Massage for Buddy Emmons

Wayne Cox · Post by **Wayne Cox** » 27 Nov 2002 10:13 am

When I was still a kid,around 1964,Duane Eddy
came out with an album called,"Twang a Country Song". The steel player on that album
just knocked my socks off,but naturally there
were no credits on the album cover to say who
played the steel on the cuts. Through the years,I progressed and eventually moved to
Gnashville and worked there for a while. When
someone would say "Who is your favorite steel player?",I would always reply,"I suppose Buddy Emmons is at the top of my list of favorites,but there was this one guy who played steel on a Duane Eddy album long ago;he is really my favorite!". One night,backstage at the Opry,I related this to another great steel player,Hal Rugg. Hal replied, "That was Buddy on the Duane Eddy album!" Now we ALL know who my favorite steel player is!
~~W.C.~~

Hal Higgins · Post by **Hal Higgins** » 27 Nov 2002 2:30 pm

The greatest steel guitarist in the world has to be the Big "E". I've never heard him play anything bad. His playing has, at times, made me want to quit. However, I haven't and as long as I can move these hands and feet and have a mind to think, I will be playing steel. Buddy Emmons has inspired many of us to reach to greater heights and depths in our ability to play this instrument. There are other great steelers that think the same way as some of us who have responded to this post, one of them being the great John Hughey, who personally told me that his favorite steel player was Buddy Emmons. Buddy...you are great, and I, for one, will treasure the knowledge that I've gleaned from you inspiring playing....a friend....HAL

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Be Blessed........HAL
'85 Emmons LeGrande D-10, Rack w/Evans, Tubefex 2, 1501-4 BW's

Bill Hamner · Post by **Bill Hamner** » 27 Nov 2002 10:41 pm

Unknowingly both Buddy and Spider Wilson played a big part in the very successful Engineering Career that I have experienced.
Get ready guys, this is gonna remind you of a Jody Carver story! Back in the mid '50's I was attending Engineering School and playing
(Maybe "struggling with' fits better here) a
T-8 stringmaster. While visiting a non-musician friend in Donelson, near Nashville, I went with him to visit his co-worker who by chance was neighbor of Spider's. When this guy learned of my steel guitar interest he wouldn't rest until he took me over to meet his neighbor "Spider, who plays in the Jimmy Dickens Band".When he told Spider I was a steel player, Spider began to tell us about this young buck steel player who had recently joined the Dickens group.He told us it was the dangdest sight you will ever see.... "this guy
sits in front of the band and trios on our twin guitar stuff, looking back over his shoulder laughing like a jackass the whole time....never misses a note!"
When Spider invited us to go with him to a taping or filming of a Jimmy Dickens Show that evening he didn't have to ask twice.
Well,I saw Buddy Emmons in action that day
and, let me make this very clear, any doubts I had about which direction to take with my career were erased. When I graduated from school I packed my steel away and never really looked back. I envy any of you who have been able to mix your steel playing with you chosen career field. I quickly learned the steel and my job were not too
compatible and now some 35 or 40 years after
ridding myself of that demon I have another one and find I am still struggling!

Not as good as a Jody story but almost as long!!!

Bill [This message was edited by Bill Hamner on 27 November 2002 at 10:44 PM.]

Michael T. Hermsmeyer · Post by **Michael T. Hermsmeyer** » 28 Nov 2002 12:32 am

We All Love You Buddy!!
And it sure is wonderful to see and hear you back on an Emmons Guitar

Michael T.

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UTILITY MAN PRODUCTIONS
'73 EMMONS D10 FATBACK, '92 EMMONS D10 LASHLEY LEGRANDE,
'85 DOBRO 60DS, '95 DOBRO F60S,
'95 MELOBAR CUSTOM, 1955 FENDER TRIPLE NECK STRINGMASTER. EVANS, FENDER, PEAVEY,
and MESA BOOGIE Amps.

Doyle Weigold · Post by **Doyle Weigold** » 28 Nov 2002 3:56 pm

Let's face it, Buddy Emmons is the Chet Atkins of the Steel Guitar

Bob Knight · Post by **Bob Knight** » 28 Nov 2002 5:03 pm

The big "E"is 1000+ times to steel as Chet was to guitar. Chet has "clones", Buddy doesn't............. I am open to discussion on this.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 28 Nov 2002 7:36 pm

Bob K.......What's to discuss,you have a discussion when there is a doubt or disagreement.
I ain't discussin nuttin!!!!!!
BF

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Bill Ford

JACK HEERN · Post by **JACK HEERN** » 28 Nov 2002 8:12 pm

To debate your post Bob, would be like you dueling with an unarmed man!
A massage is always great

[This message was edited by JACK HEERN on 28 November 2002 at 08:17 PM.]

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 28 Nov 2002 8:43 pm

I'm not knocking Chet.But I too think Buddy Emmons did way way more for steel guitar than Chet did for guitar.

RON PRESTON · Post by **RON PRESTON** » 29 Nov 2002 2:58 am

Pretty cool, Jack,
That kinda reminds me of Clint Eastwood in "OutLaw Josie Wailes", his buddy said:.."You shot an unarmed Man!"...and Josie replied:..."He should have Armed himself".....As I do play BOTH Steel and Guitar....I, IMHO, have seen Lots a guys play "lick-for-lick" just like chet....BUT...Thay didn't have that "TOUCH" that chet had. I belive many can play lick for lick, like "The Big E", but, again, they do not have that touch and tone. I better shut up right here. I don't want this GREAT thread getting outa-hand .

I can feel da flames now, as they get closer...gotta GO!

Bob Farlow · Post by **Bob Farlow** » 29 Nov 2002 5:11 am

Without Buddy, there would be no steel guitar.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 29 Nov 2002 5:45 am

It's not a comparison in my mind..apples to oranges..Buddy is ,well..Buddy ..and Chet is Chet...both are deserving of any recognition which comes their way...Both have done volumes for their Instrument...both have influenced the minions...both have brought a name brand to prominance..One is the BIG E and the other is the Country Gentleman..I'm grateful for both .

tp

William Cadeau · Post by **William Cadeau** » 9 Dec 2002 1:06 pm

Back in the early 60's Ken Near had a steelguitar built by Buddy Emmons and that was the first time I heard of this man.I have been a fan of his ever since.Keep up the good work Buddy your one of the best.

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William G. Cadeau

Dave Horch · Post by **Dave Horch** » 10 Dec 2002 9:13 pm

To: Dr. Emmons
From: Dave Horch
Re: Why do we love to play music?

Expressing your self through a musical instrument and connecting with someone is a blessing beyond the talent it takes to do so.

If you don't mind, I think those words are the essence of it all for any musician or serious vocalist. It doesn't matter what you play or sing, it's the "connections" in so many ways that drives us all. Man, you really said it all.

Merry Christmas to you.

Best, -Dave