The Steel Guitar Forum

Does anyone have a link to Buddy Emmons last public video? My understanding is that he stopped playing professionally in around 2001 due to a repetitive motion injury. Did he play out after that diagnoses and was it captured on video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtXTE3GcSgw

It was actually at the International Steel Guitar Convention in 2007, just before Buddy lost his wife.

He decided to hang it up.

I was fortunate to be friends with Buddy and he sent me this:

Thanks Bill, I saw him (Emmons) on Country Family Reunion for the Ray Price tribute and at the time I didn't understand why he didn't play at all. You know how you sort of loose track of time and people when you get older, at least I do. Well anyway, that's when I found out about him having retired from playing professionally, then ironically he passed away not long after that. I'm still getting over the shock of all that. Thanks for sending me the link, I've actually seen it before but didn't know it was his last appearance. It must have been great to know him. I only ever saw him once in Lakeland, Fl.. at a seminar he did with Bill Payne. Very considerate of him to give you a signed CD, you must cherish that, I know I would.

What a great gift, Bill!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZgcSjzcEz8
This was recorded at Buddys home by Sid Hudson. It may be the last video of Buddy playing even though it is not at a steel show. As you can tell he was still very much on top of his game.

Thanks Paul,
I would have mentioned this video, but the question was Buddy's last public appearance, which was in 2007.

Another BE performance video from 2007 ISGC.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GllXOgF4DY

Buddy always appeared to enjoy performing at Scotty's Conventions.

Not only was Buddy able to amaze us with his jazz improvisations, he could leave us in awe with his emotional ballads.

Sorry Bill. I over looked that in the original posting.

Paul King wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZgcSjzcEz8
This was recorded at Buddys home by Sid Hudson. It may be the last video of Buddy playing even though it is not at a steel show. As you can tell he was still very much on top of his game.

Makes me want to lite my guitar on fire and roast weenies, and forget that I even tried to play this crazy contraption !

Thanks Paul and Bill. It was all very interesting video. I enjoyed all of them.

...and another. Shame the audio quality isn't up to the previous year. And now they're historical documents...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O28cI1B17c

(Off topic, but if you love that tune, here's Jody Cameron's version - on E9!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_LovsJJA_0

Had a hard time watching ......video ok....just hard knowing ....well you all get the rest...

when i call your name....sums up what a beautiful
connection there was with buddy and peggy. it's painful. it's beautiful. it's buddy's life!

You shoulda been there..... You could have heard a pin drop.... not an empty seat, and I watched a world famous PSG player and his family sit in the aisle on the floor to watch Buddy play

He created moments in my life I will never forget. He was lovely guy and I still think of him all the time.

Hey Barry,
I once seen him in Lakeland as well back in the early 80's with Dad when I was just a kid.
Was Bill Payne the fella that promoted those shows and seminars in Lakeland at the time? Seems I've heard his name, but can't figure from where?

Thanks, Jeff

Hi Jeff, don't know if you'll get this or not. I only just noticed this post surfing for something else. You're right about Bill Payne. He owned a Shop in Lakeland, Fl., He was a friend of Buddy Emmons and during the 80's and probably some time before Emmons would do Steel Guitar Seminars/shows that Bill Payne organized. I'd only gone to one show, but not the teaching seminar. I bought my first really nice steel from Bill Payne. It was a Sho-bud Pro III. Bill got sick in the early 90's, passed away and closed down his shop. Your pop picked up most of, if not all Bill's business and became the new steel guitar legacy in Central Florida. Your dad and I spoke about Bill Payne Music a lot. Bill Payne actually built his own (Keyless Tuning) steel guitar. I believe he simply called it a "Payne" guitar. I saw one of his steels, not long ago, but it had been through hell and back. He was an interesting guy and actually the "Goto Dealer" for a lot of years in the state. Your dad showed me a set of finger picks Buddy gave him from the day he saw him probably with you. They were the, now, JF picks that Jeff Newman sold. At the time the ones your dad had had BJ stamped into them and they were chrome plated. Buddy and Jeff were both vested in the finger picks at first and then Buddy pulled out for whatever reason. I bought a set of those off your dad, still have them too. I used them for over 30 yeas.

Hey Barry,
I thought that was the same fella, and yes I now have those picks from that day, in a case on the mantle. What memories! There's day's I can look at those picks and hear the music come from them. They still carry that Ora of Buddy!

Here is one of Buddy's last recordings he made in his basement.

Click here

Ron Hogan

Ron Hogan wrote:Here is one of Buddy's last recordings he made in his basement.

Click here

Ron Hogan

The emotion that man could get just by releasing his D lever, has always amazed me... And there’s just NOT enough of it out there.
Thanks for sharing this Ron, I hadn’t heard this before.

Dale Rottacker wrote:

Ron Hogan wrote:Here is one of Buddy's last recordings he made in his basement.

Click here

Ron Hogan

The emotion that man could get just by releasing his D lever, has always amazed me... And there’s just NOT enough of it out there.
Thanks for sharing this Ron, I hadn’t heard this before.

Now to me THAT's steel guitar!!! Yes, I know PSG has "progressed", as has "country music",,,but to me,,,,that is still what it's all about.

I was lucky to meet Buddy back in the 80's when my friend Chuck Rhodes, of Rhodes Music got him up here. He was great & just played his butt off & he went outside with me so I could get his picture by his van. We talked a little while & he was just such a pleasant soul. I have a picture or two around here of he & I. Probably the best show ever & Jeff Newman was also there, but I only had 'Ears' for Buddy, sorry Jeff if you can hear me up there. I also owe Jeff & Herby Wallace a lot for there great licks that I manage to get from them. Hell, I love all steel players, and I am sure you guys do as well. I am 74 years young & still at it.

Ernie Pollock 301-264-4172

D' VAN

Does anyone recall the year that he appeared on the 'Prairie Home Companion' New Years Eve show on PBS as a member of the backing band? Do remember that he was playing his black Zum 'Hybrid'.

Can anyone guess as to which year this video is from?
E is playing his JCH 10/12.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjv5tFcuStc