Tribute To Emmons On Opry Live

Dave A. Burley · Post by **Dave A. Burley** » 18 Apr 2003 10:18 am

Don't you all think that it's about time that the Grand Ole Opry has a tribute to Buddy Emmons during their live Sat. night nationwide TV show?
I have done a little research on this and it has a possibility of becoming a reality.
My concept is: Little Jimmy hosting...Guest artists......Ray Price, George Jones, Willie Nelson and the Everly Brothers. Buddy on a riser, center stage, and Buddy performing with each artist as they appear.
I have already talked to a few of these artists and they are more than willing to be a part of it.
Right now I am in the process of talking to the powers that be at the Grand Ole Opry.
Chet Atkins and Jerry Douglas have been featured on the Opry many times. Why not the greatest steel guitar player ever?
When I get a little furthur into this concept, I might need a little help from many of you on the Forum, such as emails to specific people at the Opry.
I'll keep in touch and let you know how the progress is going.
The internet is a very strong tool and many things can be accomplished if you believe in it.
Who would have thought that when we started the first petition drive to keep the Grand Ole Opry on WSM live it would mushroom into so many thousands of emails to Gaylord, the owner of WSM.
We won the war.
What do you think?
Dave A. Burley

john buffington · Post by **john buffington** » 18 Apr 2003 10:22 am

Great idea!! Long over due.
John Buffington

C Dixon · Post by **C Dixon** » 18 Apr 2003 10:56 am

I will help in ANY way I can.

NO musician ever in the history of music deserves it more. There are very few musician indeed, that have the honor of creating to a large degree the beginning and evolution of a unique musical instrument.

While the Steel Guitar (which originated as a Hawaiian Guitar) has been around since Joseph Kekuku invented it in the late 1800's, the Steel Guitar that we know today, holds NO person in higher esteem than Buddy Emmons. In fact, no player could hold as high a realm as Buddy.

What he as created and achieved is unprecedented IMO, on ANY musical instrument that I know of.

In a word, he epitomizes the ole saying,

"He has forgotten it when the rest of us think about it!"

May God bless this incredibly and unbelievably talented man. NEVER was another before him; there is not one now; and there will never be another. I stand on that with every fiber of my being,

carl

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 18 Apr 2003 11:48 am

I forwarded this post and page on to Marty Martel in Nashville . He seems to be pretty knowlegable in that town and also knows a lot of people there who may be able to put this across .

I just ask that he be of help if he can .

Hope this very good idea works out to be a reality .

John

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 18 Apr 2003 2:35 pm

Carl...I beg to differ. Buddy hasn't forgotten one darn thing!

John P. Phillips · Post by **John P. Phillips** » 18 Apr 2003 3:06 pm

Hey, I love it !!! Best idea since sliced bread, and with butter too !! Count me in for sure !!!!!!!!

------------------
JUST 'CAUSE I STEEL, DON'T MAKE ME A THIEF

[This message was edited by John P.Phillips on 18 April 2003 at 04:06 PM.]

frank rogers · Post by **frank rogers** » 18 Apr 2003 4:31 pm

Dave, As usual, great idea!!

Barbara Hennerman · Post by **Barbara Hennerman** » 19 Apr 2003 10:10 am

YOU CAN COUNT ON ME. I'LL DO WHATEVER I CAN.

Jim West · Post by **Jim West** » 19 Apr 2003 10:15 am

You bet! I'll do my part!

Carl West · Post by **Carl West** » 19 Apr 2003 11:16 am

Sent my e-mail in . . . You bet, long over due. Buddy deserves this and they should do it !

Carl West
Emmons LaGrande lll

Keith DeLong · Post by **Keith DeLong** » 19 Apr 2003 5:12 pm

Yeah,yeah,what a great idea!

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 19 Apr 2003 5:30 pm

Me too! What say BE?

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 19 Apr 2003 6:18 pm

Long overdue all right

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 19 Apr 2003 8:05 pm

No doubt about it, The Big E, Buddy deserves it, and if I might add, it's high time a steel player recieve Country Music Instrumentalists of the Year Award too! Who would be more deserving than Buddy for that one too.

