Buddy (magazine)

Buddy Magazine

Buddy cover, Vol. 47, No. 2, August 2019 Terri Hendrix on the cover Mike Junior Clark on the cover inset
Editor	Rob Garner
Former editors	Ron McKeown, Kirby Warnock, Stoney Burns
Staff writers	Chuck Flores, Kate Stow, Andrew Daly, Ian Saint, George Gimarc, Rob Garner, Elaine MacAfee Bender, Rick Koster, George Bond, Carly May Gravley, Hannah Means Shannon
Photographer	Chuck Flores, Robert C. Maxfield II, Andrew Sherman, Travis Clark
Categories	Music:     Rock 'n' roll     Blues     Progressive country     Pop
Frequency	Monthly
Format	Print Digital Mobile device
Publisher	Rob Garner
Founder	Stoney Burns, Rob Edleson
Founded	July 1973
First issue	July 1, 1973 (1973-07-01)
Company	Buddy Magazine, LLC
Country	United States
Based in	Garland, Texas
Language	English
Website	buddymagazine.com
ISSN	0192-9097
OCLC	52985380

Buddy is a free monthly music magazine serving the North Texas and Northeast Texas regions. It was first published in Dallas, Texas, in July, 1973 as a free monthly. Stoney Burns (pseudonym of Brent Lasalle Stein; 1942–2011) and Rob Edleson (né Lewis Robin Edleson; born 1946) were the founders. The magazine's name is a tribute to Buddy Holly (1936–1959), who Burns said "changed my life". Buddy is described as a rock music magazine but, from its beginning, has included news and feature articles about performing artists and events of other genres, namely Texas progressive country, blues, jazz, folk, punk, and garage band music.

History

Stoney Burns, before co-founding Buddy, published and edited Dallas Notes from 1967 to 1970, an underground bi-weekly newspaper. Christopher Gray of the Austin Chronicle, in 2000, likened Buddy as "the North Texas equivalent of Crawdaddy. Gray later wrote that writers for Buddy magazine who covered the blues scene in the Dallas-Fort Worth area helped resurrect the career of Zuzu Bollin and introduced mainstream music fans to notable regional blues artists, including jazz guitarist Roger Boykin (né Roger Mitchell Boykin; born 1940) and blues singer R.L. Griffin (aka "Fat Daddy;" né Raymond Lewis Griffin; born 1939) and the late pianist Boston Smith, brother of Buster Smith. At its peak, Buddy published editions in Dallas, Houston, and Austin/San Antonio and had a staff of almost two dozen.

Please address all correspondence, love letters, hate mail, records, threats, photos, unsolicited manuscripts, payola, etc., to Buddy Magazine ... Buddy is copyrighted, but we're not fanatics about it. Write us and we'll give you permission to reprint just about anything you want. ... If your regular distribution spot runs out of magazines before you get yours, let us know and we'll print up an extra copy next time.

— Statement in the masthead of a 1976 Houston edition, by Stoney Burns, editor and publisher.

There was no such thing as a music magazine. There was no Dallas Observer. There was no Guide in the Dallas Morning News. There was no place to learn about concerts and who was playing where. When we began writing, the musicians loved us and jumped right in to support us.

— Ron McKeown, 2018, WFAA-TV (online)

Early notable issues included "The Bob Dylan Story", "Plus Kinky Friedman All Star ^✡ Issue" (as featured on the cover), January 1974. Buddy chronicled many performing artists before the emergence of their first albums, including, in 1975, Ray Wylie Hubbard, who was already popular as a Texas progressive country artist. That same year (1975), KAFM radio host Chuck Dunaway reported that Buddy, with a circulation of 40,000, was helping spread the positive aspects of progressive country. In 1977, 1978, Buddy was affiliated with KZEW-FM (a Dallas radio station known from 1973 to 1989 as "The Zoo"). By 1979, KTXQ took over Buddy, which had a circulation of 100,000. In 1982, Buddy was the official magazine of the Texxas Jam, a rock festival held at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Beginning around 1982, Buddy was issued in tabloid size and format.

