The soft strains of pedal steel guitar are often synonymous with classic country music, and when you hear them on an Anne Murray track, you might wonder who was behind those evocative sounds. A recent online forum discussion sparked precisely this question: Did Buddy Cage, renowned for his work with pedal steel, play on Anne Murray’s rendition of “Could I Have This Dance”?
According to Cage himself, the answer is a resounding yes. Addressing forum inquiries that suggested other musicians like Lloyd Green or Bob Lucier might have been the steel players on Murray’s recordings, Cage clarified his involvement. He stated unequivocally, “It was I.” At the time, Cage was a member of Ronnie Hawkins’ band, holding down a gig at Toronto’s Le Coq D’Or. This period, however, was a turning point. Hawkins, in pursuit of a recording opportunity in Muscle Shoals, decided to disband his group. Yet, demonstrating consideration for his bandmates, Hawkins facilitated their transition into other promising musical ventures.
This shift led Cage to join Ian & Sylvia alongside Amos Garrett. Other members of Hawkins’ band also found notable positions: drummer Larry Atamanuk joined Sea Train, while guitarist John Till and pianist (described by Cage as the “best I’ve ever known”) went on to form the Full Tilt Boogie Band with Janis Joplin.
Cage’s connection to Anne Murray ran through producer Brian Ahern, who utilized Cage as a staff steel guitarist for approximately five of Murray’s albums. Ahern, based in Nashville, also engaged Cage for sessions with George Hamilton and even alongside the legendary Lenny Breau. Cage hinted at intriguing stories from these sessions, promising to share them later. He mentioned recounting these musical anecdotes to Meg Griffin for Sirius Satellite Radio, suggesting an upcoming feature interspersing his stories with music tracks.
While Cage acknowledges the possibility of re-recordings for compilations or greatest hits albums, he stands firm on his initial contributions. He emphasizes his readiness to correct misattributions, confirming his genuine involvement in Anne Murray’s recordings during that era. This firsthand account from Buddy Cage himself provides valuable insight into the musicianship behind Anne Murray’s beloved songs and the interconnected world of studio musicians in that vibrant period of music history.
