Travis Edmonson of Bud & Travis
Recollections & Comments 3
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Travis Edmonson Recommendation! Love the music of Bud & Travis? then you're sure to enjoy the fabulous STREET MINSTRELS.
 If you're in Arizona, you can experience their music live, and even have them perform at an event you're arranging. But music lovers all over the US and beyond can experience the great STREET MINSTRELS sound on CD. Just go to www.streetminstrels.com to hear them and get ordering info!
 Travis Edmonson made his breakthrough with The Gateway Singers, resident group at the hungry i
Be sure and check out the website celebrating the great San Francisco club at www.hungryi.net
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BETTY MANN was the wonderful singer and comedienne who gave so much sparkle to THE GATEWAY TRIO (followers to The Gateway Singers. Professional commitments meant that her group was inevitably on stage at some other venue, so her only acquaintance with Travis Edmonson was through recordings or after hours parties and jam sessions. There was only one exception.
”I remember seeing Travis Edmonson performing a club date in the Washington, D.C. area in the early 60s. The Gateway Trio was in town at the time, and we ran over in between our sets and caught part of the Bud & Travis act. Then we all partied a lot after the shows.
A very fine musician, Travis Edmonson's Spanish music was always my favorite, although he delivered English-language ballads so beautifully as well.
In addition to those enchanting renditions of Mexican songs, another highlight for me was his craziness. He was so very funny, and what timing!
I remember his humor so well. One bit I remember in particular was the one where they were so bored, they would go down to the laundermat and watch the clothes go around., saying it beat watching TV.”
Betty Mann
January 2005
(Also check out Betty Mann's web page on the Gateway website at
DEE CHANDLER, who is a student at Northwestern University, is one of the newest additions to the Travis Edmonson fan base.
“When doing research for a course project on the Mayan civilization, I came across the page about “Caminante Del Mayab” on this website. The beauty of the singing stirred me intensely, and gave me a feeling for the Mayan people which no previous amount of reading had done before.
I also had a look around the site, and was so overwhelmed by the beautiful voice of Travis Edmonson, that I went out and bought several of his CDs. The Latin Album is my favorite, of course, because it has the full version of “Caminante Del Mayab,” one of the most powerful and touching performances I've ever heard.”
Elizabeth "dee" Chandler
December 2004
LOU GARDINER is an active environmental campaigner in Oregon, in addition to being a long-time fan of Travis Edmonson.
“I was so pleased to see the entire recording of `The Time of Man' included on this website in December. That song was the thing which launched my interest in politics, conservation and the environment when I was just in my teens. I was familiar with Travis Edmonson from the duo Bud & Travis, but had never realized that he had written the music which had such an impact on my life until coming across the credits on a record label. It was a long way from Sloop John B which I always loved, and one I respect so much.”
Lou Gardiner
December 2005
Arizonan JUDY DRAKE traces her admiration of Travis Edmonson back at least 45 years, and sends him her best wishes.
“We were huge fans of Bud and Travis. I also have a couple of Travis' albums. I even chose the name Travis for one of my sons. I still enjoy listening to Bud and Travis frequently, and look forward to some new CDs.”
Judy Drake
December 2004
CHARLES FREEMAN is a musician in his thirties with his own band, who admits being turned on to the music of Travis Edmonson when a senior in high school - a time when Charlie was definitely a metal head, but couldn't help from being “captured by the smooth singing.
”I just wanted to say that Travis Edmonson is one of the greatest singers I have ever heard. When I first experienced "Malaguena Salerosa" I was blown away by the power and the emotion of it. I do not understand allot of Spanish, but I knew what the song was about - a passion - just by the way he carried it thru. It is beautiful. I'd loved to have attended one of his performances.
I listened to the Liberty album “Bud and Travis” often and liked the music. . Years passed by and I saw KILL BILL 2. All of a sudden I was singing parts of the song softly, and my wife was like `how do you know this song?' That's resparked my interest.
So I now plan on covering that song with my own band to perform. But here is the catch. I will sing it in Spanish as he does. It will take some practice, but I will get it!”
