Pedal Steel Guitar & Contemporary Christian Music

Darrell Owens · Post by **Darrell Owens** » 16 Dec 2010 10:32 pm

Many steel players who play in church have found their fair share of frustration in any attempt to blend the pedal steel with current trends in Christian Contemporary music.

Recently, I was invited to speak and play guitar at Christian Life Center in Austin Texas. It is a large church with an exciting praise team and band. Nothing unusual about that, except that right in the center of the stage is a beautiful white MSA pedal steel guitar! AND sitting behind that guitar is super player, Darvin Willhoite. He is not just there for "show". He plays very tasteful and appropriate fills, and when his turn comes, he finds a way to put that pure country tone of the pedal steel right in the middle of that Contemporary worship, and the people LOVE it!

Darvin proves that the pedal steel guitar fits very well in Contemporary Christian Music, if the player is willing to learn a few new tricks and keep a good attitude.

Albert Svenddal · Post by **Albert Svenddal** » 17 Dec 2010 3:25 am

Darrell,

I could not agree with you more. I have been playing in churches as a music evangelist for many years now and have played many styles of music including Contemporary Christian Music.

I have found that once some of the people in the church get past the basic stereotype of the instrument, they almost always enjoy the sound of the steel guitar But you are right, it needs to be played to fit the style also.

Blessings, Albert

Zane King · Post by **Zane King** » 17 Dec 2010 5:57 am

I served a church here near Nashville for many years as a pianist /band leader. I've played ever song imaginable over the years from CCM. Many of these songs are just wonderful for steel guitar! Onward and upward my friend!!!

ZK

Glyndon Woosley · Post by **Glyndon Woosley** » 17 Dec 2010 7:53 am

I occasionally play mine in the church services. It seems to work out good. Again as been said, using "good judgement" makes the differance. Any instrument, etc. can be a problem if "manners" are neglected.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 17 Dec 2010 9:25 am

Quote..."In the center of the stage is a beautiful white MSA pedal steel guitar! AND sitting behind that guitar is super player, Darvin Willhoite. He is not just there for "show". He plays very tasteful and appropriate fills, and when his turn comes, he finds a way to put that pure country tone of the pedal steel right in the middle of that Contemporary worship, and the people LOVE it!"

I second that about Darvin,he does play very tasteful, also handy at rebuilding/refurbishing PSG. I have been in the praise and worship team at my Church for a couple of years now, and enjoying every minute of it. Everyone says, they like the steel guitar in the mix.

It was mentioned by someone that steel guitar was a honky tonk instrument, therefore doesn't belong in Church, I always mention that the piano was in saloons and bars long before steel guitar was ever thought of..never heard anyone mention piano not belonging in Church..Go figger.

Bill

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 17 Dec 2010 12:54 pm

I go to a church where one of the instruments used in the church is a dobro, and several of my friends at my church say they want to hear me play steel in church. I think playin' steel in church would be awesome!My church is a little country church and I think it'd be awesome to play steel at my little church.

Brett

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 17 Dec 2010 1:34 pm

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 17 Dec 2010 3:07 pm

Nice shot Erv, A good friend once said, the retirement benefits, and the man you're working for can't be beat..Bill

Glen Derksen · Post by **Glen Derksen** » 17 Dec 2010 4:50 pm

It really bugs me when people put restrictions on a musical instrument just because they think it's too Rock and Roll or Honky Tonk or voodoo or whatever. That's just out and out legalism. Name any musical instrument that cannot be used for the glory of God.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 17 Dec 2010 7:01 pm

Wow, this was an unexpected shock. Thanks for the compliments Bro. Darrell. We really enjoyed Barbara's singing, your playing, and your message, you touched our hearts.

PS. We really love ole' Uncle Garth around here too, he is a fantastic person.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 18 Dec 2010 7:26 am

Darrell,
The next time somebody gives you a bad time about having a pedal steel in church, tell them that there are three references in the Psalms to an instrument of 10 atrings. Ask them how many instruments do they know that have 10 strings?
Here are the references (King Jamesa):
Psalms 33:2
Psalms 92:3
Psalms 144:9

Darrell Owens · Post by **Darrell Owens** » 19 Dec 2010 6:28 am

Darvin, If you have a photo of yourself with the church band, please post it here on the forum.

Mark Ardito · Post by **Mark Ardito** » 19 Dec 2010 2:12 pm

I play guitar in my church band, and in the past 3 years have now introduced Pedal Steel to the congregation. They have REALLY loved having it mixed in with our contemporary service. I've also reworked a lot of hymns into a more "contemporary" style with Pedal Steel and they have also enjoyed that.

