James Burton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Burton
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Burton in 2010
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Edward Burton |
| Born | August 21, 1939 Dubberly, Louisiana, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar, dobro |
| Years active | 1952–present |
| Associated acts |
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James Edward Burton (born August 21, 1939) is an amazing American guitarist from Dubberly, Louisiana. He's known as one of the best guitar players ever! People call him a "guitar picker" because of his special way of playing. He's so good that he's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (since 2001), the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. In 2024, he was also welcomed into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone magazine even ranked him as one of the top 250 greatest guitarists of all time!
Since the 1950s, James Burton has played guitar for many famous singers. He's been on stage and in the recording studio with stars like Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Johnny Cash, John Denver, and Emmylou Harris. His unique guitar sound has helped shape rock and roll, rockabilly, and country music for decades.
Contents
Biography: James Burton's Musical Journey
Early Life and First Steps in Music
James Burton was born in Dubberly, Louisiana. His parents were Guy M. Burton and Lola Poland. James taught himself how to play the guitar when he was just a kid. He loved music and practiced a lot.
When he was still a teenager, James got a job playing guitar for a popular radio show called Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport. This was a big deal, like a live music show on the radio! Soon after, he moved to Los Angeles and joined Ricky Nelson's band. In Los Angeles, James also became a "session musician." This means he was hired to play guitar on many different artists' recordings, even if he wasn't part of their regular band. He helped create the famous guitar solo for Dale Hawkins' 1957 hit song "Susie Q." This song is so important that it's in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll!
Playing with Ricky Nelson and Becoming a Session Star
James Burton played guitar on most of Ricky Nelson's songs for the first 11 years of Nelson's career. He started with classic songs like "Stood Up" and "Waitin' in School." At first, he played rhythm guitar, but soon he became Nelson's main lead guitarist.
In 1965, James started working on a TV show called Shindig! This show was very popular and showed off his amazing guitar skills to a huge audience. Because of Shindig!, many other musicians wanted James to play on their songs. He became a very busy session guitarist, playing for lots of different artists without always getting credit. He even turned down offers to join Bob Dylan's band and to play on Elvis Presley's 1968 TV special because he was so busy!
Joining Elvis Presley's Band
In 1969, Elvis Presley asked James Burton to join his band for shows in Las Vegas. This time, James said yes! He became the leader of Elvis's new band, called the TCB Band. TCB stands for "Taking Care of Business," which was Elvis's motto. James played with Elvis from 1969 until Elvis passed away in 1977.
During Elvis's live shows, you would often hear him say, "Play it, James!" This was Elvis's way of telling James to play one of his awesome guitar solos. James even bought a special pink paisley guitar that Elvis loved, and he used it for every show. While playing with Elvis, James also released his own solo album in 1971, called The Guitar Sounds of James Burton.
Working with Emmylou Harris and John Denver
Even while touring with Elvis, James found time to play with other artists. In 1975, he joined Emmylou Harris's backing band, the "Hot Band." He played with her for a while, but when Elvis was ready to tour again, James went back to play with him.
After Elvis's death in 1977, James started working with John Denver, a famous folk and country singer. They recorded 12 albums together and toured all over the world for 16 years! James carried several guitars with him, including his famous pink paisley Fender Telecaster that he used with Elvis. James stayed with John Denver's band until 1994 and even spoke at Denver's memorial service in 1997.
James Burton's Recent Career and Legacy
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In recent years, James Burton has continued to play and record with many artists, including Elvis Costello and Merle Haggard. In 1988, he was a big part of a special TV show called Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night. In 1990, James moved back to his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana.
From 1998 to 2013, James played lead guitar in Elvis: The Concert. This was a special show that brought together some of Elvis's original bandmates and singers to perform his songs live.
In 2005, James started the annual James Burton International Guitar Festival in Shreveport. This festival helps raise money for his charity foundation. In 2007, he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum as part of a famous group of session musicians called The Wrecking Crew. In 2009, he won a Grammy Award for a song called "Cluster Pluck" with Brad Paisley and other guitarists.
In 2009, James was also inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. He continues to record and perform. In 2023, he led a special concert in London called "James Burton & Friends: One Night Only," where he played with famous musicians like Sir Brian May from Queen and Elvis Costello. In 2024, James rode on a Louisiana-themed float in the Tournament of Roses Parade and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Equipment and Playing Style: The Sound of James Burton
James Burton uses different guitar amplifiers to get a variety of sounds. His main guitar has always been a Fender Telecaster. He got his first blonde Telecaster around 1952. His famous 1969 Paisley Red (or Pink Paisley) Telecaster was so special that Fender made a "James Burton Telecaster" model based on it in 1991. Later, another model was inspired by his 1953 Candy Apple Red Telecaster.
James has a very unique way of playing the guitar. He uses a regular guitar pick and also a fingerpick on his middle finger. He also used to change his guitar strings to make them easier to bend. This helped him create his legendary "chickin' pickin'" sound, which is a fast, sharp, and twangy style that sounds a bit like a chicken clucking!
Planned Museum: The James Burton Guitar and Car Museum
The James Burton Foundation, a non-profit group, is building a special place called the "James Burton Guitar and Car Museum" in Shreveport. This museum will show off James's amazing collection of guitars and classic cars. It will also feature guitars and cars from some of his famous friends!
Collaborations: Playing with the Stars
James Burton has played on countless recordings and performed with many of the biggest names in music. He has lent his incredible guitar skills to albums by artists such as Hoyt Axton, The Beach Boys, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, Elvis Costello, John Denver, Emmylou Harris, Joni Mitchell, The Monkees, Randy Newman, Brad Paisley, Gram Parsons, Elvis Presley, Johnny Rivers, Kenny Rogers, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Buffalo Springfield, Tina Turner, and Townes Van Zandt. His guitar playing has left a huge mark on music history.
See also
In Spanish: James Burton para niños
- James Burton Telecaster
- Ricky Nelson
- Hybrid picking
- Elvis Presley
- TCB Band