CHARLES FREEMAN
Waterville, Maine
November 2004
Now a resident in the California desert, singer RENÉ LEVA has enjoyed the distinction of being part of a Travis Edmonson duo (one which some say put the Bud & Travis act in the shadows).
“Travis has been my idol since I first heard him. I was fortunate to have shared the stage with him in Lake Tahoe and in Santa Barbara. Feliz Cumpleanos. Amigos para siempre”
René Leva
September 2004
Legendary blues singer and activist BARBARA DANE offers an appreciation of the duo Bud & Travis.
"It was a privilege and a pleasure to share so many evenings working opposite the folk duo known as Bud & Travis. Their consummate musicianship and gorgeous voices still move me, and it was such a surprise to find the intimacy and affection they felt for other cultures. It was the decade after WWII with its attendant celebration of (and insistence on) Americanism as a philosophy and a way of life. It was a time when the American identity, having been forged out of so many cultural streams, was almost in denial of its origins, even approaching xenophobia.
rbara Dane
But with their enthusiasm, respect and expertise, both musical and linguistic, Bud and Travis managed to open hearts and expand thinking about these things. Spanish and French love poetry, Irish pain and the suffering of war, beautifully conveyed by two nice-looking young musicians who could be the guys next door, how could this be alien? A wonderful way to open new roads for other young Americans locked inside the insular pop culture of the day. Thank you, Travis, thank you Bud!"With admiration,
Barbara Dane
September 2004
Entertainer JAY GREER performed as a second act TO Bud & Travis at the Ash Grove in Hollywood in the sixties. Although he went on to spend most of his career as a big band singer, Jay is now returning to his beginnings in folk. Travis Edmonson was not only a role model for him four decades ago, but all over again today.
“I have always been a great fan of Travis Edmonson. He has always been my model of the best of all singers.
I have never before or since met two performers with more heart, soul and talent than Travis Edmonson and Bud Dashiell.
I first heard Travis Sing “Malaguena Salerosa” in 1959 or '60, and was so moved by his performance that I vowed to learn the song. I must have followed his lead well because, I found that I could bring tears to the eyes of native-speaking Mexicans.
I laid my guitar a way for many years and became a "Saloon Singer," working with jazz combos and big bands. Big mistake!
Now after so many years, I am again singing “Malaguena Salerosa.” I found myself to be a little rusty both playing and singing it. I had forgotten a few verses and the single string runs. For the first three days in rehearsal, I couldn't make it through the entire song with out breaking out in tears!
Travis may not be able to play the guitar any longer but, to me, he is still the greatest stand up performer I have ever known. He will be singing and playing along with me in my mind next week when I again sing “Malaguena Salerosa” in front of a live audience.”
Jay Greer
July 2004
DORA HAYDEN of Houston is one of the constantly growing throng of fans who are just discovering the music of Travis Edmonson for the first time.
“A few months ago I was browsing the net, looking for a song I heard when I was a little girl. I found it on this site. I also found it on other sites but none can compare to the voice I heard on this album. It's like a romantic voice from my past calling me.
Since searching high and low for a version of "Malaguena Salerosa" that would even come close to Travis Edmonson's style of singing, none were encountered. The sweet passion in his vocals makes the song vibrate into my utter being, with memories of my youth.
My favorite albums are "In Concert," "Bud and Travis" (Liberty) and "The Latin Album."
Dora Hayden
July 2004
A native of India now living in California, MALABIKA SENGUPTA has been a Travis Edmonson fan for 25 years.
“I love the entire album of Best of Bud and Travis. However, I find “Malaguena salerosa" to be the most haunting. I do not think I have heard anything like that in my entire life. I heard it from an LP in '82 at a friend's house, and the tune haunted me all my life. It has a very different and wonderful meaning in my life. So, the song itself and the singers (of course unbeknownst to them) have been kept in a very special place in my life.
Bud & Travis had so much to offer to the world of American music and to the music lovers all over the world.
My best wishes to Mr. Edmonson. I wish he would perform again and bring his very unique and wonderful renditions of the classic popular Latin music to the hearts of music lovers in America.”
Malabika Sengupta
July 2004
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