Buddie or Buddy?

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn

User avatar
Scott Duckworth
Posts: 3470
Joined: 6 Apr 2013 8:41 am
Location: Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
Contact:

Buddie or Buddy?

Post by Scott Duckworth »

Now I am confused! :eek:
Is it Buddie Emmons, or Buddy Emmons???


Image
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it

I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!
User avatar
Jim Cohen
Posts: 21749
Joined: 18 Nov 1999 1:01 am
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Contact:

Post by Jim Cohen »

It's Buddy. He just put that on the front of that guitar because it had six letters, same as his last name. He liked the symmetry of it but it didn't stick.
User avatar
Barry Blackwood
Posts: 7352
Joined: 20 Apr 2005 12:01 am

Post by Barry Blackwood »

Apparently he went by 'Buddie' in the early days. Here's an old picture of another guitar he played with 'Buddie' on it.

Image

This issue has been discussed before here on the Forum, but I don't know how to find it.
User avatar
Craig Baker
Posts: 1330
Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

Post by Craig Baker »

Back in 1984, I stood next to him as he checked in to a hotel to play a steel show we were promoting. When the clerk asked his last name, he carefully spelled it out for her so she wouldn't have any difficulty finding his reservation:

"E M O N D S"

One of those classic Buddy Emmons moments you don't forget.

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
Chris Lucker
Posts: 3139
Joined: 11 Aug 1999 12:01 am
Location: Los Angeles, California USA

Post by Chris Lucker »

The latest use of Buddie I have ever seen is the 1964 Emmons Brochure
Image
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.
User avatar
Jim Cohen
Posts: 21749
Joined: 18 Nov 1999 1:01 am
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Contact:

Post by Jim Cohen »

Scott's photo above looks to me to be photoshopped, with the face and hat pasted on...
Skip Edwards
Posts: 3009
Joined: 1 Dec 1998 1:01 am
Location: LA,CA

Post by Skip Edwards »

I believe the guitar in the first pic was the one Pete Drake bought, and put his name over Buddy's.

Image
Image
User avatar
Scott Duckworth
Posts: 3470
Joined: 6 Apr 2013 8:41 am
Location: Etowah, TN Western Foothills of the Smokies
Contact:

Post by Scott Duckworth »

The picture was actually on an eBay ad...

But is interesting to know the name transition.

I transitioned from "Scottie" to Scott in high school.

And NO, I cannot beam you up!

But a Duck is worth a lot!

:D
Amateur Radio Operator NA4IT (Extra)
http://www.qsl.net/na4it

I may, in fact, be nuts. However, I am screwed onto the right bolt... Jesus!
User avatar
Henry Matthews
Posts: 3974
Joined: 7 Mar 2002 1:01 am
Location: Texarkana, Ark USA

Post by Henry Matthews »

Chris Lucker wrote:The latest use of Buddie I have ever seen is the 1964 Emmons Brochure
Image
Nice pic Chris. I would love to have that 64 Emmons guitar. Do you know where that one is?
Henry Matthews

D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes.
Chris Lucker
Posts: 3139
Joined: 11 Aug 1999 12:01 am
Location: Los Angeles, California USA

Post by Chris Lucker »

Yes, I do know where that guitar is. I have had it for a number of years but it is currently on Mike Cass' bench. It will be coming back shortly.
Notice that it is a Stereo Guitar, but it has tall single coils, not Stereo pickups. It never was Stereo.
Chris Lucker
Red Bellies, Bigsbys and a lot of other guitars.
User avatar
Alan Brookes
Posts: 13218
Joined: 29 Mar 2006 1:01 am
Location: Brummy living in Southern California

Post by Alan Brookes »

Well at least we can eliminate Bud, Buddey and Buddi. ;-)

According to some biographies he was born Buddie Gene Emmons, but Buddy/Bud/Buddie is usually a nickname given to an eldest son who carries the same Christian name as his father, which would suggest that he was born Gene Emmons, Buddy being a nickname.

Anyone know what is on his birth certificate?
John Sluszny
Posts: 2237
Joined: 9 Apr 2001 12:01 am
Location: Brussels, Belgium

Post by John Sluszny »

...or Bud Dee !
Smiley Roberts
Posts: 4564
Joined: 3 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075

Post by Smiley Roberts »

But DO NOT,under any circumstances,call him "Bud"!!! :x :x
User avatar
Craig Baker
Posts: 1330
Joined: 19 Apr 2013 7:17 pm
Location: Eatonton, Georgia, USA - R.I.P.

the wrong hat

Post by Craig Baker »

In my opinion, Mr. Cohen nailed it. It seems to me that an obvious give-away in the first picture is the incorrect time line. I doubt he ever wore a derby during his Sho~Bud days.