Selected personnel

Writers

• Chuck Flores (né Charles Anthony Flores; born 1955) has been a photojournalist and music journalist since 1975. He is also a musician. Flores has been assistant editor with Buddy since 1989.
• Ian Saint (pseudonym of Ian Geoffrey Sater; born 1987).
• Andrew Daly.
• Elaine MacAfee Bender.
• Tom Geddie (né Tommy Maurice Geddie; born 1946).
• Colleen (Bradford) Gilson.
• Shawn D. Henderson.
• George Bond.
• Rick Koster (Richard Koster; born 1955) wrote his first article, professionally, for Buddy in 1978. It was about Sammy Hagar. In 1998, St. Martin's Press published his book, Texas Music. As of 1997, Koster has been writing for The Day in New London, Connecticut.
• Tim Schuller (1949–2012)
• Kirby Warnock (né Kirby Franklin Warnock; born 1952); editor from 1976 to 1982.
• Jan Sikes (né Janice Kay Smith; born 1951).
• Jackie Don Loe (born 1965).
• Rob Garner (né Robert Steven Garner; born 1968), current publisher of Buddy, as of 2023 (see section below → § Hiatus and revival).
• Mary Jane Farmer (né Mary Jane Ewing; born 1940), reporter for Buddy from February 2013 to present.
• Kim Martin (née Kimberly Ann Richter; born 1950) – currently a Dallas freelance writer known as Kim Pierce – notably a food critic, healthy eating activist, and Texas cuisine writer; and, ironically (regarding healthy eating), author of the chicken-fried steak entry for the 2007 book, the Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink. p. 114 – via Internet Archive.
• Lisa Rollins (PhD) (née Lisa Lynette Rollins; 1965–2014) contributed to a feature, "Spotlight on Performers."
• Kathleen Hudson, PhD (née Kathleen Ann Pillow; born 1945) won an award in 1989 from the Texas Press Women's Communication for her story, "You're Gonna Make It After All: Sonny Curtis" (Sonny Curtis). An academic in higher education and freelance writer, Hudson was the founding executive director in 1987 of the Texas Heritage Music Foundation in Kerrville, and served in that position until 2001.
• Joe Nick Patoski (né Nicholas Joseph Patoski; born 1951), who, on November 16, 1980, in Austin, married Kris Cummings, keyboardist with Joe Carrasco. Kris was a 1981 inductee of Buddy Magazine's Texas Tornado List (see below).

Selected writers who started with Buddy in 1973

• Stoney Burns
• Rob Edleson (né Lewis Robin Edleson; born 1946)
• Steve Brooks (né Charles Stephen Brooks; born 1949) (graphic artist)
• Ronald McKeown (né Ronald Houston McKeown; 1946–2024) (editor)
• Jesus D. Carrillo (né Jesus Domingo Carrillo; born 1952), photojournalist

Selected videography

• When Dallas Rocked (2013): 64 minute documentary – interviews, photos, and commentary from the people who were there and lived through the heyday of the Dallas rock n roll music scene – during the 1970s and 1980s. Produced by Kirby Warnock, former Buddy magazine editor. Warnock narrates.

Texas Tornado List

The Texas Tornado List, billed as "The greatest players in Texas. Perhaps in the world", is an annual hall of fame roster, since 1978, listing the top musicians in Texas. The name, Texas Tornados, is also the name of a band founded by 1986 Texas Tornado inductee, Doug Sahm.

Texas Harmonica Tornados

The "Texas Harmonica Tornados" were leading Texas harmonica players recognized by Buddy Magazine from about 1984 through 1987. In 1985, Rich Layton (see Rock Romano), known as "The Duke of Juke," was named Texas Harmonica Tornado. Peer Texas Harmonica Tornados include Kim Wilson, Delbert McClinton, and Paul Orta (1957–2019), who was inducted in 1987.

Buddy's Music Hall of Fame

1979:	Tex Ritter
1980:	Lightnin' Hopkins (the award was accepted by María Elena Holly, Buddy's widow, and country swing pioneer, Leon Rausch)
1981:	Roy Orbison
1984:	Jimmy Dean

Buddy's Texas Music Awards

Buddy's Texas Music Awards ("The Buddies") is an annual readers poll survey that debuted 1973. The awards were presented at a black-tie event. The new act categories are chosen by music journalists.

