Big E...

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

Moderators: Donna Dodd, Lori Lee Smith

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Bo Legg
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Post by Bo Legg »

wow what a picture, says so much, just doesn't seem possible they are gone.
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Jerry Gleason
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Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA

Post by Jerry Gleason »

It's hard to come with any words that haven't already been said. It's a sad day. Rest in Peace, Buddy.
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Joey Ace
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Post by Joey Ace »

This world is a better place because of him.

RIP Mr. E
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Dave Mudgett
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Post by Dave Mudgett »

No words. Just sadness. RIP, Buddy.
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Buck Grantham
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Location: Denham Springs, LA. USA

Buddy

Post by Buck Grantham »

Well, This is a sad time for us all . Buddy's music kept us all trying to play better all the time.He will be missed by all of us. May the Lord bless him and may we never forget him or his great music.Love,Buck and Mitzi Grantham.
Music to light up your life
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Steven Finley
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Post by Steven Finley »

1968 I believe judy Collins came out with the ian Tyson song someday soon Emmons on the pedal steel guitar,thats what did it for me I had to get a pedal steel and try to get that beautiful sound,what a najor influence,and yes years latter I got to meet mr Emmons in l.a. an honor ill never forget,blackie
taylor introduced me to him, what a dream come true,mr Emmons rest in peace,and thanks for your kindness.
Fred Martin
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Location: Phoenix, Az

Buddy Emmons

Post by Fred Martin »

Most of my life, before I even had an interest in the Steel Guitar I knew who Buddy Emmons was and that he was the best ! Only saw him once in a little show in Vegas with the Everly Brothers. Never be another but his memory is etched deep in the hearts of us all that have sat behind that magical instrument and delved into the possibilities of the pedal steel Buddy gave us!
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Lynn Fargo
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Post by Lynn Fargo »

A great inspiration to us all and he will continue to be. RIP.
Sho-Bud Pro II Custom, GFI Ultra SD-10, Fender Pro Amp, Fender Mustang II Amp, Morrell 8-string lap, Epiphone 6-string lap, Galveston reso, etc.
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Joshua Tschetter
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Post by Joshua Tschetter »

He left this world a better place, for a better place. Gods speed...RIP, Buddy
Tony Tipton
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Location: Wagoner,Oklahoma, USA

Post by Tony Tipton »

He certainly left his mark on music, like only a handful can do. RIP Buddy.
Emmons Legrande II D-10 ,Nashville 112, Goodrich L 120, Lil' Izzy, a homemade seat, delay pedal, BJS bar, Dunlop .013, and a red thumb pick
Wayne Quinn
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Buddy Emmons

Post by Wayne Quinn »

Wow. what a shock to see this post to day. all you steel players and musicians in the great u.s.a. and around the world lost in my book the one and only MASTER OF THE PEDAL STEEL GUITAR in the world. Mr Buddy Emmons like one poster said here the steel guitar king is gone. may God give you what you gave all of us over the years Buddy then you will be truly blessed. may you rest in peace,.
Last edited by Wayne Quinn on 29 Jul 2015 5:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Tim Russell
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Post by Tim Russell »

Very saddened by this news.

I first heard Night Life when I was a small lad in the late 70's, I had only been playing a couple of years, informal, and no real training...and I thought, "Wow", that is the most awesome steel guitar sound I have ever heard.

From there, a family member gave me Buddy Emmons -Steel Guitar album which I still have, I took very good care of it, and tried to learn Orange Blossom Special, note for note...

Buddy's Christmas album has always been my favorite holiday/Christmas release, I play it several times each year during the Christmas season.

I could go on and on with a tribute to this amazing man who has touched us all through his music, skills, talents...

Long live Buddy in our hearts - forever.

Richard, that is a wonderful picture... :)
Last edited by Tim Russell on 29 Jul 2015 5:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sierra Crown D-10
Mark Frederick
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Post by Mark Frederick »

Cry, steel guitar, cry. Rest in peace, Mr. Buddy Emmons.
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Michael Haselman
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Post by Michael Haselman »

Words escape me. One of my musical heroes of all time. Saw him live in Minneapolis in '79 or so at a show Clem Schmitz put on for steel players. He signed several of my albums after I lifted my jaw off the floor. Then our band opened for the Everlys in '95. Him and Albert Lee. I've always told anyone that listened that there's Buddy Emmons and everyone else. RIP Big E.
Mullen RP D10, Peavey NV112, Hilton volume. Hound Dog reso. Piles of other stuff.
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Andrew Kilinski
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Post by Andrew Kilinski »

A profound and heartbreaking loss...but he will always be an endless source of inspiration and wonder. Rest in peace, Big E.
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Craig Baker
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Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Post by Craig Baker »

Mickey Adams. . . great post.

