Biff Watson

Last updated
Biff Watson
Birth nameFletcher Bangs Watson V
Born1952 (age 7172)
Virginia, U.S.
Genres Rock music, country music
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar
Years active1971–present
Formerly of Tennessee Pulleybone
Website biffbangs.com

Fletcher Bangs "Biff" Watson (born 1952) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and producer. His musicianship has been a part of recording sessions for many artists. [1]

Contents

Biography

Early years

Raised in Chatham, Virginia, [2] Watson learned how to play guitar at age 11. Upon graduation from high school, he hitchhiked to Nashville where he played on demos and showcases, and backing up touring artists Crystal Gayle, [3] Tracy Nelson, and Don Williams. [4]

Recording session work and production

Watson focused on session work for producers such as Emory Gordy Jr. [5] and Garth Fundis, and eventually branched out into record production. [6]

Watson has worked with artists such as Dusty Springfield, [7] George Strait, [8] Dolly Parton, [9] Toby Keith, [10] Sara Evans, [11] and Shania Twain. [12]

Collaborations

Don Williams' backing band "The Scratch Band" included Watson, Danny Flowers, Dave Pomeroy, and Pat McInerney. [13] They released one album, The Scratch Band Featuring Danny Flowers. [14]

Watson was an original member of the band Tennessee Pulleybone along with Big Ken Smith, Jerry Tuttle, and John Wolters. The band recorded several singles for JMI Records in Jack Clements' studio. [15]

Watson was a member of the band Tone Patrol, with Pomeroy, Kenny Malone, Larry Chaney, and Sam Bacco. [16] [17]

Watson has frequently been a member and leader of the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony Band. Other members have included John Hobbs, Eddie Bayers, Paul Franklin, Brent Mason, Michael Rhodes, Deanie Richardson, Tania Hancheroff, and Wes Hightower. [18]

Other

Watson serves on the board of directors of the Country Music Association. [19]

Watson is a Trustee of Local 257 Nashville Chapter of the American Federation of Musicians.

Watson serves on the Advisory Board of The American Music Channel, and is a partner in Trifectone Music Group, which writes, produces and performs the music for Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 Countdown.

Discography

With Crystal Gayle

With Don Williams

With The Scratch Band

Also appears on

 Go to:   1986 - 1989   |   1990 - 1992   |   1993 - 1995   |   1996 - 1998   |   1999 - 2001   |   2002 - 2004   |   2005 - 2011   |   2012 - present  

1986 - 1989

1990 - 1992

1993 - 1995

1996 - 1998

1999 - 2001

2002 - 2004

2005 - 2011

2012 - present

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Cromwell</span> American drummer

Chad Cromwell is an American rock drummer whose music career has spanned more than 30 years. He is the founding member of a band called Fortunate Sons, which released a self-titled album in 2004.

James Stroud is an American musician and record producer who works in pop, rock, R&B, soul, disco, and country music. He played with the Malaco Rhythm Section for Malaco Records. In the 1990s, he was the president of Giant Records and held several credits as a session drummer. He later worked for DreamWorks Records Nashville and in 2008 founded his own label, Stroudavarious Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sony Music Nashville</span> Country music branch of Sony Music Entertainment

Sony Music Nashville is the country music branch of the Sony Music Group.

Bryan Sutton is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter. In addition to his six solo albums and recordings with Ricky Skaggs and Hot Rize, he has been featured as a performer on many albums by other artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shannon Forrest</span> American drummer

Shannon Forrest is an American drummer and percussionist known primarily for his session work. As a session drummer, he has contributed to the work of many well-known artists, and he is also a producer and engineer. Additionally, he was the touring drummer of Toto from 2014 to 2019, and again from 2024 to the present.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Bennett discography</span>

Richard Bennett is an American guitarist, composer, and record producer. In addition to his 5 solo albums, and his recordings with Neil Diamond and Mark Knopfler, he has been featured as a performer and producer on many albums by other artists.

