Buddy Emmons: Steel Guitar Icon E-BOOK AVAILABLE NOW!

[Erv Niehaus]

John,
There are about 16 pages of pictures in the center of the book.
Erv

[John Ely]

Thanks Erv, I appreciate that.
John

[Richard Sinkler]

I got the Kindle version from Amazon a few days ago. Haven't read much yet as I am not really much of a reader, but so far, it is very informative and very well written. Great job Steve.

[J D Sauser]

I just finished reading the whole book.
I don't read many books, I think the last one I "ate up" was over a decade ago.

I was reticent about this book, I had not even bought the one about Jerry Byrd. But with my renewed interest in steel guitar, and my ongoing interest for history and Americana, the 50's etc I bit into it and to my surprise kept mauling thru it.
It is very well written and full of cross-references and testimony. And I find the "listening chores"... well, "suggestions" at the end of each chapter a great idea.
There is a lot we get to discover about BE's personal life, I am unsure he'd ever wanted "us" to know about. But it's interesting. The "Artist"-life was not a surprise, it went well with some stories I had heard. The "roaring" part was somewhat more than expected.

What really got me up going "I KNEW IT!" was his interest and at times dedication to Jazz and Bebop, well past Country and Western Swing.
But the fact that at 12 years old, the FIRST album he ever bought was a Jazz album featuring Flip Phillips, Barney Kessel, Ben Webster and Charlie Parker called JAM SESSION. The B side is a 15in Jazz Blues (quick-change Blues with turnarounds) BE remembers listening to avidly when he just started playing steel.

You can download the Album here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXP84ijiLbg&t=47s
"Funky Blues" starts at 48:00

The idea of a white lad, 12 years of age, from a household that listens to Country music, listening to THAT tells the BOOK on what was brewing in this kid's heart and mind. Imagine his first playing job had taken him to New York instead of Nashville... what steel guitar would be today!

It also sheds light about the hard truth of even the most talented musicians having to treat their singer "bosses" almost like royalty, with respect and fear of reprimand and for a pay which barely supports a growing family.
The camaraderie, respect but also competitiveness. These guys made hit records become that, all for union rate.

I highly recommend that book. Everybody will find "their" thing of interest, surprise or confirmation. But all in all, I suspect that even those who had the privilege to have known him during one or the other time periods, will discover surprises.

A fascinating person, well beyond his playing!... J-D.

[Bill Cunningham]

I received my copy as soon as Amazon started shipping them and can’t add anything to all the positive comments.

If Fish reads this I am curious if sales have met the business plan expectations. I surely hope they have exceeded so you and the publisher will be inspired and justified to take on another similar project. A few folks have suggested Lloyd. Should be easier as his sharp mind and meticulous records are still with us.

[Brendan Mitchell]

I bought the book from the suggested site university press but could not get the download to work . I bought it again on amazon and am now able to read it on my kindle . Still cheaper than shipping a book out to Australia .

[Roger Rettig]

I found that the book altered my perspective of Buddy Emmons. His almost off-hand demeanor on stage, his flippant and engaging sense-of-humor, and the way he made it look so easy all conspired to hide the staggering amount of sheer dedication he had for his craft.

His endless experimentation, the way he'd have his guitar with him on the bus in his bunk-bed so he could tweak and/or practice: this tells the real story.

It comes as a shock to learn that, although he was drawn to jazz at an early age, he was so excited to land his first significant gig with a country singer. And: he made his mark in both genres, blazing a trail whatever he played.

I finished the Kindle version many weeks ago and have started it again. I have concurrently been revisiting his catalog and his CDs are in my car's changer (there's just a space left for Gary Carter! ; surely the Big E was the best of all time?

[Garry Vanderlinde]

I've bought a couple, makes an excellent gift!

[Frank Freniere]

More kudos to Fish from Ask Zac at 25:40: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhJnLpBF924#t=25m40s

[Jeffery Self]

Nothing but good stuff! Loved the part of Buddy running off the road, so somebody else would take the wheel!!
Excellent job Fish!!!!!