Elvis Presley's Guitar Player From '69 To His Last Show With A Christmas Message To CJ

James Burton from Shreveport, Louisiana and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is recognized as one of the best guitar players in the world. Burton has performed with legends like Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley (and leader of Presley's TCB Band), The Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, John Denver, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Judy Collins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Claude King, Elvis Costello, Roy Orbison, Joni Mitchell, Vince Gill and more.

James Burton was the leader of Elvis Presley's TCB Band from 1969, the beginning of the Vegas years, until his last concert June 26, 1977 at Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, Indiana. In most live video shots of Elvis Presley in concert from 1969 to 1977, when you see Elvis, you see James. In many of Elvis' hits you can hear Elvis saying, " play it James", he is referring to Burton.

My friends Jo-El Sonnier and wife Bobbye were with friend James Burton in Natchitoches, Louisiana for the Christmas Festival of Lights and told him how big an Elvis fan I am. Mr. Burton agreed to make a video with a special message. To many people this may not seem like a big deal, to me, this is a very special moment. I've seen Mr. Burton perform live 3 times. I've been watching him on television since I was a kid. My home is loaded with pictures and video footage of James Burton. Like I said, if you see Elvis in live concert footage, you see James.

Elvis Presley Introduces James Burton in Aloha From Hawaii Concert In 1973