Robby Turner is an American pedal steel guitarist, best known for his work with Waylon Jennings and his contributions to recordings by many other artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Rhodes (musician)</span> American bass player (1953–2023)

Michael Rhodes was an American bass player, known for his session work and touring in support of other artists, and his collaborations in bands and ensembles.

John David Willis is an American guitarist and songwriter. He is best known for work as a session musician and as a songwriter for television and video games.

Harry Stinson is an American multi-instrumentalist, noted as a session drummer and vocalist in the Nashville music community. He is also a songwriter and producer.

Steven Jay Nathan is an American keyboardist. He is known for his session work in Muscle Shoals and Nashville studios.

Bruce Bouton is an American guitarist, session musician, producer, and songwriter. His pedal steel guitar has been featured on many country music recordings, and he helped reintroduce the pedal steel guitar to the forefront of the Nashville sound. Bouton is also a member of The G-Men, the group of session musicians who has played on the vast majority of Garth Brooks albums.

Eric A. Darken is an American percussionist, composer, and programmer.

Kenneth S. Greenberg is an American guitarist, songwriter, producer, and session musician. He is known for bringing a rock-and-roll sensibility to Nashville recording sessions.

Greg Morrow is an American drummer, percussionist, session musician, mixing engineer, and vocalist.

Jonathan Yudkin is an American multi-instrumentalist who is a proficient player of banjo, violin, mandolin, and other stringed instruments. He is a session musician in Nashville as well as a record producer, arranger, and band leader.

Joe Chemay is an American bassist and background singer, known for his recording session work.

Larry Alvin Franklin is an American fiddler, mandolin and guitar player, session musician, and composer. His style embraces country, blues, rock and roll, jazz, and Western swing.

Paul William Leim is an American drummer and recording session musician based in Nashville.

References

  1. Mayor, Alan (November 18, 2014). The Nashville Family Album: A Country Music Scrapbook. Macmillan. ISBN   9781466885677 . Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  2. "Writers, Artists, and Craftspeople". Town of Chatham. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  3. staff (June 17, 1978). "Crystal Gayle: 'a shining lady'". The Morning News. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  4. Phil Sweetland (March 1, 2002). "Biff Watson: Perfect Acoustics". CMA Close Up. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  5. "Patty Loveless readies new CD". Country Standard Time. July 10, 2008. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  6. "Biff Watson's 5 "T"s for studio work". July 29, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  7. Howes, Paul (2001). The Complete Dusty Springfield. Reynolds & Hearn. ISBN   9781903111246 . Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  8. "George Strait Album: "One Step at a Time"". Best Country Singers. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  9. Cardwell, Nancy (July 22, 2011). The Words and Music of Dolly Parton: Getting to Know Country's "Iron Butterfly". Abc-Clio. ISBN   9780313378041 . Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  10. Bishop, Rand (2010). The Absolute Essentials of Songwriting Success: From Song Dog to Top Dog : Making it in the Music Business. Alfred Music. ISBN   9780739071915 . Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  11. Woodstra, Chris; John Bush; Stephen Thomas Erlewine (2008). "biff+watson"+producer Contemporary Country. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN   9780879309183 . Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  12. Eggar, Robin (June 15, 2010). Shania Twain: The Biography. Simon and Schuster. ISBN   9781451604542 . Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  13. Tuber, Keith (July 1, 1982). "The Gentle Giant of Country: Don Williams". Orange Coast Magazine. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  14. Ty Campbell (November 1, 2015). "Dave Pomeroy, No Limits". Bass Musician. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  15. Anne Freeman (December 15, 2002). "The Tennessee Pulleybone: A Forgotten Piece of Country Music History". Music Dish. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  16. Artimisi, Tony (2015). Rhythm Makers: The Drumming Legends of Nashville in Their Own Words. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN   9781442240117 . Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  17. staff (February 28, 1988). "Concerts". The Tennessea. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  18. Edward Morris (April 28, 2008). "Emmylou Harris, Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman Enter Country Music Hall of Fame". CNT News. Archived from the original on December 23, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  19. "Board of Directors". Country Music Association. Retrieved October 22, 2017.
  20. Chas Williams. "The Nashville Number System" . Retrieved October 23, 2017.