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| Country music legend and internationally acclaimed steel guitarist, Tom Brumley died Tuesday, February 3, 2009. |
Country music legend and internationally-acclaimed steel guitarist, Tom Brumley died Tuesday, February 3, 2009. He was 73 years old.
Brumley moved to San Antonio in 2008, after he was chosen to headline the San Antonio Rose LIVE Country Music Show at the historic Aztec Theater. The live variety show celebrating the legends of country music from the 1950s to the ’70s, is scheduled to open this spring. Brumley, who handpicked the 10-member headliner band, led rehearsals at the Aztec for the last 10 months, during renovation of the theater.
“Tom Brumley’s music is timeless– it is as fresh today as when he came on the scene in a big way in the early ’60s,” said Rick Drury, producer of the San Antonio Rose LIVE Show. “It was a coup to have him in our show. He personally selected the band members, and they were honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to perform live with him at the Aztec.”
"Country music fans and performers will mourn his passing; he was a musicians’ musician and it doesn’t get any better than that,” Drury added. “He would have insisted that the show go on. Although we can never replace a legend like Tom, the production team and band will regroup and push for a spring opening at the Aztec.”
Brumley’s “pure” steel sound, known in the industry as “The Brumley Touch” created a legacy in the music industry– influencing county and rock musicians for the past 40 years.
Brumley was born December 11, 1935 in Stella, Missouri to Goldie and Albert E. Brumley. Albert Brumley, the famous gospel singer, composer and music publisher, wrote more than 600 songs in his lifetime, including “I’ll Fly Away”, “I’ll Meet You In The Morning” and “Turn Your Radio On.” Tom was the third of six musically-gifted children. All of the Brumley children pursued successful careers in the music industry.
Tom began his musical career at the age of 14, playing bass in a band with his brothers. From there he played guitar and in 1954 he picked up his first steel guitar and quickly became one of the best in the business.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army for two years and was stationed in Germany in the mid ’50s.
In a career that spanned almost 60 years, Brumley performed with Buck Owens and the Buckaroos. From 1963 to 1969 he was the Buckaroos’ original steel guitar player and contributed to the band’s "Bakersfield Sound," which led to multiple #1 hits for Owens.
In 1969, Rick Nelson asked Brumley to play steel guitar on his album “Live at the Troubadour,” which led to a full-time career with Nelson, lasting 10 years. He later joined Chris Hillman and The Desert Rose Band, recording and touring with them for three years.
He has recorded on several hit records, including “Together Again,” “Tiger by the Tail,” and “Act Naturally” with Buck Owens and the Buckaroos; “Garden Party” with Rick Nelson; “I Sang Dixie” and “Always Have, Always Will,” with Dwight Yoakum.
Brumley received the Academy of Country Music award in 1966 for #1 Steel Guitarist and he was inducted into both the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame and the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. In 2004 he received the Jerry Byrd Lifetime Achievement Award.
From 1989 until 2003 Tom starred in The Brumley Family Music Show in Branson, Mo. performing with his sons, while his daughter participated as lighting technician.
In the past decade he performed or recorded with numerous artists including Rose Maddox, Chris Isaak, Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, Sara Evans, Rosie Flores, Steve Wariner, Waylon Jennings, Ray Price, Janie Frickie, Reba McEntire, Rod Stewart, Burton Cummings, and Martina McBride to name a few.
Tom also owned the ZB Custom steel guitar company in Austin, Texas.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Rolene, three children; Tom, Ozark, MO; Todd and wife Kristie, Ozark, MO.; and daughter, Tracie, Nixa, MO.; six grandchildren and a great-grandson.
Other survivors include his brothers: Jackson and wife Elke, Hendersonville, TN.; Albert and wife, Robin, Monett, MO.; and Bob Brumley and wife, Deloris, Rogers, AR., and sister Betty Brumley-Pockrus and husband, Bill of Neosho, MO. Additional survivors include brother and sister-in-laws, Carole Sue and C. Lindy Jackson, Kingsland, TX., and Dennis and Val Spencer, Springfield, Mo.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Bill. Funeral arrangements are with Mission Park Funeral Home, San Antonio. The "Celebration of Life" service for Tom will be held in Branson on Sunday, February 15 at 2 pm at the Baldknobbers Country Music Theater. Other services in Dallas and San Antonio will be announced at a later date.