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 during 2018, 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 Diana Trask, which she submitted to this site on Thursday 28 June 2018.

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

Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Kevin Trask for granting permission to use photos within this unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.





Diana Trask
This quote was submitted on Thursday 28 June 2018.

'Well, thank you, Sean, I would be delighted to comment.

I believe I saw Gene live aboard a Carnival Ship a few years ago on a country music cruise.

I believe Gene to be a great artist that represents, beautifully, a piece of time in country music that I was honoured to be included in.

Music was straight from the heart, not overproduced, and was in keeping with the mood of the country and the times.

He is very manly-sounding with a strong voice and I feel it and I love it'

Thank you, Diana Trask, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Diana Trask...



Diana Trask was born in Melbourne, Australia on Sunday 23 June 1940.

Diana Trask’s parents, Lew and Thelma Trask, were married in 1926 and had three children; Peter, Patsy Anna and Diana.  Patsy Anna sadly died at the age of two.

The Trasks had a country house at Warburton and Lew Trask ran a furniture business in Melbourne.

Diana Trask was educated at Lilydale Convent & Presentation Convent in Windsor.

In 1957, at the age of seventeen, Diana Trask won the 'Swallow’s Parade' television talent quest on Channel Seven.  This led to a job miming the popular songs of the day on Channel Nine in a show called 'The Astor Show'.

By 1958, Diana Trask was singing her own ballads on the local television variety show, 'In Melbourne Tonight', which was hosted by Graham Kennedy.

Diana Trask made her first recording on the W&G record label - 'Comes Love' with Tommy Davidson & his Orchestra.



Diana Trask & Frank Ifield
(photo courtesy of Terry Phillpot)

In 1959, American promoter Lee Gordon (Thursday 8 March 1923 - Thursday 7 November 1963) signed Diana Trask as the support singer for the Stan Freberg tour of New Zealand, which also featured the Australian Jazz Quartet and Frank Ifield.

Lee Gordon (Thursday 8 March 1923 - Thursday 7 November 1963) was impressed and immediately signed Diana Trask to tour Australia with the Frank Sinatra show.  Diana Trask's rendition of 'My Funny Valentine' was included in the concert.  The audience were soon won over by the beautiful young singer.

Stan Freberg (Saturday 7 August 1926 - Tuesday 7 April 2015), who was a very good friend of Frank Sinatra (Sunday 12 December 1915 - Thursday 14 May 1998), was also a support act.

Frank Sinatra (Sunday 12 December 1915 - Thursday 14 May 1998) was very impressed with the young Melbourne singer and suggested that Diana Trask should try her luck in the United States.

Upon returning to the United States, Frank Sinatra (Sunday 12 December 1915 - Thursday 14 May 1998) very kindly spoke to people, and Diana decided to go.

In 1960, Diana Trask opened at The Blue Angel Nightclub in New York and Frank Sinatra (Sunday 12 December 1915 - Thursday 14 May 1998) sent her a good luck telegram.  Frank Sinatra (Sunday 12 December 1915 - Thursday 14 May 1998) was there later in the season with a group of about twenty people.

Many months of hard work followed with tours and singing engagements.  Following an appearance on Don McNeil’s 'Breakfast Club', Diana Trask was noticed by Mitchell William 'Mitch' Miller (4 July 1911 - Saturday 31 July 2010); this led to a recording contract with CBS, for whom Diana Trask released several albums and singles.



In 1961, Diana Trask saw the release of her self-titled debut album, 'Diana Trask' (Columbia Records, 1961), which included the following tracks:

'It Might As Well Be Spring'
'Little Girl Blue'
'Spring Is Here'
'My Funny Valentine'
'By Myself'
'Spring Never Comes'
'Hello Young Lovers'
'Let's Fall In Love'
'I Hear Music'
'Gypsy In My Soul'
'Let's Face The Music & Dance'
'Temptation'

It was also in 1961 when Diana Trask landed a regular singing spot on 'Sing Along With Mitch', a national television series, and was signed to a three year contract by NBC television.  It was a 'Sing Along Show', which was hosted by Mitchell William 'Mitch' Miller (4 July 1911 - Saturday 31 July 2010), with a strong male chorus, and Diana Trask was one of the featured singers.

'Sing Along Show' with Mitchell William 'Mitch' Miller (4 July 1911 - Saturday 31 July 2010) was produced and directed by Bill Hobbin and choreographed by James Starbuck, who became a great friend of Diana; the show was screened nationally on the Nine Network in Australia.

Diana Trask became a household name in the United States and was a big attraction when she performed in Las Vegas.

