Gene Watson coming to Colborne?

Will Gene Watson headline the Wednesday night show at the Auction Barn Jamboree this September 2?

Jamboree promoter Gary Warner is doing everything he can to make it happen. Warner and the country singer have agreed in principal that he will come but it’s a long way from Texas for a single concert.

So, Gary is testing the waters to see if there is enough local interest to run a concert on Tuesday, September 1 as well. He’s asking people who would like to see it happen to contact him either by phone at (905) 355 2106 or by email at gwarner@eagle.ca.

If the Tuesday and Wednesday concerts are a go then Watson will team up with David Church on the Wednesday night show. Church was a popular headliner in his last trip to Colborne.

Cost of the Wednesday show is $30 and is not included in the weekend pass.

Watson has a long history in the country music scene. He is the son of a blues harmonica and guitar player, and sang in churches as a child. He hit the stage for his first public country performance when he was 12. Soon after, he dropped out of school, working by day and singing in night clubs at night.

On his website he says, “But doing music professionally was never a goal of mine. I always wanted to work on cars. I always say I never did go looking for music. Music found me.”

He is famous for his sultry 1975 number three hit, Love in the Hot Afternoon and his eighties number one tune, Fourteen Carat Mind. During those years he recorded numerous top-40 Billboard hits. His signature song is Farewell Party.

Born in 1943, he struggled to make a go of it until Capitol Records picked up Love in the Hot Afternoon.

Watson has maintained his classical country style.

In 2005, Watson released his album, "Then & Now."

Two years ago he signed with the independent Shanachie Records and released another album, In a Perfect World, including in it some new material, and three covers of favourite classic country tunes. The album was widely acclaimed and several of the songs rose up the charts.

Watson claims his voice has improved over the years because he has learned to care for it.

“I used to drink. I used to smoke like a freight train. I gave up all that. You know, I got so tired of drinking I just one night quit [in 1980].”