31 Facts About Tom Brumley

Thomas Rexton Brumley was an American pedal steel guitarist and steel guitar manufacturer.

Tom Brumley performed with Buck Owens and the Buckaroos on hits such as "Cryin' Time" and "Together Again".

Tom Brumley later spent a decade with Ricky Nelson and performed on "Garden Party" and the In Concert at the Troubadour, 1969 album.

Tom Brumley later relocated the company to Texas, near his home in Kingsland where he managed the organization in his later years.

Tom Brumley received an Academy of Country Music award for "Top Steel Guitarist" in 1966.

Tom Brumley was featured on the cover of Steel Guitarist Magazine in 1980, and is a member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.

Tom Brumley's father was Albert E Brumley, a noted gospel music songwriter and the composer of the classic "I'll Fly Away".

Tom Brumley was born on December 11,1935, in Stella, Missouri, the third of six children.

Tom Brumley's father was Albert E Brumley, a composer and music publisher whose wrote over 700 gospel songs, including "I'll Fly Away" and "Turn Your Radio On".

Tom Brumley received his first steel guitar by mail-order in 1954.

Tom Brumley played jobs using it without knowing how to tune it, using a straight E major.

Tom Brumley met a steel player in Joplin, Missouri who showed him how to tune to an C6 tuning.

Tom Brumley said "I turned my bar every way in the world, but I couldn't duplicate his sound".

The pedals altered the pitch of certain strings allowing notes and chords that were impossible to achieve on the lap steel that Tom Brumley had been playing.

Tom Brumley served two years in the United States Army, stationed in Germany, and during that period he decided to pursue a career as a musician.

Tom Brumley worked at his father's music publishing company after completing his military service.

Buck Owens happened to be at the session and heard Tom Brumley play, saying that he would hire him to play if he ever had the chance.

At the time, Tom Brumley lived in North Hollywood and played at clubs in the area, but moved to Kingsland, Texas, to work with his father-in-law, Rollie Spencer, at his construction firm.

Tom Brumley received an Academy of Country Music award for "Top Steel Guitarist" in 1966.

Tom Brumley became good friends with Buck Owens' parents, whom he held in high regard.

Ultimately, Tom Brumley became sole owner of the guitar company in 1978 and relocated the factory to Kingsland, Texas.

Tom Brumley sold the company to Basil Smith in 1985.

Country music singer Marty Stuart, speaking of Tom Brumley, said "He was, in my opinion, one of the cornerstone guys that kind of bridged country music and rock'n'roll, as well, with his Rick Nelson works".

Tom Brumley left Nelson because the touring schedule kept getting heavier, by then 180 days per year, with plans to increase it after a new manager was brought on board.

Tom Brumley was eager to return home to Kingsland and manage his guitar company.

Tom Brumley spent three years with Chris Hillman and The Desert Rose Band during the early 1990s.

In 1989, Tom Brumley retired from touring to rejoin his brother, Al Tom Brumley Jr.

Tom Brumley performed or recorded with artists including Glen Campbell, Guthrie Thomas, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam, Chris Isaak, Waylon Jennings, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Ray Price and Rod Stewart.

Tom Brumley was inducted into the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Country Music Hall of Fame.

Tom Brumley died at age 73 on February 3,2009, at Northeast Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, a little more than a week after experiencing a heart attack.

Tom Brumley was survived by his wife of 48 years, Rolene, two sons, a daughter, six grandchildren and a great-grandson.