Diana Trask worked with many big names in show business, and formed friendships with numerous performers, including George Burns, Danny Thomas and Jack Benny.  Diana Trask tested for a role in the 20th Century Fox film 'State Fair' opposite Pat Boone as part of her 20th Century Fox starlet contract.  There were constant trips backwards and forwards between Australia and the United States for concerts with Pat Boone and Sammy Davis Junior (Tuesday 8 December 1925 - Wednesday 16 May 1990).



It was also in 1961 when Diana Trask saw the release of 'Diana Trask on TV' (Columbia Records, 1961), which included the following tracks:

'Why Was I Born'
'Heather On The Hill'
'Love Is The Sweetest Thing'
'It's A Big Wide, Wonderful World'
'I Enjoy Being A Girl'
'Baby, It's Cold Outside'
'Puttin' On The Ritz'
'Exactly Like You'
'Waltzing Matilda'
'I'm Sitting On Top of The World'
'Saturday Night (Is The Loneliest Night of The Week)'
'Always True To You In My Fashion'

It was around this time when Diana Trask was on a plane when Johnny Mathis introduced her to Thom Ewen.  Johnny Mathis invited Diana and Thom to make up a foursome in a card game to while away the time.  Little did anyone know that the chance meeting would lead to many happy years of marriage!

In 1962, Thom Ewen and Diana Trask were married in Australia.  In the same year, their first son Shawn was born and Patrick was born in 1964.

Thom Ewen was now Diana Trask’s manager.

In 1964, the family returned to Australia for 'The Diana Trask Show' on the Nine Network; this was a national half-hour variety show, which was produced by Thom Ewen.

In the late 1960s, Diana Trask made the change from singing ballads to concentrate on country music songs with great success.  The family settled in Nashville and Diana Trask signed a recording contract with Dot Records.

In 1968, Diana Trask saw the release, on Dot Records, of a non-album single, 'Lock, Stock & Teardrops', which reached No.70 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1968, and No.39 on the Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1968.



In February 1969, Diana Trask saw the release of 'Miss Country Soul' (Dot Records, 1969), which included one track, which was hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Hold What You've Got', which was written by Joe Tex (Thursday 8 August 1935 - Friday 13 August 1982) (No.59, 1968) / this track also reached No.34 on the Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1968

Diana Trask's 'Miss Country Soul' (Dot Records, 1969) also included the following tracks:

'Show Me'
'I've Got To Do A Little Bit Better'
'Build Your Love'
'Woman (Can Change A Man)'
'I'll Never Do You Wrong'
'Keep The One You've Got'
'You Got What It Takes'
'Sweet Woman Like You'
'Letter Song'
'Don't Let Your Children Pay'
'I Want To (Do Everything For You)'

Diana Trask's 'Miss Country Soul' (Dot Records, 1969) reached No.34 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1969.



In August 1969, Diana Trask saw the release of 'From The Heart' (Dot Records, 1969), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Children' (No.58, 1969) / this track also reached No.59 on the Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1969

'I Fall To Pieces', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010) and Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.37, 1970) / this track, which also reached No.44 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1970, No.14 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Chart in 1970, and No.29 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970, earned Diana Trask a Grammy Award nomination.

Diana Trask's 'From The Heart' (Dot Records, 1969) also included the following tracks:

'Heartbreak Hotel'
'Your Elusive Dreams'
'Yours Love'
'Mucho Amore'
'There Goes My Everything'
'When Two Worlds Collide', which was written by Bill Anderson and Roger Miller (Thursday 2 January 1936 - Sunday 25 October 1992)
'When The Grass Grows Over Me'
'Here Comes My Baby Back Again', which was written by Dottie West (Tuesday 11 October 1932 - Wednesday 4 September 1991) and Bill West (1933 - Thursday 19 September 2013)
'Staying Kind'
'Long Ago Is Gone'

Diana Trask's 'From The Heart' (Dot Records, 1969) reached No.32 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1969.

In 1969, Diana Trask was a guest on 'The Johnny Cash Television Show'.

In 1970, Diana Trask saw the release, on Dot Records, of a non-album single; 'Beneath Still Waters', which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 - Friday 14 January 2022), reached No.38 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970, No.38 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1970, and No.50 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970.



