| Phil Baugh | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Date: | 13 December 1936 |
| Origin: | Marysville, California |
| Instrument: | Guitar |
| Genre: | Country |
| Occupation: | Session musician |
| Years Active: | 1960s-1980s |
| Label: | Longhorn, Era |
| Past Member Of: | Nashville Superpickers |
Phil Baugh (December 13, 1936 – November 4, 1990) was an American guitarist. He was known as one of the leading hot country guitarists whose "playing exuded joy and humor."[1] He was active from the 1960s through the 1980s, performing as a highly sought-after session musician as well as a top recording artist in his own right.
Phil Baugh was born in Olivehurst, California in 1936. Baugh signed a deal with Crest Records in 1962. With promotion from Longhorn Records in Dallas, Texas his song "Country Guitar" became a hit. He then recorded an album called Country Guitar II as a follow-up. He continued to work in Southern California, including joining Ray Price's band in 1969. In 1975 he moved to Nashville where he became a popular session guitarist. In the 1980s he was part of a country/jazz band called The Nashville Superpickers. The lineup included steel guitarist Buddy Emmons, drummer Buddy Harman, bassist Henry Strzelecki, pianist Willie Rainsford and harmonica player Terry McMillan. He suffered a coronary in 1985 and died five years later at the age of 53.[2]
Baugh's "Country Guitar" and "One Man Band" were top 40 hits on Billboard's country chart during 1965.
Phil Baugh was one of the great country Fender Telecaster players[3] along with James Burton and Don Rich. The entire album "Live Wire!" was recorded with his signature heavily customized Telecaster. But he also had other guitars, including a custom made doubleneck guitar from Mosrite and a Chet Atkins model Gretsch.
| Year | Album | US Country | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Country Guitar | 4 | Longhorn | |
| 1969 | California Guitar | — | Era | |
| 1975 | Country Guitar II | — | Toro | |
| 2005 | Live Wire! | — | Sundazed |
| Year | Single | US Country | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | "Country Guitar" | 16 | Country Guitar |
| "One Man Band" | 27 |