August 21: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist James Burton is 74-years-old today.

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Born in Minden, Louisiana Burton is known as the "Master of the Telecaster." Critic Mark Demming writes that "Burton has a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest guitar pickers in either country or rock ... [Burton is] one of the best guitar players to ever touch a fretboard."

Since the 1950s, Burton has recorded and performed with an array of notable singers, including Bob Luman, Dale Hawkins, Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, John Denver, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Jerry Lee Lewis, Claude King, Elvis Costello, Joe Osborn, Roy Orbison, Joni Mitchell and Allen "Puddler" Harris.

Photo by Scott Dudelson

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, Burton's induction speech was given by longtime fan Keith Richards. Burton has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

-- James Burton talks about his days with Elvis Presley
-- "Travelin' Man" (Backing up Ricky Nelson in 1961)
-- "Roll Over Beethoven" (Jerry Lee Lewis and James Burton)

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For more about James, visit his Website at-

http://www.james-burton.net/

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