 |
 |
 |
|
|
First
I have to apologize to Buddy. For all of you that know him,
he gets embarrassed by anything that calls attention to him.
For that, Buddy, I am really sorry. I just wanted you to
know what your friends think of you and your
accomplishments. I am in NO WAY suggesting that your career
is over. Not hardly...
As
webmaster for the site, I am a little bit prejudiced.
I have also read all the writings below.
I agree with every word, and more!
I'm extremely proud to call you my friend!
Here's
to you, Buddy!
- Ernie
Renn - |
|
I
met Buddy around 1971 in Nashville at the DJ convention, I was 11
years old. He made a life long lasting impression on me, both
personally and musically. In my opinion his talent and
contributions to the pedal steel guitar will go unmatched forever.
I feel very fortunate to know he is one of my few mentors, hero
and teacher, but also my friend. He has been available to me when
I needed wisdom and advice, and for this, I'll be eternally
grateful to Buddy Emmons. Respectfully,
-
Tommy White
- |
|
|
|
Buddy
Emmons is a genius! I have sat with him many times in a motel room
and heard him just "diddle around" on the steel guitar.
He would come up with things that seemed to me impossible to play
on the steel guitar. I have seen Buddy play on a steel guitar that
was suspended over his head looking up at the guitar (and the fret
board had fallen off) and he never missed a lick. I’ve seen him
play the steel guitar when he was picked upped physically and was
suspended in the air looking down at the steel guitar and he never
missed a lick. I’ve seen him playing the steel guitar when he
was actually sitting underneath it and all you could see was his
hands on the guitar and he never missed a lick. I seen him stand
in front of the steel guitar with his hands behind his back and he
never missed a lick. The word "genius" extends further…he
could have been a successful singer, a successful disc jockey, and
a professional photographer. He would have gone to the top of his
field in any career he chose. Listen to his bass playing…absolutely
professional! What would be your response to the statement,
"Buddy Emmons has forgot more about the steel guitar than
most players ever knew"? Good question. I think Jimmy Day had
the best answer of all, "No he hasn’t"!
-
Dewitt "Scotty" Scott - |
|
The
name Buddy Emmons in the steel guitar world means jazz innovator,
improvisationalist and inventor. He changed my way of thinking about
the steel guitar. Buddy has always been my hero from the first
time I heard him when I was twelve years old. He is a master at
creativity in touch and tone. I think he will go down in history
as being one of the early innovators on the steel guitar.
-
Doug Jernigan
– |
|
|
|
I
feel like I am the " luckiest" and "smartest"
guy in the world. Smartest, because I know how GREAT the BIG
"E " is. Luckiest, because he has been my dear friend
for forty-two years. There is not another one like him. He has
been an inspiration to millions, I can’t imagine what direction
country music would have taken without him. Just remember he
ALWAYS keeps a reserve. I love the BIG "E"!
-
Darrell McCall
[JOKER] - |
|
Hi
Buddy, This is just a note to say how much I appreciate you. Ever
since I met you in South Bend in January or February 1953, you
have been my idol and friend. I've always considered you my friend
even though we traveled different paths and never got to
"chum" around together. I always took it for granted
that I was your friend. I really learned a lot from you down thru
the years. I never tried to play like you even though I wish that I
could, I knew that was impossible. I learned some of your licks
but they never come out the way they do when you play them. Ha!
It's just little things like playing one or two notes and making
them mean more than 50. No matter where I see you, you always have
time for a little chat. I know these things are minute but they
mean a lot to me. I am always glad to tell people that I met Buddy
when he was 17 years old and had just learned to play a diminish.
And you had. I'm sure you probably don't remember it after all
these years but my cousin brought me up there to look for a
playing job which never happened because we spent all of our time
at your house. Ha! You had just learned to play a diminish and you
were showing us how to do it and we didn't even know what a
diminish was. LOL I won't keep on elaborating on all of the little
things that you imprinted in my mind but you did make a big
impression on my mind even to the point that when I would play a
phrase or lick; in the back of my mind I would think, "I
wonder how Buddy would have played this." I know that sounds
silly, but it is true. Well, I'll get out of here. I just wanted
you to know that I am proud to know you and I want to thank you
for being my friend. I love ya',
-
John Hughey
- |
|
|
|
I
met Buddy at one of the DJ conventions in the 50's. We have been
friends ever since. I believe that most all steel players would
agree that he has been and still is the best in the world for the
last 30 years or more. He has a very distinctive tone and sound as
well as a style that is recognized by all. Buddy can play country,
western swing, or jazz, and his playing fits all types of music
like a glove. Buddy, I regret that we didn't have the opportunity
to be around each other more through the years. I love you man --
for the person and friend you are, as well as the great music you
have given to us to enjoy for always. Love,
-
Speedy West - |
|
When
researching history and those who have made positive
contributions, it becomes apparent, those who are visionaries and
leaders achieve a place in history. Although the number of people
who do so is few, they shape the future of many.
Buddy Emmons has secured his place
in history by creating an indelible mark with his contribution to
steel guitar, which will always remain as long as steel guitar is
being played.
-
Maurice
"Reece" Anderson - |
|
|
|
It’s
because of Buddy Emmons that I started playing Emmons guitars some
32 years ago. When I was going to go to work with Buck Owens in
1969, Buddy loaned me one of his personal black guitars. Some of
you may remember it was the one with a Sho-Bud teardrop knee lever
on it. There was never a mention of any time limit on how long I
could keep it. I wish I still had it. I will always cherish this
act of goodwill by Buddy to a young steel player he hardly knew at
all. We have down through the years, become good friends and that
I very much cherish also.
-
Jay
Dee Maness - |
| I
have many steel guitarists that I admire, but if I had to pick one
who would be at the top of the list, it would have to be Buddy
Emmons. I have been following and trying to copy Buddy's playing
since the late fifties and I still admire what he has done and is
still doing for steel guitar. I don't want to sound to mushy, but
I mean every word I am saying. In my opinion, Buddy has
contributed more to pedal steel than any other player, plus he has
always been and still is at the top of my list when it comes to
tone, touch, taste, attack, drive, phrasing, creativity and I
could go on and on. In my opinion, Buddy Emmons is the
"King" of pedal steel guitar and always will be.
