Gene Watson

Gene Watson and The Farewell Party Band were outstanding. The venue, the famous Trio Clib in Mingus was perfect. Veronica and Jeff Seaton had to move the show inside but we're able to accommodate the large crowd in spite of the threatening storms. Finis Smith opened the show. Amazing talent and a wonderful evening. Gene Watson will be at the Birdsong Amphitheater in Stephenville on June 21. We will be there front and center, our eleventh time to see them. 💕

Gene Watson , That was the best by far show that I have seen at the Orange Blossom , He gave you your money's worth. I would have liked to have heard more Gospel. Thank you Gene It was fabulous , Can't wait til you come back Harriette Doty

Gene. I loved your show. If was amazing watching you stand on stage a sing for All must 2 hours. And sing one song after another. Your better then me. We are the same age. And I needed my son-in-law help to get to my seat. God bless you🙋‍♀️ I thought your player was great.

Main Street Crossing is a GEM! Although it took us two hours to get from Pearland to Tomball in the pouring rain and in Friday rush hour traffic, it was so worth it. This was the best concert! The small venue, up close, personal feel made it perfect. Our table was less than 10 feet from the stage. Gene Watson's voice sounded amazing and took me back 40 years. It was hard to sit still in my seat because I wanted to tw0-step. I danced many a time to so many of his hits. The staff at Main Street were amazing. Placing your drink and food orders couldn't have been any easier. We had the spinach dip and chips as an appetizer which was great. Then we had the Elissa’s Bees’ Knees BLT's which were absolutely delicious. Nice, thick cut bacon and lots of it on Texas toast. The potato chips were the best I've tasted in a long time. We topped all of that off with the big warmed brownie and vanilla ice cream for two. We were stuffed! Venue, staff, food, prices, sound, and Gene Watson made for a phenomenal evening. Thank you! We'll definitely be back.

Loved the concert . Mr Watson and the band joked around with each other giving a very relax atmosphere. A sell out and Mr Watson will be back in November 2024. My husband and I listened to you(Mr Watson) and others (Wanda Vincent, Bill Anderson, Larry’s Kitchen etc.) every night before going to bed. It helps relax our minds for a good night sleep. YOU ARE A 5 STAR ACT. ❤️

Gene did not disappoint me! I traveled from Minnesota to southern Missouri just to see him, and I am very glad I did. Unlike most singers his age, Gene does certainly have the voice. He sang hit after hit from his long career along with a couple of songs from his newest album. He did not sing one of my favorites, "The old man and the horn," but what he did sing was great.

It was magnificent. This man still sounds as great as as he did 40 years ago. This was my fourth time seeing him. I’m pushing 80 also and hope to see him again. It makes me so angry that he has not been inducted into the country hall of fame. He is so much better than a lot who has been inducted. What is wrong with the people who vote on this. Please don’t wait till he is gone. He is the greatest singer out there. Sincerely yours, Roberta Boblits Gettysburg Pa. 17325

Gene Watson is the most underrated Country singer. He should have been nominated to the Country Music Hall of Fame ages ago. Do not miss any opportunity to see him in person. His band members obviously love working with him, respect him, and take good care of him. Happy 80th Birthday tour of 80 dates.

Texan Theatre had Gene a Watson for 2 nights and I was lucky enough to see both shows. The Texan Theatre and Gene Watson were both worth driving 100 miles!!! Gene is still a Super good singer and a lot of hits songs. I didn’t realize Gene had that many hits until he started singing one after another. I am blown away that Gene sounds this good hitting the low to medium range notes and hitting the high notes that most singer ‘s can’t touch without any effort. Thanks to the Texan Theatre’s superb sound made Gene sound great!!! GWW

It was a late starting due to power malfunctions. However, Gene Watson did not delay one minute once the power was back on. He is absolutely the best in the business. His shows have a little more talking than in the past but very much great. Rome, bring him back again real soon. It was great and wonderful.

