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 2023, 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 Wilson Fairchild (Wil Reid & Langdon Reid), which they submitted to this site on Monday 24 April 2023.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to Wilson Fairchild (Wil Reid & Langdon Reid) who have made a special contribution to a unique part of this online 'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Wilson Fairchild (Wil Reid & Langdon Reid)
This quote was submitted on Sunday 23 April 2023.
'Gene Watson has always been one of our musical heroes.
As far as we are concerned, when folks talk about Haggard and Jones, they should include Watson as well.
We have always loved the power, the finesse, the vibrato and the tone of his voice.
We are also honoured to have been able to work with him and call him friend.
Man, now we need to go listen to 'Farewell Party', which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 - Thursday 26 July 2007), again.
Love you, Gene!'
Thank you, Wilson Fairchild (Wil Reid & Langdon Reid), for your support of Gene Watson.
About Wilson Fairchild (Wil Reid and Langdon Reid)...
Wilson Fairchild (Wil Reid & Langdon Reid) are the sons of Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020) and Don Reid, respectively, and formed a duo in the 1990s, originally performing under the name, 'Grandstaff. In 2007, Grandstaff recorded 'The Statler Brothers Song', a tribute song to The Statler Brothers.
In an interview on Nashville's WSM 650AM, on Thursday 25 March 2010, Wil Reid said that they decided to change their name to Wilson Fairchild after many people got the name, 'Grandstaff', wrong during introductions. The name comes from 'Wilson', Wil's middle name, and 'Fairchild', Langdon's middle name.
Sisters, Kim Reid and Karmen Reid, who are daughters of Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020), also enjoyed a brief stint as a country duo in the early 1980s, which included a guest appearance on an episode of 'Hee Haw'.
Wilson Fairchild are a country music duo made up of Wil Reid and Langdon Reid from the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. These two men, referred to as 'the Reid boys', have been writing, performing and playing music together their whole lives. To sum up their passion and drive for their music and career, a self-penned line from their title cut, 'Country On', says it all: 'We love country music and we’ll never let it die'.
Wil Reid and Langdon Reid are highly acclaimed songwriters. They both have been writing songs since their teenage years. Along with recording their own music, such artists as The Statler Brothers, Ricky Skaggs, and Dailey & Vincent have recorded their songs. Their songwriting gamut spans through the country, bluegrass and gospel fields. They learned the craft from the best and are no strangers to knowing how to put an idea to music and come away with a great storytelling song.
Along with singing and songwriting, they both play guitars on stage and have played many other instruments during recording sessions.
Wilson Fairchild get their 'entertainment chops' honestly. Wil Reid's Dad is Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020), and Langdon Reid's Dad is Don Reid, of the legendary The Statler Brothers.
In 2007, Wil Reid and Langdon Reid wrote a tribute to The Statler Brothers, simply called 'The Statler Brothers Song'. They were asked to be a part of the medallion ceremonies and to perform the song for all of their 'Statler Dads' when The Statler Brothers were inducted into The Gospel Music Hall of Fame and The Country Music Hall of Fame.
For three and a half years, Wilson Fairchild opened the show for the one and only, George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 - Friday 26 April 2013).
Wilson Fairchild have graced the stage of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, been featured on 'Larry’s Country Diner' on RFD-TV, and have been part of a DVD series, 'Country’s Family Reunion: Second Generations', which was also aired on RFD-TV.
On Wednesday 4 July 2012, Wilson Fairchild sang 'The National Anthem' before Toby Keith took the stage at the PGA Classic. Wilson Fairchild also sang 'The National Anthem' at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland before the Orioles game in July 2012.
In April 1985, The Statler Brothers saw the release of 'Pardners In Rhyme' (Mercury Records, 1985); one of the included tracks was 'Her Heart Or Mine', which was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020), and was also recorded by Gene Watson, who included it on 'Honky Tonk Crazy' (Epic Records, 1987).
The Statler Brothers recorded Wil Reid's 'Dynamite' and included the track on the release of 'All American Country' (Mercury Records, 1991).
The Statler Brothers recorded Langdon Reid's 'A Lifetime of Loving You' (co-written with Don Reid and Debo Reid) and included the track on 'Words & Music' (Mercury Records, 1992).
The Statler Brothers recorded Langdon Reid's 'He's Always There For You' and included the track on 'Words & Music' (Mercury Records, 1992).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Langdon Reid and Wil Reid's 'Make God First' (co-written with Gordon Kennedy) and included the track on 'Mosaic' (Skaggs Family Records, 2010).
In 2013, Wilson Fairchild saw the release of 'Virginia' (Wilson Fairchild Independent Release, 2013), an extended play (EP) disc, which included the following tracks:
'What Do I Tell Me Now?' (written by Wil Reid, Langdon Reid and Bryan Kennedy)
'Karaoke Cowboy' (written by Wil Reid, Langdon Reid and Bryan Kennedy)
'Things' (written by Wil Reid, Langdon Reid and Bryan Kennedy)
'Two Ring Circus' (written by Wil Reid, Langdon Reid and Gordon Kennedy)
'Virginia' (written by Wil Reid, Langdon Reid and Jeff Hyde)
'Left Handed Woman', which was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Statler Brothers, who included it on 'Thank You World' (Mercury Records, 1974)
'I'll Even Love You Better Than I Did Then', which was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Statler Brothers, who included it on 'The Best of The Statler Brothers, Volume 2' (Mercury Records, 1979)
'How Are Things in Clay, Kentucky?', which was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Statler Brothers, who included it on '10th Anniversary' (Mercury Records, 1980)
'She's Too Good', which was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Statler Brothers, who included it on 'Thank You World' (Mercury Records, 1974)
'Second Thoughts', which was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Statler Brothers, who included it on 'Pictures of Moments To Remember' (Mercury Records, 1971)
'Pictures of Moments To Remember', which was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Statler Brothers, who included it on 'Pictures of Moments To Remember' (Mercury Records, 1971); The Statler Brothers' version of the track reached No.13 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1971
'Some I Wrote', which was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Statler Brothers, who included it on 'Short Stories' (Mercury Records, 1977); The Statler Brothers' version of the track reached No.17 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1977
'Guilty', which was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Statler Brothers, who included it on 'Today' (Mercury Records, 1983); The Statler Brothers' version of the track reached No.9 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983
'A Letter From Shirley Miller', which was written by Phil Balsley, Don Reid and Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Statler Brothers, who included it on 'Sons of The Motherland' (Mercury Records, 1974)
'He Went To The Cross Loving You', which was written by Don Reid and Harold Reid (Monday 21 August 1939 - Friday 24 April 2020) / the original version of this track was recorded by The Statler Brothers, who included it on 'Short Stories' (Mercury Records, 1977)
'The Statler Brothers Song' (written by Langdon Reid and Wil Reid)
Dailey & Vincent (Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent) recorded Langdon Reid and Wil Reid's 'He's Been Good To Me' (co-written with Jamie Dailey) and included the track on 'Patriots & Poets' (BFD / Dreamlined Entertainment Group, 2017).
Wilson Fairchild, once you hear their music, you are a fan. Once you see them in concert, you are a bigger fan.
And, once you get the chance to meet them, you are a friend for life.
• Visit Wilson Fairchild's official site at wilsonfairchild.com
• Like Wilson Fairchild on Facebook
