MY POINT OF (RE)VIEW – Colonel Buster Doss Ode To A Hero By Danny Grae While my reviews are generally about musical artists and their recordings, this "review" is going to be a little different as I honor the memory of a very special man - Colonel Buster Doss who passed away on August 6th, 2006. As children, we all had our heroes. Superman, the Lone Ranger, a teacher, a friend - someone who went above and beyond the call of duty to help others and whose efforts made a lasting impression on our lives. Some of us are even fortunate enough to find such heroes as adults. I am one of those fortunates. Several years ago my wife, Susan, made numerous cold canvas calls to various record labels and agents to drum up some interest in my recordings. Of all the calls and contacts made, only one proved fruitful. And it marked the beginning of a new leg in my musical journey - a journey that would lead me to Colonel Buster Doss. A man who I would first come to know as an honest, trustworthy promoter (a rarity in the music business). A man who would open doors in Tennessee for this "damn Yankee" that would have otherwise gone unopened. Buster single-handedly helped elevate my musical career to a new level of professionalism for which I will always be grateful. Our business relationship eventually turned into a friendship - one that evolved despite the odds of time and distance getting in the way. I've always felt so lucky to have him in my corner and honored to be able to call him my friend. If you read his bio, you'd be amazed at the breadth of his talents and accomplishments. I couldn't possibly name them all here because of space limitations, but let me relate a few of the "highlights". In 1945 Buster appeared in several Hollywood western movies as "Bronco Buck Cody" and "The Cactus Kid". Became a member of the Louisiana Hayride in 1948 along with Hank Williams, Kitty Wells and Jim Reeves. During the mid 50's he owned seven radio stations. Formed Wizard Records in 1959, which became the first major independent record label on Music Row in Nashville. In 1963 Buster managed country artists Billy Grammer, Billy Walker, Sky King among others. Opened his first of seven "Frontier Jamboree Music Theaters" in 1969. Then in 1983, he appeared on Broadway in the lead role of "The Vitonka Medicine Show". Besides these "highlights", Buster has written over 500 recorded songs, produced thousands of records and worked with many of country music's elite from Hank Williams to Dolly Parton to Willie Nelson to The Oak Ridge Boys. In recent years, Buster launched The Colonel Buster Doss Music Group, which has helped promote the fledgling careers of many independent country music artists like myself. This vision of promoting independent country music will continue as his wife, Barbara and a select team follow in his footsteps and build upon the foundation he so carefully laid. We should all be so lucky to have led such a full and successful life as Buster. He was bigger than life and yet was one of the most humble and unpretentious people I've ever met in the music industry. He was a guiding light and inspiration and his passing has left a void both artistically and emotionally for many. I will miss him dearly, but am so grateful that I was able to enjoy a “brush with greatness” and meet a hero firsthand. I would say "rest in peace", but those of us that knew Buster know that resting is not an option for him. He probably entered the pearly gates and started planning the first ever "Jamboree On A Cloud". And by now has probably signed several independent angels to his new "Starbound" record label and will promote them in his first of seven "Heavenly Frontier Music Theaters". So, instead I'll just say, "Til we meet again, my friend - my hero". Comments should be addressed through Danny’s website at http://www.dannygrae.com. |