Buddy Buie
Encyclopedia
Buddy Buie is a songwriter, producer, and publisher. He is most commonly associated with Roy Orbison
, The Classics IV
and The Atlanta Rhythm Section
.
and moved on to New York City
. Eventually he moved to Atlanta, Georgia
where he spent most of his career. However, nearly all the songs written by Buie and his co-writers were conceived in Eufaula, Alabama
on Thomas Mill Creek where Buie had a small fishing trailer (Eufaula is only a 3-hour drive from Atlanta and a 1-hour drive from Dothan, making it a convenient location).
He is most well known as a prolific song-writer, with 340 songs registered in the Broadcast Music Incorporated
(BMI) catalog. In fact, Buie's "Traces" (performed by The Classics IV) was at one point the 34th Most Performed Song in BMI History. Buie's truly literary lyrics blend seamlessly with the music, with clear, sustained imagery, classic themes, poetic motifs, and a pithy, concise wit that is often lacking in the work of peers.
While his initial success with the Classics IV established his career, the immensely popular (original) Atlanta Rhythm Section in the 1970s perhaps best defines his success and artistry as a songwriter and producer. Buie helped gather one of the most talented ensembles of musicians in rock music and they helped define the Southern Rock genre with other bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Atlanta Rhythm Section assumed the mantle of their fellow Georgians, the Allman Brothers Band, as one of the best live acts in the genre, with intense and lengthy solos and artistry that transformed their concerts into stellar jam sessions. They played a command performance at the White House for Pres. Jimmy Carter on his son's birthday. Under Buie's leadership, the Rhythm Section had unsurpassed regional appeal in the late '70s and made regular appearances in the Nation-wide Top 40. Some of the key elements that distinguished ARS from their counterparts include Buie's production, influence, and songwriting: a rare instance where the lyrics and production matched the talents of accomplished, talented musicians in their prime.
Buie is a member of both the Georgia Music Hall of Fame (1984) and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame (1997).
Buie's contemporary work includes Rock Bottom for Wynonna Judd
and Mr. Midnight for Garth Brooks
. Notable artists that have covered his songs include Gloria Estefan
("Traces"), Travis Tritt
("Back Up Against the Wall" and "Homesick"), David Sanborn
("Spooky"), and Carlos Santana
("Stormy"). Most recently John Legend
used "Stormy" as the backing track on the single "Save Room
", earning Buie a writer's credit.
Buie's music has also been used in films, most notably Lost in Translation
("So into You") and Just like Heaven ("Spooky"). "So Into You" was also featured in a commercial for Texas Pete
hot sauce.
In 1978, Buie and marketing executive Arnie Geller founded the Buie/Gellar Organization, a recording management company, and BGO Records in Doraville, Georgia.
In 2003, Buie left Atlanta and retired to Eufaula, just miles from the birthplace of the songs that built his career.
In 2011, the Oscar winning film, The Fighter, features "So Into You" by The Atlanta Rhythm Section on its soundtrack.
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
, The Classics IV
Classics IV
The Classics IV were a band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, in 1965, given credit for beginning the "soft southern rock" sound...
and The Atlanta Rhythm Section
Atlanta Rhythm Section
The Atlanta Rhythm Section, sometimes abbreviated ARS, is an American southern rock band. In 1970 former members of the Candymen and the Classics IV joined together and became the session band for the newly opened Studio One in Doraville, Georgia....
.
Biography
Buie was born in the small town of Dothan, AlabamaDothan, Alabama
Dothan is a city located in the southeastern corner of the US state of Alabama, situated approximately west of the Georgia state line and north of Florida. It is the seat of Houston County, with portions extending into nearby Dale County and Henry County...
and moved on to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Eventually he moved to Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
where he spent most of his career. However, nearly all the songs written by Buie and his co-writers were conceived in Eufaula, Alabama
Eufaula, Alabama
Eufaula is a city in Barbour County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 13,908.-Geography:Eufaula is located at 31°53'21.732" North, 85°9'13.586" West ....
on Thomas Mill Creek where Buie had a small fishing trailer (Eufaula is only a 3-hour drive from Atlanta and a 1-hour drive from Dothan, making it a convenient location).
