ESTABLISHED In memory of our lost friends
Buckatune was established in the memory of our good friends.
"Tom Morrell always thought there ought to be a way to distribute independent music , especially jazz and western swing more effectively. At the time we talked, indie artists had no ways to distribute mp3s online. I've wanted to do this site for several years and it's actually becoming a reality. He once told me if I got it figured out to let him know. Nothing would have pleased me more than to call Tom and tell him I could sell his songs as MP3s on the internet. We loved Tom. He was a musical genius, talented artist, great friend, and one of my musical heroes." This site honors more of our dear friends below.
TOM MORRELL FOR OVER 50 YEARS THIS TOURING SIDEMAN AND SESSION PLAYER
DELIVERED WESTERN SWING, JAZZ AND COUNTRY WITH ARTFUL SKILL
ON MOTION PICTURE SOUND TRACKS AND ON THE RECORDINGS OF
INNUMERABLE ARTISTS, INCLUDING BOB WILLS' TEXAS PLAYBOYS. LATER AS
A BANDLEADER, HE ARRANGED AND PRODUCED DOZENS OF ALBUMS. DURING THE
1990s HE PROVED TO BE A MAJOR FORCE IN THE RESURGENCE OF NON-PEDAL
STEEL THROUGH TOURING, ARRANGING AND RECORDING BESIDES HIS BRANDS OF
MORRELL AND THE MORRELL-SHIELDS STEELS. HE WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS
AND DESIGNERS OF MSA PEDAL GUITARS. sTEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME MEMBER Stompin At the Savoy - Tom Morrell |
"John Hughey was another dear friend whom we miss very much. John was a legend in the steel guitar world. Not only was he a fantastic talent, he was a great man. Most recently, John was a member of the Time Jumpers. He was such a kind gentleman and Jean a real sweetheart! "
 JOHN HUGHEY
A TOURING, RECORDING, AND PERFORMING ARTIST FOR OVER FOUR DECADES. HIS PURE SOUND STRENGTHENED THE SUCCESS OF RECORDINGS BY CONWAY TWITTY, VINCE GILL AND MANY OTHERS. THE UNDISPUTED MASTER OF BAR SHIVER AND PRECISE UPPER-REGISTRY INTONATION. HE CREATED MUSICAL EMOTION AND DREW ATTENTION TO THE INSTRUMENT THROUGH HIS FLAWLESS DELIVERY. FLAVORED WITH HAUNTING ELOQUENCE. MOST RECENTLY A MEMBER OF THE TIME JUMPERS WESTERN SWING GROUP. STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME MEMBER
Sweet Georgia Brown - John Hughey |
 HAL RUGG
HE TOOK THE COMMERCIAL SOUND FROM IT'S INFANCY TO COUNTRY JAZZ. HE EXPANDED IT'S MUSICAL DEPTH TO CREATE THE IDENTIFIABLE SOUND OF LORETTA LYNN, GORGE JONES AND THE OPRY STAFF BAND THROUGH TELEVISION, SESSION WORK AND ARRANGEMENTS. HE HAS BEEN STEELS MEDIA MAN THRU THREE DECADES. STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME MEMBER
Hall was another steel guitar buddy whom we all treasured. |
 ben brogden
ONE OF OUR BEST BUDS! HE ALWAYS MADE EVERYBODY LAUGH. HE WAS A TREMENDOUS BASS PLAYER AND A GREAT FRIEND. WE LOVED TO HEAR HIM SCAT TOO. WE MISS YOU BROTHER!
|
 JEFF NEWMAN
A SKILLFUL PLAYER BY AGE 20 AND TEACHER BY AGE 26. HE PRODUCED HIS FIRST ALBUM COURSE IN 1969. THIS FIRST TOURING PEDAL STEEL TEACHER (1971) ALSO ESTABLISHED THE FIRST RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL IN 1976. HIS TABLATURE SYSTEM AND VOLUMES OF STUDY COURSES HAVE BECOME INSTRUCTIONAL STANDARDS FOR 3 DECADES. HIS EDUCATED APPROACH AND HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR HIS STUDENTS HAVE MADE HIM…“STEELS FOREMOST INSTRUCTOR” STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME MEMBER. IT WAS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE IN JEFF AND FRAN'S COMPANY - GREAT PEOPLE.
|
 DON HELMS
INDELIBLE STYLIST AND RECORDING ARTIST WHO BROUGHT THE UPPER OCTAVES INTO PROMINENT USE AND GAVE THE "HANK WILLIAMS" BACKUP IT'S ENDURING RECOGNITION. A "DRIFTING COWBOYS" ROAD MUSICIAN AND STEEL PIONEER FOR FOUR DECADES. STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME MEMBER . HIS STORIES ALWAYS TOUCHED OUR HEARTS. HE AND HAZEL - WONDERFUL FOLKS.
|
 JIMMY DAY
RECORDING ARTIST, COMPOSER, AND TRUE HONKY-TONK BACKUP MUSICIAN WHO ACHIEVED SUCH EXPRESSION ON THE E9th TUNING AS TO BE KNOWN AS "MR. COUNTRY SOUL." A ROBUST AND EARTHY ROAD PERFORMER WHO HAS INFLUENCED HUNDREDS OF ASPIRING PLAYERS FOR OVER THREE DECADES. STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME MEMBER
|
Website developed by Starla Queen (Jazzabillies). Starla and her husband , Jimmy, are both full time musicians.
Jimmy is honored to be staff drummer for the International Steel Guitar Convention.