- Herby
Wallace - |
 |
 |
Buddy
Emmons is a creator. For the more than 40 years that I have known
of Buddy Emmons, he is the one that every pedal steel guitar
player would like to emulate. Tone, phrasing, expression, soul,
you name it and he has what we are all looking for. No matter
whether it is E-9th or C-6th or any other tuning he is working on,
it will soon be at his command. However, I feel that all he has
learned about the pedal steel guitar didn't come easy for Buddy.
Some people would say he is talented and gifted and that is true.
As we all know Buddy has put in countless hours of practice to
develop the touch and control he has perfected on the pedal steel
guitar. All of us know of the pedal steel guitar that he designed
to improve our sound and to make playing easier for us. We are
still searching for the tone and sound that he developed a long
time ago. I can not leave out the tunings and steel accessories he
has had a hand in to make the steel guitar better. Thank goodness
we have had Buddy Emmons as an example to show us what we have to
do to improve and perfect our own individual sound. I salute you
Buddy and if I wore a hat, it would be off to you. Thank you.
- Norm
Hamlet - |
|
Although
Buddy Emmons had been a musical hero of mine since my high school
days, (early to mid 1960s), I never had a chance to work with him
until the mid 1970s, when we did a few Bill Anderson sessions
together. He was affable, though somewhat distant. This was still
the case after I got off the road in 1976, and we would meet in
the studio on a somewhat regular basis. Looking back on the
situation now, I'm sure that he probably would have "warmed
up" to me sooner, had I not been absolutely petrified by
being in the same room with him! After all, he had worked with
some of the best guitar players in the world, and the best I could
hope for was that he wasn't laughing inside at my attempts toward
musical adequacy. The first time Buddy phoned me to play on a
Swing Shift album will forever be one of the happiest days of my
life! It was indeed an honor and a privilege to be involved in all
of the projects that followed. Buddy was very patient with all of
us musicians. He virtually had to teach me and some of the others
many of the tunes that we recorded. He also was very helpful in
showing us a lot of the harmony lines to play. For including me in
the Swing Shift Band, for his longevity, for his sick sense of
humor, and for just being a good friend, Buddy will always remain
a hero to me.
- Gregg
Galbraith - |
 |
 |
Having
just achieved my 75th birthday, I can honestly say that a large
number of those years have been spent admiring the talents of one
Buddy Emmons. Always innovative and original in his musical skills
- and NEVER EQUALED - I am one of his myriad fans and always will
be. He's recognized around the world as the absolute best in the
steel guitar business. I am proud to be his friend. Sincerely,
- Herb
Remington - |
I
first saw Buddy play live when I was 14 or 15 years old in St.
Louis. I had heard him on records and the Midnight Jamboree.
But in no way did those formats do justice to hearing him live.
He played with pure emotion, something I had not heard anyone do
at the time. That made me realize there was something more
than just playing notes, but letting what was deep inside of you
come out in your playing. It was contagious! I wanted
it too, as did everyone else who heard him. There is a
phrase in a Joni Mitchell song that goes: "If love is
touching souls, then surely you've touched mine. Because
part of you pours out of me in these lines from time to
time." What he played, he did for the pure love of the
instrument and the music. I along with thousands of others have
been touched by Buddy's playing. Every time I play my
guitar, Buddy's influence on me can be heard, as it is with almost
everyone who plays a pedal steel guitar. I can't think of a
higher level of success a musician could ever hope to attain.
- Randy
Beavers - |
 |
 |
In
1967, I saw my first Nashville recording session. The steel
player was none other than Buddy Emmons, and I noticed how much
better the singer sounded when "he" was playing.
It was a magical, unforgettable day for me and the initiation of a
"dream" as I determined then that if I ever got to
record "for real like that" that I'd want Buddy Emmons
playing steel on "my" session! I was ten; (he was
but a mere "babe" himself). Almost exactly ten
years later, I had the privilege, thanks to Monument records, to
record "for real like that", and my only request when
they were booking the sessions was that they call Buddy Emmons to
play steel. When word got back to me that he was
"unavailable", I was truly disappointed. (Over the
years, I've envisioned him hanging out, jamming somewhere with
Jimmy Day, not wanting to be bothered on the day of my
session...) Well, a few years passed---okay, quite a few
years passed! But, not the "dream". During a recent St.
Louis Steel Guitar Convention, Russ and I sat enjoying Buddy's
set, as always, when he introduced a new song he'd just written;
"didn't even have a name for it yet", so he called it,
"THE NAMELESS SHUFFLE". It had the familiar
beloved shuffle "feel" that we "country folk"
love best of all, enhanced melodically by the sweet, smooth
simultaneously multi-directional movement of notes characteristic
of the noted, emotional Emmons style. And, that's as
"technically" as I can attempt to express what really
means to me that I just love what it sounds like when he
plays. I put some words to his song, and Buddy graciously
agreed to record "A Love Like This/ Nameless Shuffle"
with me. I tried not to let on that I was beside myself to
at last be in the studio with "him", but he must have
known because I could hardly speak a word during the session, and
that never happens to me! And, regarding my elation over
having "penned" a song with Buddy Emmons. Well, I
think that was just God's way of making it up to me for keeping me
waiting so long on that "dream" of mine. From a
genuine fan who thanks and loves you, Buddy, God bless you
and Peggy.
