Editing James Burton

{{short description|American guitarist (b. 1939)}}
{{Other people|James Burton}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
 |name               = James Burton
 |image              = File:James Burton-Verona, 26-11-10.JPG
 |caption            = Burton in 2010
 |image_size         = 
 |background         = non_vocal_instrumentalist
 |birth_name         = James Edward Burton
 |alias              = 
 |birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1939|08|21}}<ref name="james-burton.net">{{cite web |url=http://www.james-burton.net/biography |title=Biography - The Official James Burton Website |website=James-burton.net |access-date=August 5, 2017}}</ref>
 |birth_place        = [[Dubberly, Louisiana]], United States
 |death_date         = 
 |instrument         = Guitar, [[dobro]]
 |genre              = {{hlist|[[Rock and roll]]|[[rockabilly]]|[[Country music|country]]|[[country rock]]}}
 |occupation         = Musician
 |years_active       = 1952–present
 |label              = 
 |associated_acts    = {{hlist|[[TCB Band]]|[[Elvis Presley]]|[[Ricky Nelson]]|[[Emmylou Harris]]|[[John Denver]]|[[The Strangers (American band)|The Strangers]]}}
 |website            = {{URL|james-burton.net/}}
}}

'''James Edward Burton''' (born August 21, 1939, in [[Dubberly, Louisiana]], United States)<ref name="james-burton.net"/> is an American guitarist. A member of the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] since 2001<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/james-burton |title=James Burton: inducted in 2001 &#124; The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum |publisher=Rockhall.com |access-date=July 11, 2015}}</ref> (his induction speech was given by longtime fan [[Keith Richards]]), Burton has also been recognized by the [[Rockabilly Hall of Fame]] and the [[Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum]]. He was [[List of Country Music Hall of Fame inductees|elected]] into the [[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum|Country Music Hall of Fame]] in 2024.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/country-music-hall-fame-toby-keith-john-anderson-james-burton-2024-inductees-1235944666/|title=Toby Keith Elected Into Country Music Hall of Fame, in Voting That Wrapped Up Days Before His Death|first1=Chris|last1=Willman|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=March 18, 2024}}</ref> Critic Mark Deming writes that "Burton has a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest guitar pickers in either country or rock ... Burton is one of the best guitar players to ever touch a fretboard."<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r187616|pure_url=yes}} The Guitar Sounds of James Burton], Allmusic.com.  Retrieved March 9, 2007.</ref> He is ranked number 24 in Rolling Stone list of 250 greatest guitarists of all time.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2023-10-13 |title=The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-guitarists-1234814010/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref>

Since the 1950s, Burton has recorded and performed with an array of singers, including [[Bob Luman]], [[Dale Hawkins]], [[Ricky Nelson]], [[Elvis Presley]] (and was leader of Presley's [[TCB Band]]), [[The Everly Brothers]],<ref>[https://robindunnmusic.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/everlypedia-june-2016.pdf]{{dead link|date=December 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> [[Johnny Cash]], [[Merle Haggard]], [[Glen Campbell]], [[John Denver]], [[Gram Parsons]], [[Emmylou Harris]], [[Judy Collins]], [[Jerry Lee Lewis]], [[Claude King]], [[Elvis Costello]], [[Joe Osborn]], [[Roy Orbison]], [[Joni Mitchell]], [[Hoyt Axton]], [[Townes Van Zandt]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/our-mother-the-mountain-mw0000196626/credits |title=Our Mother the Mountain – Townes Van Zandt &#124; Credits |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=July 11, 2015}}</ref> [[Steve Young (musician)|Steve Young]], [[Vince Gill]], and [[Suzi Quatro]].

==Biography==
===Early life and career===
Burton was born in Dubberly in south [[Webster Parish, Louisiana|Webster Parish]] near [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]], Louisiana, to Guy M. Burton (1909–2001) and the former Lola Poland (1914–2011), a native of rural Fryeburg in [[Bienville Parish, Louisiana|Bienville Parish]]. She was the daughter of James and Althius Poland. Burton's wife is Louise Burton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?n=lola-poland-burton&pid=151263115 |title=Lola Burton Obituary – Shreveport, LA &#124; Shreveport Times |publisher=Legacy.com |access-date=July 11, 2015}}</ref>

Self-taught, Burton began playing guitar during childhood. He was hired to be part of the staff band for the popular ''[[Louisiana Hayride]]'' radio show in Shreveport. While he was still a teenager, Burton left Shreveport for [[Los Angeles]], where he joined [[Ricky Nelson]]'s band. There, he made numerous recordings as a [[session musician]]. Burton created and played the guitar riff on [[Dale Hawkins]] 1957 hit song "[[Susie Q (song)|Susie Q]]", a record that would become one of [[the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/18/arts/music/18hawkins.html|title=Dale Hawkins dies at 73|work=New York Times|date=February 18, 2010 |last1=Martin |first1=Douglas }}</ref>  He had originally written the song as an instrumental before Hawkins wrote lyrics for it; Burton never received credit or royalties for his contributions to "Susie Q".<ref name="R&RHOF Induction Essay 2001">{{cite web |last1=Fong-Torres |first1=Ben |title=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2001: Sidemen: James Burton |url=https://rockhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/James_Burton_2001.pdf |website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=July 23, 2024 |date=2001}}</ref>

