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 2022, 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 Wade Hayes, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 15 December 2022.

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





Wade Hayes
This quote was submitted on Thursday 15 December 2022.

'I have been a fan of Gene Watson as long as I can remember.

Even from a young age, I knew he was an incredible singer.

His songs have always impressed me as being a little different take on life as well.

From 'Love In The Hot Afternoon' to 'Paper Rosie' to 'Farewell Party' - they just sounded different, in an incredibly good way.

The fact that I get to do shows with an idol of mine now still blows me away!



Wade Hayes and Gene Watson at Sugar Creek Casino, 5304 North Broadway Avenue, Hinton, OK 73047 on Saturday 31 December 2022

He is always as kind as he is talented.

I don’t think he even knows how good he is or how many fans like me he has!

Thank you Gene!'

Thank you, Wade Hayes, for your support of Gene Watson.



About Wade Hayes...



Wade Hayes was born Tony Wade Hayes on Sunday 20 April 1969 in Bethel Acres, Oklahoma.

Wade Hayes' father, Don Hayes, was also a professional country musician, and inspired him to begin playing music.

Initially, Wade Hayes had learned to play mandolin, but later switched to guitar after his father bought him one.

When he was 11 years old, Wade Hayes' family moved to Nashville, where his father signed with an independent record label.  The label soon declared bankruptcy, and thefamily returned to Oklahoma, where Wade Hayes later found work as a musician in his father's band.

Although he attended three different colleges, Wade Hayes dropped out of college in 1991 in order to pursue a career in country music, after seeing bluegrass musician, Ricky Skaggs, perform on the 1991 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards Show.

Wade Hayes then returned to Nashville, where he began recording demo tapes and writing his own material.  Eventually, Wade Hayes partnered with songwriter, Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022), who recommended him to Don Cook, a record producer, who had produced albums for several country music artists, including Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn).

In late 1994, with the help of Don Cook, Wade Hayes was signed to a recording deal with Columbia Records.



On Tuesday 3 January 1995, Wade Hayes saw the release of 'Old Enough To Know Better' (Columbia Records, 1995), which was produced by Don Cook, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'Old Enough To Know Better', which was written by Wade Hayes and Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022) (No.1 for one week in February 1995) / this track also reached No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in early 1995

'I'm Still Dancin' With You', which was written by Wade Hayes and Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022) (No.4, 1995) / this track also reached No.6 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995

'Don't Stop', which was written by Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022) and Tom Shapiro (No.10, 1995) / this track also reached No.12 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995

'What I Meant To Say', which was written by Don Cook, Sam Hogin (1950 - Monday 9 August 2004) and Jim McBride (No.5, 1995) / this track also reached No.15 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995

Wade Hayes' 'Old Enough To Know Better' (Columbia Records, 1995) also included the following tracks:

'Don't Make Me Come To Tulsa' (written by Don Cook)
'Kentucky Bluebird' (written by Don Cook and Wally Wilson)
'Steady As She Goes' (written by Don Cook, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn)
'Family Reunion', which was written by Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022) and Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002)
'Someone Had To Teach You', which was written by Harlan Howard (Thursday 8 September 1927 - Sunday 3 March 2002) and Bill Hervey
'It's Gonna Take A Miracle', which was written by Wade Hayes and Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022)

Personnel involved in the recording of Wade Hayes' 'Old Enough To Know Better' (Columbia Records, 1995) included the following:

Bruce C. Bouton (slide guitar, pedal steel guitar)
Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle, 'electric hoedown tools')
Wade Hayes (lead vocals, background vocals)
Mitch Humphries (piano on 'Don't Stop')
John Barlow Jarvis (piano, Hammond organ)
Patty Loveless (background vocals on 'Kentucky Bluebird')
Brent Mason (electric guitar, 6-string bass guitar)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 - Saturday 4 March 2023) (bass guitar)
John Wesley Ryles and Dennis Wilson (background vocals)
Lonnie Wilson (drums, percussion)

Wade Hayes' 'Old Enough To Know Better' (Columbia Records, 1995) reached No.19 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1995, No.99 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1995, and No.1 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart in 1995.