- Laney
Hicks - |
I
can't hope to be able to put into words what's been in my soul for
all these years concerning this man, but I want to try. In
1957 in Beckley, W.Va., Little Jimmy Dickens came to town to play
a March of Dimes Telethon on the local TV station. He had his
band, The Country Boys, with him... twin lead guitars-Spider &
Howard, bass-Joel Price, no drummer, and playing a triple neck
Bigsby was Buddy Emmons. I didn't watch them on TV, I was there in
the studio audience watching every move he made, not believing my
eyes or ears. The parts he played with the guitars; the
solos he played by himself; it was all so unbelievably amazing to
me; I can safely say that my life to this day has never been the
same. I was playing lead guitar at the time with a R&R band
and had just bought a new Gibson Les Paul (Fretless Wonder). After
'experiencing' the Country Boys and Buddy Emmons that weekend, a
few days later I quit the R&R band and traded the guitar for a
Gibson Electraharp and set out on the same road I travel today,
which is mostly trying to pull out of my steel just a semblance of
what I heard him play in 1957. However, at that same time my ego
allowed me to set a goal for myself, and that was for someday
Buddy Emmons to know my name. Well, I came to town ten years later
and a little while after that Jimmy Crawford, myself, and Buddy
Emmons formed a publishing/production co. Pixenbar Music, and
during that same time I was lucky enough to record an album with
him and Jimmy and John Hughey and Sonny Garrish called The
Nashville Bar Association. Who says dreams can't come true.
In 1967 I was on the road with Connie Smith and we were in the
middle of a tour with Ray Price in California. Buddy was with Ray
and on one of their nights off Buddy and a couple of Ray's boys
flew to Vegas to 'roar'... well, Buddy missed his flight back to
the gig and I 'sat in' for him... the next day he thanked me and paid
me 40 dollars... of course I didn't want the money but he
insisted and I took it, and I'm glad I did because I still have
those two twenty's. I've discovered thru the years that
there's probably only a handful of people who have gotten really
close to Buddy, but I'm satisfied just to have been able to be
around him, what little time that's been, and to know he doesn't
mind me calling him my friend. To me, Buddy Emmons is the
'reason'... he's the reason a lot of us do what we do for a
living... and he's the reason steel guitar is what it is today.
- Russ
Hicks - |
 |
 |
When
I first saw Buddy Emmons, he was at the Minnesota State Fair in
1965 or '66 with Ray Price & THE Cherokee Cowboys. My folks
took me to see him & I'll never forget the sound he got, the
taste & chops he displayed , the look of that new Emmons
guitar he had designed & the fun he was having... more than should be allowed by law, it seemed !!
I have followed his career since the late 50's when my Dad
first
bought me a steel guitar. I remember hearing all those great hits
on the
radio as they came out through the years...... "Half a
Mind" , "Rainbow
at Midnight", "Night Life", "The Other
Woman", "A Way to Survive",
"Touch My Heart", "Don't Touch Me" with
Jeannie Seely, "Sound of a
Heartache" with Johnny Bush, "Someday Soon" with
Judy Collins, & the
albums Buddy recorded with scores of other great artists...
Darrell
McCall, Faron Young, Danny Gatton, the Gatlin's, Roy Head, Roger
Miller,
Billy Walker, Ronnie Blakley, Gram Parsons, etc etc etc ....
!!! Three things have always stood out in my mind about E's
playing ....his
flawless taste , touch & tone..... not to mention his
intonation & sense
of humor..!!!! He has the innate ability to positively
inject his personality into any musical situation he's involved in
at the time...no doubt the reason for his long standing ownership
of the title "The Worlds Foremost Steel Guitarist"
.....& rightly so !!! Personally, I owe the man a great
deal. When I moved back to Nashville in the early eighties I
was working for Phil Baugh doing his cartage & I booked
sessions & watched the phone at the "Sound Factory"
studio . I had expressed a desire to Phil that I might one day be
able to discover some of what made Buddy tick on the C6
tuning...... He called Buddy & asked him if he would give me C6
lessons !!!! After thinking about it for a while, Buddy acquiesced
& there began the start of my re-education on the steel guitar.
I cant begin to express just what the time he has taken with me
over the years has meant to me both personally &
professionally . I have been thrust into musical situations from
time to time since then that would have eaten my lunch, were it
not for his patience, knowledge & guidance . I consider it the
greatest honor of my life to have had E & Peggy recommend me
to Ray Price , Darrell McCall & Clinton Gregory when they were
looking for someone to play steel on their shows . As for
what Buddy means to me personally, ....You'll never find a nicer,
more genuine, loyal, consistent & funnier guy than Buddy Gene.
Many of the hours I've spent with him in his basement over the
years, have been filled with laughter. Vassar Clements once
told me that the two funniest guys he ever knew were Buddy &
Uncle Josh Graves. He warned me however, to avoid being in the
same room with both of them at the same time, if I had anything of
importance to accomplish in the near future !!!!! I feel privileged
& honored to be able to contribute these words about a fellow
who has meant alot to me from the time I was 6 years old . I'm
sure that had it not been for Buddy , like many, many others, I
would not have chosen the Steel Guitar as the medium in which to
try to express myself musically .....but he makes it look like SO
much fun !!!! My best wishes to you Buddy & Peggy for your
continued success, health, humor & happiness.
. P.S. A word
to the wise: E isn’t even NEAR being through messing with our
ears & minds yet. I could tell you true stories of what I've
heard him play in his basement, but I’m sworn to secrecy. And
that’s one oath I intend to honor! Sincerely,
- Mike
Cass - |
|
While
on vacation I was lying on a beach in Santa Monica California and
heard "Half A Mind" by Ernest Tubb and my first
impression was that Jerry Byrd had gone to pedals. Shortly
afterwards I had brought an old Fender 1000 to Nashville for some
repair work and David Jackson (Shot's son) kindly called Buddy at
his home in Madison and asked if it was o.k. for him to drive me
over to meet him. He said "sure" and we spent the entire
day together and every year since 1958 I would ride a Greyhound to
Nashville from Montreal and we would always spend some time
together at his house. He once showed me the wood moldings that
were to eventually become the Emmons Stereo pedal steel. I can
remember one particular night like it was yesterday when Buddy and
Day had their steels set up back to back on the top floor of
Tootsie's (a real small room on the third level). Buddy would play
a new lick he had just come up with and turn to Day and say
"Smoke that!" Day would play back the same lick and add
a little something to it and say, "Smoke that!" This
went on for hours. They also played Danny Boy, Greensleeves, and
several other tunes which absolutely knocked me out. I have been
fortunate to see him play with the Texas Troubadours when Leon
Rhodes was in the band, and also with Ray Price. I was in the
Ernest Tubb record shop in the front row when Ernest did the
intros and the audience applause was recorded for the future
"Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree" album. I have never seen
the Everly Bros. shows but I understand that he shines brilliantly
as always. Without exception Buddy has always treated me like a
good friend throughout the 43 years I have known him and has
always gone out of his way to help me every which way that he
could. I consider myself to be one of the luckiest people in the
world. I wish Buddy and Peggy all the best and sincerely hope that
each day will bring better and better things into their lives. For
any of you that haven't had a chance to meet him, do yourselves a
favor. You'll never meet a nicer human being.
