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 2017, 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 Amber Dotson, which he submitted to this site on Wednesday 27 September 2017.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Amber Dotson who has made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Amber Dotson
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 27 September 2017.
'Wow, this is cool.
I'm glad you're doing this for one of country music's greats!
I can tell you, Gene Watson was always singing on our speakers at home when I was growing up.
My Dad taught me how to three-step to Gene Watson around our pool table when I was younger. So many memories attached to his songs.
When I moved to Nashville to become a writer/artist, I was thrilled to sing my first demo. It was 'Got No Reason Now For Going Home', which was written by Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 - Tuesday 3 July 2001).
Sony/Tree Publishing wanted a female version, so I hopped at the chance of getting to put my voice on one of my hero's coolest tunes!
Started off my career in the right direction, for sure!'
Thank you, Amber Dotson, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Amber Dotson...
Amber Dotson was born in Garland, Texas.
Initially a songwriter for Sony/Tree Publishing, Amber Dotson soon began singing demos as well.
On Tuesday 17 August 2004, Travis Tritt saw the release of 'My Honky Tonk History' (Columbia Records, 2004), which was produced by Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 - Tuesday 25 July 2017), and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart:
'The Girl's Gone Wild' (written by Bob DiPiero and Rivers Rutherford) (No.28, 2004)
'What Say You' (written by Michael Bradford and Frank Myers) (No.21, 2004) / this track was a duet with John Mellencamp and was his first Billboard Top 40 entry on the country music singles chart
'I See Me' (written by Casey Beathard and Chris Mohr) (No.32, 2005)
Travis Tritt's 'My Honky Tonk History' (Columbia Records, 2004) also included the following tracks:
'Honky-Tonk History' (written by Luke Bryan and Patrick Jason Matthews)
'Too Far To Turn Around' (written by Cory Mayo, Jon McElroy and Gretchen Wilson)
'Circus Leaving Town' (written by Philip Claypool) / the original version of this track was recorded by Philip Claypool, who included it on his debut album, 'A Circus Leaving Town' (Curb Records, 1995); Philip Claypool's version of the track reached No.70 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996
'Monkey Around' (written by Delbert McClinton, Benmont Tench and Gary Nicholson)
'When Good Ol' Boys Go Bad' (written by Kendall Marvel and Philip O'Donnell)
'We've Had It All' (written by Travis Tritt and Marty Stuart)
'It's All About The Money' (written by Jody Harris and Donny Kees)
'Small Doses' (written by Jerry Salley and Chris Stapleton)
'When In Rome' (written by Kendall Marvel, Rivers Rutherford and Boyd Houston Robert)
Personnel involved in the recording of Travis Tritt's 'My Honky Tonk History' (Columbia Records, 2004) included the following:
Mike Brignardello (bass guitar)
Pat Buchanan, Tom Bukovac and Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Lisa Cochran, Tammy Cochran, John Cowan, Melodie Crittenden, Amber Dotson, Wes Hightower, Eddie Kilgallon, Richard Richardson, John Wesley Ryles, Neil Thrasher, Joy Lynn White, Hurshel Wayne Wiginton (Saturday 29 January 1938 - Monday 6 March 2017) and Gretchen Wilson (background vocals)
Eric Darken (percussion, cowbell, vibraphone)
Dan Dugmore and Robby Turner (steel guitar, Dobro)
Béla Fleck (banjo on 'What Say You')
Larry Franklin (fiddle, mandolin)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle)
Jim Hoke (harmonica)
John Barlow Jarvis and Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 - Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano, Hammond organ, synthesizer)
John Mellencamp (duet vocals on 'What Say You')
Greg Morrow (drums, percussion, tambourine)
Travis Tritt (lead vocals, background vocals)
Billy Joe Walker Jr. (Friday 29 February 1952 - Tuesday 25 July 2017) (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, gut string guitar)
Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Reggie Young (Saturday 12 December 1936 - Thursday 17 January 2019) (electric guitar, electric sitar)
Jonathan Yudkin (banjo)
Strings on 'I See Me' performed by Nashville String Machine and arranged by Bergen White
Travis Tritt's 'My Honky Tonk History' (Columbia Records, 2004) reached No.7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2004, and No.50 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 2004.
George Strait heard some of Amber Dotson's demos, and asked her to join him on his 2005 tour, which also included Dierks Bentley.
In 2005, Amber Dotson signed to Capitol Records Nashville and saw the release of two singles for the label:
'I'll Try Anything' / this track reached No.59 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2005
'I Ain't Your Mama' / this track was released as a single in 2005, but it did not chart
However, Amber Dotson did not see the release of an album for Capitol Nashville Records.
Teea Goans recorded Amber Dotson's 'Just Because She Always Has' (co-written with Jimmy Melton) and included the track on 'Swing, Shuffle & Sway' (Crosswind Corporation, 2017).
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