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Topic: Buddy Emmons in the studio |
David Rogerson
From:
Victoria, Australia
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Posted 16 Sep 2015 10:13 pm |
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Back in 1975 I visited Nashville to catch up with some friends. While there, I contacted Fred Carter Jnr, whom I had known for a little while from previous visits.
Fred belonged to the A team of studio musicians (he played guitar on Paul Simon's "The Boxer") & had a studio in Goodlettsville. He invited me out to a session that evening to "sit & observe". I was more than pleased to see Buddy Emmons doing steel duty & I managed to get a seat about 3 feet to his right & watch him in action close up. The session was for a female singer called Anita (never did find out her last name) & 3 songs were recorded all up. During the various passes at the tunes Buddy never played a lick or fill the same way twice but still stuck to the theme & feel of the particular song. It all just flowed out of him.
This pic is from that session - the slightly blue cast is due to the ageing of the transparency film I used at the time (it's 40 years ago).
Buddy Emmons & Fred Carter Jnr. |
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Frank Freniere
From:
The First Coast
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Posted 17 Sep 2015 3:25 am
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| Keep 'em coming, David - thanks! |
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Joachim Kettner
From:
Germany
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Posted 17 Sep 2015 3:44 am
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Thank you David, great photo! I've just recently listened to a John Anderson album, on which they're both featured as lead players.
_________________
Fender Kingman, Sierra Crown D-10, Evans Amplifier, Soup Cube. |
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Tommy Detamore
From:
Floresville, Texas
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Tiny Olson
From:
Mohawk River Valley, Upstate NY
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Posted 19 Sep 2015 9:31 am
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I noticed the bolt-on too Tommy. It would be interesting to know of any other recordings Buddy used that horn on during that time period..??
Thanks for the cool photo David.
Chris "Tiny" O. |
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Tommy Detamore
From:
Floresville, Texas
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Posted 19 Sep 2015 9:40 am
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| Quote: |
| I noticed the bolt-on too Tommy. |
To be fair, a good friend pointed it out to me. I had missed it 
| Quote: |
| It would be interesting to know of any other recordings Buddy used that horn on during that time period..?? |
Indeed it would Tiny! Don't know if I have ever heard Buddy on a bolt-on. That I am aware of anyway....
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Tommy Detamore
Quilter Labs, Goodrich Sound, Source Audio, Neunaber Audio, and Stringjoy Authorized Dealer
www.cherryridgestudio.com
www.steelguitartracksonline.com |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 19 Sep 2015 10:09 am
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yeah, i wonder if he had that buddy emmons sound! 
(big sarcastic 'ha ha' here) |
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robert kramer
From:
Nashville TN
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Tommy Detamore
From:
Floresville, Texas
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Posted 20 Sep 2015 6:25 am
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Wow Robert now this is really getting interesting. I have played with Darrell off and on since the early 80's, and he has always done "Pins And Needles" in his shows. This makes me wonder if the entire "Lily Dale" album might have been done on a bolt-on. I need to dig it out and listen again.
Darrell himself is something of a steel nut. He has owned a few and can play. He might remember what Buddy used. I'm playing with him next weekend so I will ask.
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Tommy Detamore
Quilter Labs, Goodrich Sound, Source Audio, Neunaber Audio, and Stringjoy Authorized Dealer
www.cherryridgestudio.com
www.steelguitartracksonline.com |
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robert kramer
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 20 Sep 2015 6:18 pm
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Tommy - Please keep us in the loop this one.
I know. This changes things. "Dreams of a Dreamer" could be a bolt-on:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSu359nW8MQ
"Sad Songs and Waltzes"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY9zEdvYbv8
Here is the sessionography for "Lily Dale" recorded between Dec 22, 1975 and Oct 14, 1976.