Gene Watson: 3/18/23 “I took to the road Saturday, destination Walhalla SC —Gateway To The Blue Ridge Mountains, in search of some real country music. What better place to find it than the 456 seat Performing Arts Center which happened to be hosting ‘The Singer’s Singer’ himself Mr. Gene Watson. Note: If classic country music is simply not your thing my advice would be to just stay home, there was to be no ‘pop’ in this country —literally zero! Gene was one of the first artists I heard back in 1988 when WWYZ Connecticut crossed over from lite faves to contemporary country. His late 80’s #5 single ‘Don't Waste It on the Blues’ quickly began a favorite and opened a portal back in time to the 1970’s his strongest (and my weakest) decade of the genre. Gene with his 33 studio albums, 48 charted singles, 20 top 10’s and a recording career spanning 61 years brought his ‘The 2023 Celebration Tour’ to town. In honor of his forthcoming 80th birthday the artist scheduled 80+ tour dates this year to commemorate the red letter event. I made my way up to what’s becoming my customary seat in the venue, front row left orchestra, stopping first at the foot of the stage for a photo and close up view before taking my seat. The stage in all red lighting was set from L to R: pedal steel, guitar, drums with ‘GW’ on the drumhead, bass, keys. At 7:32 the 79 year old Texas native took the stage for an 1 hour 45 minute / 15 song set beginning with 1981’s #17 ‘Between This Time And Next Time’ and 1980’s #15 ‘Raisin Cain in Texas’. Watson referring to the performance as his party by addressing the audience stated, ‘We’re glad you all showed up for it, at my age I’m glad I showed up anywhere!’ Chad on guitar told him he had an audience request for ‘Bandy The Rodeo Clown’ and began a false start to the song. ‘You shut up, ain’t nobody want to hear anything about Moe Bandy’ Gene said of his good friend in the biz. That type of interaction between Gene and his band with a number of false starts continued all evening long. The Lone Star balladeer set the background storyline for nearly each song he performed. Gene moved right into the hit that put him on the map, the riskque’ ‘Love In The Hot Afternoon’ to the rouse of the crowd, then ‘Sometimes I Get Lucky And Forget’. He intro’d ‘Don’t Waste It On The Blues’ by saying ‘It’s a kind a song that makes people wanna touch one another, it’s one of those touchy-feely type songs, keep your seat, do ya know this may’ve been what got all that Covid going.’ The next song which features a latin flair was written by Johnny Russell and after false starts of ‘Act Naturally’ and ‘La Bomba’ he performed the #32 ‘Carmen’. With ‘Where Love Begins’. Gene felt the need to address social media rumors of his retirement. ‘Some people was wanting to know was I gonna retire. I’m gonna be honest with you, I’m just getting started good. If this is my last year y’all all better call the cops and tell em somebody done killed me.’ Next up was a song he beat out Ray Price in releasing first ‘Memories To Burn’, Watson telling his label, ‘Better get this out as quick as you can one of them big boys just got through recording it.’ The number three ’Paper Rosie’ followed (the only song he ever recorded twice, not liking the first take at all). On Tommy Tucker’s ‘Hi-Heel Sneakers’ and his own ‘I’ll Find It Where I Can’ he let the band members loose to showcase their individual talents. This would be a great time to pause and take note of Gene’s ‘The Farewell Party Band’ named after his signature song: Chad Phillips (guitar), Todd Hines (drums for 18 years), Stanley Rogers (bass for 26 years), Boo Miller (pedal steel), Dewayne Rice (piano). Myself being a pedal steel guitar geek I took special notice of Boo’s gorgeous black Emmons ReSound ’65 Gen 2 double-neck production. Gene had acquired it especially for Boo’s Opry debut. From the new album ‘If I Had Any Pride Left At All’ (2022) left me thinking it’s a shame radio has continued to offer a cold shoulder to the traditionals. A song such as that deserves air time for the newer generation to decide for themselves. 2016’s ‘I’ll Find It Where I Can’ followed suit and a special audience request for ‘I’ll Find It Where I Can’, Gene stating that it’s not often he’ll perform the 1996 #44 cut live. Rounding out the set was his number one ‘Fourteen Caret Mind’ which he personally tries to perform vocally better for each performance. It arguably sounded as good as the album. ‘Farewell Party’ brought a close to the evening, ‘All I know that more than one of you when you bought a ticket and came in that front door you had one song in mind we’re gonna do it for each and everyone of you.’ Watson’s calling card (which was nailed in one take in 1979 in about 15 minutes) was literally perfect. The octave-jumping ending line ‘when I’m gone’ brought everyone to their feet! Many have contended that the singer’s voice has gotten better as he aged, and I witnessed it with my very own ears. The mix was spot on and sound level just right with no ear protection necessary. Gene is proof positive that meager beginnings can’t hold back greatness. The high school dropout once lived in a school bus and picked cotton and potatoes while his father played blues harmonica alongside African-American field laborers. Watson put it this way, ‘Today people live in motor homes, ours was yellow’. ‘If I can sing to my satisfaction and my fans satisfaction I’m going to keep looking for that needle in a haystack!’” Review and photo by DAve (Concert #762)

