Born in Bedford, Indiana March 26, 1928, Bud Isaacs developed a new and unusual style made possible by attaching two foot-pedals to his guitar. Through some adept footwork on these pedals Bud is able to vary the tension on individual strings. He can consequently change the pitch of single strings so as to change individual chords. This technique caused a sensation inasmuch as it has been considered impossible to change anything less than a whole chord at one time.

Bud was 11 years old when his sister bought him his first guitar. By age 13 he was hired to play for a square dance for $3.00, and was surprised that people would pay him to do what he loved. By age 14 he was traveling with Doc Abbott for $7.00 a week and was experimenting with pedals for his guitar.

He hopped a train to Nashville and landed a job with Pee Wee King, but Grand Ole Opry founder Judge Hayes told him to go back home and go to school. He offered to give him a job when he was old enough. Returning home he played with “Hobo Ramblers,” Harold Fisher, and on WIBC Radio with Cousin Emmie.

At 20, Bud’s path crossed that of Little Jimmy Dickens in Michigan. He went to work for him at $60 per week. They are still the best of friends today. In 1953 he was hired by Red Foley and moved to the Ozark Jubilee.

He played with all the greats of the day including, Webb Pierce, Patti Page, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Bing Crosby, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams and more. He was named #1 instrumentalist for 1955, after being on all 10 Top Tunes at one time.

Bud is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, and the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame.

Variety of Sources