Buddy Emmons Biography Announcement

Fish · Post by **Fish** » 30 Dec 2010 8:55 am

After careful thought and consideration, Buddy Emmons has asked me to halt work on his life story.

He has been a generous and unselfish subject, but the demands on Buddy's time have far exceeded anything either of us ever imagined.
And he is right; I have already taken an overwhelming amount of time away from his retirement and it's time to pack it in.

I want to thank Buddy publicly for all his time and endless work. He has never once dodged a question and has been endlessly patient with
my curiosity, always giving honest answers far exceeding my wildest expectations.

Let me also thank all those who have contributed either by giving me their
time for interviews or who have kindly donated photographs, printed
materials, reviews and interviews towards this research. In particular I
would like to thank Paul Franklin, who has been most generous with his
time and unique insights about Buddy.

Lastly, thanks to everyone here at the forum who has offered help and encouragement throughout this effort. I hope we will all respect Buddy's
wishes at this stage in his life and let this idea rest.

Steve Fishell

Buddy Emmons · Post by **Buddy Emmons** » 30 Dec 2010 9:10 am

I want to thank Steve Fishell for his posting of my wish to discontinue working on the bio. What I originally thought would be a simple task on my part has turned out to be something that has taken far more time and effort to “get it right” than I had hoped for. Because of that, the thought of stopping the process has been an on again/off again situation in my mind for several months now, and I’m to blame for allowing Steve to continue his seemingly tireless efforts in vain. He has told me it was a labor of love for him, and knowing Steve as I do, I can believe that.

I originally gave Steve bio notes I had finished 22 years ago that included years 1937 to 1988, with 1988 being the year I started with the Everly Brothers. That left the years 1988 to 2007 to be finished later. I felt those years leading to my retirement were important because of the time I spent experimenting with different pedal steels as well as studio work involving the Swing Shift series of CD’s and various artists I recorded with. My intent was to finish the story up to the year 2007, but after numerous sessions at the computer, I haven’t started the first word yet.

Whether it’s a mental block, or whatever keeps you from putting your thoughts on paper, I cannot get myself to do it. As a result, not being able to finish those years has created a weight and distraction that affects every day I have to think about getting it done. So I regret having to call the bio off when it has had such a wonderful response, but I feel it’s better to stop now than allow it to continue with nothing to show for it.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 30 Dec 2010 9:30 am

I, for one, would be very happy to read a book entitled, "Buddy Emmons: The Early Years"... , even if Volume 2 were never released. Worth reconsidering (I hope)?

Whatever you decide, my very best wishes to you, E., and thanks to Steve for his efforts.

Ron Davis · Post by **Ron Davis** » 30 Dec 2010 9:33 am

Sorry to hear that it has to be stopped...
Hopefully at a later date inspiration may appear.

With, or without, a biography, your undeniable influence & stellar contributions will shine on & on...
Thank you, Mr. Emmons...!

All the BEST to you, Buddy.

rd

Dickie Whitley · Post by **Dickie Whitley** » 30 Dec 2010 10:14 am

Mr. Emmons, with everything you've already given us, with or without a bio, it's already more than most of us can ever hope to come close to. A sincere thank you for all the things you've done for pedal steel guitar. Best wishes for all things in your retirement.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 30 Dec 2010 10:39 am

Buddy, whatever your wish is, it will be respected. You have given enough of yourself and I wish you the greatest happiness this life can bring you. Focus on the present and the future--your past speaks for itself.

Leon Campbell · Post by **Leon Campbell** » 30 Dec 2010 10:54 am

Dear Mr. Emmons, I second all the above. Take good care of your self and thank you for all you have done in the steel guitar world. May God bless you in your retirement. Thanks, Leon

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 30 Dec 2010 11:11 am

You don't owe us anything Buddy. Your place in steel guitar history is secure along with Ralph, Jerry, Don and all the others who have defined the instrument. We have the marvelous recordings and videos to inspire us. Well done...no, very well done!

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 30 Dec 2010 11:55 am

hate to see history devoid of some real information from the source. i am talking 25... 50...100 years from now when scholars and diligent music lovers and students etc. really want to know.

i am a big chet atkins fan. the biography things on him are so sanitized and redundant. just not really that interesting. maybe thats how he wanted it.

this project is so close to being done. too bad.

John McGuire · Post by **John McGuire** » 30 Dec 2010 12:21 pm

Mr. Emmons while I was looking forward to the book I respect your decision. It is worth it just to see you post on the forum here one in awhile. Also Bobby Menard said to tell you Hi.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 30 Dec 2010 1:48 pm

Decision respected Buddy. All good things in time.

