"The Game"
Warner Brothers Records (1979)
Produced and arranged by Gail Davies
Basic tracks on "Blue Heartache, "Good Lovin' Man" and "The Game" were produced in association with Garth Fundis.
Recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Sheffield, Alabama.
Mixed by Gene Eichelberger at Woodland Sound Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.
"Blue Heartache" was mixed by Gail Davies and Tina Madison at Motown, L.A.
Mastered by Denny Purcell at Woodland Mastering in Nashville, Tennessee.

Song Titles

Writers

Billboard Chart Position

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Blue Heartache
The Game
Good Lovin' Man
Careless Love
Love is Living Around Us
Sorry That You're Leavin
Never Seen a Man Like You
Drown in the Flood
Like Strangers
When I Had You in My Arms

Paul Kraft
Gail Davies
Gail Davies
Gail Davies
Gail Davies
Gail Davies
Gail Davies
Gail Davies
Boudleaux Bryant      
Gail Davies

#7 released 11/17/79

#21 released 6/28/80





#21 released 3/22/80
           

Guitars:
Bass:
Drums:
Background vocals:    
Steel guitar/Dobro:
Fiddle:
Harmonica:
Percussion:
Harp:
Keyboards:
Strings:
Photography:
Album design:

Gail Davies, Pete Carr, Duncan Cameron and Jeff Tassin
David Hood, Joe Allen and Gary Baker
Kenny Malone and Roger Hawkins
Gail Davies, Garth Fundis, Jeff Tassin and Yvonne Hodges
Lloyd Green
Buddy Spicher
Terry McMillan
Farrel Morris
Cindy Reynolds
Shane Keister, Bobby Ogden, Steve Nathan and Randy McCormick
Arranged by Buddy Skipper. Played by Shelly Kurland Strings
Ed Thrasher
Martin Donald

 
           

          The Game is the first album in the history of country music to be produced entirely by a woman. Gail had originally planned to co-produce with Garth Fundis. Due to a scheduling conflict and a differing view of the musical direction, Gail assumed sole control of production and moved the recording sessions to Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama. She enlisted the talents of a group of musicians called The Swampers, who are best known for backing such legendary artists as Etta James, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin.
           The first single released from this album Blue Heartache ( written by Paul Kraft) went to No.7 on the Billboard charts and No.3 in Cashbox magazine. It was a successful attempt on Gail’s part to bring the sound of bluegrass back to country radio. This was long before roots music had it's revival in the 1980s.
            Like Strangers written by the songwriting team of Felice & Boudelaux Bryant, and Good Lovin’ Man written by Gail, both made it to No. 21 on the Billboard charts. This quickly established Gail as an artist and a bonafied record producer. She received an award for Best New Female Vocalist from The DJs of America in 1980 and was nominated by the ACMA and the CMA for the prestigious Horizon Award .
          This vinyl LP can still be obtained at vintage record stores like the Great Escape in Nashville, Tennessee.

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