Gene "Buddy" Emmons

Buddy Gene Emmons (January 27, 1937 – July 21, 2015) was an American musician who is widely regarded as the world's foremost pedal steel guitarist of his day. He was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1981. Affectionately known by the nickname "Big E", Emmons' primary genre was American country music, but he also performed jazz and Western swing. He recorded with Linda Ronstadt, Gram Parsons, The Everly Brothers, The Carpenters, Jackie DeShannon, Roger Miller, Ernest Tubb, John Hartford, Little Jimmy Dickens, Ray Price, Judy Collins, George Strait, John Sebastian, and Ray Charles and was a widely sought session musician in Nashville and Los Angeles.

Emmons made significant innovations to the steel guitar, adding two additional strings and an additional pedal, changes which have been adopted as standard in the modern-day instrument. His name is on a US patent for a mechanism to raise and lower the pitch of a string on a steel guitar and return to the original pitch without going out of tune. He won the Academy of Country Music's "Best Steel Guitarist" nine times, beginning in 1969.

In 2013, two years before his death, he was honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame in a tribute called "The Big E: Salute to Buddy Emmons" featuring testimonials and performances by eminent musicians and hall of fame members.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 27, 1937 (Mishawaka), Died July 21, 2015 (Nashville)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1957 - 1962

