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William "Bucky" Baxter (1955 – May 25, 2020) was an American guitarist. He is best known as a member of Steve Earle and The Dukes and as a member of Bob Dylan's backing band in the mid-90s during the Never Ending Tour. He released his only solo album, Most Likely, No Problem, in 1999.

Early life

Baxter was born in Melbourne, Florida, in 1955. He started learning how to play pedal steel guitar in the 1970s. In the following decade, he met Steve Earle and played in the latter's debut album, Guitar Town in 1986.

Career

Baxter was a founding member of The Dukes, Earle's backing band. He subsequently featured in three other albums by Earle – Exit 0 (1987), Copperhead Road (1988) and The Hard Way (1990) – providing vocals and guitar. It was on one of Earle's concert tours in the early 1990s that he first encountered Bob Dylan, who asked Baxter to give him lessons in how to play steel guitar. He played pedal steel guitar for Dylan's band on his Never Ending Tour from 1992 to 1999 and played pedal steel on Dylan's 1997 Grammy Award winning album, Time Out of Mind. After his time in Dylan's band came to an end, Baxter released a solo album, Most Likely, No Problem, in 1999. He was one of three co-founders of Moontoast, a social rich media advertising platform.

Baxter also appeared on various albums by artists including Ryan Adams, R.E.M., Beastie Boys and Joe Henry. In studio, or while performing live, Baxter played steel guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, dobro.

Death

Baxter died on May 25, 2020, in Sanibel Island, Florida, at the age of 65, according to his son, Rayland. No cause was given.

Discography

Source:

References

1. ^ Hudak, Joseph (May 26, 2020). "Bucky Baxter, Pedal-Steel Great Who Toured With Bob Dylan, Dead at 65". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
2. ^ Slingerland, Calum (May 26, 2020). "R.I.P. Acclaimed Pedal Steel Guitarist Bucky Baxter". Exclaim!. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
3. ^ Andrewland, Stephen (May 26, 2020). "Bucky Baxter, Pedal Steel Guitarist Who Toured With Bob Dylan, Dead at 65". PopCulture.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
4. "Venture Nashville, 2009"
5. Smith, William Michael (July 12, 2010). "Ex-Bob Dylan, Steve Earle Steel Player Joins Joe Pug At Mango's". Spin. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
6. ^ "Bucky Baxter – Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
7. Harrington, Richard (December 6, 1997). "Bob Dylan, Unplugged and Electric". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
8. ^ Kohn, Daniel (May 26, 2020). "Bucky Baxter, Bob Dylan and R.E.M. Pedal-Steel Guitarist, Dies at 65". Spin. Retrieved May 26, 2020.

• Gray, Michael. The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia, 2006, p. 41

External links

• Bucky Baxter discography at Discogs

• 1955 births
• 2020 deaths
• People from Melbourne, Florida
• Pedal steel guitarists
• Guitarists from New Jersey
• Guitarists from Florida
• American male guitarists