- Neil
Flanz - |
 |
 |
Buddy
Emmons and I have been friends for many years, and when we were
Cherokee Cowboys, we were roommates. It was during this
period that Buddy, A.K.A. "The Big E", "Dirty
Bud", etc., gave birth to the Emmons guitar. I called
it the "IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION". This
revolutionized the industry. The prototype was delivered to
Bud in Charlotte, NC, where we were doing a package show with Ray
Price and many others. It was clean and beautiful, but it
looked out of place for Dirty Bud to have a horn that nice, so I
tried to give it some character by burning it with a cigarette,
but it wouldn't burn. He had covered it with formica.
He is a genius, and that's why he's the big shot of the wagon and
we call him the wagon wheel. (Only Buddy will know the
significance of this statement.) All seriousness aside, what
can I say about Buddy that he hasn't already said about
himself. But I'll try... Besides being the best steel
guitarist that ever lived, another of his greatest attributes is
total honesty; honesty to the point of being brutal. If
you're not ready to hear the truth, don't ask Buddy. I think
this total honesty, and the lack of diplomacy and/or political
correctness, i.e. "bullshit", may have been a hindrance
to him with the recording studio heads. But in my opinion,
that honesty comes through in his playing, and that's what is
important to me. I love him in spite of his no-faults.
- Johnny
Bush - |
|
Being
mainly a dobro player, I feel a little strange among all the truly
great pedal steel players represented here, but I have been so
touched and inspired by Buddy's playing over the years that I felt
honored and almost compelled to say out loud what I think to
myself everyday….. If I were in charge of things, I would have a
huge statue of Buddy Emmons carved in the finest granite and
placed in a prominent place along Music Row in Nashville. Country
music just isn't country music without a pedal steel, and the
pedal steel simply would not be what it is without Buddy's
involvement over the years. In addition to this, of course, Buddy
can play in any style of music, so I guess we'll need some statues
in places like New York and L.A. as well. I don't really even have
to mention his tone or taste or the fact that he's an actual
musical genius… all steel players know this is true, almost
beyond belief. Even dobro players know it. Buddy… thank you for
the many years of inspiration and for sharing your wonderful
talent with the world. I wish you many more years of health and
happiness and continued unparalleled playing.
- Mike
Auldridge - |
 |
 |
When
I think of Buddy Emmons, I think of how well he plays EVERYTHING.
We can talk of certain stylists, and how well they play this or
that type or style of music, but almost without question, when
asked; "Who plays everything the best," myself included,
have to answer; Buddy Emmons. I know of no other steel guitarist
that I can say that about. A few come close, but Buddy is the Ace.
- Bob
Hempker
- |
|
Once
in a great while, a musician comes along whose style is so
revolutionary and compelling that everyone involved in music turns
their heads and realizes that now there is a new way to play and a
new standard with which to compare ourselves. Louis Armstrong
comes to mind, as does Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and John
Coltrane. My personal feeling is that for steel guitar, Buddy
Emmons is the single most deserving player in the history of the
instrument to be placed in that lofty category. His music is the
lighthouse that guides our musical ships back to safe harbor.
- Herb
Steiner - |
 |
|
I
don't think in our lifetime we'll ever hear a talent such as
Buddy. He is dedicated to the steel guitar and his mind is far
above any of ours. Buddy and I have been friends since the
fifties, when I left the Jimmy Dickens show Buddy took my place
and he has blown me away ever since! We used to hang out
together a lot in those days and even thought about building steel
guitars ourselves. I was busy doing sessions and Buddy had his
thing going, neither one of us had the time to get it going. We
might have turned out a monster guitar, who knows!! Anyway, he has
come such a long way in developing a style over the years and I
don't think anyone will ever be able to surpass him.
- Walter
Haynes - |
|
There's
not much left to be said that has not already been said, literally
or graphically, about Buddy Emmons. There's not much left to be
done with a steel guitar that Buddy hasn't already done, even
before the rest of us might have thought of it. In the world of
steel guitar, Buddy Gene was, is and always will be the
"Immaculate Conception". In the world of friendship, the
"Big E", well, what can I say other than, "He's the
best there too".
- Bobby
Bowman - |
 |
 |
Writing
a note of tribute to Buddy Emmons is not hard to do. There are so
many things a person can say that would heap the honors on him
that he so richly deserves. The first time I heard Buddy play, I
was so impressed that I had to reconsider my commitment to the
steel guitar. At that time, I was playing both guitar and steel.
When I met him in person I was not let down one bit because Buddy
is what he plays: a soulful, imaginative, and deliberate person,
as well as player. His knowledge of steel guitar does not end
there. He understands both the top side and underside mechanics.
He has taken time to help me in my efforts many times when he
really did not have to do so. I really appreciate that. Any
tribute written and directed toward Emmons is well deserved. And
as far as I'm concerned, Buddy is the "Man of Steel" and
always will be.
- Bud
Carter - |
|
Of
course, when you get involved in steel, you hear about Buddy.
First saw him at St. Louis in 1974 and was blown away. When I
decided to write the "book" I asked him if he would be
willing to write an intro. He asked me to send him a manuscript. I
did. And he wrote something. When I visited Nashville in the
summer of 1975 I finally met him personally, and had a great time
talking about all sorts of things, very little of it having to do
with steel. I found he is a man of many interests, intensely
curious about everything, and has a great sense of humor.
