Sonny Burnette
Moderators: Donna Dodd, Lori Lee Smith
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Reggie Duncan
- Posts: 2321
- Joined: 17 Dec 2001 1:01 am
- Location: Mississippi
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Chris Scruggs
- Posts: 815
- Joined: 20 Jan 2003 1:01 am
- Location: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Even though it was Bud Isaacs who invented the E9 pedal sound, there was a good long stretch in country music when Sonny had played "the new style" on more hit records than anybody else. While Bud pointed the way, it was Sonny who was the pedal steel's first long distance pioneer, taking the instrument (and the E9 tuning) farther than anybody else had to date.
For so long, many people just assumed it was Isaacs on all of those recordings. I remember Bob Kramer's jaw dropping when I informed him that it was Sonny, not Bud, who played the turn around on "I'm Tired". He said,"All my life I thought that was Bud! I need to tell Sonny that that's my favorite turn around of all time!"
What's amazing to me is to watch him play behind Webb Pierce on the Gannaway shows of the '50s. In an era before Buddy Emmons' chromatic strings, Ralph Mooney's G# string, Jimmy Day's tonic note (today's 8th string) or even split pedals (his Bigsby, formerly owned by Johnny Sibert briefly had split pedals but was converted back to the non-split set up by Shot Jackson), Sonny effortlessly plays the most beautiful, in depth, harmonically rich pedal steel guitar. His bar technique is on par with a player like Jerry Byrd and his left hand is in constant motion to make the melodies work given the limitations of the early E9 tuning.
None of that "resting his left hand on one fret and letting his feet fo all the work" approach you see so often today, he was PLAYING that thing!
Rest in peace, Sonny.
Chris Scruggs
For so long, many people just assumed it was Isaacs on all of those recordings. I remember Bob Kramer's jaw dropping when I informed him that it was Sonny, not Bud, who played the turn around on "I'm Tired". He said,"All my life I thought that was Bud! I need to tell Sonny that that's my favorite turn around of all time!"
What's amazing to me is to watch him play behind Webb Pierce on the Gannaway shows of the '50s. In an era before Buddy Emmons' chromatic strings, Ralph Mooney's G# string, Jimmy Day's tonic note (today's 8th string) or even split pedals (his Bigsby, formerly owned by Johnny Sibert briefly had split pedals but was converted back to the non-split set up by Shot Jackson), Sonny effortlessly plays the most beautiful, in depth, harmonically rich pedal steel guitar. His bar technique is on par with a player like Jerry Byrd and his left hand is in constant motion to make the melodies work given the limitations of the early E9 tuning.
None of that "resting his left hand on one fret and letting his feet fo all the work" approach you see so often today, he was PLAYING that thing!
Rest in peace, Sonny.
Chris Scruggs
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Peter Freiberger
- Posts: 1936
- Joined: 22 Mar 2007 7:45 am
- Location: California, USA
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Johnny Cox
- Posts: 3043
- Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
- Location: Williamsom WVA, raised in Nashville TN, Lives in Hallettsville Texas
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Tommy Shown
- Posts: 2674
- Joined: 9 Oct 2008 4:10 pm
- Location: Denham Springs, La.
I agree Johnny. I have a copy of the Grand Ole Opry Staff band album. The most beautiful song to me on that album. Was Sonny's Medley. Where he played Softly and Tenderly,and What A Friend. I remember, whenever I stayed in Nashville. I would watch the early morning show, on channel 4, WSMV. And I would see Sonny playing steel. And then later on I would listen to him on the Wrecking Crew show on WSM. Truly an outstanding player, who'll be missed by us all. I also have a copy of the Steel Guitars of the Grand Ole Opry. Sonny, Hal, and Weldon. Weldon, my heart goes out to you. And you to Ron. Y'all have lost a great friend. I pray God, will comfort y'all and Sonny's family at this time.
Tommy Shown
Tommy Shown
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Weldon Myrick
- Posts: 55
- Joined: 8 May 2001 12:01 am
- Location: Nashville, TN, USA * R.I.P.
From Sonny's cousin, Tim Harkleroad
I was honored to read the posts about my cousin, Basil Everette "Sonny" Burnette, Jr. I idolized my big cousin since he was on the Grand Ole Opry and his other career accomplishments. When we would visit, he would take me to the Opry and also to the Ralph Emery Morning Show. Those are some of the incredible memories I have of Sonny.
One of the greatest lessons Sonny gave me was teaching me the Number System. I play Banjo and Dobro and am the show director in the Hatfield and McCoy Show in Pigeon Forge, TN. He also taught me to use needle nose pliers to form my picks to my fingers.
For those of you concerned, he told me he had made peace with God and knew where he was going.
Thank you for your indulgence.
Sincerely,
Tim Harkleroad tim@feehedrick.com
One of the greatest lessons Sonny gave me was teaching me the Number System. I play Banjo and Dobro and am the show director in the Hatfield and McCoy Show in Pigeon Forge, TN. He also taught me to use needle nose pliers to form my picks to my fingers.
For those of you concerned, he told me he had made peace with God and knew where he was going.
Thank you for your indulgence.
Sincerely,
Tim Harkleroad tim@feehedrick.com