Sincerely,
Craig Baker 706-485-8792

cmbakerelectronics@gmail.com

C.M. Baker Electronics
P.O. Box 3965
Eatonton, GA 31024
User avatar
Bill Cunningham
Posts: 2092
Joined: 6 Aug 1998 12:01 am
Location: Atlanta, Ga. USA

Post by Bill Cunningham »

When Roger Rettig pronounces his name it come out "But E" :lol:
Bill Cunningham
Atlanta, GA
Buddy Emmons
Posts: 1470
Joined: 10 Aug 1998 12:01 am
Location: Hermitage, TN USA * R.I.P.

Post by Buddy Emmons »

Just for the record, I first married when I was 17 years old, which required my mother to find my birth certificate in Mishawaka, Indiana and send to me. After weeks of waiting, my mother called and told me the holdup was due to my name being entered erroneously at birth. It wasn’t Bud or Buddy Gene. I was born Betty Jean Emmons. Had I used that name, I'd probably have been classified as a pretty good steel guitar player for a girl. Kinda wish I had now that I think about it. Anyway, I've had several people not believe Buddy is my real name. maybe I should have changed it to Horace.

The spelling Buddie was used as a teenager so I would have six letters in the first and last name. Talk about insecurity.
User avatar
Hook Moore
Posts: 4103
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: South Charleston,West Virginia

Post by Hook Moore »

Now, that's straight from the source !! :):)
Cliff Waterman
Posts: 104
Joined: 19 Sep 2002 12:01 am
Contact:

"Buddy"

Post by Cliff Waterman »

Buddy,
Can't tell you how much I appreciate seeing your post. We love ya and we really miss ya! Take care.
User avatar
Sid Hudson
Posts: 861
Joined: 16 Jul 2011 7:48 am
Location: Virginia, USA
Contact:

Post by Sid Hudson »

Betty Jean! That's a keeper!
User avatar
Cal Sharp
Posts: 2873
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: the farm in Kornfield Kounty, TN
Contact:

Post by Cal Sharp »

Jim Cohen wrote:Scott's photo above looks to me to be photoshopped, with the face and hat pasted on...
I thought it kinda looked like that too when I saw it in the Tennessean.

Great to see Buddy here. 8)
C#
Me: Steel Guitar Madness
Latest ebook: Steel Guitar Insanity
Custom Made Covers for Steel Guitars & Amps at Sharp Covers Nashville
Bobby Bowman
Posts: 2304
Joined: 30 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Cypress, Texas, USA, R.I.P.
Contact:

Betty Jean !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by Bobby Bowman »

Sid,
Lest we not forget,,,,,,LOL!
It does have a nice ring to it,,,,don't it? 8) :P
BB
If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!
http://www.bobbybowman.com
User avatar
Barry Blackwood
Posts: 7352
Joined: 20 Apr 2005 12:01 am

Post by Barry Blackwood »

Scott's photo above looks to me to be photoshopped, with the face and hat pasted on...
I think it's the real deal, Jim. Here's a couple more pictures to validate it.

Image

Image
The photos were taken when the guitar went into the CMHOF.
Russ Wever
Posts: 2666
Joined: 16 Dec 1998 1:01 am
Location: Kansas City

Post by Russ Wever »

Buddy's on line 64 with his Mom & Dad just above on 62 & 63. (not sure how much the for-um will downsize this)


Image



Image
Paul King
Posts: 5524
Joined: 27 Sep 2002 12:01 am
Location: Gainesville, Texas, USA

Post by Paul King »

I never saw those pictures of "Buddie" until recently. Buddy said that is his real name and regardless of how it is spelled I personally believe he is the greatest steel player of all time. Man, I love that Emmons sound.
User avatar
Bill Duncan
Posts: 1123
Joined: 10 Jul 2008 1:53 pm
Location: Lenoir, North Carolina, USA

Post by Bill Duncan »

Well, I still have one live hero!

I saw Buddy in 1977 in Charlotte at a club owned by Walt Barton, and on a break Buddy was changing a string. After he took it off I stopped him just as he was about to throw it on the floor and I asked him if I could have it. He laughed and said yes. He curled it up and gave it too me. I fastened it to the inside of my pack-a-seat and there it remains. Silly? Maybe. But it means something to me!
You can observe a lot just by looking
Post Reply