CMT News

Steel guitarist Tom Brumley, who played on classic recordings by Buck Owens and Rick Nelson, died early Wednesday morning (Feb. 4) in San Antonio, Texas, following a brief illness. He was 73. The son of gospel songwriter Albert E. Brumley, who wrote "I'll Fly Away," he served as a key member of Buck Owens' Buckaroos band during the '60s. Touring and recording with Owens, Brumley played on such No. 1 hits as "Act Naturally" and "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail." His work on Owens' recording of "Together Again" is widely regarded as one of the finest steel guitar solos in the history of country music. After leaving Owens' band in the late '60s, Brumley became a member of Nelson's Stone Canyon Band and helped the former teen idol gain respect as a serious singer, songwriter and performer. Brumley's recordings with Nelson include the 1972 hit, "Garden Party." More recently, he spent 15 years starring in his own music show in Branson, Mo., and appeared on albums by Dwight Yoakam, Sara Evans, Chris Isaak, Robbie Fulks and others. Brumley was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1992. With Brumley's passing, drummer Willie Cantu is the only surviving member of the classic lineup of the Buckaroos. Guitarist Don Rich died in a motorcycle accident in 1974, and bassist Doyle Holly died in 2007. Owens passed away in 2006.