Dale credits his father for much of his passion for country music. Understanding and appreciating tradition however, was something he learned after he began performing. Long time Dale Watson followers would probably have a hard time reconciling the steadfast and outspoken honkytonk traditionalist with someone who stood on the stage and performed cover songs of current radio hits, but yes, it's true.

"In the mid-late 80's I was in Pasadena, Texas. I'll always remember Dad trying to get me to listen to the older songs." he recalls "I'd say 'no, no, no.' I was just interested in doing stuff that I was hearing on the radio. After I moved out to L.A. I got reintroduced to the older stuff that they were doing out there like Rosie Flores, and I realized my Dad was right."

The lesson was learned and the passion for traditional country music was ignited, but by the time Dale finally realized his calling and got what his Dad was saying to him, things in the music industry were on a fast downward spiral. As his respect for the music from country's past grew, the industry was slamming the doors on the old and looking for something newer and blander that would hold greater mass appeal while bringing in the biggest bucks. "It was like everything he was saying was right on the money, even more so. It gets so watered down now that everything is not what it's supposed to be. That's why Hank Williams and Johnny Cash are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame -- because it's got soul."

A poster to TCB's message board recently asked the rhetorical question 'How is it that the best country artist from the last decade has never been heard by probably  99 percent of country fans?' The answer lies simply in the fact that you won't find Dale Watson interested in playing Nashville games and certainly not any game that has rules set by anyone other than himself. That blacklists him in some circles as a rebel and a firecracker, and Nashville has historically struggled with the likes of those who dare to run against the grain.

What he's managed to do on his own is balance making a living and creating music. It's not an easy feat these days and certainly his no-compromise policy with respect to his artistic integrity has put him at the lower end of the earning curve, but would we really have it any other way? Picturing him stand on a stage in a  football stadium with people in the back row watching through high powered binoculars would lose something in the translation, don't' ya think?

Sadly this means that the music of the common man will largely only be readily available to those who can afford computers and satellite radio. And although he appreciates the opportunity provided to artists like himself to get in on the ground floor, Dale also predicts a dim future as mainstream labels eye a new and promising market. "I see it happening now, the bigger labels are seeing the deal too and they are putting money into promoting that. So as the major labels get involved it will be just as corrupt as radio stations."

Although there are hints at a trend heading back towards traditional country music, he doesn't hold out much hope that it'll be welcomed any time soon with open arms by corporate Nashville. "It’s all about novelty instead of genuine-ism. That’s what Nashville does. They want to look at what way they can make a buck. Exploiting that instead of exploiting what they should because of the roots. It has the potential for change, but until that looks profitable for Nashville its not going to change." he asserts, "They’re trying to do the boy band thing and I think its working to some extent, but not like they thought. Rascal Flatts is like N’Sync to me. Shania’s a country version of Brittany Spears and for Celine Dion there’s Faith Hill. I’m surprised they don’t have a rapper yet." Reminded of Toby Keith, he adds "He came close, as close as we ever get I hope."

Despite a series of  false starts, setbacks and knockdowns, Dale still managed to create some incredible music that'll stand the test of time. From 1995 to 1997, he had three solid releases on Hightone Records: Cheatin' Heart Attack (1995), Blessed or Damned (1996) and I Hate These Songs (1997). After parting ways with Hightone, Dale released the critically touted Truckin' Sessions in 1998, followed by People I've Known, Places I Been  in 1999.

Dale shows the depths of his versatility with this album.  He travels all over the map from Bakersfield with Never Again to Texas with Love at First Sight. Listeners even get a little taste of the hills of Tennessee. With a solid foundation of hardcore shuffles, ballads and up-tempo numbers they've also tossed in a couple of tunes that lean more towards the more down home style of bluegrass. The first is the only cover on the album, and its a memorable one. Dale's been performing Fox On The Run in his live shows for awhile and now its caught on tape for the rest of us to enjoy. It's a step away from what some would expect, but as is always with Dale, the side trips are memorable. The second tune in the same vein is Pretty Girls that Dale wrote while performing on stage at Ginny's Little Longhorn's annual Hoedown,. Dare you to not tap your toes during this one! Another clear highlight of the album proves that heartaches and honky tonk just seem to naturally go together. I Wish You'd Come Around is a gem destined to be a classic, and Dale has simply never sounded better.

The album's not the only thing that Dale's been working on - as always, he's got more irons in the fire than a blacksmith. You'll find traces of what he's been up to just about everywhere.

The biggest project he's working on combines a couple of his talents, namely singing and acting. Being on the screen isn't something new to Dale. A couple of years  ago he was working on a Haggard bio-pic but it looks like that's hit enough legal snags to leave it dead in the water for the time being, but fortunately another opportunity has come along and Dale is once again working in front of the cameras.

The movie will be titled "Austin Angel" and judging by the title track Dale performed recently on the Midnight Jamboree, it promises to be something special. "Ray (Benson) recommended me to Zalman King, director of 9 1/2 weeks, who was in town. He'd asked Ray about producing some demo's for the movie. Ray said he didn't have the time but he said 'you should get Dale to sing these songs.' It's a story about a country singer who sells his soul to save his daughter. They liked the demos and they set me up to do a screen test and they liked it and here I am - I'm in the lead role." The movie won't likely be out until next year but Dale's hoping it goes straight to TV/video. He's confident that the wide breadth of exposure will get more people interested in his music and his live shows. There are also solid hopes that there will be an accompanying soundtrack.

It was by the "grace of God" Dale says, that he and Mavericks' Raul Malo ended up co-writing 'I Wonder' "We just sat down and started writing  and it came out. I am glad he recorded it, he sings the heck out of it." The song appears on the Mavericks current self titled album and is certainly worthy of being a single release at some point.

As always, Dale will be hitting the road to promote the new album. He'll be in the Midwest in May, the East Coast in June and he'll hit the west coast in July and August before heading off to Europe in September. Be sure to keep checking his website for tour updates. After Europe he'll be heading home and will concentrate his efforts on filming Austin Angel.

In addition to the movie project, touring and his new album, Dale's name appears on a couple of other current releases. Dale's always been generous when invited to sing on someone else's record so when Ray Benson approached him about appearing on another album he was producing at the same time, Dale jumped in with both feet without a second thought. The album is Aaron Watson's 'The Honky Tonk Kid' and you'll hear Dale's efforts on the revved up truckin' tune: "Diesel Driving Daddy."

It's been said often that Dale Watson arrived on the country scene a couple of decades late but there are many others that think he’s come just at the right time. Whether you call his music alternative country, Americana or whatever else comes to mind, in the end it really doesn't matter. It is what it is and it's good. On April 27th hunt high and low 'til you find Dreamland. Take it home, turn it up loud and let one of the best and  most distinct voices in the business send you through a time warp back to when country was king; when it was so real it reached right out and grabbed you. Be prepared though, you may not want to come back.