===With Ricky Nelson, work as a session musician, and ''Shindig!''===
Burton played guitar on the majority of [[Ricky Nelson]]'s songs recorded during the first 11 years of Nelson's career, beginning with his premiere at Master Recorders in Hollywood on November 18, 1957, for the classic "[[Stood Up (song)|Stood Up]]"/"[[Waitin' in School]]" rockabilly single.  At this time, Burton was relegated to rhythm as [[Joe Maphis]] was still playing lead guitar for Nelson.<ref name="R&RHOF Induction Essay 2001"></ref>  Ricky Nelson's original (regular) band included Burton and [[double bass]]ist James Kirkland; Kirkland was later replaced by [[Joe Osborn]] on [[electric bass]].

Burton's first single as Nelson's ''lead'' guitarist was "Believe What You Say".<ref name="biography">{{cite web |title= Biography |publisher= The Official James Burton Website |url= http://www.james-burton.net/biography/ |access-date= January 17, 2014}}</ref>  In 1965 he started working on the television program ''[[Shindig!]]'' which curtailed his touring with Nelson.<ref name="R&RHOF Induction Essay 2001"></ref> However, Burton continued contributing to his friend's studio albums through the ''Perspective'' sessions in April 1968.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrydiscography.blogspot.com/2010/11/rick-nelson-part-i.html |title=Praguefrank's Country Music Discographies: Rick Nelson – part I |publisher=Countrydiscography.blogspot.com |date=November 14, 2010 |access-date=July 11, 2015}}</ref>

The ''Shindig!'' exposure led to recording session work with a variety of artists, mostly as an unattributed sideman. In 1966, he began focusing more on his work as a session guitarist.<ref name="james-burton.net"></ref> 

In 1967 Burton played Dobro on the [[Richie Furay]] song, "A Child's Claim To Fame" on [[Buffalo Springfield]]'s second album, ''[[Buffalo Springfield Again]]''. Due to the volume of work, Burton turned down an offer to join [[Bob Dylan]]'s first touring band, and another offer to play on Elvis Presley's 1968 comeback TV special ''[[Elvis (1968 TV program)|Elvis]]''.<ref name="biography">{{cite web |title= Biography |publisher= The Official James Burton Website |url= http://www.james-burton.net/biography/ |access-date= January 17, 2014}}</ref>

===With Elvis Presley===
In 1969, Presley again asked Burton to join his show in Las Vegas, and, this time, Burton accepted. Burton organized the [[TCB Band]], serving as its leader, and backed Presley from 1969 until Presley's death in 1977.  A hallmark of Elvis' live shows during this period was his exhortation, "Play it, James", as a cue for the guitarist's solos.<ref>A similar cue, "Do it to me, James", is heard on John Phillips' "[[John Phillips (John, the Wolf King of L.A.)|Mississippi]]" to introduce Burton's dobro solo. [https://books.google.com/books?id=AVQbF9lTBwgC&pg=PA207 ''The Mojo Collection: 4th Edition'']. p. 207.</ref> For the first season in Vegas in 1969, Burton played his red standard Telecaster. Shortly thereafter, he purchased the now familiar pink paisley custom Telecaster. Burton was not sure that Elvis would like it; however, since Elvis did, Burton used it for every show.

While working with Elvis Presley, he also recorded a solo album, ''The Guitar Sounds of James Burton'', in 1971.<ref name="R&RHOF Induction Essay 2001">{{cite web |last1=Fong-Torres |first1=Ben |title=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2001: Sidemen: James Burton |url=https://rockhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/James_Burton_2001.pdf |website=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |access-date=July 23, 2024 |date=2001}}</ref>

===With Emmylou Harris and John Denver===
During 1975 and 1976, while still touring with Presley, Burton was one of the first members to join and tour with [[Emmylou Harris]] as part of her backing band, the "Hot Band", after the death of [[Gram Parsons]]. He was joined by a cast of talented musicians which included his bandmate with Presley, [[Glen Hardin|Glen D. Hardin]], and newer musicians which included [[Rodney Crowell]]. However, once Presley was ready to return to the road, Burton returned to perform with him, although the others, including Hardin, elected to continue with Harris. Just before Presley died in 1977, Burton was called to play on a [[John Denver]] television special. During the taping, Denver asked if Burton would consider going on a European tour.  Burton said he was working with Elvis, but if scheduling permitted, he would be glad to go. Shortly after Elvis' death, Burton began a regular collaboration with Denver. The first album they recorded was ''[[I Want to Live (album)|I Want to Live]]''.