Of all of people who have walked the face of this earth and those to come in the future, Here we are, the generation that walked this planet at the same time as so many great talents. I don't know if the flags in Nashville will be a half mast, but I do think we can rightfully call ourselves "Generation E"

Respectfully,
Craig, Debra and Mallory Baker
"Make America Great Again". . . The Only Country With Dream After Its Name.
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Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)
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Post by Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) »

Buddy touched all our lives so richly and fully, there's really no words to express all the love, admiration and appreciation we all feel for him. My heart has been heavy with heartbreak and sadness today, but as I've prayed for his family, friends and all who knew and loved him, my sadness is giving way to the bitter-sweetness of knowing he's home with the Lord, with Peggy, with the myriad of great players who've gone before him and that he's at peace and gracing Heaven with his wonderful talent. He'll be sorely missed, but never forgotten. Thank you, Buddy, for all you've been to all of us. Rest in the arms of the Lord.

At the 1977 International Steel Guitar Convention in St Louis ...
Image

At the Texas Steel Guitar Jamboree in Dallas, Texas ...
Image
Last edited by Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) on 29 Jul 2015 8:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1986 Mullen D-10 with 8 & 7 (Dual Bill Lawrence 705 pickups each neck)
Two Peavey Nashville 400 Amps (with a Session 500 in reserve) - Yamaha SPX-90 II
Peavey ProFex II - Yamaha R-1000 Digital Reverb - Ross Time Machine Digital Delay - BBE Sonic Maximizer 422A
ProCo RAT R2DU Dual Distortion - Korg DT-1 Pro Tuner (Rack Mounted) - Furman PL-8 Power Bay
Goodrich Match-Bro by Buddy Emmons - BJS Steel Bar (Dunlop Finger Picks / Golden Gate Thumb Picks)
Paul Sutherland
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Post by Paul Sutherland »

Buddy Emmons was simply the best to ever play the instrument. In many ways, he practically invented the pedal steel guitar. A true innovator and pioneer.
It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing.
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C. E. Jackson
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Post by C. E. Jackson »

I will certainly miss his playing and style. My favorite memory is the following 1961 video, which shows a young Buddy Emmons playing with the most enthusiasm and energy which I can remember him playing.

Ernest Tubb - Drivin' Nails in My Coffin
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chas smith
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Post by chas smith »

I have no words to describe my sense of loss. This was taken around 1983 or 4 at the Jeff Newman Seminar in Stockton, which for me was mesmerizing watching him play. Here he was playing my no-Bud and he said to me, "you cleaned it up pretty good." It was quite an affirmation. Then, years later he thanked me for building a guitar for Joaquin. Again, it was a profound affirmation coming from a man I idolized.

Image
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Tom Quinn
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Post by Tom Quinn »

Buddy was the coolest of the cool cats. He was also incredibly smart, musically talented and deeper than a Colorado well. His music taught me more than anyone else about how, what and when to play...
I need an Emmons!
John Brabant
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Location: Calais, VT, USA

Post by John Brabant »

This is the worst news. Maybe the interview below will cheer everyone up, hearing Buddy telling his life story. Very touching today. We love you Buddy. I am heartbroken. A truly sweet and funny guy.

https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/buddy-emmons
John Brabant
1978 Emmons D-10 P-P
Shane Reilly
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Post by Shane Reilly »

Today EVERY steel guitar is crying, they lost the big daddy, the greatest , no contest and from what I'm told, a great man.
I'm truly sad.
RIP Mr Emmons , the world loves you.

Shane.
Tiny Olson
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Post by Tiny Olson »

I feel like I got punched in the gut too. Can't find the words... other than thank you Lord for giving us Buddy Emmons. God Bless You and R.I.P. now Buddy and thank you so very much !!!!!

Most Sincerely,
Chris "Tiny" Olson
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Ben Waligoske
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Post by Ben Waligoske »

Couldn't help but chime in, though I don't have much to say beyond what others already have... I'm a new player, around 2 years, but Buddy was absolutely the guy who first made me go "Wow".... RIP Buddy, and albeit it bittersweetly, it's great to see the community coming together to collectively celebrate the legacy he left. What a monster...
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