Authority control databases
| International | |
|---|---|
| Artists | |
Bruce Bouton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1954 (age 69–70) South Carolina, U.S. |
| Genres | Country music |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Pedal steel guitar, slide guitar, electric guitar, resonator guitar, keyboards |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Member of | The G-Men |
| Website | brucebouton |
Bruce Bouton is an American guitarist, session musician, producer, and songwriter. His pedal steel guitar has been featured on many country music recordings, and he helped reintroduce the pedal steel guitar to the forefront of the Nashville sound.[1][2] Bouton is also a member of The G-Men, the group of session musicians who has played on the vast majority of Garth Brooks albums.
Bouton began playing pedal steel in 1973 while studying at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. He played with a number of local ensembles, including the Good Humor Band. In 1978, Bouton moved from Vienna Virginia to Nashville Tennessee in pursuit of a music career. His first work in Nashville was touring with Dottie West, then Lacy J. Dalton and then recording and touring with Ricky Skaggs.[3]
Bouton has toured and recorded with Garth Brooks from the beginning of Brooks career. Bouton co-wrote the song "Against The Grain" for Brooks’ Ropin' The Wind album.[4]
As part of Brooks' studio band the G Men, Bouton was inducted into the Musician's Hall of Fame and Museum.[5]
Bouton has played steel guitar on records by Kenny Rogers,[6] Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban,[7] Lonestar,[8] Pam Tillis, Lady Antebellum, and Shania Twain.[9]
Songs Bouton wrote or co-wrote have been recorded by T. Graham Brown ("The Last Resort"), George Strait ("I Ain't Never Seen No One Like You"),[10] Glen Campbell ("Who's Minding the Garden"), and George Jones ("Walls Can Fall").
Bouton has toured with Ricky Skaggs,[11] Mel Tillis, Foster and Lloyd,[12] and Reba McEntire.[13]
1986 Bouton created an instructional video Learn To Play Pedal Steel Guitar for Homespun.[3]
In 1994, Bouton was executive producer of Mama's Hungry Eyes: A Tribute to Merle Haggard on the Arista label.[14]
Bouton hosts The Sidemen on Acme Radio, which features Nashville session musicians.[15]
