Aaron Kenneth Buttrey[1] (April 1, 1945 – September 12, 2004) was an American drummer and arranger. According to CMT, he was "one of the most influential session musicians in Nashville history".[2]
Buttrey was born in Nashville, Tennessee, became a professional musician at age 11 and went on his first world tour at the age of 14 with Chet Atkins. He first worked with Charlie McCoy, and went on to play with two of his own groups, Barefoot Jerry and Area Code 615. Area Code 615 was best known for its song "Stone Fox Chase," which was the theme song for the BBC music programme The Old Grey Whistle Test in the 1970s.
However, he was best known as a session player, and worked with a number of well-known musicians. His best-known work was with Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Jimmy Buffett.
He appears on Dylan's Blonde on Blonde, Nashville Skyline, and John Wesley Harding albums; Young's albums Tonight's the Night, Harvest, and Harvest Moon; and Buffett's Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes (including the iconic "Margaritaville"). He also worked with J.J. Cale, Bob Seger, Gordon Lightfoot, Elvis Presley, Mickey Newbury, Donovan, George Harrison, Joan Baez, Dan Fogelberg and Kris Kristofferson. In 1972, Kenny left the Stray Gators during the tour saying all the fan attention was too much. Johnny Barbata replaced Kenny in mid-tour. In 1979, Buttrey provided the drumming for Chuck Berry's final studio album Rock It. In addition to studio work, he was a member of Neil Young's touring band, the Stray Gators and played in the group Rig. Also in 1979, Kenny played drums on contemporary Christian singer Don Francisco's "Got to Tell Somebody" album.
He was quoted as saying he is most proud of his drumming on Bob Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay", released on Nashville Skyline.
Buttrey died of cancer in Nashville on September 12, 2004.