Emory Gordy Jr.: Difference between revisions

Emory Lee Gordy, Jr., born December 25, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia, is an American musician and music producer. Since 1989, he has been married to country music artist Patty Loveless. Gordy was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1992. His wife joined him in the Hall of Fame in 2005.^[1]

Born December 24, 1944, in Atlanta, Georgia. By age four he knew his way around a piano keyboard; at six he had begun to tackle the trumpet and would soon learn the banjo, euphonium, guitar, and ukelele. In high school Gordy divided his time and talents between string bands, dixieland bands, and a top 40 garage band, honing his musical skills and learning to arrange music. After graduation he continued his musical studies at Georgia State University, performing French horn in the concert band.

Started his career as a studio musician in Atlanta during 1964. He was asked to fill in on the instrument during a performance by Tommy Roe at a local concert. A week later he got the proverbial phone call; on the other end of the line was Joe South, an Atlanta-based record producer who had covered Roe on guitar alongside Gordy the week before. Soon Gordy was working alongside Roe, Razzy Bailey, Mac Davis, and Freddy Weller, as well as touring with Lou Christie, Rufus Thomas, and the Impressions. With Dennis Yost, he was a co-writer on the Classics IV hit "Traces".

Moved to Los Angeles in early 1970. Continued as a studio musician working at MCA. Along with the studio work, he supplemented with engineering and production work for Debbie Reynolds and Liberace Then, in 1971, he had the opportunity to tour as a bass player with Neil Diamond. Played multiple instruments (including guitar, mandolin, percussion, and vibes) in the recording sessions that led up to Diamond’s million-selling Hot August Night.

Moved to RCA Records in 1972 working with Elvis Presley, playing bass on "Separate Ways" and "Burning Love". Toured with Elvis in 1973, playing Bass for Elvis Presley's TCB Band. Later, along with fellow Presley band members James Burton, Glen D. Hardin, and Ronnie Tutt, accompanied Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris on Parson's Grievous Angel album, released the year after Parsons’s untimely death in 1973.

In the mid 1970s, he was an original member of Emmylou Harris's Hot Band in the mid 1970's along with James Burton, Glen Hardin, John Ware, Rodney Crowell, and Hank Devito. Remaining with Harris until 1977, Gordy continued to get calls from L.A. studios, where he played bass on projects by the Bellamy Brothers, Billy Joel, and Tom Petty. Gordy would go on to play in Rodney Crowell and Roseanne Cash’s crack band, the Cherry Bombs, alongside other soon-to-be Nashville luminaries: guitarist Richard Bennett, keyboard player Tony Brown, and Vince Gill on guitar.

Gordy joined the Elvis Presley TCB Band in 1973 and can be heard on many of Elvis' recordings from that era. He was a member of both Rodney Crowell’s band The Notorious Cherry Bombs and Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band.

Began as bass player in Atlanta, GA, studios, 1964; worked as a studio musician, Los Angeles, CA, beginning 1970; toured and recorded with Neil Diamond, 1971; toured with Elvis Presley, 1973; joined Emmylou Harris and her Hot Band, 1974–77; played with The Cherry Bombs, 1977–79 and 1981–82; toured and recorded with John Denver, 1979–81; recorded with J.J. Cale on his 1980 album, Shades; worked as a session musician and independent record producer for such artists as the Bellamy Brothers, Vince Gill, and Earl Thomas Conley in Nashville, TN, beginning 1982. Co-Produced Steve Earle's Exit 0 and Guitar Town records with Tony Brown, also Alabama, George Jones and Bill Monroe. Won CMA Album of the Year in 1995 for "When Fallen Angels Fly" with his wife Patty Loveless. As a songwriter, is a co-writer of "Traces Of Love" (Classics IV) and "Cheap Whiskey" (Martina McBride).

Now in semi-retirement, he spends most of his time on his farm northwest of Atlanta although he still writes, occasionally travels to Nashville as a studio musician for one of his friends, and is seen playing guitar at most of his wife's Nashville appearances. He is also an avid ham radio operator.

• An Interview from Bass Player Magazine showing all the various stages of Gordy's playing around the world^{[dead link]}

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