During the sessions, Burton and Denver talked about a band. Glen Hardin and [[Jerry Scheff]], from Presley's band, joined the new band too. Burton remained a member of Denver's band until 1994, but often toured in parallel with other artists including [[Jerry Lee Lewis]]. In the 16 years Burton worked with Denver, they recorded 12 albums and toured around the world. While touring with Denver, Burton carried several instruments, including backup [[Dobro]]s and a spare 1969 Pink Paisley [[Fender Telecaster]] he had used as a touring guitarist with [[Elvis Presley]] during the 1970s.<ref name= "gp">{{cite journal
 |last = Fisheli
 |first = Steve
 |title = James Burton: First Call for the Royalty of Rockabilly
 |journal = Guitar Player
 |date = June 1984
 |url = http://www.biwa.ne.jp/~presley/elnews-JamesBurton.htm
 |access-date = December 6, 2008}}</ref> He rejoined Denver in 1995 for the Wildlife Concert. When Denver died in 1997, Burton spoke at his memorial service in Aspen, Colorado.<ref name="biography" />

===Recent career===
[[File:JamesBurton(by_Scott_Dudelson).jpg|left|thumb|Burton in concert, 2009]]

Burton's later career included work with [[John Denver]],<ref name="James Burton 2024 CMHOF induction">{{cite magazine |last1=Nicholson |first1=Jessica |title=Inside an Emotional Country Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Honoring Toby Keith, John Anderson & James Burton |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/country/toby-keith-james-burton-john-anderson-country-music-hall-of-fame-2-1235806656/ |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Billboard/Penske |access-date=November 13, 2024 |date=October 21, 2024}}</ref> [[Merle Haggard]],<ref name="James Burton 2024 CMHOF induction"></ref> [[Rodney Crowell]], and [[Emmylou Harris]].<ref name="James Burton 2024 CMHOF induction"></ref> Beginning with ''[[King of America]]'' (1986), Burton recorded<ref name="James Burton 2024 CMHOF induction"></ref> and toured with [[Elvis Costello]] intermittently for about a decade. In 1988, he was a prominent part of the acclaimed [[Cinemax]] special, ''[[Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Roy Orbison and Friends : A Black & White Night – full cast and crew|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0500183/fullcredits/|website=IMDB|access-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref> In 1990, Burton moved back to his hometown of Shreveport permanently.

Between 1998 and 2013, Burton played lead guitar in ''[[Elvis: The Concert]]'' which reunited some of Elvis' former TCB bandmates, background singers, and Elvis' orchestral conductor Joe Guercio (mostly from the "concert years" 1969–1977) live on stage.

In fall 2004, Burton recorded ''Matt Lucas-Back in the Saddle Again'', a sequel to the Matt Lucas album ''The Chicago Sessions''.  The album features rockabilly and country music, and was released in May 2006 by Ten O Nine Records.

In 2005, Burton started the annual James Burton International Guitar Festival to raise money for his charitable foundation.  The festival is held in the Red River District of Shreveport.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20080823/NEWS01/808230333/Rain-doesn-t-stop-Party-District|title=Rain doesn't stop Party in the District|newspaper=Shreveport Times|date=August 23, 2008|access-date=January 17, 2014}}</ref>

In 2007, he was inducted into the [[Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum]] in [[Nashville, TN]] as a member of the L.A. session player group known as [[The Wrecking Crew (music)|The Wrecking Crew]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Inductees |url=https://www.musicianshalloffame.com/inductees/ |website=Musicians Hall of Fane |publisher=MHOF, Inc. |access-date=September 3, 2021}}</ref> In 2008, Burton was asked by [[Brad Paisley]] to play on his upcoming album ''[[Play: The Guitar Album]]''.  Burton was featured on an instrumental track called "Cluster Pluck", which also featured [[Vince Gill]], [[Albert Lee]], [[Steve Wariner]], [[John Jorgenson]], [[Brent Mason]], and [[Redd Volkaert]].  At the [[51st Grammy Awards]] in 2009, the song won Best Country Instrumental Performance.<ref name="James Burton 2024 CMHOF induction"></ref>

On August 22, 2009, on stage at his James Burton International Guitar Festival, James Burton was inducted into The [[Louisiana Music Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Louisiana Music Hall of Fame - JAMES BURTON 2009|url=http://louisianamusichalloffame.org/content/view/106/124/|access-date=2020-07-24|website=louisianamusichalloffame.org|archive-date=April 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412143531/http://louisianamusichalloffame.org/content/view/106/124/|url-status=dead}}</ref>  On July 15, 2010, ''Rolling Stone'' Magazine announced that Eric Clapton and James Burton would provide guitars on the track "You Can Have Her" for Jerry Lee Lewis' album ''[[Mean Old Man]]'', scheduled for release in fall 2010. Burton also joined Jerry Lee Lewis on "Swinging Doors" on the same album.<ref name="MeanOldManReview1">{{cite web |last1=Robbins |first1=Brian |title=Review: Jerry Lee Lewis: Mean Old Man |url=https://jambands.com/reviews/cds/2010/09/07/jerry-lee-lewis-mean-old-man/ |website=JamBands.com |access-date=July 23, 2024 |date=September 7, 2010}}</ref><ref name="MeanOldManReview2">{{cite web |last1=Sheets |first1=Adam |title=Review: Jerry Lee Lewis: Mean Old Man |url=https://www.nodepression.com/review-jerry-lee-lewis-mean-old-man/ |website=NoDepression.com |access-date=July 23, 2024 |date=September 7, 2010}}</ref>  In 2011, Burton was named one of "Five Living Legends of Shreveport" by Danny Fox of [[KWKH]] radio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://1130thetiger.com/living-legends-of-shreveport-danny-foxs-top-5/?trackback=tsmclip
|title=Living Legends of Shreveport – Danny Fox's Top 5|date=July 28, 2011 |publisher=[[KWKH]]|access-date=June 11, 2014}}</ref>  On June 9, 2012, Burton appeared in Shreveport at the Municipal Auditorium for a presentation of [[Garrison Keillor]]'s ''[[Prairie Home Companion]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20120608/NEWS01/120608006/James-Burton-joins-Prairie-Home-Companion-lineup|title=James Burton joins 'Prairie Home Companion' lineup|newspaper=Shreveport Times|date=June 9, 2012|access-date=June 15, 2012}}</ref>

