The Grand Ole Opry’s Dan Rogers and Grand Ole Opry member Rhonda Vincent joined The Bellamy Brothers to celebrate Opry member Gene Watson’s 80th birthday backstage on October 12, 2023. On the heels of his 80th birthday, Watson announced his 2024 All the Hits & More Tour.
The All the Hits & More Tour follows Watson’s Celebration Tour, which found him celebrating with fans across the country this year on 80 dates for his 80th birthday.
Watson also recently recorded a special with 650 AM WSM’s Jeff Hoag for his program “WSM at Night.” The conversation focused on tracks from Watson’s 1969 debut, self-titled album from Wide World Records as well as his early career and many of his legacy recordings such as “Love in The Hot Afternoon” and his signature song, “Farewell Party.” The special, which marks the first-time music from Watson’s debut album has been available for fans to access digitally, is slated to air Monday, Oct. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. CT, followed by a replay from 10 p.m. until midnight CT. The next day, fans will also be able to listen for free and on-demand at WSMRadio.com.
The Texas native’s most recent album Outside the Box, was released in Sept. 2022. The album ranked number four by Country Music People magazine’s editor on the Critics Choice list of 2022, stating Watson is, “As good as ever.” Outside the Box featured 12 tracks of Watson’s signature vocals with newly recorded songs as well as re-imagined hits across multiple genres, from Willie Nelson to Etta James.
Watson’s first 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 Singer’s Singer” continues to perform to sold-out crowds, singing in the same key as he did more than five decades ago and thrilling fans with his famous octave-jumping ending to “Farewell Party” night after night.
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 over 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.
GENE WATSON 2024 ALL THE HITS & MORE TOUR DATES:
Feb. 3 Rome City Auditorium – Rome, Ga.
Feb. 4 Orange Blossom Opry- Weirsdale, Fla.
Feb. 5 Orange Blossom Opry- Weirsdale, Fla.
Feb. 24 Walhalla Civic Auditorium- Walhalla, S.C.
Feb. 28 Arlington Music Hall- Arlington, Texas
March 1 Round-Up Beer Garden- Borne, Texas
March 2 Post OG- Orange Grove, Texas
March 7- Strawberry Festival- Plant City, Fla.
April 14 Dosey Doe- The Woodlands, Texas
April 20 Conference Center- Manchester, Tenn.
May 3 Little Roy & Lizzy fest- Lincolnton, Ga.
May 4 The Pickin’ Post- Fort Payne, Ala.
May 10 Jette Baker Center- Clintwood, Va.
May 11 Malpass Brothers Festival- Denton, N.C.
June 8 The Farm Jam- Bagdad, Ky.
Aug. 3 Williams Auditorium- Henderson, Tenn.
Aug. 9 Reidsville Showcase Theatre- Reidsville, N.C.
Aug. 10 Liberty Showcase Theatre- Liberty, N.C.
Sept. 1 Coyote Country Store- Gail, Texas
Sept. 28 Mule days Festival- Benson, N.C.
Oct. 11 Mansion Theatre- Branson, Mo.
Oct. 12 Kentucky Opry- Benton, Ky.
Oct. 19 Lincoln Theater- Marion, Va.
Oct. 20 Lincoln Theater- Marion, Va.
Nov. 9 Mansion Theater- Branson, Mo.
Nov. 23 Mansion Theatre- Branson, Mo.