Spotsylvania musician dies at 72

To his students, he was a patient, encouraging teacher. To his fans, he was known for the frenetic pace of his fingers.

Spotsylvania resident and famed musician Elmer Lee “Buddy” Charleton died Tuesday. He was 72.

Charleton began playing guitar and bass at 11, but he is best known for his work on the pedal steel (see video below). He played with Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and others. He belonged to the Texas Troubadours.

He returned to his home state of Virginia in 1973 and spent the next decades teaching music. He was inducted into the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1993.

Charleton is survived by his wife, Kay, three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Jan. 31 at Johnson Funeral Home in Locust Grove. Click here for an online guest book.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViY2WXvVXYU[/youtube]

Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/spotsygovt/2011/01/27/spotsylvania-musician-dies-at-72/