Buzz Cason 'Hats Off To Hank' album

As 2007 arrived, Buzz Cason was the only songwriter credited with cuts by pop icons, the Beatles, Pearl Jam and U2 – not to mention Martina McBride, Gloria Estefan, Jan & Dean, The Derailers, Placido Domingo and even the Oak Ridge Boys. And it all started because of girls. In 1956, Buzz (then an Inglewood, TN teenager) was given the opportunity to lip-synch "White Christmas" on the Noel Ball Saturday Showcase, a local talent show on WSIX-TV (ABC). Reluctant to delve into a television musical, Jim Seymore, a fellow art student organizing the show told him, "It'll be fun and there'll be lots of girls there!"

Buzz did enjoy himself and afterwards met other musicians at the television station to later form a band they named The Casuals. Generally recognized as Nashville's first rock-n-roll band, The Casual’s first album also launched Buzz's songwriting career with, "My Love Song For You," co-written with band-mate Richard Williams. By 1957, The Casuals had become a national touring act, replacing The Everly Brothers on a tour of 60 fair dates.

During this same period, Buzz met Bobby Russell, an aspiring writer at the old Globe Recording Studio in Nashville located above Mom's Tavern (now Tootsie's Orchid Lounge) and the two began to co-write. At the urging and support of Gary Walker of Lowery Music, they wrote and recorded "Tennessee" as a studio group, The Todds. The song was covered in '58 by Jan and Dean, their first Hot 100 record on the BILLBOARD chart, and thus an association of more than 25 years began. Prior to moving to California, Buzz wrote another Todd's single with Russell, "Popsicle," which went on to become another Top 20 record for Jan and Dean in 1963.

Meanwhile, Buzz was introduced by former Jordanaire, Hugh Jarrett, to Snuff Garrett in between engagements and became a vocalist for Snuff's first recording group called The Statues. The group, which included Buzz, Hugh Jarrett and Richard Williams, released a hit single, "Blue Velvet" on Liberty. In 1960, Buzz began to pursue a solo caeer and hastily recorded (under the name Garry Miles) "Look For A Star", to beat British singer Garry Mills' version to radio. His version hit #16 on the charts and outsold the British version. After this point, Buzz reinvented himself between each set. He would back up Lee with The Casuals, slip back stage, change his coat and his glasses and reappear as Garry Miles. Buzz and the group performed with virtually every popular act of that era.

In 1962, Buzz moved to Los Angeles as Snuff Garrett's assistant. During this period, Leon Russell was a session player. He and Buzz produced a group called The Crickets in a version of the song "La Bamba". The song did well in England and he toured with the group. LaBamba was also featured in the film “Girls On The Beach”. When in Nashville, he worked for the noted arranger, Bill Justis, who was also known for his Memphis smash hit production of the song, "Raunchy". Through Justis, Buzz met Bucky Wilkin, lead singer of Ronny and the Daytonas. They co-wrote "Sandy" and the song became an instant top 20 record. An album of the same name followed.

In 1966, Buzz and Bobby started a publishing and record company, Rising Sons, with Fred Foster (then president of Monument Records). From this association came "Everlasting Love", co-written with Mac Gayden and recorded in 1967 by Robert Knight. (The song would later be recorded by many others, most notably Gloria Estefan and U2.)

The years to follow proved to be very successful for Buzz, not only as a vocalist behind superstars such as Elvis Presley and Kenny Rogers, but also as a songwriter. He felt the need for a studio to produce and bring writers and artists together in a relaxed, state-of-the-art atmosphere, so in 1970, he founded Creative Workshop, a two-studio recording facility where Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, The Judds, The Doobie Brothers and Emmylou Harris have recorded material. Papa Don Schroeder cut Carl Carlton's million selling version of "Everlasting Love" for Duke Records there as well. This studio was the start of the Berry Hill Music Scene.

Just prior to the founding of Creative, Buzz had been introduced to Jimmy Buffett from Mobile by Travis Turk, an engineer at Spar Studio in the Baker Building. The pair had produced Jimmy's first album for Barnaby, "Down to Earth". The subsequent album, "High Cumberland Jubilee", was cut in the new Creative Workshop, where Turk was its' first engineer. Buzz continues to publish approximately 50 of Buffett's early compositions. Buzz sang background on Buffett's first five LPs for ABC, produced by Gant.

Five decades and Buzz is still rockin'! He said, "If I hadn't met Bobby Russell, It could be that I would have never known a songwriter of his caliber and never would have made it in the business. He was not only a true genius, but a great, great friend." "Every song has a life of its' own. I try to make mine unique and fresh and not get hung up on trends unless a groove is out there so neat that you cannot resist it. A great song will find its' way like a person chases their childhood dreams. Hopefully, someone eventually falls in love with them!!"

Buzz once heard Sinatra say, "I loved every minute of it," referring to his life in entertainment. After performing at various world-renowned venues including the prestigious Royal Albert Hall (London), Nippon Budokan Arena (Tokyo) and the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland) Buzz agrees, "That pretty much sums up my career – I’m living the Rock-n-Roll dream! God's been good!”

For the next chapter in his productive career, Buzz dove back into the studio to complete HATS OFF TO HANK (Palo Duro – February, 2008), a fifteen song collection of eclectic rock-n-roll material from the heart. Buzz proudly reflects, “This is the album I’ve waited 50 years to make!”

Track listing & notes from Buzz
1). HEY NOW – If it is possible for a break up to be taken lightly and with a tongue-in-cheek attitude, this may be it.

2). AIN’T NOBODY – The blues influence has to surface. The guy in this song has problems but is surviving.

3). YOU BABY – Placing one’s love over that of a movie star. Dedicated to home theater owners everywhere or just those with a DVD player and a bag of popcorn.

4). GET OUT OF TOWN – Hopefully this song will come to mind when you absolutely must get away for the weekend to your favorite spot!

5). HOOKED UP WITH THE MAN – In a time of widespread desperation, a continual ray of Hope.

6). SOMEBODY TOLD ME – If you’ve ever been in this situation or ever thought about contacting an old friend, hopefully you will relate to this one.

7). WONDERING – Did you ever wonder if that someone in your past is wondering too?

8). BARBEQUE – This song sounds so much better while chompin’ down on a big pulled pork sandwich from your favorite barbeque joint.

9). TEXAS WILDFLOWER – Written while driving home from Larry Joe’s Texas Music Fest but instead of a Silverado, mine is a my beloved old GMC Gypsy with 110,000 miles on it.

10). ODDLY ENOUGH – Love is kind, love is patient, and thank God, forgiving.

11). I LOVE THE SOUTH – On a rainy spring morning, I look out the window down towards the barn nestled in my Tennessee-green haven. Many southern bred memories and feelings well up inside me as I realize how blessed I am to live in this lovely part of God’s creation.

12). BLACK MAN IN MISSISSIPPI – A bellhop at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis who aspired to become an R & B star triggered this idea, allowing me to express my love for my black brothers and sisters.

13). CAN’T GO ANYWHERE – Built around an acoustic lick which Joe and I tried to take to an intense level, this story of taking your love with you wherever you go was especially fun for me since my son, Taylor, sang on it with me.

14). PLAYIN’ MUSIC – There’s just nothing like being out there on a stage, big or small, playing your songs for whoever will listen! I’m not sure it keeps you from aging, but it sure can make you feel young, (most of the time!).

15). HATS OFF TO HANK – The white cowboy hat, the western suit, and above all those magical songs. He was country, blues and rock before it was called any of that. Thank you, man.

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Buzz Cason - Hats Off To Hank