Wade Hayes' 'Old Enough To Know Better' (Columbia Records, 1995) was also certified 'Gold' by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping 500,000 copies.

In 1995, Wade Hayes was nominated for 'Top New Male Vocalist of The Year' by the Country Music Association (CMA).

  

On Tuesday 25 June 1996, Wade Hayes saw the release of 'On A Good Night' (Columbia Records Nashville, 1996), which was produced by Don Cook, and included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'On A Good Night' (written by Larry Boone, Don Cook and Paul Nelson) (No.2, 1996) / this track also reached No.4 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1996

'Where Do I Go To Start All Over', which was written by Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022) and Wade Hayes (No.42, 1996) / this track also reached No.59 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1996

'It's Over My Head', which was written by Bill Anderson, Wade Hayes and Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022) (No.46, 1997) / this track also reached No.55 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1997

Wade Hayes' 'On A Good Night' (Columbia Records Nashville, 1996) also included the following tracks:

'Undo The Right', which was written by Willie Nelson and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010) / the original version of this track was recorded by Willie Nelson, who included it on 'And Then I Wrote' (Liberty Records, 1962)

'The Room' (written by Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro)
'I Still Do', which was written by Marty Stuart and Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022)
'My Side of Town', which was written by Don Cook and Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022)
'Our Time Is Coming' (written by Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn)

'Hurts Don't It', which was written by Sam Hogin (1950 - Monday 9 August 2004), Jim McBride and Greg Holland / this track was also recorded by Greg Holland, who included it on on 'Let Me Drive' (Warner Bros. Records, 1994)

'This Is The Life For Me', which was written by Wade Hayes, Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022) and Gary Nicholson

Personnel involved in the recording of Wade Hayes' 'On A Good Night' (Columbia Records Nashville, 1996) included the following:

Bruce C. Bouton (pedal steel guitar, slide guitar)
Dennis Burnside (piano, Hammond organ)
Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar)
Rob Hajacos (fiddle, 'assorted hoedown tools')
Wade Hayes (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Dave Hoffner (piano)
David Hungate (bass guitar)
Brent Mason (electric guitar, baritone guitar)
John Wesley Ryles and Dennis Wilson (background vocals)
Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
Lonnie Wilson (drums, percussion)

Wade Hayes' 'On A Good Night' (Columbia Records Nashville, 1996) reached No.11 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1996, and No.91 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1996.

  

On Tuesday 27 January 1998, Wade Hayes saw the release of 'When The Wrong One Loves You Right' (Columbia Records Nashville, 1998), which was produced by Don Cook, and included four tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'The Day That She Left Tulsa (In A Chevy)' (written by Mark D. Sanders and Steve Diamond) (No.5, 1997) / this track also reached No.9 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1997, and No.86 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1997

'When The Wrong One Loves You Right' (written by Leslie Satcher) (No.50, 1998) / this track also reached No.41 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1998

'How Do You Sleep At Night' (written by Jim McBride and Jerry Salley) (No.13, 1998) / this track also reached No.30 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1998, and No.67 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1998

'Tore Up From The Floor Up' (written by J.B. Rudd and Bob Regan) (No.57, 1999)

Wade Hayes' 'When The Wrong One Loves You Right' (Columbia Records Nashville, 1998) was originally intended to have been released in 1997 under the title 'Tore Up From The Floor Up', with a cover of Glen Campbell's 'Wichita Lineman' (written by Jimmy Webb) serving as the lead-off single.

However, after Wade Hayes' cover of Glen Campbell's 'Wichita Lineman' (written by Jimmy Webb) failed to reach Billboard country music Top 40 singles chart (it reached No.55 in 1997), it was replaced with 'The Day That She Left Tulsa (In A Chevy)' (written by Mark D. Sanders and Steve Diamond) and the album was re-titled, with 'Wichita Lineman' not making the album's final cut.

The original version of 'Wichita Lineman' (written by Jimmy Webb) was recorded by Glen Campbell (Wednesday 22 April 1936 - Tuesday 8 August 2017), who included it on 'Wichita Lineman' (Capitol Records, 1968); Glen Campbell's version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for two weeks in Decemebr 1968 / January 1969.