When he came to play a show in Connecticut in the early 1980, it
fell to me to drive him to the airport in New York. In the course
of the hour we found that we both loved photography and we both
had darkrooms. We spent much of the trip discussing the advantages
and disadvantages of the 35mm format compare to the 2 1/4 format
of the Hasselblad or the larger format which was being promoted by
Pentax in a large single lens reflex. It was a great
drive. *** I recall Buddy spinning the bar at some show,
and someone asked him how to do that. "Ah," he said.
"That's nothing but a rhinestone-lick." ***
When I first went to Nashville, I was at a studio session with
Lloyd Green, and he introduced me to a band who had driven in from
North Dakota or somewhere, to see the whole scene. He suggested I
show them the rough of my book. We were flipping through the
photos, and they stopped at the picture of Buddy. "Who's
that?" they asked. "Buddy Emmons," I replied. They
got really silent. It seems that they had been at a studio session
that morning, and Emmons was the player. They had no idea who he
was, and had no one to ask. All they saw was this guy come in, set
up a pretty old Emmons, and play some tasty licks when they were
called for. They thought, "Gee. There sure are a lot of good
players in this town." Yup.
- Winnie
Winston - |
 |
 |
It's
hard to do a tribute to a musician like Buddy Emmons. He is a
musician that has not only shaped the way I play but has
fundamentally changed the instrument. Maybe it's easier to talk
about what Buddy is NOT. Buddy is not the consummate session
musician. Not to say that Buddy hasn't played many, many sessions
that have rocked the world. He has. Some of my favorites include
"Someday Soon", "Touch My Heart" (along with a
million other Ray Price ballads), "Night Life",
"Gentle on My Mind" (on an early 80s album by John
Hartford). But also his playing on a cut on an obscure Roy Head
record with the coolest 'out of phase' Strat sound I have ever
heard. Or his brilliant playing on a million other sessions. So
why do I say he is NOT the consummate session musician? Because
what I hear is his consummate concern for the music, rather than
making the producer happy. He takes chances and breaks the limits
like no other steel player. His honesty and feel outstrips many
session players with many times the master session bookings. Buddy
is not (yet) the consummate jazz musician. Not that he couldn't
be, but he made the decision not to devote his life to playing
jazz. But what a jazz feel the guy has. He single handedly brought
bebop to the steel guitar, injecting that rhythmic intensity and
harmonic complexity to the instrument. Buddy has the heart and
technique to do whatever he wants with the steel. I am convinced
that we haven't even started to see what Buddy is capable of as a
jazz musician. So what is it about this guy that captivates us
all? Buddy's heart. His funky phrasing. His drive. When it comes
down to it, there's nobody that I would rather hear on a rainy
Seattle night. Or a sunny Seattle morning. Or any time, any place,
for that matter.
- Dan
Tyack - |
|
Webster's
dictionary contains many words. Many of these could easily be
defined by simply using two words, "Buddy Emmons". Ones
that immediately come to my mind are, innovator, inspiration,
educator, taste, tone, and equally important, friend, to the steel
guitar community. I met Buddy for the first time when I was 16
years old and was invited to stay at the home of the late Shot
Jackson. I was in awe of him then, and I've continued to be in awe
of him 30+ years later. Jay Dee's story reminds me that as he
joined Buck Owens, and Buddy introduced him to his Emmons, JayDee
continued that gesture when I joined Buck and he introduced me to
my first Emmons guitar in 1972. I am proud to play his last name
each and every day. May he continue to be the mark for many years
to come, that we all inspire to obtain to, as he continues to
share his thoughts, ideas and knowledge with us.
- Jerry
Brightman - |
 |
 |
Some
twenty years ago, Buddy and I met almost daily, and I always
admired his sort of humor. At one occasion, we went together to
the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. During the show, Downbeat
Magazine had a big event featuring Peter Nero. After a short
conversation, I convinced them to put Buddy on stage right before
the main attraction. Though Downbeat is the leading national jazz
magazine, I had the idea that any well-performed music could blow
the roof off. Now, I suggested to Buddy to close his performance
with "Mansion on the Hill". On stage, Buddy played some
of his swinging show pieces, and he had the room cooking. At the
end, he went to the mike and said," Well.... you all know
that the steel guitar is a jazz instrument, but it can also be
used for country music!" He sat down and played "Mansion
on the Hill", and when he played the pianissimo part, you
could have heard a needle drop. The final chord was still standing
in the room when the applause broke loose, ending with a very long
standing ovation. Believe me, that night, Buddy Emmons was the
main attraction!
We
sure did have a lot of fun on that trip, and this event was the
highlight for me. But to top it all off, on the way back home, a
large group of guys got on the plane sitting near me. I asked one
of them what group they're in, and he told me that they were the
Pittsburgh Steelers. I thought to myself that they must have a
pretty darn big steel guitar club in Pittsburgh, and I excitedly
told him all about the show with Buddy. When he didn't react at
all I finally asked him, "What kind of steel do you
play?" When they told me who they were, we all got a good
laugh. I must have been the only person in the US who didn't know
that the Pittsburgh Steelers was a football team!
-
Bill Lawrence
- |
|
My
first introduction to Buddie Emmons was in 1955 in Norfolk, VA,
while attending a rather large country music show. I was 14 years
old and rode my new Vespa motor scooter to the show. I attended
for the sole purpose of seeing the great Walter Haynes, who I knew
had been playing with Jimmy Dickens. You can imagine my
disappointment when the curtain went up and the band started
playing Jimmy’s theme "Raisin’ the Dickens" with NO
steel player. Suddenly, crashing from the wings came this tall,
gawky, skinny guy with a cowboy hat carrying a triple neck Bigsby.
