Big E...

Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 30 Jul 2015 9:54 am

I went to an Everly's show a few years back and it was at the time when the first Batman movie came out and the crew was teasing him about some inside joke having to do with Batman.
At soundcheck, one of the crew had lifted this cardboard Batman promo thing and parked it on his steel seat.
I took a drive with "One For The Road" early this morning. I have to keep reminding myself he's gone.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 30 Jul 2015 10:12 am

I am heartbroken over this. The way I see it is that Buddy Emmons didn't just play the pedalsteel, Buddy Emmons is the pedalsteel. He made such a massive contribution that every time somebody plays there steel part of Buddy is with us.

R.I.P.

Skip Ellis · Post by **Skip Ellis** » 30 Jul 2015 10:16 am

Right you are, Bob!!

Jimmy Youngblood · Post by **Jimmy Youngblood** » 30 Jul 2015 10:22 am

He walked on water ~ RIP Buddy

Arnold Hofer · Post by **Arnold Hofer** » 30 Jul 2015 10:34 am

R.I.P Buddy.

Brian Straub · Post by **Brian Straub** » 30 Jul 2015 10:56 am

A true inspiration for all steel players..RIP Buddy.

ROBERT MYERS · Post by **ROBERT MYERS** » 30 Jul 2015 11:10 am

RIP Buddy you have touched a lot of lives

Zachary Walters · Post by **Zachary Walters** » 30 Jul 2015 11:16 am

Junior said it best in the first post.

Rest in peace, Buddy.

Marlin Gengenbach · Post by **Marlin Gengenbach** » 30 Jul 2015 11:16 am

I feel honored I had the opportunity for a couple of conversations with Buddy... and watch him play several times over the years. May he rest in peace.

Jay Dee Maness · Post by **Jay Dee Maness** » 30 Jul 2015 11:26 am

I am so glad I got to spend a day and a half with Buddy just two months before his death. We go back almost 50 years. I will miss him.

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 30 Jul 2015 11:37 am

Jay Dee,,,,since you saw Buddy a couple of months ago,,,was he in bad health then?

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 30 Jul 2015 11:46 am

While the tens of thousands of (and probably a lot more) people who've admired and befriended him over the last 60+ years come to grip with the enormity of his passing, they can take small comfort in knowing that Buddy's in paradise.

Likewise, as I come to grip with the fact that (selfishly) I can no longer hope to hear some new song with Buddy playing the PSG, or read a new post on The Forum that is authored by Buddy Emmons, I have comfort in the knowledge that, finally, he is with Peggy in the loving grace of his and my Lord.

Rest easy, Mr. Emmons. Peace and grace be within you....

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Martin Johannesson · Post by **Martin Johannesson** » 30 Jul 2015 11:56 am

So sad news! Mr. Emmons' playing was the main reason I started playing steel back in 1980. I'll always cherish the memory visiting the ISGC in 1984 seeing Buddy perform live! What great times it was. Thank you for all the fantastic music! You will be greatly missed by so many! Rest in peace Maestro!

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 30 Jul 2015 12:36 pm

...sorry to hear of this __ a great loss to many.
Like many who have said it, he was my favorite too.
The steel guitar titan was also unfailingly nice.

William Litaker · Post by **William Litaker** » 30 Jul 2015 1:35 pm

I was so sorry to hear this......

James Taylor · Post by **James Taylor** » 30 Jul 2015 2:04 pm

Very sad news but now his great talent will be shared with the angels above. Buddy's recordings will live on as a testimony to the master musician he was and aid future generations in the study of the pedal steel guitar. JAMES TAYLOR

Mark Durante · Post by **Mark Durante** » 30 Jul 2015 2:10 pm

Like many of you, my main influence for pedal steel playing was Buddy, as a matter of fact my two pedal guitars are an Emmons PP and a fingertip Sho-BUD

Brian Henry · Post by **Brian Henry** » 30 Jul 2015 2:20 pm

Rest in peace dear friend, may your passing remind the rest of us to prepare for the time when we too, must leave this world. "Lord help us to repent and place our faith and trust in you!" Amen

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 30 Jul 2015 2:21 pm

Eddie D.Bollinger wrote:I wore out several needles on the turntable just stopping and starting the "Buddies" album (Emmons,Sphicher)
I wanted that sound.

Me too Eddie. "Buddies" and "Steel Guitar Jazz" and then "Minors Aloud" were my "atypical" entree into pedal steel. Of course, I found and heard all the rest, got the bug, etc. Buddy defined, redefined and refined the pedal steel.

A unique genius who will never be equaled.

Richard Tipple · Post by **Richard Tipple** » 30 Jul 2015 2:23 pm

RIP Buddy and play for the angels

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 30 Jul 2015 2:25 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIF1g5bRXiQ

"Dickens sent a telegram to Emmons in Detroit with travel arrangements, flew the kid to Nashville, picked him up at the airport and took him out to WSMâ€™s Studio C for the â€œFriday Night Frolics.â€ By the time Dickens played the â€œGrand Ole Opryâ€ that Saturday night, word was out.

â€œIt was like a lightning bolt struck,â€ says Steve Fishell, the steel guitarist who has just produced a multi-artist tribute album called â€œThe Big E: A Salute to Steel Guitarist Buddy Emmons.â€ â€œYou can see photos from that day with Dickens onstage and other steel players like Jimmy Day waiting in the wings, watching Buddy. His execution was flawless, and his ideas were brilliant. It was like nothing ever heard before on the â€˜Opryâ€™ stage. Buddy was dropped into the hottest band in country music, and it was an incredible launching pad for him.â€

John Gretzinger · Post by **John Gretzinger** » 30 Jul 2015 2:29 pm

The last time I saw Buddy play was with the Everly Brothers and Albert Lee. What a wonderful night that was.

I'm really gonna miss him.

jdg

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 30 Jul 2015 2:57 pm

I've been away from the internet for a few days so I just heard about this. It's depressing is what it is. I had the good fortune to meet him and hear him play on a dozen or more occasions and took part in a group seminar with Buddy and Jeff Newman once in St Louis. I also spoke on the phone and corresponded thru email with Buddy on a few occasions including when Joaquin passed away and Buddy wrote a few words for me to say on his behalf at Murph's funeral. I'm glad I got to connect with him like that. Like Joaquin before him he was really something special and in a class by himself. Rest easy Buddy.

Skip Cole · Post by **Skip Cole** » 30 Jul 2015 3:11 pm

Buddy, May you rest in God's peace.

Skip

Johnny Case · Post by **Johnny Case** » 30 Jul 2015 3:20 pm

My words are inadequate to express the great sorrow I feel. Sometime ago, I realized that Buddy Emmons would not be playing again, and ever since that sad day I've dreaded the finality of today's news. May he rest in peace, and be reunited with the love of his life.

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Very sad!