Quotes & Kudos

CD Quote: Ken Byng -- Steel Guitar Forum -- 2/11/11

"Buck's JCH and Lawrence pick ups play a part in his tone, but most of it comes from the man himself. I know this is an old

post but I have to say that Buck's 'Work In Progress' CD is technically and production-wise in the top two or three steel

albums of all time in my opinion. It just blows me away every time I listen to it. His picking is so clean - he can play

blisteringly fast or play ballads with great soul and expression.

He really is as good as anyone I have ever seen or heard."

_______

_________

Instruction Quote: Bob Grossman -- Steel Guitar Forum -- 2/28/11

"I recently received tab and music for "Eastern Swing" from Buck's "Work in Progress" album. It was composed by Buck and

edited by Fred Amendola. It is the best, most complete music for pedal steel guitar I've seen. I intend to get others and

hope it will be available. Let's help it to stay available. Buy it and LEARN!"

__________

_________

The Pickers Corner newsletter Feb. 2008

FEATURED ARTIST - Article by Lana Rosselli

The steel guitar industry is filled with many great players. Some have achieved legendary status, some are carving their

mark, and some are just starting their plow. This month’s featured artist is one I feel is carving their mark in the industry.

It is my hope that after reading the article, you will agree.

Buck Reid grew up in a music-filled home in a small, upstate New York town. His father was a well-known regional steel

player, and his mother was a devout traditional country music fan. “We would sit and listen to recordings of some of the

all time great players and say WOW! How are they doing that?” It was from these recordings that Buck fell in love with

the steel guitar. Buck expressed his interest in learning steel guitar at a very young age. His father insisted he learn some

basics on an acoustic guitar before attempting the steel. At age 11, Buck began learning on his father’s steel guitar and

realized right away he wanted to play. A year or so later his father bought him his very first steel guitar…an Emmons

student model with three pedals and one knee lever. As he progressed in knowledge and his confidence grew, Buck decided

to pursue a career as a professional musician. Like many of his industry peers, Buck’s early influences were legendary

players Buddy Emmons, Curly Chalker, Lloyd Green and Jimmie Crawford…just to name a few. “I vividly recall listening to

Buddy’s “Black Album” and Lloyd’s recordings from the “Chart” record label. I could listen to these recordings and all the

world was right. Those recordings still raise the hair on my arms.” But it was another genre of music that some of these

players were exploiting that introduced Buck to a whole new world of music – Jazz. With that exposure, he began listening

to other instruments (horns, piano, upright bass), broadening his musical knowledge and expanding his musical interests

to swing and big band. Such artists as Spade Cooley, Tex Williams, Bob Wills, Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller brought

great influence to the young musician. Buck continues to gain new influences through the artists he has worked with.

After moving to Detroit and playing clubs for a couple of years, Buck first came to Nashville in 1982 and experienced

his most unforgettable career highlight. He had landed a job with country music artist John Anderson and went in for his

first Nashville recording session. While recording Anderson’s first band album titled; ‘All The People Are Talking’, Buck was

working with fellow band member bass player Larry Emmons. On the day of the session, Larry’s car broke down and he had

to get a ride to the Music Mill studio from his dad legendary steel player and hero to Buck - Buddy Emmons. Buck recalls

Buddy and Larry pulling up to the studio in the famous “Derby Powered” van and Buddy pulling out his steel (already set up)

as if he were going to be doing the session. “Well…the look on my face (which was probably drained of any color at that point)

must have been one of confusion and bewilderment. Buddy reared his head back and laughed that signature laugh, returned

his steel to the van and came inside to visit for a few minutes before leaving. When I finally settled down, I realized that the

world’s foremost steel player had just pulled a prank on me. Pretty cool!!”

A big day for the new comer…first professional job, first session, and meeting Buddy Emmons. Buck went on to record

several albums with John Anderson between 1982 and 1990; one of which he and the great Buddy Emmons shared the steel

guitar duties. After leaving John Anderson, Buck performed/recorded with several hot artists such as Martin DelRay,

Bailey and the Boys, Chely Wright, Keith Urban and the Ranch, Diamond Rio, Confederate Railroad, Rob Crosby and

Leann Rimes. For the past 15 years Buck Reid has been a member of Lyle Lovett’s Large Band. It is with this venture that

most of his career highlights stem. Being able to cross musical genres with Lyle, being invited to play with Sting and

working in historical venues like Carnegie Hall have been an honor for Buck. Additionally, his exposure with Lyle has opened

new doors. You can hear him on the sound tracks of recent blockbuster movie hits ‘RV’ (with Robin Williams & Jeff Daniels)

and ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’ (with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts). A few years ago while playing a club in Nashville, Buck was

approached by a man from the audience. The man asked Buck, “how do you know when you get good on one of those things?”

Buck didn’t have an answer for the man then and he doesn’t have one now. This is part of what makes him a great musician.

He takes his past and present influences and with the support and encouragement of family, friends and fans, he challenges

himself musically – and succeeds! His ‘dream job’ is any chance to play with good musicians, expand himself musically and

taking the steel guitar as far as he can. To be the best he can be.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Buck Reid at the Alabama Steel Guitar show in Birmingham and was immediately

mesmerized by his performance. As were several audience members who recorded (audio and video) his set and then flocked

to his table for product. It was an amazing and warming sight. Buck’s first CD “A Work In Progress” samples his talents...

from original tunes like; “The Waiting Room” (my personal favorite) and “Kelsey’s Song” (a song he wrote for his oldest

daughter) to the speed of “Alabama Jubilee”, the sultriness of “Cry” to the spiritual “In The Garden”. To watch him perform

you experience the magnetism of his style. He demonstrates with ease his technical wizardry and unique approach to the

simple things. The combination of these techniques will leave you asking, “Wow! How did he do that?” and an instant fan.

Buck is currently playing a custom JCH with 8 pedals and 8 knee levers – which he and one of his heroes Jimmie Crawford

built together. For several years Buck worked with Jimmie building these guitars; adding to his knowledge a firm grasp of

the guitar’s mechanics. Armed with how the guitar works, what it can do musically and his own ingenuity, Buck is carving

his mark in the steelguitar industry.

I asked Buck if he had any musical heroes (not influences) and his response was truly amazing to me. To quote,

“I have so many I wouldn’t know where to start and many of them aren’t steel players. I have great respect for those

players who are original and put their ‘own’ stamp on what they do. Some players are technical wizards and it’s mind

boggling what they can do from a technical stand point. Other players can play the simplest thing but no matter what

you do, you can’t quite make it sound like they do. There are so many aspects to music and the longer you do it the

more you appreciate the little things. In a nut shell, my heroes are those that have helped open my eyes to all aspects

of music.” His response summed up why I am a steel guitar enthusiast.

Fortunately Buck has a busy schedule with sessions and touring. But unfortunately that means he is unable to attend

very many steel shows. However, you can see him perform live on tour (check out the tour schedule at www.lylelovett.com),

or tune in to www.SteelRadio.com or visit www.buckreid.com and order your copy of ‘A Work In Progress’ and listen to him

whenever you want. Also check out his available tablature and rhythm tracks. If you’re interested, his tuning and copedent

is also listed on his website. Of course we are all anxiously awaiting the next CD project!!!

__________