In 2019, for the first time since 2014, the TCB Band performed a new Elvis: The Concert-style show, alongside the [[Royal Philharmonic Orchestra]], combining elements from the 2016-2018 Presley/Philharmonic tours with the old 1997-2014 TCB Band tours;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.graceland.com/elvis-uk-tour|title=Elvis UK Tour|website=Graceland.com}}</ref> however, no further tours with the TCB Band members were booked after this point.

In March 2020, it was announced that Burton and producer [[T-Bone Burnett]] were collaborating with [[Jerry Lee Lewis]] and recording a new album of gospel covers. It was the first time he entered a recording studio following his stroke.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2020 |title=Jerry Lee Lewis Recording New Album of Gospel Covers After Stroke Left Him Fearful He'd Never Play Music Again |url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2020/03/01/news/jerry-lee-lewis-recording-new-album-of-gospel-covers-after-stroke-left-him-fearful-hed-never-play-music-again/ |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=Music.mxdwn.com |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228101845/https://music.mxdwn.com/2020/03/01/news/jerry-lee-lewis-recording-new-album-of-gospel-covers-after-stroke-left-him-fearful-hed-never-play-music-again/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/ethan-coen-jerry-lee-lewis-documentary-reuniting-with-joel-coen-cannes-interview-1235029988/|title=Ethan Coen On His Killer Jerry Lee Lewis Docu, How The 'Great Balls Of Fire' Singer Invented Cancel Culture & Reuniting With Brother Joel Coen: Cannes Q&A|first1=Mike Jr.|last1=Fleming|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=May 22, 2022|access-date=June 9, 2022|archive-date=June 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609183821/https://deadline.com/2022/05/ethan-coen-jerry-lee-lewis-documentary-reuniting-with-joel-coen-cannes-interview-1235029988/|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2023}}, it is unknown how much progress was made with this gospel album, or if it was ever completed, as nothing from these sessions has been released; Lewis later recorded another gospel album with his cousin Jimmy Swaggart that was unrelated to the 2020 project with Burnett and Burton.

In 2022 and early 2023, Burton was sidelined due to contracting the [[COVID-19|coronavirus]], being diagnosed with kidney cancer, and breaking his hip.<ref name="WYEP2024">{{cite web |last1=Kienzle |first1=Rich |title=The unmatched talent of rock and country guitarist James Burton |url=https://www.wyep.org/news-features/2024-05-06/rock-country-guitar-james-burton |website=Wyep.org |access-date=July 23, 2024 |date=May 6, 2024}}</ref>  In June 2023, Burton led an all-star group of guest musicians at the [[London Palladium]] for a concert event named "James Burton & Friends: One Night Only".  The event featured Burton joined by Sir [[Brian May]] of [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Albert Lee]], [[Van Morrison]], [[Jeff "Skunk" Baxter]], [[Ronnie Wood]], and Elvis Costello.<ref name="JBOneNightOnlyLondon2023">{{cite web |last1=Peacock |first1=Tim |title=Guitar Legend James Burton Set To Return To London For 'One Night Only' |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/news/guitar-legend-james-burton-london-one-night-only/ |website=UDiscoverMusic.com |publisher=Universal Music Group |access-date=July 23, 2024 |date=May 5, 2023}}</ref><ref name="WYEP2024"></ref> In September 2023, Burton contributed to recordings for Brad Paisley's upcoming album ''[[Son of the Mountains]]''.<ref name="JamesBurtonBradPaisley2023-24">{{cite web |last1=Burton |first1=James |title=Just finished playing on Brad Paisley's latest recording tracks😎 What a GREAT picker & friend. We had soooo much FUN! Ya'll will LOVE his new music project 🎸🎸 |url=https://www.facebook.com/jamesburtonguitarist/posts/pfbid0zBnBXabTh75v695xiZ4e6H7Evnx31kU82hwfynPQ41EGhCdTLQpRZYjE6rjuJsBPl |website=Facebook |access-date=July 23, 2024 |date=September 29, 2023}}</ref>  

