Norbert Putnam

NORBERT PUTNAM

Norbert Putnam was one of the original members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section at FAME Studios.  He played on many of FAME’s early hits including Arthur Alexander’s “You Better Move On.” Putnam was one of the Muscle Shoals musicians brought to Nashville to play for Elvis Presley in 1965. Putnam worked there as a bassist on recording sessions with Presley, Roy Orbison, Al Hirt, Henry Mancini, Linda Ronstadt, J. J. Cale, Tony Joe White, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Michael Card, Ian & Sylvia and Bobby Goldsboro. From the 1960s to the 1980s, Putnam became a million selling record producer as he helped bring pop music recording to Nashville. His credits include major works that established the popularity of performers such as Jimmy Buffett, Joan Baez, Dan Fogelberg, Brewer & Shipley, Pousette Dart Band, Donovan, John Hiatt, J.J. Cale, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and the New Riders of the Purple Sage.