In February 1971, Diana Trask saw the release of 'Diana's Country' (Dot Records, 1971), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Chokin' Kind' (No.59, 1971) / this track also reached No.42 on the Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1971

Diana Trask's 'Diana's Country' (Dot Records, 1971) also included the following tracks:

'Last Person To See Me Alive'
'I Keep It Hid'
'Mama Said Yeah'
'Stranger Hand To Hold'
'Don't Let It Get Away'
'I Hope I Don't Feel Dirty In The Morning'
'Charlie'
'Green, Green Grass of Home'
'Let's Keep Her Free'
'Grandview Baptist Church'



In July 1972, Diana Trask saw the release of 'Diana Trask Sings About Loving' (Dot Records, 1972), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'We've Got To Work It Out Between Us' (No.30, 1972) / this track also reached No.43 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1972

'It Meant Nothing To Me' (No.33, 1972) / this track also reached No.35 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1972, and No.29 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1972

Diana Trask's 'Diana Trask Sings About Loving' (Dot Records, 1972) also included the following tracks:

'A Thing Called Love', which was written by Jerry Reed Hubbard (Saturday 20 March 1937 - Monday 1 September 2008)
'Cry', which was written by Churchill Kohlman (28 January 1906 - 25 May 1983) / this track reached No.99 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975
'I'm Yours'
'Livin' & Lovin' Life'
'Stand By Your Man', which was written by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 - Tuesday 4 August 2015) and Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998)
'How Much Have I Hurt Thee'
'Everything I Own'
'Take Me Home & Love Me'



In November 1973, Diana Trask saw the release of 'It's A Man's World' (Dot Records, 1973), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Say When' (No.15, 1973) / this track also reached No.16 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1973, and No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1973

'It's A Man's World (If You Had A Man Like Mine)' (No.20, 1973) / this track also reached No.19 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1973, and No.22 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1973

'When I Get My Hands On You' (No.16, 1974) / this track also reached No.25 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1974, and No.26 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1974

Diana Trask's 'It's A Man's World' (Dot Records, 1973) also included the following tracks:

'Til I Get It Right'
'Soul Song'
'Shadow of My Man'
'World of The Missing'
'If You Wanna Hold On, Hold On To Your Man'
'Love Lives Again'
'Teddy Bear Song'
'Alone Again (Naturally)'

Diana Trask's 'It's A Man's World' (Dot Records, 1973) reached No.25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1973.



In May 1974, Diana Trask saw the release of 'Lean It All On Me' (Dot Records, 1974), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Lean It All On Me' (No.13, 1974) / this track also reached No.13 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1974, No.1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Chart in 1974, and No.12 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1974

'If You Wanna Hold On, Hold On To Your Man' (No.32, 1974) / this track also reached No.32 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1974

Diana Trask's 'Lean It All On Me' (Dot Records, 1974) also included the following tracks:

'Behind Closed Doors', which was written by Kenny O'Dell (born Kenneth Gist Junior) (Wednesday 21 June 1944 - Monday 27 March 2018)
'Get It (While The Gettin's Good)'
'Satin Sheets', which was written by John Edward Volinkaty (Friday 27 August 1943 - Friday 4 September 1992)
'Jesse'
'He Took Me For A Ride'
'King'
'Lovin' Arms'
'Let Me Be There'
'Loneliness (Can Break A Good Girl Down)'
            
Diana Trask's 'Lean It All On Me' (Dot Records, 1974) reached No.34 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1974.



In September 1974, Diana Trask saw the release of 'Diana Trask's Greatest Hits' (Dot Records, 1974), which included the following tracks:

'Lean It All On Me' (No.13, 1974) / this track also reached No.13 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1974, No.1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Chart in 1974, and No.12 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1974

'It's A Man's World (If You Had A Man Like Mine)' (No.20, 1973) / this track also reached No.19 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1973, and No.22 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1973

'Say When' (No.15, 1973) / this track also reached No.16 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1973, and No.8 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1973

'It Meant Nothing To Me' (No.33, 1972) / this track also reached No.35 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1972, and No.29 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1972

'Last Person To See Me Alive' / this was an album track from 1971

'When I Get My Hands On You' (No.16, 1974) / this track also reached No.25 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1974, and No.26 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1974

'If You Wanna Hold On, Hold On To Your Man' (No.32, 1974) / this track also reached No.32 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1974
'We've Got To Work It Out Between Us' (No.30, 1972) / this track also reached No.43 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1972

'I Fall To Pieces', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010) and Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002) (No.37, 1970) / this track also reached No.44 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1970, No.14 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Chart in 1970, and No.29 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970

'Chokin' Kind' (No.59, 1971) / this track also reached No.42 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1971

'Cry', which was written by Churchill Kohlman (28 January 1906 - 25 May 1983) / this track reached No.99 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1975

Diana Trask's 'Diana Trask's Greatest Hits' (Dot Records, 1974) reached No.32 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1974.