Great concert. My husband and I are long time Gene Watson fans but this was our first time to see him in person. His voice is still as strong as ever and he and his band members added a bit of comedy to the show as well. He performed for 2 hours straight without a break and gave the impression that he truly enjoyed what he was doing and wanted to give those in the audience their money’s worth.

The show was fantastic! I met Gene and got a picture with him before he went onstage. He was very friendly and we visited for several minutes about his new music and the invitation to be a member of the Opry. Gene and his band were amazing— his voice sounds great and he sang so many hits. I can’t wait to see him again.

At 78, Gene still has a strong voice. Great performance. Loved seeing one of the greats of Country Music. I know Gene has no reason in the world to perform other than love of performing. I took my two youngest with me. It was their first ever concert. Gene, Thank you so much for the great memories.

I've been trying to see Mr. Watson the past couple years in Iowa. Finally got to see him! The venue is poorly organized. Low ticket sales left people sitting where they wanted. People were being shuffled around after show started. Disruption everywhere. The acoustics were bad. Sounded like we were listening to a garage band. Despite all this, Mr Watson gave a really good show.

We love Gene Watson! So, when we saw that he was going to be at the Monson Lake Opry Fest we knew we had to go check this out. It was our first experience at Monson Lake Opry Fest and we were impressed. It was very well organized, things were kept in check and all the entertainment was great! We were surprised to learn that Brad was an entertainer too. He also did a great job! Other than not being able to see the entire bands on stage, due to being set back, it was great and we look forward to another visit! Jan and Mary Link Eau Claire, WI

Gene Watson sounded as amazing as he did years ago and he is my favorite country singer! Gene and the band made us laugh and filled our hearts with awesome country music and great songs that brought wonderful memories back. It's my second time seeing him and I hope there will be more chances to come. Thanks to Gene for making this country girl's night! We drove from Columbus and would do it again to see Gene! It was difficult to see him at times because of people taller than us but just hearing him made it worth it.

Great show!! My second time to see him in concert since July 21, 2021. First time was Greenville, Tx July 30, 2021. Second at Southern Junction May 21, 2022. It was my husband's first time to see in concert. I grew up listening to you Gene Watson. Love your music & you are a great performer. Safe travels for you & your band. Hope to catch you again in Texas. Your band is great. God's Blessings on you all.

I have wanted to see Gene in person for several years. Was supposed to see him in Arlington, TX on Oct. 1st last year but it was cancelled due to COVID. When I saw he was going to be at a smaller venue I jumped at the chance to go and so glad I did. Show was everything I expected and more. He is such a great entertainer and I love his voice. So one more item checked of on my bucket list!

We made a 9½ hour drive to see the show, as usual the Show was great, Gene Watson is True Country Music, his voice is still amazing! We have been to 6,7,8 shows in the past 2 years, everyone was Great! His Band, " The Farewell Party Band " is excellent to say the least!! The Show is just that, A Show, not just a concert, Gene and his Band interact with the audience, Great Time and Great Music, if you get a chance to see them, you don't want to miss it. Thank You Guys, Danny & Barbara KY.