Cannon' (Skaggs Family Records, 2004).



Keith Urban recorded Matraca Berg's 'Nobody Drinks Alone' (co-written with Jim Collins) and included the track on 'Be Here' (Capitol Nashville Records, 2004).



Gretchen Wilson recorded Matraca Berg's 'I Don't Feel Like Loving You Today' (co-written with Jim Collins) and included the track on 'All Jacked Up' (Epic Records, 2005); the track reached No.22 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2005.



Trick Pony recorded Matraca Berg's 'Stand In The Middle of Texas' (co-written with Sharon Vaughn) and included the track on 'R.I.D.E.' (Asylum Records / Curb Records, 2005).



Trisha Yearwood recorded Matraca Berg's 'They Call It Falling For A Reason' (co-written with Jim Collins) and included the track on 'Heaven, Heartache & The Power of Love' (Big Machine Records, 2007); the track reached No.54 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in August 2008.



Trisha Yearwood recorded Matraca Berg's 'The Dreaming Fields' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'Heaven, Heartache & The Power of Love' (Big Machine Records, 2007).



Pam Tillis recorded Matraca Berg's 'Crazy By Myself' (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on 'RhineStoned' (Stellar Cat Records, 2007).



Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded Matraca Berg's 'The Resurrection' (co-written with Alice Randall) and included the track on 'Speed of Life' (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Records, 2009).



Nitty Gritty Dirt Band recorded Matraca Berg's 'Good To Be Alive' (co-written with Troy Verges) and included the track on 'Speed of Life' (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Records, 2009).



Kenny Chesney recorded Matraca Berg's 'You & Tequila' (co-written with Deana Carter) and included the track on 'Hemingway's Whiskey' (BNA Records, 2010), from which it was released as a single on Tuesday 31 May 2011.  Kenny Chesney's version of the song featured a guest vocal from Grace Potter, lead singer of Grace Potter & The Nocturnals.

On Wednesday 30 November 2011, Matraca Berg's 'You & Tequila' (co-written with Deana Carter) received two nominations at the 54th Grammy Awards for 'Best Country Song' and 'Best Country Duo / Group Performance'.

 

Matraca Berg and Deana Carter co-wrote the song, and both recorded their own versions: Deana Carter included the track on on 'I'm Just A Girl' (Records, 2003), while Matraca Berg included it on 'The Dreaming Fields' (Records, 2011).



Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell recorded Matraca Berg's 'Back When We Were Beautiful' and included the track on 'Old Yellow Moon' (Nonesuch Records, 2013).



On Tuesday 25 June 2013, Reviver Records released 'Let Us In: Americana, The Music of Paul McCartney & John Lennon' (Reviver Records, 2013), a various artists compilation album, which delved into the catalogue of songs written by Sir Paul McCartney and John Lennon (Wednesday 9 October 1940 - Monday 8 December 1980).

All proceeds from the sales of 'Let Us In: Americana, The Music of Paul McCartney & John Lennon' (Reviver Records, 2013) went to The Women & Cancer Fund, which was established in the memory of Linda McCartney (Wednesday 24 September 1941 - Friday 17 April 1998); the album was produced by Phil Madeira in Nashville, New York and San Francisco.

The Reviver Records various artists compilation album, 'Let Us In: Americana, The Music of Paul McCartney & John Lennon' (Reviver Records, 2013), included the following tracks:

'Come & Get It' / this track was performed by The Wood Brothers
'Yellow Submarine' / this track was performed by Buddy Miller
'Band On The Run' / this track was performed by Will Hoge
'I'm Looking Through You' / this track was performed by Jim Lauderdale
'My Love' / this track was performed by Holly Williams
'Let Me Roll It' / this track was performed by Teddy Thompson
'Fool On The Hill' / this track was performed by Bruce Cockburn
'Get Back' / this track was performed by Ollabelle
'Let 'Em In' / this track was performed by Lee Ann Womack
'I Will' / this track was performed by Allison Moorer
'Every Night' / this track was performed by Rodney Crowell
'Yesterday' / this track was performed by Matraca Berg
'Give Ireland Back To The Irish' / this track was performed by Ketch Secor
'I've Just Seen A Face' / this track was performed by Sam Bush
'Uncle Albert' / this track was performed by Ed Snodderly
'Let It Be' / this track was performed by The McCrary Sisters

Lee Brice recorded Matraca Berg's 'Dixie Highway' (co-written with Lee Brice and Jon Stone) and included the track on 'Lee Brice' (Curb Records, 2017).





• Visit Matraca Berg's official site at matracaberg.com
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• Visit Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's official site at nittygritty.com