Legendary pedal steel guitarist Tom Brumley, who’s best known for his stellar musicianship as a member of Buck Owens’ band and its Bakersfield sound, has died of a heart attack in a San Antonio, Texas.
A player in Owens' hot-pickin’ Buckaroos band from 1963 to ’69, Brumley suffered a heart attack on Jan. 26 and was taken to Northeast Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, where he died Tuesday, according to his wife, Rolene Brumley. He was 73.
Born Nov. 12, 1935, as the third of six children, Brumley played steel guitar with Buck Owens and the Buckaroos from 1963 to1969 and with Rick Nelson for a decade, including on the late singer’s crossover hit, “Garden Party.”
The son Albert E. Brumley, a legendary gospel songwriter who wrote "I'll Fly Away" and "Turn Your Radio On," a 14-year-old Brumley began his music career as a bassist in his brothers’ band. He went on to become a much-celebrated, award-winning steel guitarist and was inducted into both the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, which is part of the Texas Steel Guitar Association, and the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, among other honors. He also was awarded an Academy of Country Music honor for being the genre’s No. 1 steel player.
Steel guitarist Tom Brumley in his Buckaroo days.
Although he performed for years with his sons in Branson, Mo., as part of the long-running morning show, The Brumley Family Music Show, from 1989 to 2003, most know the musician best for his role in Owens’ Buckaroos band, where his musicianship is on display in so many well-known hit recordings, including "Together Again," which helped make his name in the industry and established him as an all-time favorite steel guitarist throughout the world, as well "Tiger By The Tail" and "Act Naturally," among many others.
In addition to his work for Owens and Nelson, Brumley—who fulfilled his lifelong goal when he performed on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry—also played alongside artists such as the Desert Rose Band, Rose Maddox, Waylon Jennings, Dwight Yoakam, Steve Wariner, Rod Stewart, Chris Isaak, Merle Haggard, Reba McEntire, Sara Evans, Janie Fricke, Burton Cummings and Martina McBride, among many others.
Brumley is survived by wife Rolene and the couple’s three children, daughter Tracie and sons Tommy and Todd.
Buck Owens and Buckaroos, including steel player Tom Brumley, perform their 1964 hit, "My Heart Skips a Beat," on the Buck Owens Ranch on March 15, 1966.
Video recording of the Buckaroos band from Dec. 29, 1964. This song features Don Rich on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, with Buck Owns on lead guitar; Tom Brumley on pedal steel; Bob Morris on bass; Doyle Holly on acoustic guitar and Willie Cantu on drums.
My husband,Terry died Feb.17,2009 after having a massive stroke on Feb.1,2009. He really liked steel gutiars and especialy liked Tom's playing. I had "i'll fly away " sang at His memerial on March 7,2009. Ihave all in my prayers. I live in Ellensburg,Wa.
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My husband,Terry died Feb.17,2009 after having a massive stroke on Feb.1,2009. He really liked steel gutiars and especialy liked Tom's playing. I had "i'll fly away " sang at His memerial on March 7,2009. Ihave all in my prayers. I live in Ellensburg,Wa.
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