The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi Steve,
Yes, Buddy was special.

As far as his music was concerned, Buddy was in Nashville when producers wouldn't let C6th on a record. . . unless it was Buddy Charleton. Owen Bradley was the genius that made Decca so successful. Thank goodness, Owen realized Buddy could play either neck behind ET and make it sound great, and on E9th, it was mostly 2 pedals and 1 knee lever.

There are many comments on the forum about how kind he was. Personally, he sure "made my day". He was always my favorite player and the first time I handed one of my products, he played about 20 seconds, looked up and said: "Damn. . . where were you when I was on the road?" I grinned all the way home.

Thanks again Steve.

Warmest wishes for the Christmas season
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

Craig, Here are a few more Charleton/Leon Tunes. Like you and a lot of players on here, and like me too, can't get enough of the Texas Troubadoures.

http://picosong.com/k2Pt

http://picosong.com/k2cR

http://picosong.com/k2cY

http://picosong.com/k2cL

http://picosong.com/k2ch

http://picosong.com/k2cd

Hope you enjoy hearing some more good Country Music again.

What Steve Takacs said!

I only took about six lessons
from Mr. Charleton, but on each
one the main inspiration was
just finess and restraint...just seeing
someone doing more with less.

I remember him doing a version of "Danny Boy" just to show how to do bar slants,
making it look simple...

Great human being!

Many thanks for these clips!

I envy you gentlemen who took lessons from him. The only thing I learned was how wrong I was playing "Half A Mind".

Seems like there are enough Charleton fans on here to claim status as a genuine cult following.

Warmest wishes for the Christmas season
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

there's a tribute page on Facebook....

Craig Baker - Thanks very much for posting these. Nobody could duck in and out of a vocal like Buddy Charleton. I'll be listening to these solo'd tracks for a long, long time.

On Saturday March 8, 2014 @ 1:30 CST - the Country Music Hall of Fame will honor the great Mr. Leon Rhodes with it's quarterly program series: "Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City." Bill Lloyd will interview Leon and the program will feature music and video from the Hall of Fame archives and Leon's personal collection. Leon will also bring his guitar.The event will be streamed live online from the CMHOF website:

http://countrymusichalloffame.org/

Really great, Craig! Thanks for putting these classic TT songs up - especially highlighting Buddy and Leon's playing solos and together!

I was very fortunate to have had a number of lessons with Buddy in the mid 2000s. While I was in the area I would go out to Olny, MD to hear Buddy play in a little roadside tavern.

Such a great musician, who left me with some treasured memories.

Hi Bill,
Thanks so much for your note. Almost forgot about Olny and Oxen Hill.

Yes, to me Buddy was the master's master. See you're nearby in Atlanta. Please email or call when you have a chance.

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

I used to fly a little bit - Single Engine Land. My instructor at the time flew a cloth wing Aeronica!! He used to take me up and do hammerheads (against my protests - but then... it's too late!!!)

Love radios too... no longer have it but my dad gave me a Hammerlund Q100 receiver and speaker... loved to listen to it for hours.

Downloaded all the links - before we spoke!

ALL good!

Craig, lately I've been working the tracks you've "instrumentalized" very hard to develop my improv skils. They really are excellent; the tracks that is, not my improv skills!
If there is a bigger Charleton/ET fan out there than yourself, I have yet to meet them.
Much appreciated!
-Dan

Hi Dan,

Glad you've found some real "meat" in Buddy's hidden music. It's a real education in how a band should function.

Forum member John Buffington over in Owasso, not far from you is also a staunch Charleton fan. I think if Buddy had been arrested, John might have been in the next cell.

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

I'd been there in a heart beat. Still to this day I have to have a Charleton fix at least once a day! Also get the DVD of the old ET shows that feature Buddy and Leon on a few takes. These were taken when ET had his syndicated show back in the late 60's. Buddy is playing his Sho-Bud's and on one show he is playing a black p/p. Still can't get enough of my super hero. I got my DVD in Fort Worth at the ET Record Shop in the stockyards. The camera gets great shots of his hands on several of the songs/turnarounds.
John

I first met Buddy in 1958 he was playing a fender and later a Sho=BUD witch no rollers

Hi Teddy,
How did he sound in '58?

Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

Out of this world

Why did I even ask?

Best regards,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024

Here's a fave of mine...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQbcQR55MhU

... the performance on the Live recording is a lot faster, but this one is clearer.