James Burton

James Burton
James Edward Burton (born August 21, 1939, in Dubberly, Louisiana) is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 (his induction speech was given by longtime fan Keith Richards), Burton has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. Critic Mark Deming writes that "Burton has a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest guitar pickers in either country or rock ... Burton is one of the best guitar players to ever touch a fretboard." He is ranked number 24 in Rolling Stone list of 250 greatest guitarists of all time.
Since the 1950s, Burton has recorded and performed with an array of singers, including Bob Luman, Dale Hawkins, Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley (and was leader of Presley's TCB Band), The Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, John Denver, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Judy Collins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Claude King, Elvis Costello, Joe Osborn, Roy Orbison, Joni Mitchell, Hoyt Axton, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Young, Vince Gill, and Suzi Quatro.
Biography
Early life and career
Burton was born in Dubberly in south Webster Parish near Minden, Louisiana, to Guy M. Burton (1909–2001) and the former Lola Poland (1914–2011), a native of rural Fryeburg in Bienville Parish. She was the daughter of James and Althius Poland. Burton's wife is Louise Burton.
Self-taught, Burton began playing guitar during childhood. He was hired to be part of the staff band for the popular Louisiana Hayride radio show in Shreveport. While he was still a teenager, Burton left Shreveport for Los Angeles, where he joined Ricky Nelson's band. There, he made numerous recordings as a session musician. Burton created and played the guitar solo on Dale Hawkins 1957 hit song "Susie Q", a record that would become one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
With Rick Nelson
Burton played guitar on the majority of Rick Nelson's songs recorded during the first 11 years of Nelson's career, beginning with his premiere at Master Recorders in Hollywood on November 18, 1957, for the classic "Stood Up"/"Waitin' in School" rockabilly single (Burton was relegated to rhythm as Joe Maphis was still playing lead guitar at the time). In 1965 he started working on the television program Shindig! which curtailed his touring with Nelson. However, Burton continued contributing to his friend's studio albums through the Perspective sessions in April 1968.
As a studio musician
The Shindig! exposure led to recording session work with a variety of artists, mostly as an unattributed sideman. In 1967 Burton played Dobro on the Richie Furay song, "A Child's Claim To Fame" on Buffalo Springfield's second album, Buffalo Springfield Again. Due to the volume of work, Burton turned down an offer to join Bob Dylan's first touring band, and another offer to play on Elvis Presley's 1968 comeback TV special Elvis.
With Elvis Presley
In 1969, Presley again asked Burton to join his show in Las Vegas, and, this time, Burton accepted. Burton organized the TCB Band, serving as its leader, and backed Presley from 1969 until Presley's death in 1977. A hallmark of Elvis' live shows during this period was his exhortation, "Play it, James," as a cue for the guitarist's solos. For the first season in Vegas in 1969, Burton played his red standard Telecaster. Shortly thereafter, he purchased the now familiar pink paisley custom Telecaster. Burton was not sure that Elvis would like it; however, since Elvis did, Burton used it for every show.
Since 1998, Burton has played lead guitar in Elvis: The Concert which reunited some of Elvis' former TCB bandmates, background singers and Elvis' orchestral conductor Joe Guercio (mostly from the "concert years" 1969–1977) live on stage.
With John Denver
During 1975 and 1976, while still touring with Presley, Burton was one of the first members to join and tour with Emmylou Harris as part of her backing band, the "Hot Band", after the death of Gram Parsons. He was joined by a cast of talented musicians which included his bandmate with Presley, Glen D. Hardin, and newer musicians which included Rodney Crowell. However, once Presley was ready to return to the road, Burton returned to perform with him, although the others, including Hardin, elected to continue with Harris. Just before Presley died in 1977, Burton was called to play on a John Denver television special. During the taping, Denver asked if Burton would consider going on a European tour. Burton said he was working with Elvis, but if scheduling permitted, he would be glad to go. Shortly after Elvis' death, Burton began a regular collaboration with Denver. The first album they recorded was I Want to Live.
During the sessions, Burton and Denver talked about a band. Glen Hardin and Jerry Scheff, from Presley's band, joined the new band too. Burton remained a member of Denver's band until 1994, but often toured in parallel with other artists including Jerry Lee Lewis. In the 16 years Burton worked with Denver, they recorded 12 albums and toured around the world. While touring with Denver, Burton carried several instruments, including backup Dobros and a spare 1969 Pink Paisley Fender Telecaster he had used as a touring guitarist with Elvis Presley during the 1970s.
He rejoined Denver in 1995 for the Wildlife Concert. When Denver died in 1997, Burton spoke at his memorial service in Aspen, Colorado.
Recent career
Burton's later career included work with Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley, John Denver, Merle Haggard, Gram Parsons, Rodney Crowell and Emmylou Harris. Beginning with King of America (1986), Burton recorded and toured with Elvis Costello intermittently for about a decade. In 1988, he was a prominent part of the acclaimed Cinemax special, Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night. In 1990, Burton moved back to his hometown of Shreveport permanently.
