A recent online discussion sparked a question for legendary pedal steel guitarist Buddy Cage: Did he, or did he not, play on Anne Murray’s iconic hit, “Can I Have This Dance”? The debate mentioned other talented musicians like Lloyd Green and Bob Lucier, but the real answer, straight from Cage himself, is a resounding yes.
Cage clarifies the timeline and context of his involvement with Anne Murray and the recording. Back in the day, he was holding down a gig with Ronnie Hawkins at Toronto’s famed Le Coq d’Or. This band, unfortunately, dissolved when Hawkins pursued a recording opportunity in Muscle Shoals. However, showing his consideration for his bandmates, Hawkins helped place them with other promising groups. Cage landed a spot with Ian & Sylvia alongside Amos Garrett. Interestingly, other members from Ronnie Hawkins’ band also went on to join significant musical acts: drummer Larry Atamanuik joined Sea Train, and guitarist John Till and pianist – whom Cage regards as the best he’s ever known – became part of Janis Joplin’s Full Tilt Boogie Band.
During this period, Buddy Cage was also regularly contributing to Anne Murray’s albums – around five of them, he estimates. He worked as a staff steel guitarist for producer Brian Ahern, who remains active in Nashville. Cage’s collaboration with Ahern extended beyond Murray, including sessions for George Hamilton IV with some of the same session musicians, and notably, jazz guitar virtuoso Lenny Breaux.
Looking back on those sessions, Cage hints at some intriguing stories involving Lenny Breaux and George Hamilton IV, promising to share them at a later time. This recollection was prompted by a rehearsal for a Sirius Satellite Radio appearance with Meg Griffin. The plan was for Cage to share these firsthand rock and roll anecdotes, interspersed with music tracks, for Griffin’s SiriusXM stations.
Cage’s detailed account leaves little room for doubt. His clear recollection of the sessions and the band dynamics of the time strongly supports his claim of playing on “Can I Have This Dance.” He also mentions his tendency to correct misattributions, further lending credibility to his confirmation. So, for fans wondering who laid down those beautiful pedal steel lines on Anne Murray’s classic, Buddy Cage has definitively answered the call.
For those interested in the gear behind the music, Buddy Cage mentions his pedal steel guitars: a Fulawka D-10 9&5 and a Mullen Royal Precision D-10 8 & 5. More information about Buddy Cage and his musical journey can be found on his website and the website of the New Riders of the Purple Sage, another band he was associated with.
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net
http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html
