Buddy Miller: Artist of the Decade

[Reno Sepulveda]

"It is not a stunt, naming Buddy Miller artist of this frenzied decade
of two zeros in this, our seventy-fifth and final magazine. It is a
summation. The last, best thing we believed possible to do.

Buddy will probably disagree with our choice because he is a modest man
accustomed to working among giants.

And because he does not see that they all stand in his shadow, as much
as he does in theirs."
Grant Alden, co-editor No Depression Magazine

[woodman]

congrats to Buddy and a fond farewell to No Depression ... as a roots player and fan, i'll really miss it.

[editorjuno]

A player's player, a great singer, a terrific writer, arranger, producer, and recording engineer -- it's certainly a well-deserved honor.

[ac15]

I saw Buddy twice, once with Emmylou Harris and he was fine as a supporting musician. As far as him fronting his own band, I was underwhelmed. As a performer, he seemed really green up there and I wasn't crazy about the tunes. Maybe he had an off night. Seems like a nice guy though, and I certainly don't begrudge his, or anyone elses success. More power to him. His opening act that night, Al Anderson (formerly of NRBQ) got up on stage with just a steel string guitar and his voice and I was blown away by how good he was.

[Reno Sepulveda]

I realize not everybody is as enthusiastic about Buddy's music as myself and others but I'll tell you what, Buddy is anything but green.

He also shines brightest with his wife Julie next to him. Buddy and Julie in front of that band of theirs, maybe Emmylou helping out on a few numbers...for me it just doesn't any get better.

[Smokin OP]

Just got home from my gig tonight....last song of the night was Buddy's "Don't Tell Me" by request. Love Buddy Miller!!!!

[Tim Bowen]

Huge Buddy and Julie Miller fan here. I can't imagine him being "green", but I guess the off night is possible for anyone. I've heard of Jeff Beck having off nights, although I've never personally witnessed one myself.

One of the many things I really love about Buddy Miller - and God, I wish more musicians with facility and chops had the mature presence of mind to embrace this mindset - is that he's only going to burn down the barn if the tune calls for it. If butt-simple parts are what's needed for the song, that's exactly what he'll play. Perhaps somewhat of a stretch stylistically, but he reminds me a bit of Pat Metheny (think Pat's arrangement of "Spiritual") in this respect.

Earlier this afternoon, I was working on my arrangement of Buddy's arrangement of Utah Phillips' tune "Rock Salt and Nails" (wow, what a mouthful) with a mandolin student. At one point, my student, an older gentleman, commented, "Tell you what... I did some searches prior to our lesson, and listened to various versions of that tune, and nothing compares to the Buddy Miller arrangement; he took those spooky lyrics and did them justice. And the harmonies with Julie just drive the point home more. Thanks for turning me on to it!" To which I replied, "My pleasure, that's my job."

I congratulate Buddy Miller on this achievement, and could not possibly agree more with Grant Alden's words.

[allen st. john]

I love Buddy too.
I've got the mag sitting on the night stand, and only skimmed it so far.
I'm distressed to find that ND is ceasing publication.
Financial thing? They seem to be getting a decent number of ads.
Too bad. Guess one more thing--writing for No Depression-- slips off my life list.
allen

[asatfan]

My wife and I are huge Buddy and Julie fans. Have only seen them once...playing with Steve Earle's band. It was wonderful. Julie did several songs with the band before Steve came out. Buddy probably has done more in the last 10 years for country music than anyone;and in a very subtle and modest way (and I'm not talking about his playing!). I look forward to many more years of great music from both.

[tiktok]

Wow--never heard of him.

[mrbdxmpl]

My absolute favorite country solo of all time is Buddy's on "Ain't Living Long Like This" from Emmylou's Spyboy cd...Kills me every time. Was lucky enough to spend my 38th birthday hanging out with Buddy and Emmylou's drummer in a really cheezy bar in Philly after a show...I remember telling him he made me feel like running my tele through a wood chipper!

[markinlondon]

Sounds like a fine idea to me. I've always liked Buddy. I'll miss ND too.

[harlycarly]

Another huge Buddy Miller fan here. He seems like a very humble guy with a huge amount of talent. He is truly a phenomenon is a "Hank to Hendrix" sort of way. I got to see him once with his band. Surely wasn't "green" that night.

Just wish he played more in these parts.

[Del Pickup]

I saw Buddy with Emmylou Harris when the Spyboy tour came to New Zealand several years ago. Amazing to watch - especially on 'Ain't Living Long Like This'.

I've got a dvd of that tour as well and when I want to remind myself why I need to keep practicing I watch that and weep.............

[freddie]

Hi All,

I love his guitarplaying with Lucinda Williams!!!!!



keep on country rocking,


freddie

[woodman]

Originally Posted by Reno Sepulveda

He also shines brightest with his wife Julie next to him.

i've never heard them live, but their eponymous first album (2001) just knocked me out ... i played it repeatedly for months, and my wife and i learned three songs off it. couple chemistry at its best!

[Reno Sepulveda]

For all of you that love Buddy you really need to get that magazine and read the article. Very moving stuff.

Also some good news about No Depression not only will they continue to keep their website up and current...

There's also news on the print front. While our May-June issue will be our last in bimonthly-magazine form, we're very happy to announce that we will be teaming up with University of Texas Press to present a semiannual "bookazine." Envisioned as a sort of hybrid between a book and a magazine, this new No Depression creation will make its debut in the fall. Look for #1 (or "#76", as we'll dub it, in deference to the magazine's precedence) in the music-books section of your local bookstore -- and also watch this space for upcoming details about ordering subscriptions. (If you're a current subscriber to the magazine, we'll soon be sending you a note in the mail regarding the transition.)

Just as when the magazine started, the bookazine will become principally a hobby for its editors, at least for starters, with the possibility that it may grow into more. In terms of the content and presentation, we're going into largely uncharted territory here -- also much as was the case when we started the magazine.

[Poppatwang]

As a current subscriber that's good news.
And kudos to Buddy.

[Iain]

That's good news about ND (I'm a subscriber).

And Buddy is, indeed, great, not only as a guitarists (and his guitar playing rocks!) but as a singer and writer. His production style's pretty influential, too, I think.
He deserves his accolade.

[Nighthawk]

"MIdnight and Lonesome Again"!!! Yes indeed Buddy Miller can do it all. Avery special set of sounds.