Roles Represented in DAHR: steel guitar, electric guitar

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca NA 9881 7/12/1957 If you'll be my love Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 9882 7/12/1957 Someday you'll want me to want you Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 9883 7/12/1957 I saw your face in the moon Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 9888 7/14/1957 Try me one more time Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 9889 7/14/1957 I'd trade all of my tomorrows Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 9890 7/14/1957 Silver dew on the bluegrass Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 9897 7/16/1957 My Mary Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 9898 7/16/1957 Into each life some rain must fall Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 9899 7/16/1957 I gotta have my baby back Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 9900 7/16/1957 Hang your head in shame Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10131 2/18/1958 Sugar lips Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10132 2/18/1958 Rock it on down to my house Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10272 5/16/1958 Deep purple blues The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10273 5/16/1958 Please keep me on mind The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10274 5/16/1958 I wonder why I worry over you The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10275 5/19/1958 I'm a long gone Daddy The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10276 5/19/1958 You cheatin' heart The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10277 5/19/1958 Don't trade your old fashioned sweetheart (for a honky tonk queen) The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10278 5/19/1958 It makes no difference now The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10281 5/20/1958 San Antonio rose The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10282 5/20/1958 I always went through The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10287 5/22/1958 I want you to know I love you I've been there The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10288 5/22/1958 That, my darlin' is me The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10289 5/22/1958 I'll get along somehow The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10290 6/9/1958 Educated Mama The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10291 6/9/1958 I'm waiting for ships that never come in The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10292 6/11/1958 Half a mind The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10293 6/11/1958 Next time The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10294 6/11/1958 Goodbye sunshine, hello blues The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10383 9/24/1958 It's the age that makes the difference The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10384 9/24/1958 What am I living for The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10395 10/6/1958 The next voice you hear The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10396 10/6/1958 All those yesterdays The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10397 10/6/1958 Walking the floor over you The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10398 10/6/1958 When the world has turned you down The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10399 10/8/1958 I'll always be glad to take you back The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10400 10/8/1958 It's been so long darling The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10401 10/8/1958 Careless darlin' The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10402 10/8/1958 Through the days where only seven The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10405 10/9/1958 Last night I dreamed The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10406 10/9/1958 Slipping around The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10407 10/9/1958 I love you because The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10408 10/9/1958 There's nothing more to say The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10412 10/10/1958 There's a little bit of everything in Texas The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10413 10/10/1958 You nearly lose your mind The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10414 10/10/1958 Blue Christmas The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10415 10/10/1958 Don't rob another man's castle The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10434 10/28/1958 My French Canadian girl Montana Slim instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10435 10/28/1958 Sick, sober and sorry Montana Slim instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10444 10/29/1958 Almost lonely Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10445 10/29/1958 Giveaway girl Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10446 10/29/1958 Heart's command Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10625 2/23/1959 What I know about her The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10626 2/23/1959 I cried a tear The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10627 2/24/1959 Let's say goodbye like we said hello The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10628 2/24/1959 Driftwood on the river The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10629 2/24/1959 I wonder why you said goodbye The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10630 2/26/1959 Tomorrow never comes The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10631 2/26/1959 Filipino baby The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10632 2/26/1959 I'd rather be The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10633 3/2/1959 Letters have no arms The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10634 3/2/1959 Rainbow at midnight The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10635 3/2/1959 Have you ever been lonely The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10636 3/2/1959 I will miss you when you go The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10637 3/2/1959 I'd rather be The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10693 4/16/1959 Buster's gang Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10694 4/16/1959 I wish I could love that much Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10695 4/16/1959 I know you do Justin Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10872 10/5/1959 Four wheel drive Gene "Buddy" Emmons instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10873 10/5/1959 Blue wind Gene "Buddy" Emmons instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10874 10/5/1959 Highland swing Gene "Buddy" Emmons instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 10875 10/5/1959 Greensleeves Gene "Buddy" Emmons instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11021 3/20/1960 Live it up The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11022 3/20/1960 (I've lost you) So why should I care The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11023 3/20/1960 Accidently on purpose The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11064 3/29/1960 Do it now The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11065 3/29/1960 He'll have to go The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11066 3/29/1960 Mister Blues The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11067 3/29/1960 The kind of love she gave to me The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11072 3/30/1960 Pick me up on your way down The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11073 3/30/1960 This ain't the blues (Instrumental) The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11078 4/6/1960 You win again The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11079 4/6/1960 I believe I'm entitled to you The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11080 4/6/1960 A guy named Joe The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11081 4/6/1960 Who will buy the wine The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11082 4/7/1960 Why I'm walkin' The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11083 4/7/1960 White silver sands The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11084 4/7/1960 Am I that easy to forget The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11164 6/6/1960 Ev'rybody's somebody's fool The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11165 6/6/1960 Let the little girl dance The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Decca NA 11267 9/21/1960 Candy kisses The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11268 9/21/1960 It happened when I really needed you The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11269 9/21/1960 Wondering The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11270 9/21/1960 Cold, cold heart The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11274 9/29/1960 I love you so much it hurts The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11275 9/29/1960 I walk the line The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11276 9/29/1960 Little ole band of gold The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11281 10/25/1960 Wabash cannon ball The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11282 10/25/1960 I'm moving on The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11352 12/4/1960 Thoughts of a fool The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11353 12/4/1960 Girl from Abilene The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11354 12/5/1960 The same thing as me The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11355 12/5/1960 Christmas is just another day for me The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11356 12/5/1960 I hate to see you go The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11357 12/5/1960 I'm sorry now The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11562 5/28/1961 Got to sleep conscience The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11564 5/28/1961 Londonderry air Gene "Buddy" Emmons instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11565 5/28/1961 Through that door The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11604 6/29/1961 What kind of God do you think you are The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11606 6/29/1961 Rose city chimes Gene "Buddy" Emmons instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11711 9/14/1961 Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11712 9/14/1961 I never could say no The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11713 9/14/1961 In and out The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11813 11/30/1961 Sweet baby-1 Johnnie and Jack instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11814 11/30/1961 The moon is high and so am I Johnnie and Jack instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11815 11/30/1961 36-22-36 -2 Johnnie and Jack instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11816 11/30/1961 What do you think of her now-3 Johnnie and Jack instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11978 3/27/1962 Poison love-1 Jack Anglin ; Johnnie (Johnny) Wright instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11979 3/27/1962 Bye bye love Jack Anglin ; Johnnie (Johnny) Wright instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11980 3/27/1962 Slow poison Jack Anglin ; Johnnie (Johnny) Wright instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11981 3/27/1962 Foolin' around Jack Anglin ; Johnnie (Johnny) Wright instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11982 3/28/1962 Waterloo-1 Jack Anglin ; Johnnie (Johnny) Wright instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11983 3/28/1962 A little bitty tear Jack Anglin ; Johnnie (Johnny) Wright instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11984 3/28/1962 I overlooked an orchid-1,2 Jack Anglin ; Johnnie (Johnny) Wright instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca NA 11985 3/28/1962 You'll never get a better chance Jack Anglin ; Johnnie (Johnny) Wright instrumentalist, steel guitar  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Emmons, Gene "Buddy"," accessed November 7, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/202947.

Emmons, Gene "Buddy". (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 7, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/202947.

"Emmons, Gene "Buddy"." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 7 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/202947

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