b. Florence, Alabama, August 10, 1942
Nashville Cat
Norbert Putnam is a widely admired bassist, record producer, and studio owner. He started his career in his teens recording with soul singer Arthur Alexander at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, as part of a renowned rhythm section that included keyboardist David Briggs and drummer Jerry Carrigan. Putnam and Briggs also performed with singer Tommy Roe as an opening act for the first American concert by the Beatles.
After moving to Nashville, Putnam continued to record rock, pop, and soul–as well as country music. His early Nashville sessions included “Bread and Butter,” a pop hit by the Newbeats, and “Everlasting, Love,” by soul singer Robert Knight. He recorded often with Elvis Presley, and other sessions varied from country stars Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Dottie West to pop and rock recordings with Jimmy Buffett, Bobby Goldsboro, Michael Nesmith, Linda Ronstadt, the Vogues, and Tony Joe White.
A member of Area Code 615, an acclaimed band of Nashville studio pros, Putnam also co-founded the storied recording center Quadrafonic Sound Studios. As a producer, Putnam cut albums with Eric Andersen, Joan Baez, J.J. Cale, Dan Fogelberg, Dave Loggins, and Jimmy Buffett.
Musician and producer Norbert Putnam played this 1965 Fender Precision bass on hundreds of recordings, including releases by Joan Baez, Elvis Presley, Linda Ronstadt, and Tony Joe White. Courtesy of Norbert Putnam
Musician and producer Norbert Putnam played this 1965 Fender Precision bass on hundreds of recordings, including releases by Joan Baez, Elvis Presley, Linda Ronstadt, and Tony Joe White. Courtesy of Norbert Putnam
Eric Andersen, Blue River, 1972
Listen to Norbert Putnam
Selected Songs
Joan Baez, “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” (Robbie Robertson)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Norbert Putnam, bass; Norman Blake, guitar; Pete Wade, guitar; David Briggs, keyboards; Kenny Buttrey, drums.
From the album Blessed Are…, 1971. Produced by Norbert Putnam at Quadrafonic Studios, Nashville.
J.J. Cale, “After Midnight” (J. J. Cale)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Norbert Putnam, bass; J.J. Cale, guitar; David Briggs, piano; Chuck Browning, drums.
From the album Naturally, 1972. Produced by Audie Ashworth at Bradley’s Barn, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
Eric Andersen, “Pearl’s Goodtime Blues” (Eric Andersen)
The musicians featured on this recording are Norbert Putnam, bass; Eddie Hinton, electric guitar; Eric Andersen, piano; David Briggs, organ; Kenny Buttrey, drums.
From the album Blue River, 1972. Produced by Norbert Putnam at Quadrafonic Studios, Nashville.
The Monkees, “Listen to the Band” (Michael Nesmith)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Norbert Putnam, bass; Lloyd Green, pedal steel guitar; Wayne Moss, guitar; David Briggs, organ; Kenny Buttrey, drums.
From the album The Monkees Present, 1969. Produced by Michael Nesmith at RCA Studios, Nashville.
Tony Joe White, “Polk Salad Annie” (Tony Joe White)
The musicians featured on this recording are Norbert Putnam, bass; Tony Joe White, guitar; Jerry Carrigan, drums; Bergen White, horn arrangements.
From the album Black and White, 1969. Produced by Billy Swan at RCA Studios, Nashville.
Elvis Presley, “Promised Land” (Chuck Berry)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Norbert Putnam, bass; James Burton, guitar; David Briggs, piano.
From the album Promised Land, 1975. Produced by Felton Jarvis at Stax Studio, Memphis.
Meet the Cats
Best known for his harmonica technique—distinguished by speed, clarity, and exceptional phrasing, Charlie McCoy is a multi-instrumentalist who has been recorded on bass, guitar, keyboards, percussion, saxophone, trumpet, and tuba.
Charlie Daniels proved pivotal to many of the Nashville recording sessions of Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. Because Daniels had a strong blues influence, Johnston felt he would fit with the adventurous singer-songwriters.
Ben Keith was a prominent Nashville pedal steel guitarist and dobro specialist before becoming a producer and instrumentalist for Neil Young.
One of country music’s most admired and influential steel guitarists, Weldon Myrick taught himself to play lap steel and, at age thirteen, landed a job on a radio station near his hometown of Jayton, Texas.
Mac Gayden grew up fascinated by the R&B acts he heard in his hometown of Nashville. That interest helped him develop a style as a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter distinctly different from other Nashville studio pros.
Lloyd Green developed an emotional, resonant style of pedal steel guitar playing that gave him a distinct sound apart from other top steel specialists.
At age eighteen, Pete Drake heard steel guitarist Jerry Byrd on the Grand Ole Opry during a trip to Nashville. Duly inspired, Drake purchased a steel guitar in an Atlanta pawnshop. The decision not only changed his life, but impacted the sound of country and rock music.
Pig Robbins earned his stripes by creating the rocking piano on George Jones’s “White Lightnin’.” Over the ensuing decades, his integral role on Music Row recording sessions earned him membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
In his distinctive fiddle style, Buddy Spicher combined a rich tonal quality with bluegrass precision and an adventurous sense of swing. After arriving in Nashville, he quickly gained attention as a dazzling instrumentalist capable of handling country, jazz, pop, and rock.
Inspired by Country Music Hall of Fame members Chet Atkins and Earl Scruggs, Wayne Moss’s iconic guitar riffs helped forge the identifiable sounds of country and rock hits.
Norbert Putnam is a widely admired bassist, record producer, and studio owner. He started his career in his teens recording with soul singer Arthur Alexander at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, as part of a renowned rhythm section that included keyboardist David Briggs and drummer Jerry Carrigan.
Grady Martin was a member of a loose collection of legendary studio musicians known as the Nashville A-team. His versatility and creativity as a guitarist also appealed to younger rockers and singer-songwriters who came to Nashville.
David Briggs began playing piano on R&B, pop, and country hits in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, in his teens. After a brief stint as a pop singer, Briggs moved to Nashville in 1964 to focus on a career as a studio musician.
Three-time Grammy winner Jerry Reed is most famous for his colorful, catchy story songs steeped in Southern attitude and lore. He was recognized as a groundbreaking guitarist with a guitar technique that gave an extra layer of funky, back-country grease.
The preferred drummer for artists across America—he built a lasting legacy with his work in R&B and rock.
Fred Carter Jr. began his career in northeastern Louisiana playing rock & roll. He backed Dale Hawkins, known for his rock hit “Susie-Q,” and later played with Ronnie Hawkins, Dale’s cousin, in his backing group, the Hawks. Carter left and was replaced by Robbie Robertson before the group evolved into the Band.