He is most well known as a prolific song-writer, with 340 songs registered in the Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
(BMI) catalog. In fact, Buie's "Traces" (performed by The Classics IV) was at one point the 34th Most Performed Song in BMI History. Buie's truly literary lyrics blend seamlessly with the music, with clear, sustained imagery, classic themes, poetic motifs, and a pithy, concise wit that is often lacking in the work of peers.
While his initial success with the Classics IV established his career, the immensely popular (original) Atlanta Rhythm Section in the 1970s perhaps best defines his success and artistry as a songwriter and producer. Buie helped gather one of the most talented ensembles of musicians in rock music and they helped define the Southern Rock genre with other bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd. The Atlanta Rhythm Section assumed the mantle of their fellow Georgians, the Allman Brothers Band, as one of the best live acts in the genre, with intense and lengthy solos and artistry that transformed their concerts into stellar jam sessions. They played a command performance at the White House for Pres. Jimmy Carter on his son's birthday. Under Buie's leadership, the Rhythm Section had unsurpassed regional appeal in the late '70s and made regular appearances in the Nation-wide Top 40. Some of the key elements that distinguished ARS from their counterparts include Buie's production, influence, and songwriting: a rare instance where the lyrics and production matched the talents of accomplished, talented musicians in their prime.
Buie is a member of both the Georgia Music Hall of Fame (1984) and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame (1997).
Buie's contemporary work includes Rock Bottom for Wynonna Judd
Wynonna Judd
Wynonna Ellen Judd is an American country music singer. Her solo albums and singles are all credited to the singular name Wynonna. Wynonna first rose to fame in the 1980s alongside her mother, Naomi, in the country music duo The Judds...
and Mr. Midnight for Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks
Troyal Garth Brooks , best known as Garth Brooks, is an American country music artist who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart...
. Notable artists that have covered his songs include Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan
Gloria María Milagrosa Fajardo García de Estefan; known professionally as Gloria Estefan is a Cuban-born American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known as the "Queen Of Latin Pop", she is in the top 100 best selling music artists with over 100 million albums sold worldwide, 31.5 million of those...
("Traces"), Travis Tritt
Travis Tritt
James Travis Tritt is an American country music singer from Marietta, Georgia. He signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1989, releasing seven studio albums and a greatest hits package for the label between then and 1999. In the 2000s, he released two albums on Columbia Records and one for the defunct...
("Back Up Against the Wall" and "Homesick"), David Sanborn
David Sanborn
David Sanborn is an American alto saxophonist. Though Sanborn has worked in many genres, his solo recordings typically blend jazz with instrumental pop and R&B. He released his first solo album Taking Off in 1975, but has been playing the saxophone since before he was in high school...
("Spooky"), and Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana
Carlos Augusto Alves Santana is a Mexican rock guitarist. Santana became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered rock, salsa and jazz fusion...
("Stormy"). Most recently John Legend
John Legend
John Roger Stephens , better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career...
used "Stormy" as the backing track on the single "Save Room
Save Room
"Save Room" is the first single from John Legend's second album, Once Again. It is a joyful, cool love song that samples Gábor Szabó's version of the Classics IV hit "Stormy". As John recalls, "Kanye West brought the sample. I didn't even know the original. I just knew it was a nice organ sound and...
", earning Buie a writer's credit.
Buie's music has also been used in films, most notably Lost in Translation
Lost in Translation (film)
Lost in Translation is a 2003 American film written and directed by Sofia Coppola; her second feature film after The Virgin Suicides and it stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson...
("So into You") and Just like Heaven ("Spooky"). "So Into You" was also featured in a commercial for Texas Pete
Texas Pete
Texas Pete is a Louisiana-style hot sauce in the United States manufactured by the TW Garner Food Company in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The brand has 6.0 oz bottles with bright red sauce, shaker top, and white and yellow label featuring the name in red and "Texas Pete", a red silhouette cowboy...
hot sauce.
In 1978, Buie and marketing executive Arnie Geller founded the Buie/Gellar Organization, a recording management company, and BGO Records in Doraville, Georgia.
In 2003, Buie left Atlanta and retired to Eufaula, just miles from the birthplace of the songs that built his career.
In 2011, the Oscar winning film, The Fighter, features "So Into You" by The Atlanta Rhythm Section on its soundtrack.