Cheers!
Mark Ardito

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 20 Dec 2010 7:18 pm

Darrell, I don't have a picture of the band, we're always stuck behind the Praise Singers and are not very visible anyway. But, here are links to some of our music. These songs were recorded directly off the board with no editing, mistakes and all.

This is a new one from a couple of weeks ago, this was the first time we had done it. The acoustic guitar player hit a couple of clinkers at first, but the rest turned out OK.
http://www.box.net/shared/570fymc8zq

Here's one that I use distortion on.
http://www.box.net/shared/8q4fcpqap4

This one has a good bit of steel on it.
http://www.box.net/shared/gavfdpehgg

No steel on this one, I used a Line 6 Variax guitar with a Sitar patch on the solo parts, it works pretty good. Overdriven chords on the rest of the song.
http://www.box.net/shared/8gdks8vogb

Here's one of my favorites, I used an Ebow on the second verse.
http://www.box.net/shared/poz838x30v

Wesley Medlen · Post by **Wesley Medlen** » 20 Dec 2010 7:48 pm

I have been playing in a cowboy church band in a small place in east Kansas since Jan. have picked up a lot of friends we do quite a bit of southern gospel. I think it is a beautiful way to worship the LORD. Every one likes the come as you are atmosphere and our membership is growing God Blwss Wes

L. A. Wunder · Post by **L. A. Wunder** » 20 Dec 2010 10:07 pm

I play dobro with the "Contemporary choir" at a Catholic church. I've been with the choir for the past 5 years. I played PSG for 2 1/2 years but they didn't quite agree on my interpretation of it as "an istrument of 10 strings" and decided they didn't want it. I've been on dobro ever since.

Darrell Owens · Post by **Darrell Owens** » 21 Dec 2010 10:26 am

Darvin,

"Thank You For The Cross" is a good example of Steel laying down a nice "pad" behind the singers. Very nice fill and adds just enough "Austin" flavor to remind you that after all, this is Texas!

Brian McGaughey · Post by **Brian McGaughey** » 21 Dec 2010 10:58 am

I play E9 every Sunday in a Roman Catholic church. I think He likes it 'cause He helps me get better!

Would love to hear dobro in praise setting if anybody's got a cut.

Nice work Darvin. I couldn't consider any stomp boxes in the setting I'm in. Just lot's of sustaining intervals and some angel kisses here and there with an ocassional gliss. I guess there's some pickin' stuff too, but not lots. I love it.

Doug Ferguson · Post by **Doug Ferguson** » 3 Feb 2011 12:02 pm

I played with our praise team band this last Sunday for the first time, and it was very fulfilling. I've played hundreds of country gigs in my past and this is the first time I had no nervousness before and during the time I played. It felt very much like this was where I was supposed to be all along. After all, God gave us the musical talents, so think about how pleasing it is to Him when we use those talents to worship Him!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Feb 2011 12:12 pm

Doug,
Now you've got the Spirit(Holy, that is)!

Doug Ferguson · Post by **Doug Ferguson** » 3 Feb 2011 12:39 pm

That's right Erv!

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 3 Feb 2011 2:19 pm

Just recently, as part of my testimony at my church, I played "Old Rugged Cross" on steel in my little church, and everybody loved it! Everybody came up to see my Jackson Blackjack Custom after the service and they loved how it looks and sounds!There's a video on YouTube now of me playin' "Old Rugged Cross".

Brett

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 3 Feb 2011 2:32 pm

My advise to anyone wanting to learn the steel guitar is to learn it on the Lord's music.

When you are making a joyful noise unto the Lord, the Holy Spirit is standing right beside you with His hand on your shoulder guiding you along.

Steve Roberts · Post by **Steve Roberts** » 28 Jul 2013 7:23 am

For you guys that have been playing your steel in CCM settings please send song titles and even links to your recordings like Davin did. I recently played my steel at the funeral service for my mother (her only request) and there was an outpouring of comments and interest in the guitar from many who attended. Our young worship minister had never really hear a PSG (imagine that) and now wants me to switch between the Srat and The PSG. Nothing would make me happier than to worship the One who made me using "the one who brung me"!

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 28 Jul 2013 8:55 am

i'm not an evagelical type, however i've played some big beautiful christian stage sevice/gigs. it always feels good.i understand and accept the concept of loving one's neighbor.
my hope is that once these people leave in their cars and trucks, they leave their hate and road rage behind and spread the harmony of peace. i've met alot of hypocrites. there are many sweaty, smarmy tv evangelists that make me very uncomfortable.

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