Tom Brumley, R.I.P.

Dan Gibson | February 6, 2009 12:30 pm

Legendary steel guitar player Tom Brumley passed away Tuesday after a heart attack. The son of Albert E. Brumley, who wrote the classic spiritual “I’ll Fly Away”, Brumley’s clean style made him a hero within the steel guitar community.

If you enjoy steel guitar, it’s hard not to love Brumley, who spent nearly a decade in Buck Owens’ Buckaroos popularizing the Bakersfield country sound on such hits as “Act Naturally” and “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail.” After leaving Owens’ band, Brumley spend a decade with Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band, including performing on the 1972 single “Garden Party.” Brumley then spent 1989 to 2003 as a staple in Branson, performing with with his sons in a steel guitar showcase. Outside of his regular gigs, Brumley was still a highly sought-after session player, performing on tracks by Rod Stewart, Waylon Jennings, Chris Isaak, Robbie Fulks, and Jonathan Richman.

Buck Owens, “Love’s Gonna Live Here”:

Don Rich and the Buckaroos, “Wham Bam”:

Jonathan Richman, “Since She Started To Ride”:

Brumley was 73.

Tom Brumley dies at 73; steel guitarist for Buck Owens and Rick Nelson [LA Times] [Photo via TomBrumley.com]

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