His mother, a fan of country music, exposed him to acts such as George Jones and Gene Watson, by whose works he would later be influenced.

October 11 - Gene Watson, honky tonk-styled vocalist of the 1970s and 1980s.

Gene Watson was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2002.

Also on the venue at Gilley's was Gene Watson, a legendary country artist.

Though he can sing honky-tonk, Gene Watson built a reputation for soulful ballads in the classical country tradition.

Gene Watson on the show Play It Again Nashville in 1985...

Also included is "Farewell Party", a cover of a Gene Watson hit single.

Gene Watson covered "From Cotton to Satin" in 2008.

One notable song recorded with this steel was "Farewell Party" by Gene Watson.

"Farewell Party": recorded by Gene Watson on his 1978 album Reflections and was a number five country single in 1979.