In January 2024, Burton participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, riding on a Louisiana-themed float.<ref name="FBParadeFloat2024">{{cite web |last1=Burton |first1=James |title=James Burton rides in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Years Day in Pasadena California 2024 on the Explore Louisiana Float. Along with James will be his grandson Skylar Blythe and granddaughter Taylor Burton. This is James Burton's new Angel guitar that will be in production in 2024. James will be showcasing this guitar on the Louisiana float in the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Years Day in Pasadena California. Please watch on TV as James plays this guitar on the Explore Louisiana Float. The parade will be shown worldwide on all networks. |url=https://www.facebook.com/jamesburtonguitarist/posts/pfbid0k8CUk4EYdLLn3aGNVpZ3t8Bzvxu8VMrxouUEeJfJhDpaeL8sXgnUMg4CVUZSdwTil |website=Facebook |access-date=July 23, 2024 |date=December 29, 2023}}</ref>  Also in 2024, Burton was [[List of Country Music Hall of Fame inductees|inducted]] into the [[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum|Country Music Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/country-music-hall-fame-toby-keith-john-anderson-james-burton-2024-inductees-1235944666/|title=Toby Keith Elected Into Country Music Hall of Fame, in Voting That Wrapped Up Days Before His Death|first1=Chris|last1=Willman|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=March 18, 2024}}</ref><ref name="James Burton 2024 CMHOF induction"></ref>

==Equipment and playing style==
Burton works with a variety of amplifiers to provide flexibility and a wide range of sounds.<ref name= "gp"/> He has used a Music Man 210-150, an old Fender Twin with K model Lansing speakers, and a 1964 Fender Deluxe. His primary guitar has always been a [[Fender Telecaster]], beginning with an early blonde model his parents bought for him around 1952.<ref>{{cite journal |last = Kingsbury |first = Eric |title = Fender Players Club: James Burton |journal = Fender Frontline |volume = 25 |publisher = [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation]]/[[Hal Leonard Corporation]] |year = 1999 |url = http://fenderplayersclub.com/pdfs/bios/burton.pdf |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090205131416/http://fenderplayersclub.com/pdfs/bios/burton.pdf |archive-date = February 5, 2009 |access-date= January 17, 2014}}</ref> His 1969 Paisley Red (better known as Pink Paisley) Telecaster became the basis for his [[James Burton Telecaster]] model in 1991, with [[Lace Sensor]] pickups and a TBX tone circuit.<ref name="telecaster">{{cite book |last= Duchossoir |first= A.R. |title= The Fender Telecaster: The Detailed Story of America's Senior Solid Body Electric Guitar |publisher= [[Hal Leonard Corporation|Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation]] |year= 1991 |location= Milwaukee |page= 23 |isbn= 0-7935-0860-6}}</ref> Five years later his 1953 Candy Apple Red Telecaster was the inspiration for a standard version Artist Signature model featuring two Fender Texas Special Tele [[single coil]] [[Pick up (music technology)|pickups]] and a vintage-style 6-saddle [[Electric guitar bridge|bridge]].  In 2006, the Signature Paisley model was redesigned with a red paisley flame design over a black body, plus three specially designed blade pickups, a no-load tone control and S-1 switching system.<ref name="interview">He can also be seen playing am early model Fender Jazz Master (possibly a prototype) in a circa 1961 live television version of "Hello Mary Lou."  There is no other recorded evidence that he used this guitar again.
{{cite web | last =Cashmere  | first =Tim  | title =Legendary Guitarist James Burton Talks Elvis, Ricky Nelson and Guitars  | publisher =Elvis Australia  | date =August 18, 2006 
 | url =http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/james_burton.shtml | access-date =December 5, 2008 }}</ref> 

He can also be seen playing am early model Fender Jazz Master (possibly a prototype) in a circa 1961 live television version of "[[Hello Mary Lou]]" with Nelson.  There is no other recorded evidence that he used this guitar again.<ref>{{cite web |last= Cashmere  |first= Tim |title= Legendary Guitarist James Burton Talks Elvis, Ricky Nelson and Guitars |publisher= Elvis Australia |date = August 18, 2006 |url = http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/james_burton.shtml|access-date = December 5, 2008 }}</ref>

According to the biography on Burton's official website, his style of lead playing is unique, as "[he] uses a straight pick and a fingerpick on his middle finger. On this record [starting with his performance on Nelson's "Believe What You Say"], James replaced his first 4 strings with banjo strings and moved the A and D string up to D and E. This allowed him to bend the strings up a lot more. James' legendary chickin' pickin' was born. He later had them [his guitar strings] gauged: .009, .010, .012, .024, .032 and .038."<ref name="james-burton.net"></ref>

==Planned museum==
The James Burton Foundation, a [[501(c)]] [[non-profit organization]] at 714 Elvis Presley Avenue in Shreveport, is constructing the proposed "James Burton Guitar and Car Museum". The facility will showcase Burton's collection of guitars and classic cars as well as models from some of his celebrity friends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamesburtonfoundation.org/|title=The James Burton Guitar and Car Museum|publisher=jamesburtonfoundation.org|access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref>