He gets my vote!

May GOD bless each of you!

Woody
Rev. 12:11

Carl West · Post by **Carl West** » 20 Apr 2003 10:27 am

Funny thing happened while sending E-Mail to the address they provide ? RETURNED !!
What's this ? Is this their way of ignoring us when they themselves ask for COMMENTS ! Gaylord Entertainment is a joke. Dick Clark got anything to to with their Board of Directors ?
Ok, We'll keep at it . . BRING ON EMMONS for the WHOLE HOUR !

Carl West

John Steele (deceased) · Post by **John Steele (deceased)** » 20 Apr 2003 10:46 am

Am I the only person that remembers the well-meaning but ill-advised push from Steel Guitar World Magazine to feature Mr. Emmons on CMT ? In the end, it was quashed with apologies, doubtless due to unseen political forces at work which are hard for us viewers to imagine...
I'd like it too, though.
-John

Carl West · Post by **Carl West** » 20 Apr 2003 11:05 am

Well John . . . things can happen when enough people get involved. More than we'd like to know about, these political indivugals don't know squat ! KEEP WRITING!
There is power in the people, Pen mighter than the sword . . etc . . etc . . you know how it goes. I need more coffee

Carl West

Dave A. Burley · Post by **Dave A. Burley** » 20 Apr 2003 11:14 am

Carl West said: Funny thing happened while sending E-Mail to the address they provide ? RETURNED !!

Carl,
When we were solicitations for petitions against having the Grand Ole Opry moved from WSM-AM to WSM-FM, the offices of Gaylord were so swamped with emails that they had to change their addresses.
When the time comes to utilize the internet, if need be, we will find out the new addresses and post them.
The only thing that the powers that be at Gaylord seem to understand is public outcry.
We can make that happen without any problem but if and when it is needed, it should be done in a controlled manner.
You know......You send the concept to each and every party in your mailbox instructing them to send the concept to each and every address in their mailboxes, including the email addresses of the parties the concept is to be directed to,
and the mushroom effect will be staggering.
We found that out during out petition drive a year and a half ago. If nothing else, the powers that be will be made well aware of what we want.
Thanks for your interest and willingness to help on this project.
Dave A. Burley

Mark Kelchen · Post by **Mark Kelchen** » 20 Apr 2003 12:12 pm

Great idea. Would be a really great show. Mean while, what would be wrong with a little more exposure to Tommy White and the rest of the steel players that perform on the Opry?????

Mark Kelchen · Post by **Mark Kelchen** » 20 Apr 2003 12:13 pm

There isn't enough steel in country music anymore and these pickers need a special tribute[This message was edited by Mark Kelchen on 20 April 2003 at 01:15 PM.]

Jesse Harris · Post by **Jesse Harris** » 21 Apr 2003 11:01 am

I agree with mark, the steel guitar needs to take back its rightful place and then some, that way we can keep new blood coming into this intrument. People love the steel guitar whether they consiously know it or not. Lets get the Big E out there for the full hour.

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 21 Apr 2003 12:19 pm

What if Buddy brought that spike-haired fidder who played with Jerry Douglas?

Jesse Harris · Post by **Jesse Harris** » 21 Apr 2003 2:25 pm

that would be great.

that spiked haired fiddle player is Gabe Witcher, an extremely gifted bluegrass fiddler,
and a hell of a nice guy. He is quite an anomoly, I have known him for a while and he is the one of the most straight musicians I have known (except for his hair). He is probably the exact opposite of what you would think by seeing him.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 21 Apr 2003 2:50 pm

Great idea. And long overdue. If the "spike hair fiddler" is Stuart Duncan... well I can agree with that 200%. Sseeing him trading licks with Buddy would be a supreme pleasure.

Jesse Harris · Post by **Jesse Harris** » 21 Apr 2003 3:30 pm

Gabe is the west coast Stuart