Wade Hayes' 'When The Wrong One Loves You Right' (Columbia Records Nashville, 1998) also included the following tracks:

'Are We Having Fun Yet', which was written by Wade Hayes, Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022) and Lonnie Wilson
'This Is My Heart Talking Now' (written by Jason Sellers and Lewis Anderson)
'One More Night With You', which was written by Wade Hayes, Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022) and Don Cook

'Summer Was A Bummer', which was written by Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 - Thursday 15 July 2010) and Dean Dillon / this track was also recorded by Ty Herndon, who included it on 'What Mattered Most' (Epic Records, 1995)

'If I Wanted To Forget' (written by Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro)
'Mine To Lose' (written by Larry Boone, Paul Nelson and Matt King)

Personnel involved in the recording of Wade Hayes' 'When The Wrong One Loves You Right' (Columbia Records Nashville, 1998) included the following:

Bruce C. Bouton (pedal steel guitar, lap steel guitar)
Mark Casstevens (acoustic guitar)
Larry Franklin (fiddle, mandolin)
Wade Hayes (lead vocals, background vocals, electric guitar)
John Barlow Jarvis (piano, keyboards, Hammond organ)
Liana Manis, John Wesley Ryles and Dennis Wilson (background vocals)
Brent Mason (electric guitar, gut-string guitar, 6-string bass guitar)
Joey Miskulin (accordion)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 - Saturday 4 March 2023) and Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
Lonnie Wilson (drums, percussion)

Wade Hayes' 'When The Wrong One Loves You Right' (Columbia Records Nashville, 1998) reached No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1998, No.92 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1998, and No.22 on the Canadian RPM Country Albums Chart in 1998.



On Tuesday 22 September 1998, Columbia Records released 'A Tribute To Tradition' (Columbia Records, 1998), a various artists collection, which was dedicated to traditional country music; one of the included tracks was 'She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)', which was written by Wayne Carson (Monday 31 May 1943 - Monday 20 July 2015), which featured lead vocals from Wade Hayes.

In 1999, Wade Hayes left the recording roster at Columbia Records Nashville.



On Tuesday 12 September 2000, Wade Hayes saw the release of 'Highways & Heartaches' (Monument Records, 2000), which was produced by Don Cook, Ronnie Dunn, Terry McBride and Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022), and included three tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:

'Up North (Down South, Back East, Out West)' (written by Jill Wood and Danny Wells) (No.48, 2000) / this track also reached No.73 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 2000

'Goodbye Is The Wrong Way To Go' (written by Shawn Camp and Will Smith) (No.45, 2000)

'What's It Gonna Take' (written by John Rich and John Barlow Jarvis) / this track was released as a single in 2000, but it did not chart

Wade Hayes' 'Highways & Heartaches' (Monument Records, 2000) also included the following tracks:

'Life After Lovin' You' (written by Billy Burnette and Brett Beavers)
She Used To Say That To Me' (written by Jim Lauderdale and John Scott Sherrill)
'Up & Down' (written by Terry McBride and Marv Green)
'You Just Keep On', which was written by Shawn Camp, Herb McCullough (Thursday 18 May 1944 - Tuesday 5 May 2015) and Taylor Dunn
'That's What Honky Tonks Are For', which was written by Don Cook and Chick Rains (Wednesday 5 November 1941 - Friday 21 January 2022)
'You Were, You Are, You'll Always Be' (written by Lewis Anderson and George Teren)
'I'm Lonesome Too' (written by Shawn Camp and Gary Scruggs)

Personnel involved in the recording of Wade Hayes' 'Highways & Heartaches' (Monument Records, 2000) included the following:

Bruce C. Bouton (steel guitar, keyboards)
Mark Casstevens and Biff Watson (acoustic guitar)
Chad Cromwell and Lonnie Wilson (drums, percussion)
Paul Franklin (electric guitar, steel guitar, slide guitar)
Sonny Garrish (steel guitar)
Rob Hajacos and Aubrey Haynie (fiddle, mandolin, 'assorted hoedown tools')
Wade Hayes (electric guitar, lead vocals, background vocals)
John A. Hobbs (Saturday 11 February 1928 - Wednesday 12 June 2019) (keyboards)
John Barlow Jarvis (organ, piano)
Chris Leuzinger and Brent Mason (electric guitar)
Liana Manis, John Wesley Ryles and Dennis Wilson (background vocals)
Michael Rhodes (Wednesday 16 September 1953 - Saturday 4 March 2023) and Glenn Worf (bass guitar)
Brian Siewart (string arrangements)
Reese Wynans (organ, piano)

Wade Hayes' 'Highways & Heartaches' (Monument Records, 2000) reached No.55 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 2000.

