Original Gene Watson Fan Site - Gene Watson's Peers: Quote from Reuben Darnell: March 2007

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 2007, 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 Reuben Darnell, which he submitted to this site on Tuesday 13 March 2007.

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

Reuben Darnell
This quote was submitted on Tuesday 13 March 2007.

'Gary Gene Watson...it's my opinion that Gene was blessed with a voice of power, purity and range.

Only a select few can come close to matching Gene's dynamic vocal performance.

He is truly a traditional country music giant and has contributed above and beyond the call.

Thank you for asking me to participate.

I've never met Gene, but I feel like I've known him a lifetime.

Gene recorded one of my Dad's (Robert 'Bozo' Darnell) songs, 'Eli Funkelby', for his first album, 'Gene Watson' (Wide World Records, 1969 / Stoneway Records, 1973).

I am also a good friend of Joe Allen, who wrote many songs for Gene.

I am a big fan of Gene's music and have been since I first heard him.

He's great! What else is there to say.

Good luck to you, Gene...God bless'

Thank you, Reuben Darnell, for your support of Gene Watson.

About Reuben Darnell...

Reuben Darnell is a singer and songwriter with deep roots in traditional country music.

Reuben Darnell performs his songs at a variety of venues across the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Reuben Darnell's shows also encompass a range of country music covers from artists such as Hank Williams (Monday 17 September 1923 - Thursday 1 January 1953), Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 - Friday 26 May 1933), Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 - Thursday 6 September 1984), George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013), Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 - Friday 20 August 2021).

Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 - Wednesday 17 July 1985) recorded 'Sha-Marie', which was written by Robert 'Bozo' Darnell (1927 - 1997) and Ben Hall, and included the track on 'The Songs of Wynn Stewart' (Capitol Records, 1965); the track was released as a single in 1965, but it did not chart.

Kitty Wells (Saturday 30 August 1919 - Monday 16 July 2012) recorded 'I'll Be Your Stepping Stone', which was written by Robert 'Bozo' Darnell (1927 - 1997) and Major Luper, and included the track on 'Country All The Way' (Decca Records, 1966).

Waylon Jennings: 'Folk & Country' (RCA Records, 1966)

Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded 'Down Came The World', which was written by Robert 'Bozo' Darnell (1927 - 1997) and Waylon Jennings, and included the track on 'Folk & Country' (RCA Records, 1966).

Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 - Thursday 23 September 2004) recorded 'I'll Be Your Stepping Stone', which was written by Robert 'Bozo' Darnell (1927 - 1997) and Major Luper, and included the track on 'If The Whole World Stopped Loving' (Mercury Records, 1966).

George Jones: 'We Found Heaven Right Here on Earth at 4-0-33' (Musicor Records, 1966)

George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013) recorded 'I'll Be Your Stepping Stone', which was written by Robert 'Bozo' Darnell (1927 - 1997) and Major Luper, and included the track on 'We Found Heaven Right Here on Earth at 4-0-33' (Musicor Records, 1966).

Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded 'Down Came The World', which was written by Robert 'Bozo' Darnell (1927 - 1997) and Waylon Jennings, and included the track on 'The One & Only' (RCA Records, 1967).

Wynn Stewart: 'It's Such A Pretty World Today' (Capitol Records, 1967)

Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 - Wednesday 17 July 1985) recorded 'You Told Him', which was written by Robert 'Bozo' Darnell (1927 - 1997), and included the track on 'It's Such A Pretty World Today' (Capitol Records, 1967).

Wynn Stewart: 'Love's Gonna Happen To Me' (Capitol Records, 1967)

Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 - Wednesday 17 July 1985) recorded 'Down Came Down The World', which was written by Robert 'Bozo' Darnell (1927 - 1997) and Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 - Wednesday 13 February 2002), and included the track on 'Love's Gonna Happen To Me' (Capitol Records, 1967).

Cal Smith (Thursday 7 April 1932 - Thursday 10 October 2013) recorded 'At the Sight of You', which was written by Robert 'Bozo' Darnell (1927 - 1997) and Dave Pittman, and included the track on 'It Takes Me All Night Long' (Kapp Records, 1968).

Wynn Stewart (Thursday 7 June 1934 - Wednesday 17 July 1985) recorded 'Your Steppin' Stone', which was written by Robert 'Bozo' Darnell (1927 - 1997) and Major Luper, and included the track on 'Something Pretty' (Capitol Records, 1968).

Bonnie Owens (Tuesday 1 October 1929 - Monday 24 April 2006) recorded 'My Hi-Fi to Cry By', which was written by Robert 'Bozo' Darnell (1927 - 1997), and included the track on 'My Hi-Fi to Cry By' (Capitol Records, 1969).

Gene Watson recorded 'Eli Funkelby', which was written by Robert 'Bozo' Darnell (1927 - 1997), and included the track on 'Gene Watson' (Wide World Records, 1969 / Stoneway Records, 1973).