Bucky Baxter

William "Bucky" Baxter (1955 – May 25, 2020) was an American guitarist. He is best known as a member of Steve Earle and The Dukes and as a member of Bob Dylan's backing band in the mid-90s during the Never Ending Tour. He released his only solo album, Most Likely, No Problem, in 1999.

Bucky Baxter
Birth nameWilliam Baxter
Born1955
Melbourne, Florida, U.S.
Died (aged 65)
Sanibel, Florida, U.S.
GenresCountry music
Alternative country
Rock
Instrument(s)Steel guitar
Acoustic guitar
Electric guitar
Mandolin
Dobro
Years active1986–2020
Formerly ofSteve Earle and the Dukes

Early life

Baxter was born in Melbourne, Florida, in 1955. He started learning how to play pedal steel guitar in the 1970s.[1][2] In the following decade, he met Steve Earle and played in the latter's debut album, Guitar Town, in 1986.[1][3]

Career

Baxter was a founding member of The Dukes, Earle's backing band.[1] He subsequently featured in three other albums by Earle – Exit 0 (1987),[2] Copperhead Road (1988) and The Hard Way (1990)[1] – providing vocals and guitar.[2] It was on one of Earle's concert tours in the early 1990s that he first encountered Bob Dylan, who asked Baxter to give him lessons in how to play steel guitar.[1][3] He played pedal steel guitar for Dylan's band on his Never Ending Tour from 1992 to 1999 and played pedal steel on Dylan's 1997 Grammy Award winning album, Time Out of Mind. After his time in Dylan's band came to an end, Baxter released a solo album, Most Likely, No Problem, in 1999.[1] He was one of three co-founders of Moontoast, a social rich media advertising platform.[4]

Baxter also appeared on various albums by artists including Ryan Adams, R.E.M., Beastie Boys and Joe Henry.[5] In studio, or while performing live, Baxter played steel guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, dobro.[6][7]

Death

Baxter died on May 25, 2020, in Sanibel Island, Florida, at the age of 65, according to his son, Rayland.[1] No cause was given.[8]

Discography

Source:[6]

Year Artist Title Instruments
1986 Steve Earle Guitar Town[8] Pedal steel guitar
1987 Exit 0[8] Steel guitar, vocals
1988 Copperhead Road[8] Pedal steel, lap steel, dobro
R.E.M. Green[8] Pedal steel guitar
1990 Steve Earle The Hard Way[1] Mullins pedal steel guitar
1991 Shut Up and Die Like an Aviator Steel guitar, electric and acoustic guitars, six-string bass
1995 Bob Dylan Unplugged Dobro, pedal steel guitar, mandolin
1996 Joe Henry Trampoline
1997 Bob Dylan Time Out of Mind Acoustic guitar, pedal steel
1999 Bucky Baxter Most Likely, No Problem
Country Mike Country Mike's Greatest Hits[8] Pedal steel guitar, fiddle
2001 Ryan Adams The Suicide Handbook Acoustic guitar
Gold Steel guitar
2002 Demolition Pedal steel guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
2002 Los Lobos Good_Morning_Aztlán Pedal steel guitar
2003 Cerys Matthews Cockahoop Producer, electric guitar, fiddle, vibraphone
2005 Ben Folds Songs for Silverman Pedal steel guitar, 12-string guitar
Willy Clay Band Rebecca Drive Pedal steel

References
  1. Hudak, Joseph (May 26, 2020). "Bucky Baxter, Pedal-Steel Great Who Toured With Bob Dylan, Dead at 65". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  2. Slingerland, Calum (May 26, 2020). "R.I.P. Acclaimed Pedal Steel Guitarist Bucky Baxter". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  3. Andrewland, Stephen (May 26, 2020). "Bucky Baxter, Pedal Steel Guitarist Who Toured With Bob Dylan, Dead at 65". PopCulture.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  4. "Venture Nashville, 2009"
  5. Smith, William Michael (July 12, 2010). "Ex-Bob Dylan, Steve Earle Steel Player Joins Joe Pug At Mango's". Spin. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  6. "Bucky Baxter – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  7. Harrington, Richard (December 6, 1997). "Bob Dylan, Unplugged and Electric". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
  8. Kohn, Daniel (May 26, 2020). "Bucky Baxter, Bob Dylan and R.E.M. Pedal-Steel Guitarist, Dies at 65". Spin. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  • Gray, Michael. The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia, 2006, p. 41
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