Buddy Simmons
The remarkable life of
February 3rd, 1926 - August 21st, 2012
Click to play Buddy’s Song BLUE AUTUMN SKIES
5 second ad precedes
Willie “Buddy” Simmons was an extraordinary man of many talents. In his public life, he was a musician, singer, comedian, radio disc jockey and program director, concert promoter, television personality and a true pioneer in country music. In his private life, he was a very spiritual man, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
The Buddy Simmons Story
Buddy Simmons and the Drifters was formed in 1956. The Drifters were known as the finest bunch of Western musicians in the Northwest. Twins Mel and Marv Palmer, Fred DuMont, Fiddlin’ Slim, Steve Chet, and Dave McOmie appeared on the album, “A Souvenir Album; Buddy Simmons and the Drifters.” This contained the original hit “Blue Autumn Skies” (play above) as well as eleven other songs and was released on Lavender Records in December of 1961.
Buddy Simmons and The Drifters
with George Jones
Here is the KATU Channel 2 (abc affiliate) “Hoedown” gang: (L-R) Buddy Simmons, Susan Rae, Smiling Jim, Leroy Couture, Tom Johnson, Mel Palmer, DeWayne Wear, Dave McOmie, Steve Chet, Lucky Gaskill, and cameraman Bob Warrington.
On set at “Hoedown”
Buddy promoted a lot of big name country music shows in the Portland, OR area. Here he is with the “The Possum” George Jones (L) and the legendary Buck Owens (R).
with a fan and Ray Price
Here he is with Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright (L) and with Faron Young (R).
And here with Don Gibson (L) Ferlin Husky and Hank Snow (R).
with Kitty Wells and Johnny Wright
with Faron Young
with Buck Owens
with Don Gibson
with Ferlin Husky and Hank Snow
with Tommy Collins and Red Foley
Little Jimmy Dickens (L) and (L-R) Tommy Collins, Buddy Simmons, Red Foley (R).
Poster for Ray Price Show
The legendary Ray Price.
with Little Jimmy Dickens
in his comedy giddup
with his 3-neck steel guitar
Early in his career, Buddy was a comedian (L). He also invented the worlds first triple-neck steel guitar, although his idea was stolen before he got the patent.
