Country Legend Gene Watson in Tour Bus Accident, Escapes Injury

Gene Watson has many memorable moments over his career, including a slew of bestselling albums, a stack of classic country hits and multiple Grammy Awards.

But Gene went through what is most likely a first for him: escaping safely from his tour bus accident.

Traveling through rural New Mexico on the way to his show Sunday night, Watson’s bus driver got some bad advice from their GPS unit.  They ended up on a narrow back road where they were forced to swerve in order to miss being hit by another vehicle heading the opposite direction. The bus ended up in a ditch and it took four tow trucks to pull it out. The band climbed out a window to safety.

Gene and his band members flagged down a ride to the venue and borrowed some instruments. They managed to get through the show. Watson, who also owns a body shop, cracked a joke about the accident, saying, “Fortunately, I know a little place that can handle that work and I am hoping I can get a discount.”