22 December 1975 [10:00-13:00] Columbia Recording Studio, 34 Music Sq. East, Nashville, TN – Darrell McCall (Darrell McCall [vcl], Leon Rhodes [gt], Bob Thompson [gt], Buddy Emmons [steel], Dennis McCall, Ralph Gallant, Tommy Williams, Thomas Keels + vocal chorus. Producer: Buddy Emmons and Darrell McCall)
093 NCO 120539 PINS AND NEEDLES (IN MY HEART) 3-10296/KC 34718 BCD 15846
094 NCO 120540 EVERY GIRL I SEE 3-10296/KC 34718 BCD 15846
095 NCO 120615 WALTZ OF THE ANGELS unissued/ BCD 15846
096 NCO 120616 I JUST DESTROYED THE WORLD unissued/ BCD 15846
20 April 1976 [18:00-21:00] Columbia Recording Studio, 34 Music Sq. East, Nashville, TN – Darrell McCall (Darrell McCall [vcl], Leon Rhodes [gt], Dave Kirby [gt], Buddy Emmons [steel], Dennis McCall [bass], Karl Himmel [drums], Tommy Williams [fiddle], Thomas Keels [piano] + vocal chorus. Producer: Buddy Emmons and Darrell McCall)
097 NCO 126237 TENNESSEE KC 34718 BCD 15846
098 NCO 120963 I COME HOME TO FACE THE MUSIC 3-10410/KC 34718 BCD 15846
099 none ARE YOU TEASING ME unissued/ BCD 15846
100 NCO 126238 SAD SONGS AND WALTZES 3-10576/KC 34718 BCD 15846
21 April 1976 [18:00-21:00] Columbia Recording Studio, 34 Music Sq. East, Nashville, TN –
Darrell McCall (Darrell McCall [vcl], Leon Rhodes [gt], Dave Kirby [gt], Buddy Emmons [steel], Dennis McCall [bass], Karl Himmel [drums], Tommy Williams [fiddle], Thomas Keels [piano] + vocal chorus. Producer: Buddy Emmons and Darrell McCall)
101 NCO 126239 THE DAYS WHEN YOU WERE STILL IN LOVE WITH ME KC 34718 BCD 15846
102 NCO 126240 DREAMS OF A DREAMER 3-10576/KC 34718 BCD 15846
103 NCO 126241 IT'S MY LAZY DAY KC 34718 BCD 15846
104 NCO 120964 IT'S BEEN SO LONG DARLIN' 3-10410/ BCD 15846
14 October 1976 [18:00-21:00] Columbia Recording Studio, 34 Music Sq. East, Nashville, TN – Darrell McCall, *and Willie Nelson (Darrell McCall [vcl], Willie Nelson [duet vcl*], Leon Rhodes [gt], Dave Kirby [gt], Buddy Emmons [steel], Joe Osborne [bass], Jerry Carrigan [drums], Johnny Gimble [fiddle], Benny Martin [fiddle], Ernest Reed [fiddle], Buddy Spicher [fiddle], Thomas Keels [piano] + vocal chorus. Producer: Buddy Emmons and Darrell McCall)
105 NCO 126169 LILY DALE* 3-10480/KC 34718 BCD 15846
106 NCO 126170 PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME* 3-10480/KC 34718 BCD 15846
107 NCO 126171 HALF BEERED UP AND DRINKIN' unissued/ BCD 15846 |
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Ernie Renn
From:
Brainerd, Minnesota USA
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Mike Cass
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Posted 21 Sep 2015 12:35 am
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Buddy had at least a couple of bolt-on's over the years in addition to guitars he'd play for short time w/Ray to introduce the new model when it came out...that bit of 411 from The Chief himself, backed up by some pics from 60's shows he possessed which he showed me over the years I was there.
One bolt-on Buddy played he said actually belonged to Ron Sr.,(an early red belly, I saw it a few times later on @ The Emmons Factory)and one I think he said he got for or from his cousin. I believe it was Ron's guitar that E used on Jeannie Seeley's "Mr. Record Man"....look that up on YT, tone for days. He also was pictured sitting behind I believe Ron's horn on the cover of the Emmons Guitar Co. course# "BE-E9"..10 Ray Price tunes, and he may have used it on that course.
I know that Buddy used one, I think maybe his cousins guitar on an Osborne Brothers album; "Rocky Top To Muddy Bottom" ca. 1977, on the Chimer label, and that guitar I believe was the one that he eventually had Paul Sr. convert to an all pull system, and he used it @ Scottys Convention in '84. I believe that TC Furlong is the current owner of that fine axe. My guess is its the guitar
pictured above, pre the Franklin all pull mod.
Really, outside of The Wagon, The Blade and an S-12 C6 setup Sierra he had, Buddy didn't get too attached to guitars... I guess when you can play like him, guitars/gear really don't matter all that much  |
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Jim Anderson
From:
Phoenix, AZ
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Posted 21 Sep 2015 1:15 am
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| Mike Cass's posts have always been some of the most informative and enjoyable on the forum. I know he doesn't remember me, but I've been a huge fan of his since the "Steel Emporium" days. Thanks, Mike. |
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Frank Freniere
From:
The First Coast
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Posted 21 Sep 2015 3:36 am
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| Jim Anderson wrote: |
| Mike Cass's posts have always been some of the most informative and enjoyable on the forum. |
+1 |
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Tommy Detamore
From:
Floresville, Texas
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Posted 21 Sep 2015 4:25 am
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Thanks Mike C! Fascinating stuff!
