Biography
Tom Brumley earned lasting recognition as a pedal steel guitarist through the six years he spent in Buck Owens' celebrated backing ensemble the Buckaroos, where his solo on the classic Owens recording "Together Again" ranks among the most distinguished pedal steel performances in country music annals. His steel guitar approach blended smooth technical command with an emphasis on melodic clarity rather than showy display, yet every performance confirmed his complete command of the instrument. Although he functioned solely as a supporting player and never led his own studio projects, the extensive catalog of recordings he made alongside Owens and Rick Nelson, combined with his status as a premier session musician, secured his standing as a steel guitar virtuoso.
Powell, Missouri, was the 1935 birthplace of Brumley, whose father was gospel music titan Albert E. Brumley, creator of enduring standards such as "I'll Fly Away," "Turn Your Radio On," "I'll Meet You in the Morning," and "He Set Me Free." Musical ability marked all six Brumley siblings, prompting Tom to follow his brother Al Brumley, Jr. westward after the latter joined the daily country music program The Jimmy Thomason Show on Bakersfield's KERO-TV. Al Brumley, Jr. issued several overlooked singles on Capitol and brought Tom in to handle pedal steel for a 1963 date; Owens heard the finished recording and promptly invited Brumley to replace departing steel player Jay McDonald in the Buckaroos alongside guitarist Don Rich, bassist Doyle Holly, and drummer Willie Cantu. Brumley stayed with Owens until 1969, a span that aligned with the peak of the singer's artistic and commercial success and produced major hits such as "Act Naturally" and "Tiger by the Tail," helping define the signature Bakersfield sound.
Brumley next joined Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band and appeared on the 1972 comeback single "Garden Party." Subsequent years found him contributing to sessions led by artists ranging from Dwight Yoakam to Reba McEntire to Chris Isaak. Retiring from the road in 1989, he returned to Branson, MO, to team once more with Al Jr. at the 76 Music Hall, where the Brumley Family Music Show featured two of Tom's children as well. A short-lived return to touring came in 1990 when he rejoined Chris Hillman's retro-country outfit the Desert Rose Band, taking over pedal steel duties from Jay Dee Maness, the player who had succeeded Brumley in the Buckaroos. Inducted into both the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame and the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, Brumley passed away February 3, 2009, in San Antonio, TX, at age 73. Omnivore Recordings issued Steelin' the Show, a 2018 anthology spotlighting his standout Buckaroos performances.
Powell, Missouri, was the 1935 birthplace of Brumley, whose father was gospel music titan Albert E. Brumley, creator of enduring standards such as "I'll Fly Away," "Turn Your Radio On," "I'll Meet You in the Morning," and "He Set Me Free." Musical ability marked all six Brumley siblings, prompting Tom to follow his brother Al Brumley, Jr. westward after the latter joined the daily country music program The Jimmy Thomason Show on Bakersfield's KERO-TV. Al Brumley, Jr. issued several overlooked singles on Capitol and brought Tom in to handle pedal steel for a 1963 date; Owens heard the finished recording and promptly invited Brumley to replace departing steel player Jay McDonald in the Buckaroos alongside guitarist Don Rich, bassist Doyle Holly, and drummer Willie Cantu. Brumley stayed with Owens until 1969, a span that aligned with the peak of the singer's artistic and commercial success and produced major hits such as "Act Naturally" and "Tiger by the Tail," helping define the signature Bakersfield sound.
Brumley next joined Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band and appeared on the 1972 comeback single "Garden Party." Subsequent years found him contributing to sessions led by artists ranging from Dwight Yoakam to Reba McEntire to Chris Isaak. Retiring from the road in 1989, he returned to Branson, MO, to team once more with Al Jr. at the 76 Music Hall, where the Brumley Family Music Show featured two of Tom's children as well. A short-lived return to touring came in 1990 when he rejoined Chris Hillman's retro-country outfit the Desert Rose Band, taking over pedal steel duties from Jay Dee Maness, the player who had succeeded Brumley in the Buckaroos. Inducted into both the Texas Steel Guitar Hall of Fame and the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, Brumley passed away February 3, 2009, in San Antonio, TX, at age 73. Omnivore Recordings issued Steelin' the Show, a 2018 anthology spotlighting his standout Buckaroos performances.
Albums
