Go ahead and do any pruning or bud removal that you want to do now. Although, I'm assuming your tree already has its framework branches, and the buds you speak of are between the graft and the first branches. If you have a whip, with no branches, then those buds are the only way you'll get branches, so I'd be careful with them.

No branches to speak of, but at least 6 or 7 buds all the way up the trunk ( or stem at this size!) I'm really just worried about the ones so close to the bud union. If I leave them, I will have a cherry bush not tree. Thanks for the help.

I think you've let the people who bash Stark to promote their favorite mail order company to get into your head and convince you that you did wrong. Stark is a perfectly reputable company.

You letting them getting into your head is keeping you from being clear.
First it's budding from the bud union, now it has buds close to the bud union on up.
You paid for pruning but call that pruning you paid for "no branches to speak of".

Is the tree even growing yet? If not, stop worrying about it.

If it sends out a branch, not leaves, in a place you don't want a branch you can either rub it off before it gets big or you can let it go and prune it when it's dormant.
But if you wrap it those buds will probably stay dormant because they won't get light.

If it should happen to do anything FROM the graft union or BELOW remove it.

The only way you're getting a cherry bush is if you train it to be a cherry bush.