What is Sacred Steel?

David Mitchell · Post by **David Mitchell** » 1 Sep 2016 7:07 pm

Just wondering what sacred steel is. I grew up in a traditional country and western swing environment and that is what we played. I'm 62 now and haven't listened to the radio since Garth Brooks came out. I did love George Strait and Alan Jackson's music. I'm aware of some of the newer recording artist like Paul Franklin, Mike Johnson and Tommy White so my question is are they playing Sacred steel? It's almost sounds like a different instrument. Instead of a straight forward aggressive approach it's laid back and mellow and the use of knÃ©e levers sounds as if they are on search of the lost chord but finally find it right before the next chord changes. Is this type playing sacred steel or some other form maybe classified as contemporary playing. I love it but it seems far and away from what I am use to and I think I'm too old to learn new tricks but perhaps if I do what would you call it?
I keep hearing the term but not sure what it means. It is nice and mellow for congregational services.

David Mitchell · Post by **David Mitchell** » 1 Sep 2016 7:26 pm

Juse looked it up. Appears Robert Randolph is Sacred steel. So I suppose Paul Franklin would be contemporary steel. Sorry to bother you.

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 1 Sep 2016 8:08 pm

Sacred Steel comes out of certain churches (predominantly African-American) that use steel guitar prominently in their worship services. some use pedals some don't, but the playing is obviously very gospel influenced with a heavy dose of blues.

here's the wikipedia entry:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacred_St ... tradition)

David Mitchell · Post by **David Mitchell** » 1 Sep 2016 9:06 pm

I see. Thanks!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 2 Sep 2016 3:50 am

Better than trying to put it to words, it is this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG4zt98MNug

Incredible.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 2 Sep 2016 5:18 am

Some insight into the history until Del Ray Grace or Bishop Hall checks in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxaGMQhMsNg

Stephen Cowell · Post by **Stephen Cowell** » 2 Sep 2016 6:07 am

Yeah... mellow...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2KTJNKoOHo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw-wdrlkoBA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQUSCdvhzzI

Subscribe to the Del Grace YT channel for an education on the breadth of SS... this is one place where steel guitar is alive and well.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTAKVN ... mniHIPapKg

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 2 Sep 2016 7:36 am

Bishop Ronnie P. Hall posts all the time here on the Forum, have a listen.

David Mitchell · Post by **David Mitchell** » 2 Sep 2016 8:33 am

Thanks friends! Very interesting and delightful to see so many steels in the churches. It's kinda like blues guitar slide on steroids with the vast mechanics and sheer number of strings of a pedal steel. I get the picture now.

David Mitchell · Post by **David Mitchell** » 2 Sep 2016 8:40 am

They seem to vamp with their thumb a lot too. I guess that's similar to country vamping back and forth with strings 9 and 10 and sometimes 11 as on my ZB D-11 caring the bass.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 2 Sep 2016 8:41 am

Sounds like mostly single string stuff, also, with a lot of vibrato.

David Mitchell · Post by **David Mitchell** » 2 Sep 2016 8:43 am

Yes it does. Looks like they seldom grab a big ol fat chord.

Bishop Ronnie P Hall · Post by **Bishop Ronnie P Hall** » 9 Sep 2016 5:58 am

Hi Dave!

As my name has been brought into your inquiry, (smile)I will try to add to your awareness of The Sacred Steel Phenom (actually, that is what it is). I would actually advise you to obtain Bob Stone`s book :"Sacred Steel Inside An African American Steel Guitar Tradition by Robert L. Stone". In it Bob, as we know him, has written quite a treatise on the history of Sacred Steel. On the matter as to why "we" play a great deal of "single string playing," is because most of our musicians do not read music. You have to understand, most of us, play by the tradition of playing by "Ear", because, at the beginning of that which became "Sacred Steel" learned to play with out taking formal lessons, or even having the financial resources to take lessons, even if we were allowed to take them in the southern regions, where we began.
To get the entire story, again I suggest you get Bob`s book, and your questions will be answered!
Bishop R.P.Hall

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 9 Sep 2016 7:11 am

Thank you SO much for chiming in.

Bishop Ronnie P Hall · Post by **Bishop Ronnie P Hall** » 9 Sep 2016 8:39 am

Glad to Oblige brother Niehaus, glad to oblige.
Just trying to help keep the record straight.(smile)
Bishop Hall

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 9 Sep 2016 9:17 am

Bishop Hall,
I have a question for you, if you care to answer.
I am wondering about Robert Randolph.
I understand that he started out in the Sacred Steel but has he strayed too far from the fold?
Thanks,
Erv

David Mitchell · Post by **David Mitchell** » 9 Sep 2016 9:59 am

Thanks Bishop Ronnie Hall! Sounds like a very interesting read. I will do that.

Bishop Ronnie P Hall · Post by **Bishop Ronnie P Hall** » 9 Sep 2016 10:12 am

Hi Brother Niehaus
I, and many others wonder about him. I believe that in his heart, he is still a child of the Most High, but his outward appearance surely makes one wonder. As we both know fame can be an overwhelming force on talented individuals at times. I cannot say which is which, only the "Most High" knows. Also, I`m not going to put my head in a noose to say either way. (smile) Only his character activity, tells the story. So let us hope for the best, whatever that may be. Thanks for asking, it is appreciated.
Bishop Ron

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 9 Sep 2016 10:16 am

Bishop Hall,
I guess we'll have to leave it up to the Lord. He is in control and he will handle Robert the way He sees fit.
BTW: I watched some of the videos and there is a player who stands up and plays a lap steel like a Dobro.
I really like his style, what is his name?
Erv

Bishop Ronnie P Hall · Post by **Bishop Ronnie P Hall** » 9 Sep 2016 10:19 am

Amen Brother Erv, Amen!
Bishop Ron

Bishop Ronnie P Hall · Post by **Bishop Ronnie P Hall** » 9 Sep 2016 10:24 am

I believe that`s Elder Aubry Gent, if so, He just lost his wife to Cancer not long ago this year. He is a very gifted Pastor, singer, just a talented all around man of the cloth.
Bishop Hall

Brooks Montgomery · Post by **Brooks Montgomery** » 9 Sep 2016 10:29 am

Here's a great Sacred Steel jam:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9r7G9OKqmw

and it's a fun song to play.

Bishop Ronnie P Hall · Post by **Bishop Ronnie P Hall** » 9 Sep 2016 10:35 am

Hi bro. Montgomery
You timed that beautifully. That is the Aubry Gent on the Fender that I believe that Erv inquired about. Got to run,,
Bishop Hall

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 9 Sep 2016 10:41 am

That single note playing, at times, sounds like someone singing.
Making a guitar sing.
When I listen to that music, I can feel the Holy Spirit.

Brooks Montgomery · Post by **Brooks Montgomery** » 9 Sep 2016 11:41 am

Yes, Bishop Hall, I was fortunate to see Aubrey play in Butte, MT, along with one of my dobro heroes, Rob Ickes, at the Butte Folk Life Festival in 2011. The next year Merl Haggard came to Butte, with, of course, Norm Hamlet.
The old run-down mining town gets some good players from time-to-time. Butte is considered a 'local venue' out here in this part of Idaho.