In June 1975, Diana Trask saw the release of 'The Mood I'm In' (Dot Records, 1975), which was produced by Jim Foglesong, and included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:

'Oh Boy', which was written by Tony Romeo (Sunday 25 December 1938 - Friday 23 June 1995) (No.21, 1975) / this track also reached No.16 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1975, and No.14 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1975

'There Has To Be A Loser' (No.82, 1975) / this track also reached No.74 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1975

Diana Trask's 'The Mood I'm In' (Dot Records, 1975) also included the following tracks:

'Country Bumpkin'
'Whole Lotta Things To Sing About'
'Fever'
'Back Home Again'
'I Can Take A Little Heartache'
'Sunshine'
'Evil On Your Mind'
'Alone Again (Naturally)'
'I've Been Wrong For So Long'



In April 1976, Diana Trask saw the release of 'Believe Me Now Or Believe Me Later' (ABC Records, 1976), which included the following tracks:

'Rock Me Sweet'
'All Alone In Austin'
'It's Too Late'
'New York City Song'
'Sing Feelin' Sing'
'Empty Chairs'
'Let's Get Down To Business'
'But He Was Good To Me'
'Fallen Angel'
'Little Joe'
'One Step From Your Arms'
'Lover & A Friend'

In 1977, while she was onstage in Sydney during an Australian national tour, that Diana Trask was confronted by Roger Climpson with the words 'Diana Trask, This Is Your life'.  Diana Trask's entire family were on the programme, along with friends and entertainers from all over the world, in order to celebrate the life of Diana Trask.  Her father was brought on in a wheelchair and it was the proudest night of his life.



In 1981, Diana Trask saw the release of 'One Day At A Time' (Hammard Records, 1981), which included the following tracks:

'Oh Boy', which was written by Tony Romeo (Sunday 25 December 1938 - Friday 23 June 1995) (No.21, 1975) / this track also reached No.16 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1975, and No.14 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1975
'Blanket On The Ground'
'Country Bumpkin'
'I'm Not Lisa' (written by Jessi Colter)
'Your Cheatin' Heart', which was written by Hank williams (Monday 17 September 1923 - Thursday 1 January 1953)
'Stand By Your Man', which was written by Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 - Tuesday 4 August 2015) and Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 - Monday 6 April 1998)
'One's On The Way'
'Country Girl Is Coming Home'
'One Day At A Time'
'Snowbird'
'I Believe In You'
'Dear Heart'
'With Pen In Hand' (written by Bill Anderson)
'Elusive Butterfly'
'Looking For Love'
'I Never Said I Love You'

It was also in 1981 when Diana Trask saw the release of two non-album tracks; 'This Must Be My Ship' (No.62, 1981), which also reached No.60 on Cash Box Country Singles Chart in 1981, and 'Stirrin' Up Feelings' (No.74, 1981).



The Osmond Brothers recorded Diana Trask's 'I Think About Your Lovin' and included the track on 'The Osmond Brothers' (Elektra Records, 1982); the track reached No.17 on the Billboard country music chart in 1982.



In 1985, Diana Trask saw the release of 'Footprints' (Hammard Records, 1985), which included the following tracks:

'Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love'
'Mama He's Crazy'
'Lyin' Eyes'
'I've Never Been To Me'
'When We Make Love'
'Footprints'
'Hello'
'Take Me Home Country Roads'
'Angel of The Morning'
'Let Your Love Flow'
'Feels So Right'
'Morning Train (9 To 5)'
'Always On My Mind'
'Honey'
'Heartbreaker'
'Before The Next Teardrop Falls'
'Last Waltz'
'By The Time I Get To Phoenix'

It was also in 1985 when Diana Trask was invited to sing at the Australian Rules Football Grand Final in Melbourne and, then again, in 1996, for the 100 years of Australian Football celebrations.



Diana Trask is a proud grandmother and really enjoys her family.  Thom and Diana sail their yacht around the Caribbean and tour the world.

Diana Trask has never forgotten the advice of her old friend, Danny Thomas, who said, 'Diana, always keep your pipes in shape', and Diana Trask still practices every day.

Diana Trask has studied natural medicine and graduated with honours as a Master Herbalist.

Diana Trask has written her autobiography, which has been enjoyed by her legion of fans.

Diana Trask played venues like The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, where she was introduced by Roy Acuff (Tuesday 15 September 1903 - Monday 23 November 1992).

Diana Trask played Las Vegas for many years, with standing room only, appearing with Roy Linwood Clark (Saturday 15 April 1933 - Thursday 15 November 2018).

Diana Trask also toured with Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 - Tuesday 8 August 2017) and Hank Williams Jr.

Over the years, Diana Trask was a guest on television shows with Dinah Shore, Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin and many other famous hosts.





• Visit Diana Trask's official site at dianatrask.com