Following the release of 'Highways & Heartaches' (Monument Records, 2000), Wade Hayes (guitar, vocals) partnered with musician, Mark McClurg (fiddle, vocals), who had previously played fiddle in Alan Jackson's road band, The Strayhorns, to form the duo, McHayes.  Signed to Universal South Records in 2003, McHayes charted one single, 'It Doesn't Mean I Don't Love You', which reached No.41 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart.  McHayes also recorded an album, 'Lessons In Lonely', which was slated for release in mid-2003 under the production of Brent Rowan.  The album was never released, and the duo exited Universal South Records recording roster.

After the disbanding of McHayes in July 2004, Mark McClurg rejoined Alan Jackson's band, and Wade Hayes joined former Alabama lead singer Randy Owen's backing band.



On Wednesday 15 July 2009, Wade Hayes saw the release of 'Place To Turn Around' (Wade Hayes Independent Release, 2009), which included the following tracks:

'Good Day To Go Crazy'
'The Best Part'
'God Made Me (To Love You)'
'What's A Broken Heart For You'
'Right Where I Want You'
'I Want To'
'She Knows Me'
'Every Time I Give The Devil A Ride'
'I Wouldn't Know'
'Place To Turn Around'
'Drinkin' Thing'

In December 2011, Wade Hayes was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer, which was successfully operated on the same month.  Shortly after learning of his illness, Wade Hayes wrote the song, 'Is It Already Time', a ballad about his battle with the disease, which was released in 2012 through RPM Entertainment.  The last tumours were removed in March 2012, and Wade Hayes has been in remission since June 2012.



On Friday 27 February 2015, Wade Hayes saw the release of 'Go Live Your Life' (Conabor Records, 2015), which included the following tracks:

'Go Live Your Life' (written by Wade Hayes and Bobby Pinson)
'Love Knew Better' (written by Terri Jo Box and Wade Hayes)
'Bluebonnet Blues' (written by Paul Bogart, Wade Hayes and Roger Springer)
'She Is Home' (written by Ward Davis and Wade Hayes)
'Wrecking Ball' (written by Wade Hayes and Steve Mandile)
'Here & Her', which was written by Jeff Bates, Kenny Beard (Thursday 26 February 1959 - Sunday 1 October 2017) and Wade Hayes
'Let You Go' (written by Wade Hayes)
'Remember The Alimony' (written by Wade Hayes and Roger Springer)
'Old Dirt Road' (written by Wade Hayes)
'If The Sun Comes Up' (written by Ray Scott and George Teren)



On Friday 9 June 2017, Wade Hayes saw the release of 'Old Country Song' (Conabor Records, 2017), which was produced by Dave Mcfee and Wade Hayes, and included the following tracks:

'Can't Get Close Enough To You' (written by Wade Hayes and Clint Ingersoll)
'Full Moon Summer Night' (written by Mark Collie and Wade Hayes)
'I Wish I Still Drank' (written by Wade Hayes)
'What You Need From Me' (written by Jessie Alexander, Jon Randall and Phillip White)
'Needed The Rain' (written by Chris Dubois, Frank Rogers and Chris Stapleton)
'Old Country Song' (written by Tim Menzies and Roger Springer)
'I Don't Understand' (written by Tim Menzies and Roger Springer)
'Julia' (written by Don Cook and John Jarvis)
'She Knows Me' (written by Wade Hayes and Mark McClurg)

'Going Where The Lonely Go', which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016) and Dean Holloway / the original version of this track was recorded by Merle Haggard, who included it on 'Going Where The Lonely Go' (Epic Records, 1982); Merle Haggard's version of the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1983





• Visit Wade Hayes' official site at wadehayes.com
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