Remembering Buddy Charleton

George Crowder · Post by **George Crowder** » 25 Jan 2016 3:45 am

It's been five years since Buddy Charleton left us.
Rest in peace Buddy. We loved your playing and will
always remember you.

Jimmie Misenheimer · Post by **Jimmie Misenheimer** » 25 Jan 2016 10:40 am

So mote it be... Jimmie

Pat Moore · Post by **Pat Moore** » 2 Feb 2016 12:06 pm

I hadn't looked here in a while. Buddy is sure missed back here at home. Great picker & friend. He was a real innovator and affected a countless number of today's monster players. I hope some of his friends and past students will chime in.
Miss ya Buddy! Lot's of great times!
Pat

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 2 Feb 2016 11:22 pm

Every now and then I bring out my compilation of Troubadour recordings. Let's listen one more time.

Your thoughts would be most welcome.

Enjoy the music,
Craig

Each of these tracks contain the songs as they were originally released, immediately followed by the same recording with the vocal removed.

This is a rare opportunity for devoted Texas Troubadour fans to really hear all of the music that until now was hidden under a vocalist.

If you never saw them perform live, you’re in for a treat. Buddy Charleton, Leon Rhodes, Jack Green and Cal Smith. Hope you enjoy the Troubadours.

WARNING: If you like the tone of an old Sho~Bud, these songs may be addictive.

Oklahoma Hills: http://picosong.com/RNtK

San Antonio Rose: http://picosong.com/RNtd

Walking The Floor: http://picosong.com/RND5

Pass The Booze: http://picosong.com/RKqx

Be Better To your Baby: http://picosong.com/RtZa

There She Goes: http://picosong.com/Ra8M

I Almost Lost My Mind: http://picosong.com/Rahq

I’ll Have Another Cup of Coffee: http://picosong.com/q6QF

An Old Faded Photograph: http://picosong.com/qxND/

How Can I Be Sure: http://picosong.com/qxKy/

The Wild Side Of Life: http://picosong.com/k5hq/

I Never Had The One That I Wanted: http://picosong.com/k5hY/

john buffington · Post by **john buffington** » 3 Feb 2016 8:47 am

Whenever I think of Sho-Bud, I think blonde maple aprons, a guy sitting behind it with his head down, totally immersed in his playing with a sheepish grin on his face. Tone to die for and licks that we're still trying to copy today. Thanks Craig for my Charleton fix for the day. Buddy is gone, but his playing is here to stay.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 3 Feb 2016 2:36 pm

Hi John.
Amen to the blonde maple, nothing prettier.

John, I keep going back and listening and listening and I miss it every time; would you please point out to me one more time just where Buddy used the Franklin pedal, or raised his E strings for that matter.

Craig

Daniel Policarpo · Post by **Daniel Policarpo** » 3 Feb 2016 5:59 pm

Craig, thanks again for posting such great recordings. Especially of value are the remixes you do, allowing the Charleton sound to come through loud and clear under those verses. Lot of gold in them thar' hills.
~Dan

john buffington · Post by **john buffington** » 3 Feb 2016 8:23 pm

Craig, Craig, Craig, listen very closely to ole Jon-Jon, the Hero never used a Franklin pedal nor did he have need to raise his E's a half step.

He done more with less than anyone I can ever remember IMO. His style didn't have need for such! I appreciate our mutual admiration for the Hero Buddy Charleton.

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 3 Feb 2016 9:43 pm

Thank you John.
I know, I know. Just wanted to see if you were paying attention. I particularly enjoy what he did on "There She Goes".

Craig

Dave Diehl · Post by **Dave Diehl** » 4 Feb 2016 9:44 am

I admired Buddy as a person as much as I did his playing. He was one of the most decent men I ever knew. I always though of him as a "big brother". Think of him and Kay Lee often!

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 4 Feb 2016 4:25 pm

Thanks for the post. I have been a fan of Buddy Charleton ever since I realized he was the Buddy ET was referring to instead of Buddy Emmons, many years ago on the Ernest Tubb Record Shop that came on right after the Grand Ole Opry.

I thought it was Emmons playing until I heard Tubb call his last name one night. I thought where did this guy come from that plays as good as Emmons?

(I know that NO ONE can play better than Buddy Emmons) but Charleton sure fooled me and Jack Drake,
who was the Troubadors Band Manager.

One night while they were loading in to play Hunter's Lodge, Jack Drake said he heard Buddie's Boogie being played out on the Stage and thought, How did Buddy get set up and be playing so quick?

