The Big E: A Salute to Steel Guitarist Buddy Emmons

Known as "The World's Foremost Steel Guitarist," Buddy Emmons accompanied a diverse list of artists that included Little Jimmy Dickens, Ernest Tubb, Ray Price, Judy Collins, The Carpenters, Gram Parsons, Ray Charles, George Strait, Willie Nelson, and The Everly Brothers. His clean technique was a high-water mark for any other musician who attempted to tame this difficult but beautiful instrument. Emmons retired in 2007, and in 2013 Emmylou Harris' steel player Steve Fishell produced this tribute to the man. Fishell called in an A-list of musicians ranging from Greg Leisz, Paul Franklin, and Tommy White to Norm Hamlet, Dan Dugmore, and Roosevelt Collier. Willie Nelson sings "Are You Sure," a track he wrote with Emmons. Leisz adds a beautiful lyricism to the classic folk song "Wild Mountain Thyme" that blooms into a full chorus rendition by its end. Mike Johnson surges through Joanie Keller-Johnson's take on "Someday Soon," a hit for Judy Collins. All profits from the project will be donated to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the name of Peggy Emmons, Buddy's late wife.