== Collaborations ==
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
'''With [[Hoyt Axton]]'''
* ''My Griffin Is Gone'' (Columbia Records, 1969)
* ''Life Machine'' (A&M Records, 1974)
* ''[[Southbound (Hoyt Axton album)|Southbound]]'' (A&M Records, 1975)
* ''Fearless'' (A&M Records, 1976)
* ''A Rusty Old Halo'' (Jeremiah Records, 1980)
* ''American Dreams'' (Global Records, 1984)

'''With [[The Beach Boys]]'''
* ''[[20/20 (The Beach Boys album)|20/20]]'' (Capitol Records, 1969)
* ''[[Sunflower (The Beach Boys album)|Sunflower]]'' (Reprise Records, 1970)

'''With [[The Beau Brummels]]'''
* ''[[Triangle (The Beau Brummels album)|Triangle]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1967)

'''With [[The Byrds]]'''
* ''[[The Notorious Byrd Brothers]]'' (Columbia Records, 1968)

'''With [[J. J. Cale]]'''
* ''[[Shades (J. J. Cale album)|Shades]]'' (Island Records, 1981)
* ''[[Travel-Log]]'' (Silvertone Records, 1990)

'''With [[Glen Campbell]]'''
* ''[[Gentle on My Mind (1967 Glen Campbell album)|Gentle on My Mind]]'' (Capitol Records, 1967)
* ''[[By the Time I Get to Phoenix (Glen Campbell album)|By the Time I Get to Phoenix]]'' (Capitol Records, 1967)
* ''[[I Knew Jesus (Before He Was a Star)]]'' (Capitol Records, 1973)

'''With [[Shawn Camp (musician)|Shawn Camp]]'''
* ''[[Shawn Camp (album)|Shawn Camp]]'' (Reprise Records, 1993)
* ''1994'' (Reprise Records, 2010)

'''With [[Kim Carnes]]'''
* ''[[Rest on Me]]'' ([[Amos Records]], 1971)

'''With [[Carlene Carter]]'''
* ''[[I Fell in Love (album)|I Fell in Love]]'' (Reprise Records, 1990)

'''With [[Johnny Cash]]'''
* ''[[John R. Cash (album)|John R. Cash]]'' (Columbia Records, 1975)
* ''[[Johnny 99]]'' (Columbia Records, 1984)

'''With [[Rosanne Cash]]'''
* ''[[Right or Wrong (Rosanne Cash album)|Right or Wrong]]'' (Columbia Records, 1980)

'''With [[David Cassidy]]'''
* ''[[Dreams Are Nuthin' More Than Wishes]]'' (Bell Records, 1973)

'''With [[Mark Collie]]'''
* ''[[Hardin County Line]]'' (MCA Records, 1990)
* ''[[Born and Raised in Black & White]]'' (MCA Records, 1991)

'''With [[Judy Collins]]'''
* ''[[Who Knows Where the Time Goes (Judy Collins album)|Who Knows Where the Time Goes]]'' (Elektra Records, 1968)

'''With [[Elvis Costello]]'''
* ''[[King of America]]'' (F-Beat Records, 1986)
* ''[[Mighty Like a Rose]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1991)
* ''[[Kojak Variety]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1995)

'''With [[Marshall Crenshaw]]'''
* ''[[Good Evening (album)|Good Evening]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1989)

'''With [[Rodney Crowell]]'''
* ''[[Ain't Living Long Like This]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1978)

'''With [[Delaney & Bonnie]]'''
* ''Genesis'' (GNP, 1971)

'''With [[John Denver]]'''
* ''[[I Want to Live (album)|I Want to Live]]'' (RCA Records, 1977)
* ''[[John Denver (album)|John Denver]]'' (RCA Records, 1979)
* ''[[Autograph (album)|Autograph]]'' (RCA Records, 1980)
* ''[[Seasons of the Heart (album)|Seasons of the Heart]]'' (RCA Records, 1982)
* ''[[It's About Time (John Denver album)|It's About Time]]'' (RCA Records, 1983)
* ''[[Dreamland Express]]'' (RCA Records, 1985)
* ''[[One World (John Denver album)|One World]]'' (RCA Records, 1986)
* ''[[Higher Ground (John Denver album)|Higher Ground]]'' (RCA Records, 1988)
* ''[[Earth Songs]]'' (Windstar Records, 1990)
* ''[[Christmas, Like a Lullaby]]'' (Windstar Records, 1990)
* ''[[The Flower That Shattered the Stone]]'' (Windstar Records, 1990)
* ''[[Different Directions (John Denver album)|Different Directions]]'' (Windstar Records, 1991)

'''With [[Cass Elliot]]'''
* ''[[Dream a Little Dream (Cass Elliot album)|Dream a Little Dream]]'' (Dunhill Records, 1968)

'''With [[Phil Everly]]'''
* ''Star Spangled Springfield'' (RCA Victor, 1973)

'''With [[Bobbie Gentry]]'''
* ''[[Ode to Billie Joe (album)|Ode to Billie Joe]]'' (Capitol Records, 1967)
* ''[[The Delta Sweete]]'' (Capitol Records, 1968)

