Buddy Emmons Hat

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 18 Oct 2014 3:06 pm

you are the only one mentioning stealing the hat so far.

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 18 Oct 2014 4:54 pm

I knew I was right but didn't want to get controversial/confrontational about it.

THANKS for establishing the accuracy of my comment.

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 19 Oct 2014 5:23 pm

I own one of those hats that Buddy tossed out in St. Louis. And he signed it.

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 19 Oct 2014 10:54 pm

Peter den Hartogh · Post by **Peter den Hartogh** » 20 Oct 2014 12:30 pm

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 20 Oct 2014 5:04 pm

I love this picture of Laurel and Hardy....their slapstick/childish comedy always makes me laugh!!

Billy

Nathan Emerson · Post by **Nathan Emerson** » 24 Oct 2014 9:04 pm

I'm so glad this thread got attention like this!

I was gonna pick a Derby hat up and then realized its not just a tip of hat but a big hat to fill.

But if the opportunity to get a hat arose. Or just sign mine. That's a prized glass case kind of thing!

John Davis · Post by **John Davis** » 25 Oct 2014 4:14 am

I got a Brown one from Camden Market but it did'ent make me play any better

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 26 Oct 2014 9:46 am

...and don't forget John Steed of the Avengers.

Charlie McDonald · Post by **Charlie McDonald** » 28 Oct 2014 6:38 am

This, from a guy who obviously misunderstood the early one-string Emmons (or Derby) resonator.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 28 Oct 2014 10:34 pm

Who can forget Spencer Williams Jr. as Andrew H. Brown?

Thank you Mr. Williams, for a million laughs.

Craig

Jan Viljoen · Post by **Jan Viljoen** » 29 Oct 2014 10:57 am

Don' forget these blokes.
They also are funny, wonder if they ever played pedal steel?

Let the fashion begins!

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 29 Oct 2014 11:46 am

Don' forget these blokes.
They also are funny, wonder if they ever played pedal steel?

Why yes, yes they did!

Jeff Metz Jr. · Post by **Jeff Metz Jr.** » 2 Nov 2014 11:21 pm

I always thought that "DERBY STEELS" Were related to the hat. Seeing as they use crowns for the fret markers. However I just realized that hats are too a big part of the Kentucky Derby.

Bill L. Wilson · Post by **Bill L. Wilson** » 3 Nov 2014 8:31 pm

While painting a vacant house years ago, I spotted a Black Derby Hat up on a closet shelf. I tried it on and it fit perfect. Inside the hat was a tag that read, Stetson-Palace Clothing Co.-Kansas City, Mo....I ask the lady that owned the house who the hat belonged to, and she said it belonged to her Dad, and he had bought it in "1933" in KC. and he had recently passed away. I asked to borrow it for an album photo and she ended up giving it to me, stating I would get more use out of it, than it hanging on her wall. Needless to say, I was honored to get a gift like that, that was really special to her. It only comes out of the box for special occasions, it still looks new, and it's over 80yrs. old......The only requirement, she asked me not to sell it, and it's not for sale.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 4 Nov 2014 2:24 pm

Great story Bill. Thank you for sharing. When do we get to see the album photo?

Craig

Bill L. Wilson · Post by **Bill L. Wilson** » 4 Nov 2014 4:16 pm

I've got pics. in the Derby, but none on my computer to download. I use one pic of me wearing it on my Facebook page, but I couldn't access it thru the Forum. If you're friends with Joe Naylor you can maybe access it thru his Facebook. My wife and I had pics made by a pro photographer with me wearing the hat, and holding my Tele. My Wife may be able to help me download some of these pics, if it works out, I'll get'em on here, cause that hat is really cool.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 6 Nov 2014 2:47 pm

Didn't Buddy start wearing the derby about the time he did the Bob Wills album? Don't remember the year but, that's the first recollection I have of seeing him with it on.

BF

Morgan Scoggins · Post by **Morgan Scoggins** » 8 Nov 2014 5:36 am

The same hat was worn by actor Dub Taylor in almost all of his roles in old Western movies and the Andy Griffin Show. I once heard it referred to as a "chamber pot".

DG Whitley · Post by **DG Whitley** » 8 Nov 2014 6:01 am

...maybe I missed the post on this one, but did not the Bat Masterson character in early TV westerns wear one as well? Seems I remember that...

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 8 Nov 2014 6:17 pm

Several yrs. ago when,Johnny Bush was making an appearance on the Midnight Jamboree,"E" was playing steel for him. Well,I got a crazy brain-fart,& went out to a party shop,& bought about 2 doz. plastic black derbys,& handed them out to everybody in the front row. Well,when the curtain opened we were all wearing them. "E" wouldn't look up! Finally,Hal Rugg hollered out,"Hey "E". He looked up & fell out!! He never forgot it.

Dyke Corson · Post by **Dyke Corson** » 8 Nov 2014 7:48 pm

I've got pictures of that night somewhere Smiley, that was a blast!

Sean Doherty · Post by **Sean Doherty** » 5 Jun 2024 10:45 pm

It sounds possible that when in England he bought the hat. That tour with Roger Millar saw Buddy playing Bass on the tour not steel. Not certain if this is the only tour where he has fine that.

Lee Rider · Post by **Lee Rider** » 6 Jun 2024 8:06 am

Donny Hinson wrote:Who knows? There's Laurel and Hardy, Bat Masterson, John Steed (from "The Avengers"), and a host of varied chaps that have worn them.

Rather...distinctive, wouldn't you say?

Don't forget John Hartford!

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 6 Jun 2024 9:35 am

One of the derby hats Buddy wore is now on display at the Emmons Guitar Company in Sevierville, Tennessee, along with Buddy's very first Emmons steel, built in 1963. I met Buddy in 2002 when he was playing steel with Johnny Bush at the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree at the Texas Troubadour Theater, and he wasn't wearing his derby hat that night, but every steel guitarist in the room got replicas of the derby hat he wore during his career.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Buddy Emmons Hat

THANKS to YOU...........Barry!

The Hat.

About That Hat.

Buddy and his hat