Buddy Rogers

ROGERS, Buddy - "Uncle Bud" - Age 73, died peacefully on May 30, 2012 . Uncle Bud was a world-class drummer extraordinaire, the king of catfish, a courageous boat captain, excellent farmer, loving husband, and most awesome dad, granddad, and friend to everyone he met. He is survived by; wife Sydney Rogers, six children; Ronnie Rogers Caldwell, Steven Mark Rogers, Sheppard Rogers Tucker, Michael Dustin Rogers, Alyson Bennett, Philip Bennett, 14 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, brother, Steven Rogers, and sisters, Ginger Rogers Smith and Vivian Rogers Smith. Buddy was born on March 10, 1939 in Searcy Arkansas to Virginia Mama Lee and VW Daddy Veep Rogers. He loved traveling across Arkansas with his dad selling oil to farmers. He left Arkansas in the 1960s to serve in the Air Force Band where he was stationed in Selma, Alabama. He later attended Memphis State University and played music in clubs in Memphis before coming to Nashville where he had a 25-year music career. Buddy played with Jerry Reed, Charlie Rich, Tommy Dorsey Band, Marty Robbins, Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass, the Wilburn Brothers, and Music City Jazz Band and many others and in many studio sessions. He was on the Grand Ole Opry for 4 years. Ready to embark on a new challenge, he opened Uncle Bud's Catfish in Franklin in 1980 and several other locations over the years until 1989 when he sold the restaurants. He was president of the Tennessee Restaurant Association and Restaurateur of the Year. He continued cooking catfish professionally throughout his life. Later, he helped establish Buffalo Valley Farm, an organic farm where he had the most fulfillment living out the lifestyle he grew up with on his grandfather's farm. He helped raise his grandchildren for several decades. He was passionate and a perfectionist about every job he did and never met a stranger. He loved to spend his time on the water, captaining his boat, playing and listening to music, on his tractor preparing the land, cooking catfish for friends, and with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all. The Life Celebration service will be on Friday, June 1, 2012, at 2pm, at the West Harpeth Funeral Home. Private family burial will take place at Middle TN Veterans Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Thursday from 3-8pm, and on Friday from 12noon until the service hour at WEST HARPETH FUNERAL HOME