'''With [[Arlo Guthrie]]'''
* ''[[Running Down the Road]]'' (Reprise Records, 1969)

'''With [[Hager Twins]]'''
* ''Motherhood, Appie Pie and the Flag'' (Capitol Records, 1971)
* ''The Hagers'' (Elektra Records, 1974)

'''With [[Emmylou Harris]]'''
* ''[[Pieces of the Sky]]'' (Reprise Records, 1975)
* ''[[Elite Hotel]]'' (Reprise Records, 1975)
* ''[[Luxury Liner (album)|Luxury Liner]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1977)
* ''[[Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1978)
* ''[[Light of the Stable]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1979)
* ''[[Evangeline (Emmylou Harris album)|Evangeline]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1981)
* ''[[Cimarron (album)|Cimarron]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1981)

'''With [[Emmylou Harris]] and [[Rodney Crowell]]'''
* ''[[Old Yellow Moon]]'' (Nonesuch Records, 2013)

'''With [[Dale Hawkins]]'''
* ''Oh! Suzy-Q'' (MCA Records, 1958)
* ''L.A., Memphis & Tyler, Texas'' (Bell Records, 1969)

'''With [[Ronnie Hawkins]]'''
* ''The Hawk'' (United Artists Records, 1979)

'''With [[Chris Hillman]]'''
* ''Desert Rose'' (Sugar Hill Records, 1984)

'''With [[Jan & Dean]]'''
* ''Save for a Rainy Day'' (J&D, 1966)

'''With [[Sammy Johns]]'''
* ''[[Sammy Johns (album)|Sammy Johns]]'' (General Recording, 1973)

'''With [[Nicolette Larson]]'''
* ''[[Nicolette (album)|Nicolette]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1978)

'''With [[Jim Lauderdale]]'''
* ''Patchwork River'' (Thirty Tigers, 2010)
* ''I'm a Song'' (Sky Crunch Records, 2014)

'''With [[Drake Milligan]]'''
* ''[[Dallas/Fort Worth (album)|Dallas/Fort Worth]]'' (BBR Records, 2022)

'''With [[Ronnie Milsap]]'''
* ''[[Ronnie Milsap (Ronnie Milsap album)|Ronnie Milsap]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1971)

'''With [[Joni Mitchell]]'''
* ''[[For the Roses]]'' (Asylum Records, 1972)

'''With [[The Monkees]]'''
* ''[[The Monkees (album)|The Monkees]]'' (Colgems Records, 1966)
* ''[[More of the Monkees]]'' (Colgems Records, 1967)
* ''[[The Birds, the Bees & the Monkees]]'' (Colgems Records, 1968)
* ''[[Instant Replay (The Monkees album)|Instant Replay]]'' (Colgems Records, 1969)
* ''[[The Monkees Present]]'' (Colgems Records, 1969)
* ''[[Changes (The Monkees album)|Changes]]'' (Colgems Records, 1970)

'''With [[Michael Martin Murphey]]'''
* ''[[Michael Martin Murphey (album)|Michael Martin Murphey]]'' (Liberty Records, 1982)

'''With [[Michael Nesmith]]'''
* ''[[The Wichita Train Whistle Sings]]'' (Dot, 1968)
* ''[[Nevada Fighter]]'' (RCA Records, 1971)

'''With [[Randy Newman]]'''
* ''[[Randy Newman (album)|Randy Newman]]'' (Reprise Records, 1968)

'''With [[Harry Nilsson]]'''
* ''[[Harry (album)|Harry]]'' (RCA Victor, 1969)

'''With [[The Oak Ridge Boys]]'''
* ''[[Room Service (The Oak Ridge Boys album)|Room Service]]'' (ABC Records, 1978)

'''With [[Tom Pacheco]]'''
* ''Swallowed Up in the Great American Heartland'' (RCA Victor, 1976)

'''With [[Brad Paisley]]'''
* ''[[Time Well Wasted]]'' (Arista Records, 2005)
* ''[[Play: The Guitar Album]]'' (Arista Records, 2008)

'''With [[Gram Parsons]]'''
* ''[[GP (album)|GP]]'' (Reprise Records, 1973)
* ''[[Grievous Angel]]'' (Reprise Records, 1974)

'''With [[Michael Parks]]'''
* ''Closing The Gap'' (MGM, 1969)
* ''Long Lonesome Away'' (MGM, 1970)

'''With [[John Phillips (musician)|John Phillips]]'''
* ''[[John Phillips (John, the Wolf King of L.A.)]]'' (Dunhill Records, 1970)

