Country music legend Gene Watson traced his journey from car mechanic to music sensation during an interview with The Cowboy Channel while in Fort Worth earlier this month to film a performance with The Malpass Brothers.
Watson shared how his passion for music intertwined with his mechanical skills and paved the way for a remarkable career that has included dozens of charted songs to go along with a handful of No. 1 hits.
As he embarks on a relentless tour schedule in 2024, the timeless artist has shown no signs of slowing down at 80-years-old.
TCC: How did you go from working on cars to successful career in music?
GW: Well, it started out with me working on cars, but I was doing music too. I can remember singing as far back as I can remember talking. It was just something that I had from birth, my whole family were singers and we did mostly singing in church and I was a bodyman by profession, but I’d play music at night in the clubs and all that and so a few people heard and me liked the way I sounded, and here I am.
TCC: Between then and now, if you had to nail down a highlight, or a favorite memory of your career, what would you say?
GW: The extreme highlight would be the invitation to join the Grand Ol Opry. That’s something that so many artists work for. And great artists, I am not talking about mediocre, great artists work for years and years and never accomplish that, and I’m just so thankful I was finally asked to join. Because the Grand Ol Opry is the pinnacle.
TCC: You have over 72 charted songs, six No. 1 hits, but what is your personal favorite of your songs?
GW: You know, I really don’t have a favorite. I play off the audience, I never plan a show. We try to plan what they want and whatever their favorite song is, that’s my favorite song at the time. We’ve had a lot of success in country music and also in the gospel field, too. The people have just been good in accepting me and liking my brand of music and I’m thankful for that, I really am.
TCC: People still love and are hungry for that traditional country music you’re doing, you have a full-year tour, and I looked at your schedule, you don’t have many breaks do you?
GW: Well, last year we worked our 80 + 80 Tour, which was when I turned 80 and we did 80 dates. So, this year we’re going to do at least that many, maybe more, as long as the good lord gives me the strength, we’re going to be out there hitting the highway.
TCC: Today you’re here doing a TV show with the Malpass Brothers and Moe Bandy here as well. And you’re no stranger to TV with Moe Bandy.
GW: Some of the folks out there might have seen a few clips from the Gene and Moe Show, but Moe and I have been friends for years and years. We’ve got a lot of great memories together, we’ve known each for years, back in the days before either one of us had a recording label or anything. One place in particular was San Antonio, I’d be working one side of town, he’d be working the other. We kind of grew up together in the music business.
TCC: I heard a story earlier, it was your birthday and he wasn’t going to call, so you called him…
GW: I called him and I said ‘Moe, you know it’s my birthday, so…’ First, I told him he missed my birthday. So I said, ‘you missed my birthday, but all is well, I went ahead and called you and wished myself happy birthday for you.’ We were always poking at each other.
TCC: Where can fans find you? What are you excited for going forward?
GW: We’re just looking for a whole lot more of we had. Just bigger and better.