Buddy Greene

Buddy Greene brings a wide variety of southern Americana influences to his music to create a unique hybrid of country, bluegrass, folk, gospel and traditional blues. In addition to his solid reputation as a singer-songwriter and guitarist, Buddy has established himself as on of Nashville’s finest harmonica stylists. Buddy grew up in Macon, GA, amid its antebellum mansions, sultry summers, southern cooking and deep-south music culture. He spent his childhood learning dozens of folk songs on the ukulele and soon advanced to acoustic guitar, immersing himself in popular music mainstays of the time such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and Motown. Their infectious beat and obvious nods to roots music fueled Buddy's intense interest in the deeper historical origins of country, bluegrass and rhythm and blues music that are so evident in his music today. Buddy collaborated with Mark Lowry to write Mary, Did You Know?, which has become something of a modern-day Christmas standard, with recordings by superstars such as Kenny Rogers & Wynonna, Kathy Mattea, Christopher Parkening & Kathleen Battle, Natalie Cole, Reba McEntire, Donny Osmond, Clay Aiken, Gary Chapman, and many others. Other songs penned by Buddy and recorded by other artists include He Is (Ashley Cleveland), Fall Down Children (The Whites) and Recovering Pharisee (Del McCoury). For his 2002 release, “RUFUS”, Buddy invited an all-star cast of payers and singers to join him for an in-studio pickin’ party.  Bluegrass, blues, old-time gospel, even The Beatles, all got into the mix.  Says Buddy, "On “RUFUS” I just wanted to have fun with some really talented friends, play a bunch of old and new songs I never get tired of playing, and remember why I ever wanted to be a musician in the first place." “RUFUS” was named one of the Top 10 Bluegrass recordings of 2002 by the Chicago Tribune.

Since the release of “RUFUS”, Buddy has been able to expand his audience with appearances at music clubs, such as The Bluebird Café and Station Inn in Nashville, and at music festivals, such as MerleFest in North Carolina. For the past 5 years (2003–2007), Buddy has had a lifetime dream fulfilled as one of his all-time musical heroes, the legendary Doc Watson, has personally invited him to perform at this prestigious event. In 2003 Buddy released Hymns & Prayer Songs, an acoustic, eclectic celebration of the music of the church. Instead of the traditional piano and organ setting, you’ll hear updated arrangements on instruments such as acoustic guitar, mandolin, upright bass, and, of course, harmonica, for more of a folk, string band approach.

Buddy’s new project, HAPPY MAN, is a musical feast, overflowing with heroic harmonica playing, stellar picking, bodacious singing and outright FUN!  Once again it’s a pickin’ party that picks up where “RUFUS” left off.  Many friends gathered ‘round including guests of excellence like Jerry Reed, Bill Gaither, Bryan Sutton, Jeff Taylor, Pat Flynn, Aubrey Haynie, Ben & Sonya Isaacs, Christine Dente, Dennis Crouch, Steve Bryant, Byron House, Kenny Malone, Michael Card, & Ashley Cleveland.

Buddy and his wife, Vicki, live in Brentwood, TN and have two daughters.

External links

* [http://www.answers.com/topic/buddy-greene-1?cat=entertainment Answers.com bio of Buddy Greene]
* [http://www.buddygreene.com/ Buddy Greene website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfLhnkme2mE "Classical Medley" By Buddy Greene (HARMONICA)]