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The new music led to a change of guitar. He replaced his
electrified Gibson L-7 archtop with a solidbody Fender Telecaster,
a revolutionary new guitar that Fullerton, California steel guitar-maker
Leo Fender had originally introduced as the Broadcaster in 1950.
Its sound, achieved by anchoring the strings in the body like those
of a steel guitar, was trebly and biting. Buck paid $35 for that
used Tele, originally owned by prominent local country singer Lewis
Talley. The Telecaster would play a major role in Bucks musical
future.
The rise of another Bakersfield artist also created an opportunity
for Buck. Local favorite Ferlin Husky, a Capitol recording artist,
helped Bakersfield singer Leonard Sipe, better known as Tommy
Collins, obtain a Capitol contract in 1953. Ferlin played guitar
on Collins first session, but before the second session, Husky
got his big break when A Dear John Letter, his
duet with Jean Shepard, went to #1 nationally. Tommy needed a lead
guitarist; Buck was playing at the Blackboard when Ferlin phoned
and asked Buck to play the session.
On September 8, 1953, they were in Capitols Melrose Avenue
Studios... in Los Angeles, recording the novelty "You Better
Not Do That." Bucks intro featured the raunchy twisted-note
style that became his trademark. It was Collins first hit,
peaking at #2 nationwide. Ken Nelson, Capitols head of country
A&R, heard something special in the guitar picking. "Buck
had tremendous rhythm and he had this little style that set Tommy
off, in the introductions usually."
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