He hurriedly sat down and proceeded to make me forget who Walter
Haynes was, and every one else also! Unbelievable to say the
least, only 17 years old and a terror. I spent the complete break
between shows with him watching him practice. Upon leaving the
show, I broke a break cable on my scooter. I proceeded to go back
to Buddie and explained my problem. He immediately gave me a .060
bass string from his Bigsby. It would have worked fine however I
preferred to drive home without brakes than to use up my prized
souvenir from my new hero, Buddie Emmons! Still have that Bigsby
string! Buddie has been very generous on other occasions when I
was in need also. A very nice person in his very weird way! But
then All steel players are a little strange. I’ve been told!
- Bobbe
Seymour - |
 |
 |
Jim
Evans (Evans Amps) got me started on steel in 1970 and during that
time, he was endorsing the Texas Troubadours and so I'd tag along
with him whenever the band was playing within driving distance.
Buddy Charleton was my first exposure to a BIG name and for
several months, whenever I'd hear the name Buddy, I simply thought
it meant Mr. Charleton (I'd not heard the name Buddy Emmons as
yet. Can you believe that!?). Finally, Jim turned me on to the
"black" Emmons album and WHOA, my future was changed
forever. Buddy (E) could have stopped right there and my jaw would
have stayed on the floor, but he just kept moving forward. Thank
you Buddy for that relentless learning and growing. Your
inspiration still lives within me. There are hundreds of Big E.
stories out there, but my favorite involves something he said to a
lady on an airplane whose child was being unruly. It went
something like this..."Madam, if you can't control your
child...." Well... I'll let Buddy complete that one if he
chooses.
- Mike
G. Smith - |
|
Buddy
Emmons is synonymous with the pedal steel guitar and its music. I
cannot imagine what the steel guitar of today would be with regard
to its construction and musicality without the Big E. When Buddy
was just a teenager coming onto the national and international
scene, he ALREADY was the most accomplished pedal steel player. As
evidenced by his numerous innovations on his Bigsby pedal steel
(Buddy, by the way, had to have his volume pedal placed out from
under the steel to the right of the steel guitar legs because his
legs were too long to fit under the steel!) and viewed as the
leader when he played with "Little" Jimmy Dickens.
"Discovered" in Detroit by "Little" Jimmy
Dickens (Dickens’ steel player Walter Haynes, another great, was
ill in a hospital for several weeks necessitating the hiring of
this local phenomenon), touring and recording with Dickens
resulted in Buddy's meteoric rise of on the country music scene.
In 1958 Ernest Tubb plainly stated that Buddy was the
"best" of this new group of steel players to hit
Nashville. Buddy Emmons "hit the ground running" when he
arrived in Music City recording with the major artists of the day
as well as recording his own instrumentals as a solo artist. Most
of the artists Buddy recorded in studio and toured with are in the
Country Music Hall of Fame today. This is a testament to the
strong desire of the best of the best to have Buddy elevate their
music. Roger Miller, a long time friend since the 1950's, told
Buddy the he wished that he was as talented as Buddy in music. An
astonished Emmons told Roger that he felt the same way about him!
Johnny Bush, a friend since 1964, when they both were Cherokee
Cowboys with Ray Price, recently said, "Buddy can do more
with his feet than anyone can do with their hands! Buddy cut the
title song of my first album in 1967 'Sound of a Heartache' and
also 'A Moment Isn't Very Long'. He cut four songs on a recent CD
of mine and I am still deeply affected by what he did on "I
Wished I'd Seen Your Goin' Comin' ". Steel players are doing
now what Buddy had already done in the 1960's." Many country
artists feel blessed and immortal due to the steel guitar voicings
placed on their records by Buddy Emmons. Steel players are in awe of Buddy Emmons' innate abilities, talent
and musical knowledge. When Scotty was touring with Buddy in the
1980s, he would say at Buddy's concerts, "There is no one
like Buddy Emmons. He has a magic touch that no one seems to have.
Every concert he always does something new. I wouldn't miss
a one of 'em." The great Jimmy Day said, "When I first
met Buddy, he was doing all these single note runs that were out
of sight. We became friends and would jam together by placing our
steels facing each other and would pick for hours or days on end.
I called this 'locking horns'. Buddy was the best I ever
saw." Jimmy Day introduced Bobby Garrett, another giant, to
Buddy in 1956. Garrett and Emmons even played together as Texas
Troubadours for Ernest Tubb in 1959-60. Emmons made the cabinet
and inlaid the names on the Sho-Bud pedal steels ordered by
Garrett and Day in the late 1950s. Garrett said, "The way
Buddy plays is almost inhuman and the envy of us all. He's the top
of the heap as far as I'm concerned." In fact, the last St.
Louis Convention played by Emmons and will ever be attend together
with Emmons, Day and Garrett was something to behold. Buddy gave a
concert to end all performances. Afterwards Jimmy said,
"Buddy just outdid himself. He was so perfect, it was as if
each note was individually gift wrapped!" Garrett then said,
"I don't know if I have ever seen Buddy play any better. He
just knocked me out!" Curly Chalker, another giant of the
steel, said, "Buddy's style and my style are different, and I
love everything he does!" One day in Nashville, Grady Martin
called the house looking for a steel player to do a session. Jack
Evins answered the phone and told Grady they were all jamming and
drinking. Grady then asked who was the soberest of the bunch and
Jack said Buddy. Buddy talked to Grady and said he'd be there in
an hour. Ten minutes later Buddy called Grady back and
cancelled. I asked Buddy what guitar player impressed him up
the most. Buddy said Danny Gatton. One time they were doing a gig
together and were trading licks back and forth on an up tempo
song. After playing Buddy then looked over to see what Danny was
gonna do. Buddy was then astounded to see Gatton with his arms
folded across his guitar, yet he could hear him playing! Buddy
then realized that Gatton was using his delay electronics. He
would play when Buddy was playing and then the delay would delay
it until Gatton's turn came to play after Buddy! Thus, Danny could
fold his arms and on his turn, the guitar sounds came out
perfectly. Buddy, after realizing this, could take no more and
just stopped playing. Buddy said Danny really got to him on that
one! As Buddy said, "Danny just took it all out of
me!" The pedal steel guitar world today is mostly what
Buddy Emmons envisioned and created over the last 45 years. From
the Bigsby guitar he ordered, he mentally decided what a pedal
instrument should be. When Buddy showed up in Nashville, he knew
about design and the desire to constantly improve his own guitar
and caught Shot Jackson's attention. They then designed the
Sho-Bud guitar from scratch. Because Shot was so hard headed,
Buddy went on to develop the Emmons guitar. Everyone knows the
innovations Buddy developed on the E9th and C6th necks with
tunings, pedal set-ups, etc. Buddy's signature riffs, licks, and
single note improvisations have become the most copied and
enduring. "If copying is the greatest form of flattery..." I have always been astounded that
the small town of Mishawaka, Indiana (something in the water?)