Mona McCall told me yesterday that she remembers the steel Buddy used on the "Lily Dale" sessions as being black in color.
_________________
Tommy Detamore
Quilter Labs, Goodrich Sound, Source Audio, Neunaber Audio, and Stringjoy Authorized Dealer
www.cherryridgestudio.com
www.steelguitartracksonline.com |
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robert kramer
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 21 Sep 2015 8:08 am
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Thanks again Mike. Thanks Tommy - thanks guys.
Jeannie Seely w/ Buddy Emmons "Mr. Record Man" National Life Grand Ole Opry (1967)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNLuQF7oVI4
Buddy Emmons "Learn to Play Pedal Steel Guitar on the 10 String E-9th Tuning" Course No. BE E9 (ca. mid '70's?)
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Tommy Detamore
From:
Floresville, Texas
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Posted 21 Sep 2015 8:29 am
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Darrell also remembers Buddy's steel being a black one on those sessions. That still doesn't necessarily mean that it was the bolt-on in David's picture though I guess. Didn't Buddy have a black cut tail during that period? Maybe the one he played on the live album from the 1977 convention?
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Tommy Detamore
Quilter Labs, Goodrich Sound, Source Audio, Neunaber Audio, and Stringjoy Authorized Dealer
www.cherryridgestudio.com
www.steelguitartracksonline.com |
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Olli Haavisto
From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
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Posted 21 Sep 2015 9:37 am
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... Which still is one of the best steel albums ever.
Wore out the vinyls and bought a CD from Buddy himself at the 2007 ISGC, autographed.......
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Olli Haavisto
Finland |
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Tommy Detamore
From:
Floresville, Texas
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Posted 21 Sep 2015 10:06 am
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| Olli Haavisto wrote: |
... Which still is one of the best steel albums ever.
Wore out the vinyls and bought a CD from Buddy himself at the 2007 ISGC, autographed....... |
Totally agree Olli! I lost my vinyl copy in The Great Studio Fire of 2011 
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Tommy Detamore
Quilter Labs, Goodrich Sound, Source Audio, Neunaber Audio, and Stringjoy Authorized Dealer
www.cherryridgestudio.com
www.steelguitartracksonline.com |
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T. C. Furlong
From:
Lake County, Illinois, USA
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Posted 21 Sep 2015 2:00 pm
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Mr. Mike Cass you are correct. I have the red belly bolt on that Buddy had converted to an all pull Franklin undercarriage. The story I heard was Buddy was interested in converting his best sounding/favorite push/pull to an all pull system. Apparently he took delivery of the newly converted steel at or just before Scotty's show. He played it at the 1984 ISGA. He had a difficult time playing it in tune and attributed that to the aluminum pull rods. I got the guitar in the condition he left it in and set out to see what the problem was. It wasn't the pull rods. It was in fact two things that contributed to the tuning issues. The first was the fact that the axle was rocking ever so slightly when tension was increased. That's now fixed. The other problem is that the fretboard on the E9th neck was positioned about 1/4 of an inch sharp. I repositioned the fretboard correctly and it plays perfectly in tune. The Franklin changer and hardware are GREAT and it sounds like a bolt-on. I'll see if I can post a photo of it if anyone is interested.
TC |
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Tommy Detamore
From:
Floresville, Texas
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 21 Sep 2015 2:32 pm
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Me too...
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Lost Pines Studio
"I'm nuts about bolts" |
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Tiny Olson
From:
Mohawk River Valley, Upstate NY
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Posted 21 Sep 2015 4:40 pm
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Me too... or I mean three...
Very cool info and stories guys. I love this stuff !!
Chris "Tiny" O. |
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Tommy Detamore
From:
Floresville, Texas
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Posted 22 Sep 2015 7:56 am
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Isn't "Pins And Needles" the first recording to feature the 1st string whole tone raise (F# to G#) ?
I remember having to try to approximate those licks in the early 80's without having that change on my guitar. Close but no cigar
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Tommy Detamore
Quilter Labs, Goodrich Sound, Source Audio, Neunaber Audio, and Stringjoy Authorized Dealer
www.cherryridgestudio.com
www.steelguitartracksonline.com |
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robert kramer
From:
Nashville TN
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Posted 22 Sep 2015 8:38 am
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Tommy - It's the first time (late '75) I ever heard that change - I'm thinking also it was the first time on record.
Also - I remember seeing Buddy on a ROPE show in Nashville late 90's or early 00's and he was playing a late '70's black p/p split tail wasn't the guitar on "International Guitar Convention Presents Buddy Emmons Vol 1 & 2." |
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