Three years later in 1955, Emmons made a big splash with the addition of his Bigsby to the trademark twin lead guitar sound of Jimmy Dickens as a member of his backing band, The Country Boys, points out Kienzle, who got the opportunity to display their considerable musicality at Nashville’s Music City Recording Studio in January, 1956 on such blazing instrumentals as “ Country Boy Bounce,” “ Raisin’ the Dickens,” and “ Red Wing.”Ī partnership with Shot Jackson led to the founding in 1957 ( possibly 1955) of Sho-Bud Guitars, a top name in pedal steel, especially after Bigsby stopped their steel production. 2, 1963 - Name Checks 1963 CUTTING-EDGE ALBUMĪccording to Rich Kienzle’s notes for Amazing Steel Guitar: The Buddy Emmons Collection, Emmons, who was a native of Mishawaka, Indiana (hometown of fellow steel wiz, Herb Remington), had been playing a lap steel for four years when he ordered his first pedal steel guitar - a triple-neck Bigsby - in 1952 when he was just fifteen, “a pure custom job, complete with an onboard ashtray, cigarette lighter and Buddy’s name emblazoned across the front.” An enticing melody and Latin beat rounds out a dandy coupler. “Border Serenade” - Flip features more top-flight, light-hearted instrumental wax by Emmons and the crew. “Silver Bell” - The Buddie Emmons outfit takes hold of the delectable evergreen and wraps it up in a happy-go-lucky, quick beat instrumental fashion. Three years prior to Emmons’ stint with Decca, Cash Box had seen fit to review “Silver Bell” b/w “Border Serenade” in their edition (two years after a head-on collision with a truck), the second of two singles recorded for Columbia as “Buddie” Emmons : “… influential pedal steel guitarist” ( Reuters) “… steel guitar innovator” ( The Tennessean) “… world’s foremost steel guitarist” ( Rolling Stone) This gaping historical hole is in stark contrast to the high regard in which Emmons is widely held : It is disappointing that (as of 2021) Discogs and 45Cat are both bereft of entries for Emmons’ outstanding sole Decca single. Only image of this 45 I can find online - scary
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“Blue Wind” - This one with a Hawaiian flavor plus a touch of blues orientation. “Four Wheel Drive” - A swinging instrumental, has a country and jazz quality. “Four Wheel Drive” ( studio recording) Buddy Emmons 1959īillboard‘s Apedition awarded three stars (i.e., “good sales potential”) to the original Decca 45 release and praised “ Four Wheel Drive ,” an original composition, for its uniqueness of sound : Here is but a *45-second live demonstration (beginning to end) of Buddy Emmons’ singular genius with the pedal steel guitar : “ Four Wheel Drive” (live) Buddy Emmons 1965 This week we said goodbye to Buddy Emmons, one of the world’s great musicians and subject of three prior Zero to 180 pieces.