It was a steamy ballad, especially for 1974, released in the summer of that year that started it all for Gene Watson when he burned up the charts with "Love in the Hot Afternoon."

He was born in Palestine, Texas, and spent some time in the Houston clubs. It was time well spent for Gene, an auto-body worker. Gene wanted to sing, and he had the voice that would ignite a career that spanned the late '70s through the following decade. 

Country fans were quick to embrace his songs,"Where Love Begins," "Paper Rosie," "Farewell Party," "Should I Come Home (Or Should I Go Crazy)," and "Nothing Sure Looked Good on You." In 1982, he struck pure career gold with the No. 1 "Fourteen Carat Mind." He frequented the Top 10 in the early '80s with songs including "Speak Softly (You're Talking to My Heart)" and "You're Out Doing What I'm Here Doing Without." During the early '90s, Gene released four albums: Uncharted Mind, Good Ole Days, Jesus Is All I Need, and A Way to Survive. 

In 2002 Gene was inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame and in 2013 he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Houston Music Hall of Fame. He continues to record and tour.

“Being called a 'Singer’s Singer' humbles me," says Gene. "It's flattering, but what I do is just what I do. The good Lord just gave me the voice."