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 30 Dec 2010 2:02 pm

I believe a lot of Biografies are accomplished by recording a narrative and then having a third person transcribe it into the Computer. After it is compiled and edited the third person would then print it out and present it to the subject of the biography for further review and editing. Buddy would not have have to enter or look at anything on the Computer itself. As long and varied as Buddy's career was it must be hard to put everything in exact order and context. I hope he will be able to reconsider finishing the Biography. He is the Idol of so many of us !

Jack Stanton · Post by **Jack Stanton** » 30 Dec 2010 3:40 pm

Buddy,
You've given so much to the instrument we all love, not to mention our community at large, we can never thank you enough.
(although it is nice to see you pop up on the forum once and again).
Enjoy!

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 30 Dec 2010 4:24 pm

So... what was it that really happened when Buddy jumped off the balcony at that hotel?

Just kidding; I thought this thread might need a modicum of gravity, er, I mean levity. I'd rather listen to Buddy than read about him, anyway, and cherish the memories of watching him play, and actually playing with him a few times. He is The Man, no doubt, even if I never find out why the Country Boys shaved their heads.

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 30 Dec 2010 4:39 pm

Thanks for the effort Buddy. Nice to see you posting on the forum..Hope you have a Happy New Year..
Hook

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 30 Dec 2010 6:09 pm

Buddy,
Happy New Year!

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 30 Dec 2010 6:24 pm

Buddy's stage presence, charisma, technique, artist interaction and tone has yet to be equaled in this video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rr8cynrrJH0 I know a lot of you have seen this before, but it bears re-watching.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 30 Dec 2010 6:30 pm

That little smile says it all.

Fish, thank you for your work in getting the wheels turning on this project. I know you are probably more disappointed than any of us, but I'll bet you understand Buddy's decision better than any of us, too.

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 30 Dec 2010 7:10 pm

Everybody's inspiration. Comparable to so many musical genius's: Bird, Miles, Mozart, Chet, James Burton, Wichita, and so many others. It boggles the mind.

Joe Goldmark · Post by **Joe Goldmark** » 30 Dec 2010 7:11 pm

Hey Cal,

You didn't have to play steel to be in that band, but apparently it helped! Who are the other two steelers? Poor Jeannie looks scared to death. One more thing, I once saw a video posted on the Forum with Buddy and Ray Price doing Night Life, that was unbelievable. I haven't been able to find it again, but I don't know why it would have been removed.

Sorry to diverge from topic. I feel like I think most of us do, that we'll miss the biography, but we all have the utmost respect and love for Buddy and want him to do whatever makes him happy.

Joe

Also, you can get a few Buddy anecdotes by reading Johnny Bush's fine book.

Cal Sharp · Post by **Cal Sharp** » 30 Dec 2010 7:55 pm

Joe,
I wasn't in that Jeannie Seeley video, and don't know anything about it. And, yeah, that Night Life video seems to have disappeared.

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 30 Dec 2010 8:02 pm

Buddy, you have a world of admirers out here, those that play steel and those that don't, but have enjoyed your artistry and creativity for decades.

I grew up on country music from the mid fifties on... I could rattle off many hundreds of relatives, friends, acquaintances and parents that I know that love the music you've played. Many of them may not know that was you on the tune, but they loved your steel.

Thank you again.

Dave A. Burley · Post by **Dave A. Burley** » 30 Dec 2010 9:55 pm

Buddy...Thanks for the memories when we did some things in the mid-seventies. I have tried to write a story about those few years and I'll tell you, it's a job. I can't imagine writing something from the South Bend years til 2007. When you left South Bend it was awfully close to my years at Mickey's Club in Elkhart. .....Have a great retirement.
Dave A. Burley

Dean Parks · Post by **Dean Parks** » 30 Dec 2010 11:39 pm

Buddy, check out the beginning of Mark Twain's "new" autobiography. The opening pages explain Twain's inability to get going on his autobiography, and his eventual solution: forget the timeline, and just let one thing lead to another, sort of random-access. That idea, plus the decision to dictate it rather than physically write it, freed him, and it was his favorite process thereafter, i believe.

Whether this is useful to your writing or not, at least you'll see you're in good company to be stumped by the task!

And, thank you for showing how elegant music can be!

Dean

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 31 Dec 2010 6:38 am

you da Pope Buddy !
Happy new year !

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