James Burton, a name synonymous with guitar royalty, was born on August 21, 1939, in Dubberly, Louisiana, but his formative years unfolded in Shreveport. Even before he held a guitar, young James was drumming on anything he could find around the house, showcasing a natural rhythmic inclination. Recognizing his burgeoning passion, his parents gifted him his first acoustic guitar. His second acoustic guitar purchase led him to J&S Music in Shreveport, a pivotal moment where he encountered a ’53 Fender Telecaster. It was love at first sight; he knew instantly that this iconic guitar was destined to be his instrument of choice.
His musical education was heavily influenced by the radio waves of KWKH in Shreveport. Through this station, James absorbed the sounds of guitar pioneers like Chet Atkins, the raw energy of Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, and the bluesy tones of Elmore James and Lightnin’ Hopkins. He was a sponge, rapidly developing his own extraordinary guitar skills. By the age of 14, James Burton was already playing professionally, securing gigs at local clubs and private events. School often took a back seat to his guitar playing, as the sheer joy of performing was his primary motivation, not financial gain. Due to his age, playing in clubs required a permit from the police station, a testament to his early professional commitment.
Horace Logan, the producer of the renowned Louisiana Hayride radio program, recognized Burton’s exceptional talent. He offered the 14-year-old guitarist a spot on the show and in the staff band. At the Hayride, James provided backing for country music stars such as George Jones, Jimmy and Johnny, Billy Walker, and Johnny Horton, gaining invaluable experience and exposure. He remained a fixture at the Hayride for approximately a year, honing his craft in a professional environment.
James backing David Houston at the Louisiana Hayride
James Burton Louisiana Hayride performance backing David Houston showcases early guitar prowess.
During his time at the Hayride, Burton developed a strong fascination with the steel guitar. He engaged in musical exchanges with Sonny Trammell, the Hayride’s steel guitar player, trading licks and exploring each other’s instruments. This interest in steel guitar techniques later inspired him to explore the slide dobro, further expanding his sonic palette.
Prior to achieving mainstream fame with “Susie Q,” James Burton gained valuable recording experience with local artists at Mira Smith’s RAM Records in Shreveport. He contributed to numerous recordings with musicians like Joe Osborne (then a guitarist, later a renowned bassist), James Wilson, Carol Williams (on whose record Burton made his lead guitar debut), Leon Post, Charlotte Hunter, and Larry Lincoln. With Larry Lincoln, he formed Larry Bamburg and The Louisiana Drifters. These early recordings are compiled on the album “Shreveport High Steppers,” offering a glimpse into Burton’s pre-fame artistry.
In 1955, James Burton joined forces with Dale Hawkins. The band recorded a demo of “See You Soon Baboon” at the KWKH studio. Stan Lewis, owner of Stan’s Record Shop, was impressed and signed them to a management deal, subsequently connecting them with Chess Records. In 1957, this collaboration resulted in the recording of “Susie Q” with Dale Hawkins. James Burton crafted the iconic guitar lick for the song, while Hawkins penned the lyrics, creating a rock and roll classic that would launch Burton into the spotlight.
After his tenure with Hawkins, James Burton continued to perform locally. Horace Logan, who was now also managing Bob Luman, reached out to Burton. Logan recognized the synergy between Luman’s style and stage presence and Burton’s exceptional guitar skills. Burton, along with bassist James Kirkland, joined Bob Luman, and they began performing together at the Hayride. With hits like “My Gal is Red Hot” and “A Red Cadillac and A Black Mustache,” the band, now known as Bob Luman and The Shadows, gained momentum. Logan secured them a role in the Hollywood movie “Carnival Rock” and a recurring spot on Town Hall Party, further amplifying their visibility. A DVD capturing Luman’s Town Hall Party performances was released in 2003, showcasing Burton’s dynamic playing during this period.
While in Hollywood with Bob Luman, Ricky Nelson witnessed their rehearsal. Shortly thereafter, James Burton received a telegram from Ricky Nelson, inviting him and bassist James Kirkland to meet. They were offered positions in Nelson’s backing band and a regular spot on the immensely popular Ozzie and Harriet show. Both accepted, and James Burton soon found himself living with the Nelson family. Ozzie and Harriet welcomed him into their home, where he resided for approximately two years before establishing his own residence.
During his time with Ricky Nelson, James Burton continued to perform at Town Hall Party, occasionally sharing the stage with Bob Luman. A live recording of ‘My Baby Walks All Over Me’ and ‘Milk Cow Blues’ featuring both artists is available on the ‘Rockin’ At Town Hall’ album. Burton’s initial recording with Nelson was “Waiting in School” / “Stood Up”. On this first track, guitar legend Joe Maphis played lead, with James on rhythm guitar. Subsequently, James Burton took over the lead guitar duties from Maphis and played on every Ricky Nelson record until 1967. “Believe What You Say” marked Burton’s first recording as lead guitarist with Ricky Nelson, solidifying his role as a key element of Nelson’s signature sound.
James Burton’s guitar style has always been instantly recognizable. He developed a unique technique using a straight pick combined with a fingerpick on his middle finger. Notably, on some early recordings, James experimented with banjo strings for his first four guitar strings, and re-tuned his A and D strings up to D and E respectively. This unconventional setup allowed for greater string bending capabilities and contributed to the birth of his legendary “chicken pickin'” technique. He later refined his string gauges to: .009, .010, .012, .024, .032, and .038, further defining his signature tone and playability. James Burton’s early career laid the foundation for his lasting impact as one of the most influential guitar players in history.
