The Authorized Buddy Emmons Biography

Fish · Post by **Fish** » 28 Mar 2010 12:06 pm

I’m pleased to announce that I am in the early stages of research for a book about Buddy Emmons. Buddy has authorized this project and has graciously granted me unprecedented access. Through his spoken and written recollections, I hope to tell the complete story of Buddy’s countless discoveries, inventions and innovations – both musical and mechanical – on the modern pedal steel guitar as we now know it, as well as chronicle the many changes in country music he’s witnessed since his arrival in Nashville during the summer of 1955 to join Little Jimmy Dicken’s band The Country Boys.

I’m deeply humbled that Buddy has given me his “blessing” for this assignment, and I intend to work as hard as I can to get his story right. My background includes playing steel with Emmylou Harris and Commander Cody, freelancing for Guitar Player magazine and producing records for country artists like Radney Foster, The Mavericks, Albert Lee and Pam Tillis. Buddy has honored me many times by agreeing to play on sessions I've produced, and those moments were distinct highlights in my career.

My goal is to write this story from a universal perspective so that anyone could pick up the book and learn something they didn’t know about country music, the non-pedal and pedal steel guitar and most importantly, Buddy’s role in this rich American cultural history. I expect this project to take at least a year to complete. For that reason, I won’t be lurking here as often as I would prefer.

The Steel Guitar Forum is a one-of-a-kind resource for ideas, historical perspective and great stories about Buddy and his steel guitar playing. In fact, Buddy’s responses to questions in the “Any More Buddy Emmons Surprises” thread are what kicked this project to the next level. So, at some point in the future I will call upon all of you for help with photos, recollections, and eye-witness accounts of early Buddy Emmons sightings on the road with the likes of Little Jimmy Dickens, Ernest Tubb, George Jones, Ray Price, Roger Miller, the Every Brothers, and more. It’s too early for this now; however, please start digging through those old photos and jotting down those old memories for us. You never know what you might turn up (like a rare view from the audience of Buddy onstage with Ernest Tubb or Ray Price in the early 60's) that could be useful in the book.

And please tell your friends and family about the project. Through the forum’s help we can spread the word about Buddy’s upcoming story so that it reaches as many people as possible and ultimately winds up on every library bookshelf possible.

thanks to everyone and special thanks to b0b and the Steel Guitar Forum,

Steve Fishell

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 28 Mar 2010 12:30 pm

Hats off to you, Steve. I'll be the first one in line!

Jim Lindsey (Louisiana) · Post by **Jim Lindsey (Louisiana)** » 28 Mar 2010 12:32 pm

I'm right there in line with Barry.

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 28 Mar 2010 12:57 pm

Thats great Fish ! I can hardly wait to read your work..Thanks Big E...
Hook

Bent Romnes · Post by **Bent Romnes** » 28 Mar 2010 1:25 pm

Steve, please put me in line for a book
Good luck with your project!
Bent

Joe Rogers · Post by **Joe Rogers** » 28 Mar 2010 1:33 pm

Steve, I cannot think of a more anticipated event in the music world, much less the steel guitar world. Congratulations on receiving the honor, I cannot wait to read it!

Joe Rogers

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 28 Mar 2010 1:42 pm

Steve...

Best of luck with this exciting project - I can't imagine it being in better hands!

And a huge 'Thank You!' to Buddy for agreeing to participate in something that promises to be a landmark event in American music history.

Now I can't wait!!!

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 28 Mar 2010 2:20 pm

This is 'Beautiful!

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 28 Mar 2010 2:21 pm

I'm saving up my coins for this one!

Austin Tripp · Post by **Austin Tripp** » 28 Mar 2010 2:41 pm

In my opinion this is bigger than the Super Bowl!! Thank you so much Steve for you research and dedication towards the book. I can't wait to get my copy. Any autographed copies by any chance?

Fred Wright · Post by **Fred Wright** » 28 Mar 2010 2:55 pm

Fish,
Congratulations! I hope you enjoy the trip as much as I did writing and publishing Reece Anderson's biography.
Fred

Sonny Priddy · Post by **Sonny Priddy** » 28 Mar 2010 3:05 pm

I'm In Line For One. SONNY.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 28 Mar 2010 3:05 pm

Excellent news! Take your time, but hurry up!

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 28 Mar 2010 3:24 pm

Excellent! Can't wait to read it!

Mike Kowalik · Post by **Mike Kowalik** » 28 Mar 2010 3:34 pm

Glad to see this is happening.....I'll definitely buy a copy!!

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 28 Mar 2010 3:40 pm

Put me down for one!!!

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 28 Mar 2010 3:47 pm

we all want one. you'll be a rich man, steve. will wayne goodwin be mentioned? i'm still concerned about him.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 28 Mar 2010 4:02 pm

I look forward to reading it.

Bernie Gonyea · Post by **Bernie Gonyea** » 28 Mar 2010 4:39 pm

Steve : By all means, save me a copy of such a book on our Buddy; will be waiting with abated breath for such a master-piece..Can't wait..Bernie

Frank Harris · Post by **Frank Harris** » 28 Mar 2010 4:42 pm

PUT ME DOWN FOR A COPY TOO, A WELL DESERVED BOOK

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 28 Mar 2010 4:48 pm

This is super news!

Bill Moore · Post by **Bill Moore** » 28 Mar 2010 5:32 pm

Alright!!! Looking forward to it!

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 28 Mar 2010 5:42 pm

Well Steve,
I'm one that can wait cause I want you to take your time and be sure and get it right. So I'm waiting with tense anticipation. Good luck. And Buddy You sure got us all in a tither he he.

Larry Rafferty · Post by **Larry Rafferty** » 28 Mar 2010 5:58 pm

Great News! I'm looking forward to buying a couple of copies of this book.

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 28 Mar 2010 6:03 pm

This is the best news I had in a LONG time.

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The Authorized Buddy Emmons Biography

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