Drake went to the edge of the stage and saw Buddy Charleton playing the tune! He later offered Charleton a job since Emmons was planning to leave soon. The rest is Troubadour History.

Although I never met Buddy Charleton, I believe I knew him through his playing. I have spent Hundreds of hours trying to learn to play like him, like many, of you have. I credit Charleton as among the very best players who ever lived!

During Buddys sickness I sent him a Get Well Card and wrote him a few lines telling him how much I loved his playing and thought he was "The Texas Troubadors". I wasn't sure he would see the card since it wasn't long after, he passed away.

One day I received a Thank You Card from Kay Lee Charleton, letting me know that she read Buddy what I wrote and she said he got a "kick" out of what I said in my note. Knowing that has meant a lot to me.

I believe that Where great Steel Players are talked about....Buddy Charleton's name will be in the conversation.

May God Bless Him and his family and friends.

Mike Archer · Post by **Mike Archer** » 4 Feb 2016 4:30 pm

I agree Roger buddy was awesome player and as I watch those ET shows im amazed at his talent
sure would have loved to see him at a show or somewhere

regards mike

Bob Ricker · Post by **Bob Ricker** » 4 Feb 2016 5:31 pm

I remember the first time I went to Buddy's place for a lesson.
I had just got the steel and seat out of the trunk and here come some upset geese and wild turkeys chasing me.

I was running around to get away and Buddy yelled at me from the front porch, "You could run faster if you put that steel down".

We always had a laugh about that. He was a great guy.

James Jacoby · Post by **James Jacoby** » 4 Feb 2016 5:40 pm

I lucked out, one time, at a steel guitar show in Washington P.A.! I got to see Buddy play live, a couple of years before he passed away. I wanted his autograph, but I didn't know where he went, after the set. I had to go to the bathroom, and as I was walking down the hall, on my way there,I spotted Buddy off in a side room, packing his gear away. What a rare opportunity! I had Buddy Charleton, all to myself! We had a short conversation, and I got my autograph! I had no idea, he was so close to the end of his life! -Jake-

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 4 Feb 2016 8:51 pm

Roger Kelly wrote:

"I believe that Where great Steel Players are talked about....Buddy Charleton's name will be in the conversation."

Roger, that's a great observation and if I may say so, I believe among those on this thread, his name will more than likely be at the top of the list!

Of course, the songs listed above are just a fraction of his work. Some might say I should get in tune with today's players, but the truth is, I never, never get tired of his playing.

Buddy Charleton. . . The best friend a steel guitar ever had!

Craig

Mike Kowalik · Post by **Mike Kowalik** » 5 Feb 2016 5:40 am

I've always been curious as to the copedent he used.....he was one that had the ability to get so much out of so little. Anyone have any info to share?

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 5 Feb 2016 8:22 am

Craig, I agree with your post. Altho I liked to hear ET sing, the ONLY reason I ever bought his records was because of Charleton and Emmons was playing Steel.

The Best compliment I ever received, was after playing a dance, a Steel playing buddy of mine said to me " On those slow one's you sounded a lot like Charleton to me". Don't I wish!

Craig Baker · Post by **Craig Baker** » 5 Feb 2016 8:43 am

Roger,
If that's the case, where are you located in Georgia? I'll have to come out and hear you play.

Craig

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 5 Feb 2016 9:47 am

Craig, I live in Summerville, Ga. and I wish I was still playing, but since I have lived here there's nothing but Bluegrass Bands playing as far as I know.

I was able to get in a few jam sessions with a guitar player and a Bass player once in a while. So, all I have been playing with for the past 6 or so years have been tracks.

I have a few tracks posted on YouTube if you would like to hear them.

https://www.youtube.com/user/sd10ritt

I did these videos with nothing but a small pocket Video Camera and a sound system in my music room over a period of several years.

My wife has COPD and I spend most of my time looking after her so, it has been a while since I have played with a Band.

I would love for you to come by anytime you are in my neck of the woods though.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 6 Feb 2016 2:02 am

Met him a few times over the years, the last was at St Louis many years back. I had a chance to just sit and talk for 10 or 15 min as we have a common friend. I made sure to thank him for the influence and great music he shared with us !

One of the true greats...

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 6 Feb 2016 9:18 pm

His teaching, encouragement and kindness meant the world to me.

Ray Uhl · Post by **Ray Uhl** » 8 Feb 2016 4:57 pm

Just for the record, he loved bolton Emmons. My kind of guy.