Legendary country vocalist Gene Watson‘s newest album, Outside the Box, lands among Luminate’s Top 15 Country Album Sales Chart this week alongside Luke Combs and Taylor Swift. On Thursday, Sept. 29, the Grand Ole Opry’s Opry Country Classics celebrated Watson’s iconic career and greatest hits with performances from Watson, Lorrie Morgan, Erin Enderlin, Rhonda Vincent, The Gatlin Brothers and Jake Hoot. To purchase tickets, click HERE.
Outside the Box features Watson’s first-ever collaboration with country legend and fellow Texan, Willie Nelson on “Wonderful Future.” The album also features a duet with Grand Ole Opry peer Rhonda Vincent on “I’ve Got One of Those Too.” Click HERE to stream Outside the Box.
Nelson, like so many of Watson’s peers, is a longtime fan of the ‘singer’s singer’ and welcomed Watson to his own SiriusXM channel, Willie’s Roadhouse (Ch. 59) for an Outside the Box album release special hosted by Grand Ole Opry legend and Sundays with Seely host, Jeannie Seely.
The album release special was recorded with a live audience of subscribers at SiriusXM’s Music City Theatre in Nashville, the one-hour special features performances of new and classic songs from Watson and his Farewell Party Band, as well as conversation and never-told-before stories from their years in the music industry.
Outside the Box showcases Watson’s masterful vocals that have been his signature for more than six decades. The 12-track collection fuses newly recorded songs from Watson as well as re-imagined hits across multiple genres, from Merle Haggard to Etta James. The album was produced by Dirk Johnson and executive produced by Watson.
“We titled the album before we ever recorded the first song,” shared Watson. “I just wanted to do something that was different, not only for me, but for the fans too. Of course it’s still pure country music but the very first song I recorded was one by Etta James that I’ve always thought was one of the greatest songs out there. I really searched for songs I know my fans will appreciate and from that came this album, “Outside the Box.”
Celebrating 60 years in the music business hasn’t slowed down Watson, as he continues to added more dates to his 60th Anniversary Tour. See full list of tour dates below and to purchase tickets, click HERE.
Watson’s single “If It’s That Easy” was released to radio in 1962 via Sun Valley Records. Since then, he has charted 75 titles including 23 Top 10 hits, six No. 1 country singles and five No. 1 gospel records. The Texas native continues to perform to sold-out crowds, singing in the same key as he did more than five decades ago.
OUTSIDE THE BOX TRACK LIST :
1. If I Had Any Pride Left At All
2. If She Only Knew
3. Wonderful Future (featuring Willie Nelson)
4. Lie To Me
5. Some Fools
6. I’ll Keep Holding Your Memory
7. I’ve Got One of Those Too (featuring Rhonda Vincent)
8. They Played It
9. The Blues Are Alive and Well
10. Who Do You Think You Are
11. It Looked Good On Paper
12. Loneliness Is Eating Me Alive
GENE WATSON 2022 TOUR DATES:
Sept. 29 Opry Country Classics – Nashville, Tenn.
Sept. 30 Capitol Arts Theatre – Bowling Green, Ky.
Oct. 1 Marion Cultural & Civic Center – Marion, Ill.
Oct. 3 Clay Cooper Theater – Branson, Mo.
Oct. 7 Dailey & Vincent Festival – Gainesboro, Tenn.
Oct. 8 Jettie Baker Center – Clintwood, Va.
Oct. 12 Georgia Mountain Fair – Hiawassee, Ga.
Oct. 14 Kentucky Opry – Benton, Ky.
Oct. 15 Kentucky Opry – Benton, Ky.
Oct. 22 The Mansion – Branson, Mo.
Oct. 27 Liberty Hall – Tyler, Texas
Oct. 28 2920 Roadhouse – Hockley, Texas
Oct. 29 Coyote Country Store – Gail, Texas
Nov. 5 The Kenney Store – Kenney, Texas
Nov. 11 The Mansion – Branson, Mo.
Nov. 12 Windstone Entertainment Center – Jefferson City, Mo.
Nov. 18 Country Tonite Theatre – Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Nov. 19 Heard County Performing Arts Center – Franklin, Ga.
Nov. 26 Texan Theater – Cleveland, Texas
Dec. 2 Main Street Crossing – Tomball, Texas
Dec. 9 The Ritz Theatre – Taccoa, Ga.
Dec. 31 Sugar Creek Casino – Hinton, Okla.
GENE WATSON 2023 TOUR DATES:
Jan. 19 Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts – Victoria, Texas
Jan. 21 Bosque Arts Center – Clifton, Texas
Feb. 10 Newberry Opera House – Newberry, S.C.
Feb. 24 Orange Blossom Opry – Weirsdale, Fla.
Feb. 25 Florida Classic Park – Brooksville, Fla.
Feb. 26 Orange Blossom Opry – Weirsdale, Fla.
March 2 Brauntex Theater – New Braunfels, Texas
March 3 The Post OG – Orange Grove, Texas
March 10 Arlington Music Hall – Arlington, Texas
March 11 The Pines Theatre – Lufkin, Texas
March 17 Rome City Auditorium – Rome, Ga.
March 18 Walhalla Civic Center – Walhalla, S.C.
April 7 Main Street Crossing – Tomball, Texas
April 29 Williams Auditorium – Henderson, Tenn.
May 5 Little Roy & Lizzy Festival – Lincolnton, Ga.
Aug. 11 Main Street Crossing – Tomball, Texas
Aug. 18 Reidsville Showcase Theater – Reidsville, N.C.
Aug. 19 Liberty Showcase Theater – Liberty, N.C.
Sept. 16 American Made Festival – Hiawassee, Ga.
Oct. 6 Blue Gate Theatre – Shipshewana, Ind.
Oct. 21 The Mansion Theater – Branson, Mo.
Nov. 11 The Mansion Theater – Branson, Mo.
Dec. 15 Main Street Crossing – Tomball, Texas
About Gene Watson:
From his chart-topping soulful gospel albums to his No. 1 country standards, few artists have left a more indelible mark on America’s musical landscape than Gene Watson. As a newly inducted member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2020, Watson has been thrilling audiences for 60 years. This masterful country stylist from Houston, Texas, known as “The Singer’s Singer,” has more than 75 charted titles, 23 Top 10 hits, six No. 1 country singles and five No. 1 gospel hits. Watson is also a member of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and the Houston, Texas Music Hall of Fame. Fans are still transfixed whenever Watson performs classics like “Farewell Party,” “Fourteen Carat Mind” or “Love in the Hot Afternoon.” A road warrior and considered one of the finest pure-country singers of his generation, Watson offers up one of the best traditional country shows in the business. For more information, visit GeneWatsonMusic.com
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