Peter C. Budd

Born in 1940 in the basement of my dad’s bakery during the blitz in S.Norwood, UK. I came from a musical family background. It seemed that everyone in my family played some kind of instrument! Piano, accordian, harmonica etc. The great British Jazz Drummer Trevor Tomkins is my first cousin, and it was he who got me first interested in modern jazz, but Rock Roll won out! It wasn’t until I heard Frank Beecher (guitarist with Bill Haley and the Comets) that I got interested in the guitar. With many hours of practice, and with bloody fingers because the action was so high, I started to get some idea of what I could do with it! After playing with a few local groups such as Rodney Ward and the Hi Fi’s, Pat Cresswell and the Crescents, Rory Wild, Earl Sheridan etc, I began my career touring Europe in the late 50’s backing such artists as Sonny Stewart, Dave DaCosta, Jerry Lee Lewis, Gene Vincent, and Bill Haley and the Comets. After many years on the road touring thoughout Europe I settled down in Chicago. Since moving to the State in the 60’s, I was one of Chicago’s most sought-after musicians, playing numerous radio and tv commercials. I have had the opportunity of backing such stars as Dusty Springfield, Danny Thomas, Richard Groove Holmes and even Vlasta the Polka Queen. When not busy on stage or in the studio, I taught guitar at Lyon & Healy and American Music World in downtown Chicago, and also The Academy of Music in Oak Park. I am a jack of all trades. By playing with so many diverse styles of music I can pretty well play what is needed!. Although I play virtually all styles of music: blues, jazz, bluegrass, rock and more. These days I enjoy playing Ragtime Guitar in the style of my hero’s, Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. For a while was the lead guitarist with the "Native American Band Nitti Hills and Friends." I also front a Jazz Trio that is the exact opposite in music style from the Ragtime guitar. I would love to be disciplined enough to be able to play the Classical Guitar the correct way. I admire what a Classical Guitarist can do with the minimum of effect, just the guitar alone. My late brother Roy Budd was a genius! He was a wonderful film composer/jazz musician. Roy wrote and played the cult film theme "Get Carter" and soundtrack featuring Michael Caine. Sadly he passed away a few years ago. Although Roy was seven years younger than I was, Roy was a great influence on my life. We were best friends as well as brothers. It is wonderful that his music lives on. My hobbies are riding my Goldwing Motorcycle, Photography, Writing Music, and Drawing. It never ends. I am still a learning musician. I find that being older one does not have to prove oneself to anyone anymore. Just enjoy what we do. Life is too short to waste it! And I am still a learning musician. I think the guitar is probably the most versatile instrument on the planet. Just look in your local record store to see how many different styles that there are? You could say that I am a guitar fanatic! I love playing this great instrument. An I hope that people who listen to my music enjoy it as much as I had recording it!