1973: (1st)	Country: Willie Nelson
1974: (2nd)	Country: Willie Nelson • Waylon Jennings (2nd place) Pop: ZZ Top • Jerry Jeff Walker
1975: (3rd)	Country: Willie Nelson • Asleep at the Wheel (2nd place) • Kris Kristofferson (4th place) Pop: ZZ Top • Jerry Jeff Walker (2nd) • Michael Martin Murphey (3rd) • Rusty Wier (4th)
1979: (6th)	Country: Waylon Jennings Pop/rock: ZZ Top Latin: Joe Carrasco Blues/soul/jazz: One O'Clock Lab Band Album: Bat Out of Hell Song: "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" New pop group: Mother of Pearl New rock artists: Kenny and the Kasuals New country artist: Joe Ely J. Boy Adams, hosted the ceremony which was broadcast live on KZEW, March 11, 1979
1980: (7th)	Country: Willie Nelson Pop/rock: ZZ Top Blues/soul/jazz: Bugs Henderson Album: Degüello New country artist: Whiskey Drinkin' Music (Austin) Ray Wylie Hubbard hosted the ceremony at Longhorn Ballroom March 18, 1980
1981: (8th)	Country: Willie Nelson Pop/rock: ZZ Top Latin: Little Joe, Johnny y La Familia Blues/soul: The Fabulous Thunderbirds Jazz: One O'Clock Lab Band Album: The Hard Way, by Point Blank Song: "Sailing", by Christopher Cross Songwriter: Jerry Dirkx, "She's In Love With The Rolling Stones" Critics choice, pop: Shake Russell-Dana Cooper Band Critics choice, blues: Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Critics choice, pop: U.S. Kids Brother Dave Gardner hosted the ceremony at the Wintergarden Ballroom in Dallas at 1616 John West Road, March 13, 1981
1984: (11th)	Country: Asleep at the Wheel Pop/rock: Joe Ely Latin: Little Joe, Johnny y La Familia Jazz: The Crusaders Regional record: (tie) (i) Born to Blow, Johnny Reno and the Sax Maniacs; (ii) Drive This, Teddy Boys Movie filmed in Texas: Terms of Endearment Album: Eliminator, ZZ Top Song: "Gimme All Your Lovin'", ZZ Top Blues: Stevie Ray Vaughan Video: Sharp Dressed Man, ZZ Top from the album Eliminator New wave: Joe King Carrasco Ray Wylie Hubbard hosted the ceremony at the Loew's Anatole May 9, 1984, in Dallas

Hiatus and revival

In 2020, after forty-six years, eleven months of continuous publication, Buddy suspended operations amid the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its final regular monthly issue under publisher Ron McKeown appeared in March 2020, as the shutdown of live music venues and related advertising revenue created significant financial challenges for the magazine.

Publication resumed in September 2022 under new publisher Rob Garner (né Robert Steven Garner; born 1968), a Texas musician (bassist) and longtime reader of the magazine. For the restart, Garner collaborated with several former Buddy contributors and staff, including McKeown, all serving in an advisory capacities. Following its relaunch, Buddy adopted a hybrid publishing model, expanding its digital presence while issuing limited print editions rather than returning immediately to a monthly print schedule. In 2023, the magazine marked its 50th anniversary and began efforts to digitize its historical archive. Garner, from 1998 to 2003, played electric bass with the Josh Alan Band. Garner, in 2002, was named in Buddy's Texas Tornado List. He is also a music educator, including author of 1996 method book Essential Music Theory for Electric Bass (re-published 2007).

Disambiguation

• Not to be confused with the South Korean LGBTQ magazine, Buddy, published in Seoul (from February 20, 1998, to Winter 2003); OCLC 613611725
• Not to be confused with the Buddy Potápění ("Buddy Diving"), a bi-monthly (every two months) published in Prague, founded July 2007 (issue No. 1) (buddymag.cz); ISSN 1805-3017

Bibliography

References

• Austin Chronicle; Gray, Christopher (November 10, 2000). "Sad Stories and Steel Guitars – Tearjoint Troubador Ted Roddy's Country Soul".

• Beaumont Journal; Lightfoot, John Ewell, Jr. (1944–2001) (March 17, 1976). "Willie Nelson". "Country Music With Dr. John," column of John Lightfoot. Vol. 87, no. 120. p. 9 (section C).{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) LCCN sn82-9; ISSN 0744-1207; OCLC 8046241 (all editions).

1. Via Newspapers.com (digital image 27).
2. Via Genealogy Bank (digital image 27).

Note: "Dr. John" was Lightfoot's newspaper byline for his column about country music. The nom de plume reflected his Ph.D. in English literature, which he earned from Texas Tech in September 1973.

• Billboard; Hall, Claude (November 8, 1975). "Dallas' KAFM Is Bigger than Texas These Days" (PDF). Vol. 87, no. 45. pp. 4, 22, 24 – via World Radio History; maintained by David Eduardo Frackelton Gleason (né David Frackelton Gleason; 1946), Cleveland.

• Buddy Magazine.

