Who remembers these Steel Guitarists?

[LJ Eiffert]

Al Parrett, Red Rhodes, Tom Brumley, Art Sanchez, Sammy Watson, Blackie Taylor, Buddy Merrill, Steve Finley, Jerry Stevens, Jerry Hayes, Carl Waldon, Jimmy Day, Ralph Mooney, Speedy West, James O'Rafferty, Jay Dee Maness, John McClung and so many others in Southern California in the early days of 60's,70's & 80's. When Traditional Country Music was real. You can add who you remember in those days.

[Richard Sinkler]

Sneaky Pete, Ed Black, Al Perkins

[Brad Bechtel]

Pete Grant and Mike Perlowin belong on the list as well.

[Joachim Kettner]

John McFee from Marin County. Plays with the Doobie Brothers and played with Clover, a very underated band in my opinion.
Look up the stories section uncle Leo, Red Rhodes grandson is looking for people who knew him. Maybe you did?

[Richard Sinkler]

If We are counting Northern California players too, then Bobby Black, Steve Fishell, Lowell "Banana" Levinger (Youngbloods), Gary Roda (Lacy J Dalton), Ernie Hager, Bob Lee, Carco Clave, Dave Ristrim, Dan Tyack, David Wright, Jerry Garcia

[Chris Brooks]

John Bidasio, my first teacher at Valley Arts in LA.

[Fred Treece]

If We are counting Northern California players too, then Bobby Black, Steve Fishell, Lowell "Banana" Levinger (Youngbloods), Gary Roda (Lacy J Dalton), Ernie Hager, Bob Lee, Carco Clave, Dave Ristrim, Dan Tyack, David Wright, Jerry Garcia

Joe Goldmark and Gary Potterton. Honorable mention to Duane Wong (RIP), Steve French, and a certain Richard Sinkler. Another South Bay dude I never met and only knew by name and legend as Slippery John Weston (RIP).

From down Bakersfield way, Larry Petree (RIP), another of the great frontiersmen of pedal steel who I had the pleasure to meet and play alongside.

[Richard Sinkler]

To add to the Northern California crew: Greg Lasser, Dave Zirbel, Barry Sless, Mike McKimmee (sp?) - played for Ray Nelson, ??? (Maybe David) Phillips (I'm having a senior moment and can't pin down his first name - SF player), Barry Thomas (yes, the builder of Thomas Steel Guitars), Jim Baron in Madera, Larry Chung, John Gudgel, Thomas Phelps, Ron Huggins, Barry Blackwood, Peggy Green, Chris Ivey, Gary Chiapetta, Dave Magram, Patrick Ickes.

Wow, my 70 year old brain is really getting a workout.

[Fred Treece]

You got David Phillips right, Richard.

A couple more active duty all-stars here in northern-ish CA are forumites David Wren and Paul Sutherland. And I just have to mention my old roadhog buddy Dancin’ Bill Wilson.

It’s kinda fun shaking the cobwebs off of the memories of these fine regional players who were (and still are in some cases) so integral to the great bands they have played in!

[Richard Sinkler]

I'm sure when I remove all the insect carcasses out of the full spider webs in my brain, I'll come up with some more.

For now, add Don McClellan to the list. Used to get together with him and John McClung to talk shop and trade licks. I took McClellan's place in my first pro band when he left.

[Gary Hoetker]

Jay McDonald, Norm Hamlet, Fuzzy Owen, Terry Christofferson

[Colin Boutilier]

Jay McDonald, Norm Hamlet, Fuzzy Owen, Terry Christofferson

Oh yeah. It was Norm Hamlet that got me hooked on the idea of playing the instrument. Norm and Moon were ground zero for me.

[Frank Freniere]

To add to the Northern California crew: Greg Lasser, Dave Zirbel, Barry Sless, Mike McKimmee (sp?) - played for Ray Nelson, ??? (Maybe David) Phillips (I'm having a senior moment and can't pin down his first name - SF player), Barry Thomas (yes, the builder of Thomas Steel Guitars), Jim Baron in Madera, Larry Chung, John Gudgel, Thomas Phelps, Ron Huggins, Barry Blackwood, Peggy Green, Chris Ivey, Gary Chiapetta, Dave Magram, Patrick Ickes.

Wow, my 70 year old brain is really getting a workout.

chris ivey - wow, that brings back memories…

[John McClung]

More obscure but great SoCal players: Bill Weingarden ( thumbpick and no finger picks, knew every song in the world and could nail intros and solos); Bobby Boyd, one of Danny Michael's Rebel Playboys; Gary Morse and I used to hang a bit in LA before his move to Nashville and Brooks and Dunn; Bill Bergren, hot Long Beach steel player...

[Jack Hanson]

Although they arguably may have been past their prime by the '60s, '70s, and '80s, the great Marion Hall from SoCal, and the incomparable Vance Terry from NorCal.

[Brett Day]

I remember hearing Jay Dee Maness with the Desert Rose Band, and loved the steel work on "She Don't Love Nobody" as a kid in the eighties-didn't really know any steel players then, but loved the steel guitar like I do now. I've got a great memory of talking with Norm Hamlet on the internet because in 2010, I had just gotten my Jackson Blackjack Custom pedal steel guitar, and Norm had seen where I was playing a different steel, and he asked me how I liked it, and I told him I really enjoy playing it. Norm told me he started playing GFI in 2000, and I couldn't believe I'd talked with a member of Merle Haggard's band, The Strangers

[David Wren]

I've not been on the forum for a few months (taking care of an ill family member) .... but today I saw this post... and had to add a really great pedal steel guitarist to this list:

Dean Rankin was playing in the Seattle area when I met him... but he told me he also had spent some time around San Jose, CA. A truly gifted player, on both necks. Sadly, he too is gone now.

[David Wren]

...also...

I would be remiss if I didn't include the great Oklahoma C6th player, Chuck Hayes. Believe he was from around Muscogee?

I would see him perform his magic every Oct. at the California Western Swing Society's Hall of Fame Weekend. He was an inspiration to me, and I'm sure many others. Sadly, he also is gone now.

... and so I don't have to add a post, let me include Frank Carter... certainly one of the nicest guys you ever met, and not only a great player, but a great guitar builder as well. Happily Frank is still making folks sit up and applaud his fine playing.

[Dave Zirbel]

Put Vernon “Speedy” Price, and Leo LeBlanc on the list.

[Lee Rider]

This Guy:

peaceseekers.jpg

[John Larson]

Check out Austin Tripp with Cody Jinks. "Real country" steel is still out there, just have to know where to look.

Cody Jinks - "Live at Red Rocks"