Buster B Jones, famed guitarist and mentor, dies at 49
Matthew Kruk
Buster B Jones, famed guitarist and mentor, dies at 49
By Serena Markstrom
The Register-Guard
Published: Feb 5, 2009 05:52PM
Buster B Jones, known as "Machine Gun Hands" for his ability to play the
guitar viciously fast, died Monday, leaving behind a grieving community of
friends and admirers. A private memorial is scheduled, and musicians are
organizing a larger public gathering that has not yet been announced.
The family is not listing the cause of death.
Born Bradley F. Jones in Ames, Iowa, in 1959, friends say he was a funny,
talkative man who loved to refer to himself as a "hillbilly." For gigs, he
sported a signature look of a cowboy hat, boots and a leather vest, but he
was known to show up in overalls, too.
Jones had a strong following in Nashville, where he spent many years on the
roots scene, and moved west about 10 years ago. He was known worldwide for
his prowess on the guitar, and was "easily one of the top 10 finger-picking
stylists in the world," local saxophonist Paul Biondi said.
"Buster played like he was double parked - just really, really fast, trying
to get every note in there. He was like Chet Atkins on steroids."
Friends say Jones was a mentor to guitarists of all ages, a natural
performer who oozed Southern charm. He formed a special bond with local
musician Brooks Robertson, who met Jones eight years ago when he was 11.
At 17, Robertson released his solo debut "American Fingerstyle." At the
release party at Hinman Vineyards, the chemistry between teacher and student
was electric as jokes and guitar licks flew between musicians.
"There was a whole lot of stuff that I didn't get from him that I will have
to get from Brooksie," said musician Dale Etherton, who jammed with Jones
just last week at his Junction City home.
The Musicians Emergency Medical Association is giving $500 to help with the
cost of his cremation. An account to cover final expenses also has been set
up at the US Bank, 234 W. Sixth Ave., Junction City.
bway...@gmail.com
> http://www.registerguard.com/csp/cms/sites/web/entertainment/ticket/7...
>
> Buster B Jones, famed guitarist and mentor, dies at 49
Wow.
When Jerry Reed died in September, I found a link to a video of Buster
teaching how to play one of Jerry's songs, "Jiffy Jam." Here it is
again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XjhJK8eHs4
It's really amazing to watch - not just his skill, and the fun that he
has playing the song, but the care with which he teaches it.
R.I.P.
Matthew Kruk
<bway...@gmail.com> wrote in message
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Matthew Kruk
paying tribute to Marcel Dadi:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK9UUCKVw4o&feature=related
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