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Buie, Buddy (23rd January 1941-18th July 2015)

He was a successful songwriter and vocalist born Perry Carlton Blue in Marianna, Florida, and raised in Dothan, Alabama.  He relocated to New York and then to Atlanta, Georgia, writing the majority of his songs in the nearby Eufaula, Alabama.  His first chart success was in 1964 when Tommy Roe had a hit with his “Party Girl” which he co-wrote with Bobby Gilmore.

When he was young he and his friend, Bobby Goldsboro formed the band The Webs. They learned Roy Orbison songs and when he toured in Dothan they were asked to become his touring band. They became the Candymen and he became Roy Orbison’s tour manager. He wrote songs for the Candymen and Roy Orbison and then he was introduced to the group Classics IV. He co-wrote “Spooky” and “Stormy” which were both hits for Classics IV, as well as providing hit songs for B.J. Thomas and Billy Joe Royal.

In 1970 he brought together session musicians to form Atlanta Rhythm Section , who had hits with songs such as “So Into You” and “Imaginary Lover”. He was their manager and producer and his name was listed first on all the songwriting credits of the songs.

In 1984 he was an inductee into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and was later inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1997.

A list of albums he appeared in and/or produced over the years include Champagne Jam, Dog Days, Red Tape and Rock and Roll Alternative by Atlanta Rhythm Section, Candymen Bring Your Candypower by The Candymen, Mamas & Papas/Soul Train by Classics IV and Most of All by B.J. Thomas.

He retired to Eufaula, Alabama in 2003 and after suffering a heart attack on 18th July 2015 passed away in hospital in Dothan, Alabama.

Atlanta Rhythm Section recordings
The Ballad of Lois Malone (Buddy Buie/Robert Nix/Dean Daughtry /Barry Bailey)
(Polydor PD 14484, 77 NP 3347 2066 937)(US 45)
Champagne Jam (Buddy Buie/Robert Nix/J.R. Cobb )
(Polydor PD 14504, 77 NP 3341 2066 980) (US 45)
The Great Escape(Buddy Buie/Robert Nix /Barry Bailey)
(Polydor PD 14504, 77 NP 3348 2066 980)(US 45)
I’m Not Going to Let It Bother Me Tonight (Buddy Buie/Robert Nix/Dean Daughtry )
(Polydor PD 14484, 77 NP-3343-2066 937)(US 45)
Silver Eagle (Buddy Buie/J.R. Cobb)
(Polydor PD 2142, 80 NP 5177 2095 302)(US promo 45)

Here is the Atlanta Rhythm Section with their version of his co-written “Spooky”….

Sources:

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Buie
  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Rhythm_Section
  3. www.alamhof.org/buiebud.htm
  4. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0vfuxq95ldse~T4
  5. http://www.spock.com/Buddy-Buie
  6. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2046100/