Over the years I've grown to regard Sierra guitars as the well-built high quality steels that they are; but, at the risk of being crucified by a few Sierra players out there, there was a time when (for reasons I can't even put my finger on) I despised Sierra guitars and considered them as bottom-of-the-barrel steels. It was during that time when I had those ill feelings toward Sierra guitars that Buddy got that white Crown he played for awhile ... and it was that guitar that was the catalyst that allowed me to break ice with "The Big E".
I'd known Buddy as an acquaintance (through Gary Hogue) for a few years, but each time I saw him it was always the same; I'd manage to utter "Hello, Mr. Emmons, it's so nice to see you" and then I'd clam up unable to speak. Buddy must have thought me the most bashful steel player to ever live because our encounters were always the same.
Right after Buddy got that white Sierra Crown, Gary Hogue and I were strolling around the Dallas show talking and we spied Buddy and Jimmy Day at Buddy's table/booth in the main ballroom. Gary wanted to say hello to him, so we headed over.
As Gary launched into conversation with Buddy & Jimmy, I just stood there mute and dumb staring at Buddy sitting behind that Sierra guitar. After several moments, Gary remembered me and said, "Hey, Buddy, you remember my friend, Jim?"
Buddy looked at me, smiled brilliantly and said, "Yes, I sure do. What do you think of my new axe?" and he pointed to his Sierra ... what followed was a total surprise to me, Buddy, Jimmy and Gary ...
I just stood there with, I guess, a look of dismay and said, "Oh, man, Buddy, I didn't think you'd stoop so low!" ....... OMG! What did I just say? What did I just do? This was, I'm sure, the last thing in the world Buddy expected to hear ... his jaw dropped open and his expression was one of total shock ... Jimmy day exploded laughing and stood there slapping his knee so hard, his face red with laughing, and we thought he'd have to go outside for some fresh air ... Gary Hogue looked at me in a horrific manner as if I'd just sprouted real devil horns and a tail.
That moment of awkward shocked silence lasted only a brief second or two, but it seemed an eternity for me as I tried to shrink inward and turn invisible ...
Then Buddy burst out laughing and said, "So, why don't you tell me what you
really think?" and he joined into genuine good-hearted laughter with Jimmy Day, who still looked on the verge of a complete apoplexy.
In short order, we were all laughing ... actually, loud enough that people around us were beginning to stare ... Buddy looked at Jimmy Day and said, "Looks like the kitten's grown some teeth!" which set Jimmy off again and then Buddy noticed I had my camera and surprised me by saying, "Well, break out that camera and come sit for a photo. This is a real Kodak moment. It's not everyday I get my teeth bashed in at a steel show!" and he exploded laughing again and actually gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder.
Gary took the camera and snapped this picture of me, Buddy and Jimmy ...
The funniest thing was that my blunder had really broken some ice with him. Thereafter, whenever I'd see him at steel shows, we'd talk and laugh and have really nice fun visits.
