NASHVILLE, Tenn. – 2022 marks 60 years since country music legend Gene Watson released his first single to radio. To celebrate, the iconic vocalist is embarking on his 60th Anniversary Tour, which kicked off January 1 in Florida and will take Watson across the country. Watson’s single “If It’s That Easy” was released to radio in 1962 via Sun Valley Records. Since then, the ‘singer’s singer’ 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 and thrilling fans with his famous octave jumping ending to “Farewell Party” night after night. See full list of tour dates below and to purchase tickets, click HERE.
“My first single, ‘If It’s That Easy,’ released in 1962 on Sun Valley Records. I wasn’t ever signed to a company called Sun Valley Records, Sun Valley was just the name of the street the drummer lived on. I’d never heard myself on the radio before, so I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard it the first time on a local Houston radio station. I had only heard my voice in playback on speakers, never on an AM radio station so it was fun to hear that. Of course, I’m never quite satisfied with most of my recordings. I always hear something I think I could do better and I felt that I could have done better – but it was my very first and so for that reason, it will always be special to me,” shared Watson.
Additionally, Watson has been in the studio working on his new project due out in 2022.
GENE WATSON TOUR DATES:
Jan. 15 Sweetwater Municipal Auditorium – Sweetwater, Texas
Jan. 21 Palace Theatre – Corsicana, Texas
Jan. 22 Cotton Country Club – Granger, Texas
Jan. 23 Dosey Doe – The Woodlands, Texas
Feb. 5 Rodgers Theatre – Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Feb. 12 The Stagecoach Ballroom – Fort Worth, Texas
Feb. 17 Main Street Crossing – Tomball, Texas
March 4 Harvester Performance Center – Rocky Mount, Va.
March 5 Grand Ole Opry – Nashville, Tenn.
March 11 Strawberry Festival – Plant City, Fla.
March 12 Dublin Theatre – Dublin, Ga.
March 13 Historic Ritz Theatre – Toccoa, Ga.
March 17 Rio Grande Livestock Show – Mercedes, Texas
March 18 Heart of Texas Festival – Brady, Texas
March 19 2920 Roadhouse Bar & Grill – Hockley, Texas
March 25 Grand Ole Opry – Nashville, Tenn.
March 26 The Palace Theatre – Crossville, Tenn.
March 31 Arlington Music Hall – Arlington, Texas
April 2 Bare Bones BBQ – Gatesville, Texas
April 9 Jackson Live Events Center – Seymour, Ind.
April 23 McMinnville Park Theater – McMinnville, Tenn.
April 24 Nathan Stanley Festival – Micanopy, Fla.
April 29 The Little Roy & Lizzie Festival at The Lewis Family Homeplace – Lincolnton, Ga.
April 30 The Walhalla Performing Arts Center – Walhalla, S.C.
May 7 Sisseton Performing Arts Center – Sisseton S.D.
May 14 Mo’s Place – Katy, Texas
May 21 Southern Junction – Rockwall, Texas
June 17 Main Street Crossing – Tomball, Texas
June 18 Honky Tonk Texas – Silsbee, Texas
July 1 Beebe City Park – Beebe, Ark.
July 7 Bluegate Performing Arts Center – Shipshewana, Ind.
July 16 Alto Country Club – Alto, N.M.
Aug. 12 Jettie Baker Center – Clintwood, Va.
Aug. 13 Old Dominion Barn Dance – Hopewell, Va.
Aug. 14 Old Dominion Barn Dance – Hopewell, Va.
Aug. 19 Reidsville Showcase Theater – Reidsville, N.C.
Aug. 20 Liberty Showcase Theatre – Liberty, N.C.
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. 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. 29 Coyote Country Store – Gail, Texas
Nov. 11 The Mansion – Branson, Mo.
Nov. 12 Windstone Entertainment Center – Jefferson City, Mo.
Nov. 18 Country Tonite Theatre – Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Dec. 2 Main Street Crossing – Tomball, Texas