In fall 2004, Burton recorded Matt Lucas-Back in the Saddle Again, a sequel to the Matt Lucas album The Chicago Sessions. The album features rockabilly and country music, and was released in May 2006 by Ten O Nine Records.
In 2005, Burton started the annual James Burton International Guitar Festival to raise money for his charitable foundation. The festival is held in the Red River District of Shreveport.
In 2007 he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN as a member of the L.A. session player group known as The Wrecking Crew. In 2008, Burton was asked by Brad Paisley to play on his upcoming album Play: The Guitar Album. Burton went along for the ride and played on an instrumental track called "Cluster Pluck," as did Vince Gill, Steve Wariner, Redd Volkaert, Albert Lee, John Jorgenson, and Brent Mason. At the 51st Grammy Awards in 2009, the song won Best Country Instrumental Performance.
On August 22, 2009, on stage at his James Burton International Guitar Festival, James Burton was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.
On July 15, 2010, Rolling Stone Magazine announced that Eric Clapton and James Burton would provide backup guitars on the track "You Can Have Her" for the Jerry Lee Lewis album Mean Old Man, scheduled for release in fall 2010.
In 2011, Burton was named one of "Five Living Legends of Shreveport" by Danny Fox of KWKH radio.
On June 9, 2012, Burton appeared in Shreveport at the Municipal Auditorium for a presentation of Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion.
Equipment
Burton works with a variety of amplifiers to provide flexibility and a wide range of sounds. He has used a Music Man 210-150, an old Fender Twin with K model Lansing speakers, and a 1964 Fender Deluxe. His primary guitar has always been a Fender Telecaster, beginning with an early blonde model his parents bought for him around 1952. His 1969 Paisley Red (better known as Pink Paisley) Telecaster became the basis for his James Burton Telecaster model in 1991, with Lace Sensor pickups and a TBX tone circuit. Five years later his 1953 Candy Apple Red Telecaster was the inspiration for a standard version Artist Signature model featuring two Fender Texas Special Tele single coil pickups and a vintage-style 6-saddle bridge. In 2006, the Signature Paisley model was redesigned with a red paisley flame design over a black body, plus three specially designed blade pickups, a no-load tone control and S-1 switching system.
Planned museum
The James Burton Foundation, a 501(c) non-profit organization at 714 Elvis Presley Avenue in Shreveport, is constructing the proposed "James Burton Guitar and Car Museum". The facility will showcase Burton's collection of guitars and classic cars as well as models from some of his celebrity friends.
Collaborations
With The Beach Boys
20/20 (Capitol Records, 1969)
Sunflower (Reprise Records, 1970)
With J. J. Cale
Shades (Island Records, 1981)
Travel-Log (Silvertone Records, 1990)
With Glen Campbell
Gentle on My Mind (Capitol Records, 1967)
By the Time I Get to Phoenix (Capitol Records, 1967)
I Knew Jesus (Before He Was a Star) (Capitol Records, 1973)
With Shawn Camp
Shawn Camp (Reprise Records, 1993)
1994 (Reprise Records, 2010)
With Kim Carnes
Rest on Me (Amos Records, 1971)
With Carlene Carter
I Fell in Love (Reprise Records, 1990)
With Johnny Cash
John R. Cash (Columbia Records, 1975)
Johnny 99 (Columbia Records, 1984)
With Rosanne Cash
Right or Wrong (Columbia Records, 1980)
With Mark Collie
Hardin County Line (MCA Records, 1990)
Born and Raised in Black & White (MCA Records, 1991)
With Judy Collins
Who Knows Where the Time Goes (Elektra Records, 1968)
With Elvis Costello
King of America (F-Beat Records, 1986)
Mighty Like a Rose (Warner Bros. Records, 1991)
Kojak Variety (Warner Bros. Records, 1995)
With Marshall Crenshaw
Good Evening (Warner Bros. Records, 1989)
With Rodney Crowell
Ain't Living Long Like This (Warner Bros. Records, 1978)
With Delaney & Bonnie
Genesis (GNP, 1971)
With John Denver
I Want to Live (RCA Records, 1977)
John Denver (RCA Records, 1979)
Autograph (RCA Records, 1980)
Seasons of the Heart (RCA Records, 1982)
It's About Time (RCA Records, 1983)
Dreamland Express (RCA Records, 1985)
One World (RCA Records, 1986)
Higher Ground (RCA Records, 1988)
Earth Songs (Windstar Records, 1990)
Christmas, Like a Lullaby (Windstar Records, 1990)
The Flower That Shattered the Stone (Windstar Records, 1990)
Different Directions (Windstar Records, 1991)
With Cass Elliot
Dream a Little Dream (Dunhill Records, 1968)
