I am still really floored over the passing of Buster B Jones. I don’t feel much like writing, or even playing the guitar. But, I mentioned in my previous post that I would try to dedicate a tune to Buster, and that is what I am doing with this post.
Probably the most appropriate tune to honor Buster would be one that sounded like Jerry Reed playing at the speed of light. Buster had to be the fastest guitar picker on the planet. And absolutely flawless.
Well, I’m too old and don’t play often enough to play “at the speed of light,” so I instead cooked up the following tune, which at least does have some of the Reed-flavoring that Buster liked so well: God Rest You Buster. I think he would have liked it.
(By the way, I recorded this tune on the Godin guitar that Buster autographed for me in October. It still has the strings on it that he played when he did me the great honor of breaking it in for me.)
There are lots of Buster’s fans who can play better than me and have more creativity, and no doubt they will be recording their own tunes in his honor. I will use this post to link to those as I become aware of them.
God Rest You Buster.
Update: (10 February 2009) Godin Guitars has a very nice tribute to Buster: Godin Tribute to Buster B Jones.
Very nice tune Bruce…….I’m certain Buster would have approved.
Thank you very much, Roger. I hope it honors his memory.
Hi Bruce, great job on the tune, Buster would surely like that. I know you knew Buster better than me, I had met and talked with him several times, his passing has really upset me. I can’t get over the fact that I’ll never hear new music from him or see him at the NC Fingerstyle convention again. It is upsetting he was so young. The first time I saw Chet was also the first time I heard Buster play. Chet brought him up on stage to play a couple of songs. He was young and was introduced as Brad Jones. He played a song he said he had written for Jerry Reed. It was an awesome night. I also got to sit in a small room at Mitchell College and listen to him and Bresh play for about an hour. Don’t get much better than that.
I’m going to remember him by learning some of his songs and thinking about the times I got to spend around him. Started learning Fingers In Flight this afternoon. Take care and keep on pickin.
Hi Ray. Glad you liked the tune.
I think learning some of his stuff is a great way to honor him, as well as personally gratifying. Fingers in Flight is certainly a beautiful tune, and I am confident you will do a great job with it.
I think there will likely be a memorial for Buster around the time of the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society gathering this year, when all of his friends are in one spot. I hope you get to attend that … I know you would love it and that you often go to the CAAS gatherings.
Yes, Buster’s passing is still hard to believe … he was young, although he thought of himself as old. I knew his health was not good, but did not know it was as bad as it was, and I figured he would outlive me.
You take care, too, Ray, and keep on pickin!
Thanks for the song it reminded me of being a kid again and Dad waking us up in the middle of the night to hear his new tune. I thank you for your kind words.
Jenny,
Bless you. I am so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was such a fine man, and certainly one of the very best guitar pickers to ever walk the planet. As much as I miss him, I know you miss him far more … losing your Dad changes your life.
I will certainly keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
All the best
Bruce