produced Herb Remington, Buddy Emmons, and "Sneaky" Pete
Klienow. Buddy is currently touring with the Everly
Brothers. When Don Everly introduces Buddy Emmons to do the
instrumental, "Gonna Build Me a Mountain" (with Albert
Lee on guitar), Don says, "Me and Phil were on the Grand Ole
Opry as teenagers, but this man over there on pedal steel guitar
was also a teenager and already there on the Opry. His name is
Buddy Emmons and he is known as the "Maestro of the Steel
Guitar" which he was instrumental in designing and
developing. HE IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME! We are proud to give
you, BUDDY EMMONS!!" His eternal friend and fan,
- Wayne
F. Yakes MD
- |
 |
 |
The
first time I got interested in steel guitar was when I heard Tom
Brumley play on the "Carnegie Hall" album of Buck Owens.
At that time I had never heard of Buddy Emmons. It must have been
around 1969 that I stumbled into an album of Ray Price, called
"Another bridge to Burn". And I was blown away by the
steel sounds that came to my ear. I didn't even know it was Buddy
Emmons, because the liner notes didn't say. I completely fell in
love with this style of steel playing.
Then a few years later, I was astonished by the steel on
"Volcanic Action of my Soul", by Ray Charles, which was
played with so much musical ability, that I hardly could believe
it was that country instrument. Still no name in the liner notes.
Then, a buddy of a friend of mine came up with an album which he
already had for a couple of years, called "Country My
Way" by Nancy Sinatra. Again I was astonished, this time it
said in the liner notes Buddy "E" Emmons on steel
guitar.
Then it all came to me, this must be the genius I've been looking
for.
All this had a tremendous influence on my own steel playing, and I
want to thank Buddy for this. I'm so glad we finally got to meet
in 1976 in St. Louis and became good friends.
- Koos
Biel - |
The first song I heard Buddy Emmons play was Raisin' The Dickens. It was around 1959 and it blew me away. I was just learning to play and he became my all time idol right away. The first time I saw him in person was with Ray Price when they came to Columbus, Ohio to play at the Frontier Ranch. I was in the house band and spent the day listening to him play live behind Ray. On my website, there is a picture of he and I taken on that day beside their old bus. Boy, were we young and skinny!! Several years later I went to work for George Jones (1964). I was playing an early ShoBud, nine string which became outdated. I then purchased an Emmons Guitar. Later I found out that is was the third one ever built. Buddy had the first one, Neil
Flanz had the second and I had the third.
The first time I was ever on the Grand Ole Opry with George Jones, as I was playing I sensed someone sitting down on either side of me. I looked and Jimmy Day was on one side and Buddy was on the other.....talk about pressure! Their intention was to initiate me I guess. Needless to say, I was nervous.
Buddy is the main person that has brought the Steel Guitar to where it is today. Every steel player admires his talent and loves to hear him play. We would all love to play like Buddy. The clarity and tone is unmatched. He will always be someone that I look up to and admire. Thank you Buddy for being my hero.....
- Sonny Curtis
- |
 |
|
|
Like every other musician in the
world, I have the utmost admiration for Buddy Emmons. I first met
Buddy in 1974 during a DJ convention. It was at the Merchants Hotel
in Nashville and what a thrill for an unknown newcomer to get to
meet Buddy and several other legendary musicians of the day. I'm
sure he doesn't remember that brief moment but I do. In 1980 I
received a call one Sunday morning from Phil Baugh to play a gig
that afternoon at the Opryland Hotel. As it turned out, it was the
first Nashville Alive Show that ran for two years on TBS out of
Atlanta. The show was hosted by Ralph Emery and the band leaders
were Buddy Emmons and Phil Baugh. I couldn't believe I had, by
chance, backed in to an opportunity of a lifetime. Playing with the
greatest country band in the world lead by Buddy Emmons and Phil
Baugh. With in a year, if my memory serves me right, we became the
band on That Nashville Music. An other TV show out of Nashville.
Along with a lot of recording sessions plus television, Buddy played
a great part in helping me get a foothold in this business which
also helped me feed my family. I have produced several records on
various people over the years and have used Buddy on a good number
of them. It is amazing how he always knows exactly what to play and
how to fit in to a track without getting in the way of everything
else going on. You don't notice what all he has done on a
track until you start mixing. That is the mark of a truly great
musician. Even to this day, I am still in awe of Buddy and get a
little nervous around him. A deserving Legend, a good human
being, and a friend. Respectfully,
- Hoot Hester - |
|
All the steel players in the world
could never say enough good things about Buddy Emmons. He
embodies all the things one would expect from the worlds
greatest steel player, and even more. He backs it up with an
enchanting performance, no matter how many times you have heard
him. He is reserve and reclusive, as well he should be, because
he can never have any peace with a clamber to talk and ask
questions from all that see him. I kinda want to ask him things
myself. His contribution to the art of playing the steel is
tremendous.
His steel guitar set the mark for
all other manufacturers to go by. His historic turns and rides
are legendary as are his personal recordings. His devotion
to the steel guitar is unsurpassed. I am honored to call him my
friend.-
Weldon Myrick -
|
 |
 |
Where do I start
to talk about Buddy Emmons… When you get to work with your hero for
30 years, you accumulate a lot of good memories. I guess like
everyone who loves steel guitar, you listen to Buddy’s “Black Album”
until the grooves are gone!! I never imagined that one day I would
actually get to work with him and become good friends with him. I
got to meet him when he and Phil Baugh were with the Super Pickers
band. They were recording and the bassist, Henry
Strzelecki was
running late, so they asked me to sit in until Henry got there.
