If you've eaten at TGI Friday's or seen any nostalgia movies or TV programs, or if you've listened to the various music programs broadcasted by the ABC Radio Network, you've been touched by my friend Bud Buschardt.
Bud has one of the largest catalogued record collections in the world. There are more than 100,000 of those babies. They are in specially built open cases that line almost every closet in his home plus every wall -- floor to ceiling -- in his home control room that overlooks one of the most Tony neighborhoods of Dallas.
It's from that enormous collection and that control room that Bud specially programs and supplies the music to them all. And he has for years and years.
And it was from the big ABC building near Dallas' Galleria that for many years Bud produced 
the programming for ABC's Starlight Network. In addition to his enormously popular rhythm and blues program..the program that he hosted and loved, "The Night Train," he was the on-air sidekick of DJ legends Joe Lucina and Eddy Hubbard.
Bud was born in Houston in the early ‘40s, and he had the misfortune of coming with acute asthma. The doctors said he needed to spend as much time as possible indoors. His mom and dad 
noticed that he was interested in music, records and wondered how record players worked.
They bought him a small 78 rpm turntable, some records, and that started his passion for adding more and more and then some more, and saving them all. He worked at radio and TV stations as an apprentice until he got his degree in communications from the University of Houston. Fate brought him to Dallas.
Here he worked with all of the Big Boys, beginning as a floor and cameraman at WFAA-TV. But all the while his record collection was growing, and then growing.
Bud retired a few months ago, but he continues as an adjunct professor of radio and television at the University of North Texas in Denton, and as the nation's best authority and source of recorded music.
Although we've known each other for a long time now, and we have our irregular monthly lunches, this past Wednesday was the very first time I ever got to see Bud's soul. He invited me to come see, and he said I could bring my camera.
"I don't worry about losing the collection in a fire. At least the melted vinyl would fill all of the pot holes Mayor Miller didn't get around to filling on my street."
Copyright 2008 - William S. Cherry
All rights reserved
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Miss Joanie, what makes Bud's stuff so interesting is that they are all originals. ANd then he has the priceless stuff. He doesn't seem too worried about the collection being destroyed. He says he has no idea what its even worth.
Miss Jan, like Bud I love radio. We both were interested in it when we were kids. Now we both lament that the programming we know and love is just about 100% over, replaced by zillions of commercial spots in a row and very little interjection of talent.
Nevertheless, I still prefer radio over TV.
I'm glad you remember Bud's Night Train. He's mighty proud of that program.
Billycherry
Bill, What do you mean? He retired? Sixty-five is too young to retire. Can't you do something?
Bill Roberts
Bill
Old Bud's not really retired. He teaches at the University I think three days a week, carrying one course short of a full load, he does his music productions from his collection, and the rest of the time he's everyone's friend.
No one would have let him REALLY retire.
Billycherry
What an honor to be able to go and see all of his vinyl! It looks like he's got some awesome reel to reel equipment as well. As a huge fan of vinyl I would be thrilled to check out his collection. Good post Bill!
Ron, funny you wrote. Moments before I saw your post, I was thinking about Bud. He and I need to have our Christmas Season lunch. I must call him tomorrow.
Bud is an icon. He has a wonderful home that he shares with no one. His living room has a great restored Wurlitzer juke box -- about a 50s vintage -- and several cool pinball machined of the same vintage. Across the hall is his "control room" which has no amateur equipment -- all professional stuff like Gates turntables, etc. Then there are walls and walls and closets and closets of shelves with all of hie 78, 45 & 33 1/3 records properly cataloged. There's his office where he has more equipment, most of which requires his computer to operate.
When you're coming this way sometime, let me know and I'll make sure you and Bud meet and you get to see his great "toy" collection.
Bill
Bill, that is a very generous offer! I will take you up on that someday! Have a good Christmas season lunch with Bud and have a Happy Holiday Bill!