Big E...

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

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Mike Neer
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Post by Mike Neer »

I am just reading the news for the first time and I can't believe it. Mr. Emmons, you were in a class of your own and you will never be forgotten. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

My condolences to each and every one of you who are feeling the pain of this loss.
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Ron Sodos
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Buddy Emmons

Post by Ron Sodos »

Buddy was the reason I started playing steel. His blue album with Judy Collins back in the 60s. I was praying it wasn't true that it was a hoax. What a heart break. Met him a few times including watched him play close up at Jeff Newman school many years ago. He was and will always be the best that ever lived.
Bill Schmidt
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Location: Queen Creek Az, USA

big e

Post by Bill Schmidt »

Simply the best , R.I.P. Buddy Emmons
Bill Schmidt
Posts: 19
Joined: 6 Oct 2004 12:01 am
Location: Queen Creek Az, USA

big e

Post by Bill Schmidt »

Simply the best , R.I.P. Buddy Emmons
Last edited by Bill Schmidt on 29 Jul 2015 3:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sonny Curtis
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Location: Columbus, Ohio, USA

My dear friend

Post by Sonny Curtis »

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My heart is truly broken. The greatest steel guitar player in the world. We have lost a great friend.

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Sonny
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Tom Wolverton
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Post by Tom Wolverton »

It is a sad day for us. He touched all of us so deeply. There just something that comes thru his notes. Prayers and hugs to his family.
To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
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Mark Greenway
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Post by Mark Greenway »

This news was painful. Buddy was so talented. He was my favorite player of them all. RIP You will be missed and never forgotten.
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Allen Hutchison
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Post by Allen Hutchison »

Very sad news indeed :(
RIP Buddy & thanks for the music.
My sympathy to family & friends.
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Ray Jenkins
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Post by Ray Jenkins »

Big E,Hal Rugg ,Weldon Myrick, Jimmy Day, Jimmy Crawford Jeff Newman Buddy Charlton,Tom Brumley ,John Hughey.The beautiful sounds of the Heavenly Steel Guitars!!!!!
Steeling is still legal in Arizona
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Chris Templeton
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Post by Chris Templeton »

Excel 3/4 Pedal With An 8 String Hawaiian Neck, Tapper (10 string with a raised fretboard to fret with fingers), Single neck Fessenden 3/5
Paul King
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Post by Paul King »

In 1981 I saw Buddy Emmons for the first time at the ISGC in St. Louis. I was a immature 21 year old but I have never forgotten the feeling of seeing him for the first time.I followed Buddy down through the years and he made the biggest influence on me playing steel guitar. Today is a day I knew would come and have dreaded it. He and Peggy are together again for sure. How I ache to hear him play one more time. Thanks Buddy Emmons for all the music you have left us with to enjoy. For me, steel guitar will always have a bigger void than it ever has. RIP Buddy Emmons, you may be gone from this earth but there are so many musicians who looked to you as someone who set the standards very high. Life goes on for all of us but it will never be the same without Buddy Emmons.
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Craig A Davidson
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Post by Craig A Davidson »

I think hearing Buddy play made us all want to go home and play better. At least he inspired me to do so. I saw him several times in St. Louis, once in southern Illinois, and once with Johnny Bush at the Midnight Jamboree. In Illinois I got to get up and sing the back-ups in Four or Five Times. I would go to St. Louis and ask him questions and he was never too busy to give me answers. For sure the Foremost Steel Guitar Player Ever. RIP Buddy.
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Dale Rottacker
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Post by Dale Rottacker »

Sad sad day :( :( :( ... Buddy was as good as it got!!!
Dale Rottacker, Steelinatune™
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Skip Ellis
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Post by Skip Ellis »

Just found a great pic I took of Buddy and Peggy together - I'll try to get it scanned tomorrow and posted. It was taken at the convention in about '77 and he was loaded down with cameras.
2013 Brook Torridge, 2014 Martin 000-18, two homebrew Teles, Evans RE200 amp, Quilter 101R head, understanding wife of 45 years. 'Steeless' at the moment but looking......
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Bobby DeMoss
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R.I.P. Buddy Emmons

Post by Bobby DeMoss »

The Worlds Foremost Steel Guitarist.
Forever!
Worst news of my life.
R.I.P. Mr. Buddy Emmons
A Rig-Zumsteel 08 Anti E9th 9x10, Vegas 400's x2 Lemay Mods, B Rig-Zumsteel 99 9x10, Stroborack's X2, Lexicon MPX200's x2.
Dan Chroninger
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Post by Dan Chroninger »

I will always remember the advice Buddy gave me back in the seventies. I ask him how do you do that fast picking, To which he replied I don't know they say I do it wrong, then he went on to tell me, no one ever paid me to play fast instrumentals, so learn to play behind the singer, or you will starve to death in this business, and he was so right
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John Davis
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Post by John Davis »

This is how I prefer to remember him at Wembley UK
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Rest in peace Buddy, you set the standard for all of us to aspire to.
Ken Mullett
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Post by Ken Mullett »

I just saw the posting on Facebook by Bill Stafford that Buddy Emmons has passed. I am completely shocked and saddened. My condolences to all of the family.
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Andy Volk
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Post by Andy Volk »

Farewell to a giant. He will live on in memory and in the enormous impact he had on the instrument and on many people's lives.
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com
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Johnny Cox
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Post by Johnny Cox »

My heart is broken today. Rest well my friend.
Johnny "Dumplin" Cox
"YANKIN' STRINGS & STOMPIN' PEDALS" since 1967.
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Ron Whitworth
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Post by Ron Whitworth »

I am in shock.
I just checked in here to see what was going on
& saw this post & my heart just sank.
So very sad - just breaks my heart to hear of this.
He gave us so very much & no one will ever replace him!
I am thankful we do have so much of his music recorded
to remind us of where the high mark is set.
Go rest in peace.
Ron
"Tone is in the hands. Unless your wife will let you buy a new amp. Then it's definitely in that amp."

We need to turn the TWANG up a little

It's not what you play through, it's what you play through it.

They say that tone is all in the fingers...I say it is all in your head :)

Some of the best pieces of life are the little pieces all added up..Ron

the value of friendship. Old friends shine like diamonds, you can always call them and - most important - you can't buy them.
Patrick Layher
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Buddy

Post by Patrick Layher »

Great music in Heaven tonight!
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Bill Ferguson
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Post by Bill Ferguson »

I have been unable to respond. My heart is very heavy.

Buddy and I have been friends since the late 70's.

He has always been so gracious to me in every way.

I will always treasure the videos that he has allowed me to share with the world and will continue to share. Buddy would want that.

RIP
AUTHORIZED George L's, Goodrich, Telonics and Peavey Dealer: I have 2 steels and several amps. My current rig of choice is 1993 Emmons LeGrande w/ 108 pups (Jack Strayhorn built for me), Goodrich OMNI Volume Pedal, George L's cables, Goodrich Baby Bloomer and Peavey Nashville 112. Can't get much sweeter.
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Ben ODell
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Big "e"

Post by Ben ODell »

SO.....So.... SAD. He was a maker. And Make he did. Don't guess there is a record of how many hits he made.
Number 2 washtub, broom handle, and a strang
If it ain't got steel in it, It Ain't
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Jim Walker
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Post by Jim Walker »

R.I.P Big E... Say hi to Bobby for me...
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Show Pro D10, Session 400
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