The Steel Guitar Forum

I sure hear the Julian Tharpe influence (Circle Be Unbroken) in Buzz's playing. Buzz plays just wonderful. Cass

Cass, Buzz's main influence was Curly Chalker...Although he has a great appreciation for all the greats, a few did stand out..
Julian was something of an enigma in the late 70s..he was the first steel player I ever played with....tough to be a guitar player around that guy...I was 19....LOL

Just when I think that I've heard all of the best music; I watch the video of Buzz at the "Rocky Mountain Steel Show" and the guy gives me goose bumps. I can appreciate the influence of Curly and Julian, but IMO, Buzz takes it even further, if that's possible. Wow, thank you Buzz Evans, I think I'll put mine away!!! Naw, I'll keep on picking.

Buzz Evans=as good a steel and guitar player as you'll find anywhere..and a really nice man...a lethal combination.

Why he's one of Tom Bovine's favorite steel players. Tom's bass player remembers Buzz from some gigs Buzz played in Connecticut back in 19--(something or other) possibly Compton?

Note to Buzz's friend: ask Buzz if he remembers Dick Curliss, Perry Sisters, Sheila Gernon, JoAnne Haynes, that should ring a bell; and of course Smiley. These folks came out of the same area and Buzz has been a well respected musician since forever--probably even before he was born. Awesome talent!

Just wanted to add here, I meet up with Buzz and one of his "Two Smooth" partners, Ross Lewis in Las Vegas. Saw them play at the Rail Road Pass Hotel and Casino Friday 3/1 and again at the Skyline Casino on Sunday 3/2 (they play there again this Sunday, see www.twosmoothvegas.com ). They sound great!

Had lunch with them Saturday and then chatted a bit with Buzz and Ross after their gig Sunday. Buzz is still using his Mullen talked about in this thread. Since I'm just starting out playing PSG, he gave me a few tips and hints. SO I bought one from someone on this Forum, a GFI Ultra.

Man, not often you get to talk to real musicians, and as nice as these guys are! Very much the pinnacle events while in Vegas (I was working, kinda ...). I bought one each of their CDs. I play Buzz's pretty much every day going to work. Awesome!


Here is a hand written note from Buzz on several of his musical influences:

Buzz is one of the greatest either on steel or guitar. Back in the early 80's I was working with Thumbs here in Wyoming and Thumbs decided he wanted to go back on the road and hit the LA jazz joints and I just wasn't ready to go back on the road so Buzz took my place with Thumbs. Great memories.

For all you "Buzzards"!!....I spoke with Buzz just a few days ago. some of you may not know that Buzz is a long time friend of Del Mullen also..Buzz has been playing Mullen guitars for 20+ years. He is still playing with Ross regularly, as well as doing some session work in Vegas...We are going to try and get him back into the PSG show circuit, as talent like his doesn't grow on trees...hes a masterful player, and I'm proud to call him a friend...!

It took me awhile to find out what Buzz's long time friends have known for years. Buzz has the best ears in the business. His precise hearing and infinite patience allowed us to optimize every aspect of the new Evans 500 Watt series amps. Buzz prefers the tone of a new Evans 500 amp played through two 10" speakers. I look forward to personally thanking him in Las Vegas this summer.