3/13/2008 Staff
courtesy: The Tennessean Barry "Byrd" Burton, who played on country classics including the Amazing Rhythm Aces' "Third Rate Romance" and Don Williams' "Tulsa Time," died Monday evening after a long bout with leukemia, according to The Tennessean. Byrd, who lived in the Nashville suburb of Hendersonville, was 61. Burton, who was adept on electric, acoustic, or steel guitar, played on tour with Brooks & Dunn, Dan Fogelberg, Dolly Parton, Nanci Griffith, and many others. He was a part of albums including Emmylou Harris' Cimarron, The Oak Ridge Boys' Fancy Free, Williams' Expressions, Griffith's Late Night Grand Hotel, and the Aces' breakout effort, Stacked Deck. "In the studio, he was so easy to get along with," said Bob Babbitt, the famed Motown bass player who began working with Mr. Burton after Babbitt moved to Nashville. "He came in knowing the song, and he was great at writing out the charts. He took care of business. And then he sat down and played his butt off." Burton was discovered by legendary producer Sam Phillips (Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis), who hired Mr. Burton to play at his studio in Memphis. He joined the Amazing Rhythm Aces during the recording of 1975's Stacked Deck and stayed with the band for three years. After that, he became an in-demand touring and studio musician, thanks to his soulful playing and a personality that helped keep things at an even keel. "He had a calmness about him, and he helped others feel relaxed," said drummer Craig Krampf. "Byrd was one of the greatest human beings I've ever met. And as a musician, he was incredible." A memorial service will be held on Saturday.
