Buddy Emmons (September 2004)

'There are but a handful of vocalists I’ve worked with that bring out the best in me in a recording studio, and Gene Watson is one of them.

To be one of the finest vocalists on the planet and to have the respect of so many musicians, as well as his loyal fans, is something he should be very proud of.

Thanks Gene, for the wonderful musical moments you have allowed me to share with you'.

Thank you, Buddy Emmons, for your support of Gene Watson.

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About Buddy Emmons...

Buddy Emmons has earned a place among Nashville's elite as one of the finest steel guitar players in the business.  He was born in Mishawaka, Indiana & first fell in love with the instrument at the age of 11 when he received a 6-string lap steel guitar as a gift.

As a teenager, he enrolled at the Hawaiian Conservatory of Music in South Bend, Indiana & began playing professionally in Calumet City & Chicago at the age of 16.  In 1956, Buddy went to Detroit to fill in for Walter Haynes during a performance with Little Jimmy Dickens; soon afterwards, he was invited to join Dickens' Country Boys.  Buddy appeared with them a few times on the Grand Ole Opry & recorded with them on a few singles, including 'Buddy's Boogie' (1957).  He also recorded a pair of solo singles for Columbia, 'Cold Rolled Steel' in 1956 & 'Silver Bells' in 1957.

In the late 1950s, Buddy began playing occasionally with Ernest Tubb's band on Midnight Jamboree.  In 1963, he began a five-year stint with Ray Price & his Cherokee Cowboys & in 1965 he teamed up with fellow steel player Shot Jackson to record the LP 'Steel Guitar & Dobro Sound'.  This led the two to create the Sho-Bud Company, which sold an innovative steel guitar that used push-rod pedals.

In 1969, Buddy joined Roger Miller's Los Angeles-based band as a bass player.  When not touring with Roger, he did session work for a variety of artists.  Buddy quit Roger's band in 1973 & signed a solo contract, releasing several albums in the late 1970s.

After 1978, Buddy began playing for a number of small labels, where he & Ray Pennington occasionally collaborated with some of Nashville's finest sidemen as the Swing Shift Band.

In 1993, Buddy began touring with The Everly Brothers.  Throughout the 1990s, he continued to do session work.

Visit Buddy Emmons' Official Website