With Phil Everly
Star Spangled Springfield (RCA Victor, 1973)
With Bobbie Gentry
Ode to Billie Joe (Capitol Records, 1967)
The Delta Sweete (Capitol Records, 1968)
With Arlo Guthrie
Running Down the Road (Reprise Records, 1969)
With Emmylou Harris
Pieces of the Sky (Reprise Records, 1975)
Elite Hotel (Reprise Records, 1975)
Luxury Liner (Warner Bros. Records, 1977)
Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town (Warner Bros. Records, 1978)
Light of the Stable (Warner Bros. Records, 1979)
Evangeline (Warner Bros. Records, 1981)
Cimarron (Warner Bros. Records, 1981)
With Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell
Old Yellow Moon (Nonesuch Records, 2013)
With Dale Hawkins
Oh! Suzy-Q (MCA Records, 1958)
L.A., Memphis & Tyler, Texas (Bell Records, 1969)
With Ronnie Hawkins
The Hawk (United Artists Records, 1979)
With Chris Hillman
Desert Rose (Sugar Hill Records, 1984)
With Sammy Johns
Sammy Johns (General Recording, 1973)
With Nicolette Larson
Nicolette (Warner Bros. Records, 1978)
With Jim Lauderdale
Patchwork River (Thirty Tigers, 2010)
I'm a Song (Sky Crunch Records, 2014)
With Drake Milligan
Dallas/Fort Worth (BBR Records, 2022)
With Ronnie Milsap
Ronnie Milsap (Warner Bros. Records, 1971)
With Joni Mitchell
For the Roses (Asylum Records, 1972)
With The Monkees
The Monkees (Colgems Records, 1966)
More of the Monkees (Colgems Records, 1967)
With Michael Martin Murphey
Michael Martin Murphey (Liberty Records, 1982)
With Michael Nesmith
The Wichita Train Whistle Sings (Dot, 1968)
Nevada Fighter (RCA Records, 1971)
With Randy Newman
Randy Newman (Reprise Records, 1968)
With Harry Nilsson
Harry (RCA Victor, 1969)
With The Oak Ridge Boys
Room Service (ABC Records, 1978)
With Roy Orbison
A Black and White Night Live (Virgin Records, 1989)
With Tom Pacheco
Swallowed Up in the Great American Heartland (RCA Victor, 1976)
With Brad Paisley
Time Well Wasted (Arista Records, 2005)
Play: The Guitar Album (Arista Records, 2008)
With Gram Parsons
GP (Reprise Records, 1973)
Grievous Angel (Reprise Records, 1974)
With John Phillips
John Phillips (John, the Wolf King of L.A.) (Dunhill Records, 1970)
With Elvis Presley
That's the Way It Is (RCA Records, 1970)
Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old) (RCA Records, 1971)
Love Letters from Elvis (RCA Records, 1971)
Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas (RCA Records, 1971)
Elvis Now (RCA Records, 1972)
He Touched Me (RCA Records, 1972)
Elvis (RCA Records, 1973)
Raised on Rock / For Ol' Times Sake (RCA Records, 1973)
Good Times (RCA Records, 1974)
Promised Land (RCA Records, 1975)
Today (RCA Records, 1975)
From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee (RCA Records, 1976)
Moody Blue (RCA Records, 1977)
With Johnny Rivers
Realization (Imperial Records, 1968)
Slim Slo Slider (Imperial Records, 1970)
Home Grown (United Artists Records, 1971)
Wild Night (United Artists Records, 1976)
With Kenny Rogers
Share Your Love (Liberty Records, 1981)
With Evie Sands
Any Way That You Want Me (Rev-Ola, 1970)
With Nancy Sinatra
Sugar (Reprise Records, 1966)
With Tom Snow
Taking It All in Stride (Capitol Records, 1975)
With Buffalo Springfield
Buffalo Springfield Again (Atco Records, 1967)
With The Tractors
The Tractors (Arista Records, 1994)
Have Yourself a Tractors Christmas (Arista Records, 1995)
Fast Girl (Audium Records, 2001)
With Tina Turner
Tina Turns the Country On! (United Artists Records, 1974)
With Townes Van Zandt
Our Mother the Mountain (Poppy, 1969)
With Sammy Walker
Sammy Walker (Warner Bros. Records, 1976)
With Gillian Welch
Revival (Almo Sounds, 1996)
See also
James Burton Telecaster
Ricky Nelson
Hybrid picking
Elvis Presley
TCB Band
References
External links
The James Burton Foundation
James Burton recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings
James Burton Interview at NAMM Oral History Collection
1939 births
Living people
American country guitarists
American rock guitarists
American rockabilly guitarists
American male guitarists
American session musicians
Lead guitarists
People from Minden, Louisiana
Musicians from Shreveport, Louisiana
TCB Band members
The Wrecking Crew (music) members
Louisiana Republicans
Resonator guitarists
Guitarists from Los Angeles
Guitarists from Louisiana
People from Dubberly, Louisiana
20th-century American guitarists
Country musicians from California
Country musicians from Louisiana
20th-century American male musicians
The Strangers (American band) members
Stony Plain Records artists
Elvis Presley