Country music loses former Buckaroo and legendary pedal steel player Tom Brumley

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins Feb 6, 2009

Thomas Rexton "Tom" Brumley, a steel guitar player known for "The Bumley Touch" and for helping create country music's Bakersfield sound. has died at age 73 in San Antonio, Texas, after suffering a heart attack on Jan. 26, 2009, according to reports from his family.

Born Nov. 12, 1935, Brumley is likely best known by country fans as member of Buck Owens' chop-savvy band, the Buckaroos, from 1963 to ’69, where his steel guitar prowess was demontrated time and again on hits such as Together Again, which became his signature song and helped him amass a worldwide following among pedal steel players.

The third of six children, Brumley also played behind Rick Nelson for a decade, including on the late singer’s crossover hit, Garden Party.

Brumley's music roots ran deep, as the son Albert E. Brumley, a legendary gospel songwriter who wrote I'll Fly Away and Turn Your Radio On. At 14, Tom started his public performing career in music as a bassist in his brothers’ band.

Later, Brumley went on to become a much-celebrated, award-winning steel guitarist. He was inducted into both the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, which is part of the Texas Steel Guitar Association, and the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, among other honors. He also was awarded an Academy of Country Music honor for being the genre’s No. 1 steel player.

Brumley is survived by wife Rolene and three children, sons Tommy and Todd, and daughter Tracie.