1. Slaughter, Jim (January 1974). "The Bob Dylan Story" (PDF) (cover story). Vol. 1, no. 7. pp. 12–15.
2. Ornish, Laurel Ann (January 1974). "Kinky Friedman All Star ✡ Issue" (PDF) (cover story). Vol. 1, no. 7. Photo by Danny Barsotti. pp. 16–18, 20, 30.
3. Pellecchia, Michael (May 1975). "Is What They Do in Denton Jazz?" (PDF) (cover story). Vol. 2, no. 11. Photo by Danny Barsotti. p. 21.
4. Miller, Ed (March 1975). "Past Meets Present at Longhorn – From Bob Wills in the '40s to Ray Wylie Hubbard in the '70s" (PDF). Vol. 2, no. 9. Photo of Dewey Groom by Ron McKeown (né Ronald Houston McKeown; 1946–2024). p. 15.
5. Michnoff, David (April 1975). "Dazed and Confused by Led Zep" (PDF). Vol. 2, no. 10. Postscript by Kim Martin (née Kimberly Ann Richter; born 1950, currently known as Kim Pierce); photo of Robert Plant performing by Ron McKeown. p. 22.
Deck: "Life at the top is everything you've always imagined ... down to the last limousine."
Postscript by Kim Martin: "So it seems, I, too, experienced the police-orange camper-Led Zeppelin phenomena on Mockingbird. I was on assignment with photographer Jay Dickman for the Times Herald. Here's what all the mysterious limos and turnoffs and takeoffs mean ..."
6. "Buddy Texas Tornados Announced – Congratulations to the Buddy Texas Tornados of Guitar and Bass, Class of 2015" (PDF). Vol. 43. June 2015. p. 11. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 27, 2021.
7. "Buddy Texas Tornados – Congratulations to the Buddy Texas Tornados of Guitar, Class of 2017" (PDF). Vol. 44. April 2016. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 27, 2021.
8. "Buddy Texas Tornados – Congratulations to the Buddy Texas Tornados of Guitar, Class of 2017" (PDF). Vol. 45. April 2017. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2017.
9. Bellicose Bullfeather (pseudonym of Stoney Burnes; né Brent LaSalle Stein; born 1942) (July 2018). "Not Fade Away: Buddy Writers and Photographers Recorded the 1973 Kerrville Folk Festival, Willie’s First Fourth of July Picnic, the Texas Jam, the Rebirth of Deep Ellum and the Rise of Social Media" (PDF). p. 12.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
10. Bellicose Bullfeather (September 2018). "What a Long Strange Trip – Buddy Magazine, Musicians with Heart Celebrate 45 Years of Chronicling Texas Music History" (PDF). Vol. 46, no. 3. Photo of Dewey Groom by Ron McKeown (né Ronald Houston McKeown; 1946–2024). p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 26, 2019.

• D Magazine. LCCN sn78-457; ISSN 0161-7826; OCLC 4020946 (all editions).

1. Warnock, Kirby Franklin (July 1, 1990). "Media: The Buddy System – Life at Dallas's First Rock Magazine Wasn't Just a Job – It Was an Attitude".
2. Warnock, Kirby Franklin (June 10, 2024). Dallas History: "My Wild Ride Through the '70s Music Scene in Dallas, Thanks to Buddy Magazine".

Deck: "Dallas was a different place back then, and with youth on my side, I survived an eight-year rock-and-roll odyssey by way of the iconoclastic publication that could never exist today."

• Focus Daily News; Holt, Jo Ann. "Dallas International Guitar Festival Hosts Benefit for Buddy Magazine".
• Garner, Robert S. (1968–) (1996) [2007; 1998]. Essential Music Theory for Electric Bass. Pacific, Missouri: Mel Bay Publications – via Google Books (limited preview).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) ISBN 978-1-6097-4656-8, 1-6097-4656-2, ISBN 978-0-7866-7736-8, 0-7866-7736-8; OCLC 1100912507 (all editions); OCLC 191809518 (all editions); OCLC 893705569 (all editions).
• International Radio Report (July 19, 1979). Hall, Claude (ed.). "Dallas–Ft. Worth Giants" (PDF). Vol. 2, no. 28. p. 6 – via World Radio History.

• Potts, Jackie (November 22, 2006) [updated July 28, 2016]. "Randy Garibay: The Chicano Bluesman of San Antonio". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. p. 114 (hardcopy).

• WFAA (online); Harris, Byron (August 29, 2018) [updated August 30, 2018]. "Willie Nelson, Elton John, Robert Plant Intertwined in Buddy Mag History".

Note: Harris (Byron Holliger Harris, Jr.; born 1946) was a semi-retired reporter who had been with WFAA-TV from 1975 to 2015

External links

• Rich Layton Collection, 1978–1997. Houston Folk Music Archive, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University. OCLC 1037018271.

1. Inventory.

• Steve Brooks Collection (artist), 1970–2019 (bulk 1970–1984). University of North Texas Libraries. OCLC 1126771109.