Wow!! They were cutting the old Bob Wills song, Roly Poly. Not long
after the session, Phil and Buddy became band leaders on several
syndicated television shows filmed in Nashville. That’s when Buddy
and I became good friends. We would get together at his house and
work on songs he was going to record, or play at a steel show, or
just play in the basement for our own amusement!! I know it has been
said a thousand times, but Buddy is without a doubt, the greatest
steel guitarist there has ever been. His knowledge and innovation
can’t be matched by anyone. Buddy has one of the biggest hearts of
anyone I know. He has always treated me as family, and that is
something I am thankful for everyday. And speaking of family, Peggy
was a blessing to everyone she met. What an angel on earth!! She
always called me her “adopted” son. That’s an honor that has never
been topped in my life. Over the years, Buddy has taught me more
about music than I could have ever learned in school!! I’ve heard
him play things that were seemingly impossible, and when you said
something about it, he would just shrug it off. To think about the
innovations he has created, are mind boggling!!! I’m very lucky to
be able to work with Buddy, but even more so, call him friend.
- David Smith - |
|
I first met Buddy in 1979
while I was still in jazz school in Texas, playing with Ray Price
when he made the switch from an orchestra back to a country band.
Ray kept some of us and hired musicians from Nashville, including
Buddy. I didn’t know anything about the steel guitar and was excited
about getting to hear some classic country steel playing. I was
shocked when I heard Buddy play jazz, realizing that he played it
with more soul and depth than the people I was learning it from, as
well as many of my recording jazz heroes. He has always been one of
the musicians I can count on one hand that are the true musical
geniuses of our time. No matter what he plays it’s as musical as
anyone could ever make it.
It’s still amazing to me that I got to spend so
much time on the road with Buddy, hanging out and eating Blondie’s
hot sauce. I attribute quite a bit of whatever success I’ve had to
his support and encouragement, he has always been a true friend and
mentor. Sincerely yours,
- Kerry Marx -
|
 |
 |
Buddy and I have been
friends for over 30 years. As a guitar player back in the 80s we
played recording sessions together and traveled together. As a young
guitar player I would copy his lines and use them on guitar. To
understand how bright the man's mind is, you would have to REALLY
get to know him. I am fortunate to have done that. Many of his
intros, solos and instrumentals will prove to be timeless. Can you
hum a Buddy Intro? You see what I mean? Buddy will go down in
history with the likes of Babe Ruth or Miles Davis. I have heard him
play as recent as 2012 and he can still make your jaw drop. He is a
friend and one of the funniest guys I know.
- Sid Hudson - |
It has taken me forever to write these few words that you are
reading. Writing about a legend and innovator like Buddy Emmons
doesn’t come easily, I quickly found out. The first time I ever
spoke with Buddy was in 1983 when he called me for a session. I was
about to walk out the door to meet a bus to go on the road for the
weekend and the phone rang. When the voice on the phone said,
“Rob, this is Buddy Emmons;” I thought, “Sure, it is!”
Buddy said, “I want to know if you can do a session for me.”
I said, “Sure, Buddy; when do you need to do it?” He said,
“As soon as you can get here!”
I explained that I had to meet a bus and asked who I was going to
miss recording with. He said, “Ray Charles.” I said,
“The bus can wait; I’ll be there in 30 minutes!” When I got to
the studio, Buddy greeted me and graciously introduced me to Ray.
Shortly thereafter, everyone headed back into the studio, except for
Buddy. He looked at me and said that there wasn’t a need for fiddle
on the last song after all and how did I want to handle getting
paid? I said, “You don’t owe me anything, Buddy. I’m honored
that you called.” Buddy responded by thanking me for coming and
said that if I ever needed him to play on something, he would do it
for nothing.
Not long after that, I started doing TV shows with Buddy and the
late, great Phil Baugh. I started recording what would turn out to
be a series of swing albums with Buddy and Ray Pennington as a
member of the Swing Shift Band. The reason I tell this story is that
it goes without saying that Buddy Emmons is a genius. That has been
written over and over again and deservedly so. But I also want to
let people know what an incredible person he is. I never did ask
Buddy to play on anything but, boy, he gave back to me tenfold! His
generosity and heart during the swing sessions is immeasurable. I
was definitely the student and he the professor. Never once did he
show frustration toward anyone but himself, always putting immense
pressure on himself to get it right and make it better. Truly
someone to continue looking up to.
Before I ever started playing the fiddle, I had heard Buddy’s name
and his music, never dreaming I would get to know him and play with
him one day. With that said, I never thought anything could change
my opinion of Buddy Emmons. But getting to know him has taken him
way beyond genius and legend for me. I will always be in debt to
Buddy for sharing his kindness, knowledge, and inspiration and I’m
grateful to be able to call him a friend.
- Rob Hajacos - |
 |
 |
Buddy Emmons is the Master of the steel
guitar! As you watch him play, you know he has been blessed with
power and perfect control over the instrument. After I heard him
play, I knew I wanted to stay in Nashville; I'd never heard such
awesome playing! In my opinion, he is the greatest player this side
of Heaven. He is an Icon, my hero and my friend; God bless Buddy
Emmons.
- Leon
Rhodes - |
First and foremost, I treasured Buddy as a wonderful person,
especially when it came to warmth and humility.
As an example of his power as an artist, I remember being extremely
impressed by Buddy’s recorded performance of “The Great Stream”.
What was impressive about it was that I never expected to hear that
composition played on steel guitar, since it was so difficult on the
standard instrument.
Aside from being exceptionally warm as a person, in my opinion Buddy
Emmons was one of, if not the greatest living artist on steel
guitar!
- Pat Martino - |
 |
|
ALWAYS more
to come! |
|
