| James Burton is known throughout the music industry for his expertise on the guitar. His career started at age 14 when he was hired to play in the Louisiana Hayride Band, backing such artists as George Jones, Slim Whitman, Billy Walker, and is known throughout the music industry for his expertise on the guitar. His career started at age 14 when he was hired to play in the Louisiana Hayride Band, backing such artists as George Jones, Johnny Horton, Billy Walker, Bob Luman,and Slim Whitman,
In 1955, he wrote the music for the Dale Hawkins hit, "Susie-Q". In 1957, Ozzie Nelson hired James to record with Ricky Nelson and appear on the weekly TV series, "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet". James was also a full participant in Ricky's recording career, touring with the band in the U.S. and abroad for nine years.
In the mid 60s, James left the Nelsons to concentrate on his escalating studio career. He also made some records of his own, but his talent as a session player was in great demand from all sectors of the music industry and studio work remains a major part of his career.
James has added his great guitar sound to the performances of many great artists including Elvis Presley (James was the leader of the TCB Band from 1969-77), John Denver, Jerry Lee Lewis (with whom he tours regularly), Johnny Cash, The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings,Henry Mancini, Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard, Hoyt Axton, Mac Davis, Buck Owens, Mickey Gilley, and many others.
A living legend, James was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in the Side-men category, in 2001. |