'''With [[Elvis Presley]]'''
* ''[[From Memphis to Vegas/From Vegas to Memphis]]'' (RCA Records, 1969) (second disc; live album also released separately in 1970 as Live in Person at the International Hotel)
* ''[[On Stage (Elvis Presley album)|On Stage]]'' (RCA Records, 1970)
* ''[[That's the Way It Is (Elvis Presley album)|That's the Way It Is]]'' (RCA Records, 1970)
* ''[[Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old)]]'' (RCA Records, 1971)
* ''[[Love Letters from Elvis]]'' (RCA Records, 1971)
* ''[[Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas]]'' (RCA Records, 1971)
* ''[[Elvis Now]]'' (RCA Records, 1972)
* ''[[He Touched Me (album)|He Touched Me]]'' (RCA Records, 1972)
* ''[[As Recorded at Madison Square Garden]]'' (RCA Records, 1972)
* ''[[Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite (album)|Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite]]'' (RCA Records, 1973)
* ''[[Elvis (1973 album)|Elvis]]'' (RCA Records, 1973)
* ''[[Raised on Rock / For Ol' Times Sake]]'' (RCA Records, 1973)
* ''[[Good Times (Elvis Presley album)|Good Times]]'' (RCA Records, 1974)
* ''[[Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis]]'' (RCA Records, 1974)
* ''[[Promised Land (Elvis Presley album)|Promised Land]]'' (RCA Records, 1975)
* ''[[Today (Elvis Presley album)|Today]]'' (RCA Records, 1975)
* ''[[From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee]]'' (RCA Records, 1976)
* ''[[Moody Blue]]'' (RCA Records, 1977)
* ''[[Elvis in Concert (album)|Elvis in Concert]]'' (RCA Records, 1977)
* ''Elvis Aron Presley'' (RCA Records, 1980) (box set featuring unreleased live recordings from 1975)
* ''The Alternate Aloha'' (RCA Records, 1988)
* ''[[An Afternoon in the Garden]]'' (RCA Records, 1997)
* ''Live 1969'' (RCA/Legacy, 2019)
* ''From Elvis in Nashville'' (RCA/Legacy, 2020) (box set featuring undubbed master recordings and alternate takes from 1970 recording sessions)
* ''Back in Nashville'' (RCA/Legacy, 2021) (box set featuring undubbed master recordings and alternate takes from 1971 recording sessions)
* ''Elvis on Tour'' (RCA/Legacy, 2022/2023)

'''With [[Johnny Rivers]]'''
* ''Realization'' (Imperial Records, 1968)
* ''Slim Slo Slider'' (Imperial Records, 1970)
* ''Home Grown'' (United Artists Records, 1971)
* ''Wild Night'' (United Artists Records, 1976)

'''With [[Kenny Rogers]]'''
* ''[[Share Your Love]]'' (Liberty Records, 1981)

'''With [[Evie Sands]]'''
* ''Any Way That You Want Me'' (Rev-Ola, 1970)

'''With [[Billy Joe Shaver]]'''
* ''Gypsy Boy'' (Capricorn Records, 1977)

'''With [[Frank Sinatra]]'''
* ''[[Some Nice Things I've Missed]]'' (Reprise, 1974)

'''With [[Nancy Sinatra]]'''
* ''Sugar'' (Reprise Records, 1966)

'''With [[Tom Snow]]'''
* ''Taking It All in Stride'' (Capitol Records, 1975)

'''With [[Buffalo Springfield]]'''
* ''[[Buffalo Springfield Again]]'' (Atco Records, 1967)

'''With [[The Tractors]]'''
* ''[[The Tractors (album)|The Tractors]]'' (Arista Records, 1994)
* ''[[Have Yourself a Tractors Christmas]]'' (Arista Records, 1995)
* ''Fast Girl'' (Audium Records, 2001)

'''With [[Tina Turner]]'''
* ''[[Tina Turns the Country On!]]'' (United Artists Records, 1974)

'''With [[Townes Van Zandt]]'''
* ''[[Our Mother the Mountain]]'' (Poppy, 1969)

'''With [[Sammy Walker (singer)|Sammy Walker]]'''
* ''Sammy Walker'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1976)

'''With [[Gillian Welch]]'''
* ''[[Revival (Gillian Welch album)|Revival]]'' (Almo Sounds, 1996)
{{div col end}}

==See also==
<!--do not include any wikilinks that already appear in the article-->
* [[Hybrid picking]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{commons Category|James Burton}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.james-burton.net/}}
* [http://www.jamesburtonfoundation.org/ The James Burton Foundation]
* {{Rockhall}}
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p16203}}
* [https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/201329 James Burton recordings] at the [[Discography of American Historical Recordings]]
* [https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/james-burton James Burton Interview] at [[NAMM Oral History Program|NAMM Oral History Collection]]

{{Ricky Nelson}}
{{The Wrecking Crew}}
{{2001 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
{{2020s Country Music Hall of Fame}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Music}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burton, James}}
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American country guitarists]]
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:American rockabilly guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American session musicians]]
[[Category:American lead guitarists]]
[[Category:People from Minden, Louisiana]]
[[Category:Musicians from Shreveport, Louisiana]]
[[Category:TCB Band members]]
[[Category:The Wrecking Crew (music) members]]
[[Category:Louisiana Republicans]]
[[Category:Resonator guitarists]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Louisiana]]
[[Category:People from Dubberly, Louisiana]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]
[[Category:Country musicians from California]]
[[Category:Country musicians from Louisiana]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:The Strangers (American band) members]]
[[Category:Stony Plain Records artists]]
[[Category:Elvis Presley]]
[[Category:Country Music Hall of Fame inductees]]