Marshall Rowland

[Brian Rowland]

My father, Marshall Rowland, passed away January 11, 2025, 12 days prior to his 94th birthday. Dad came down to Jacksonville from Brunswick, Georgia, in July 1947 at age 16 when he got a call from Tiny Grier, leader of the Florida Playboys, to come play steel guitar. Dad played in bands for several years and got into radio in his early 20s, eventually building and owning great radio stations like WQIK/Jacksonville, WDEN/Macon and WQYK/Tampa. He's played steel guitar all along, often sitting in at the Woodbine Opry, and going to informal jam sessions with friends until he was well into his 93rd year. He also built several dozen steel guitars in his later years.

His online obit is here:
https://www.oxleyheard.com/team/marshal ... am-rowland

Dad with his first steel and a band pic ... and a link to a video of him playing at 85 years old at the N. Fla. Steel Guitar Club jam (playing one of the steel guitars he built)
https://youtu.be/k1msiFHrc8Q?si=LdX1KVonIhlvBKNS

Marshall and band.3 copy.jpg

Marshall William Rowland's 1st Day on Steel Guitar! copy.jpg

[Will Houston]

Nice pictures, thanks for those and the info on your dad. Sorry for your loss.

[Donna Dodd]

I’m so sorry to hear of your family’s loss. What an amazing life your dad lived! Love the history and the photos! May he rest in peace.

[Jim Fogle]

I'm sorry for your loss. Thanks so much for sharing the photos.