Who is Your Favorite Steel Guitar Player?

Lap steels, resonators, multi-neck consoles and acoustic steel guitars

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C. E. Jackson
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Who is Your Favorite Steel Guitar Player?

Post by C. E. Jackson »

Having a nostalgic day again. These days seem to come more frequently as I get older. :)

My Favorite Professional Steel Guitar Player: Don Helms 1927-2008.

My favorite professional steel guitar player, in the late 1940's and early 1950's, was Don Helms. Don
became a MEMBER OF THE STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME in 1984. Since we did not have TV, I could
only listen to him on the radio.

In later years I had the opportunity and pleasure to visit in Don's home several times, where we played
our Gibson Console Grandes (our Console Grandes were identical), and had discussions regarding steel
guitar, and Don's professional career. A great steel player and man.

C. E. :) :)
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Bill Groner
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Post by Bill Groner »

Jay Dee Maness
Currently own, 6 Groner-tone lap steels, one 1953 Alamo Lap steel, Roland Cube, Fender Champion 40
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Joe Elk
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Post by Joe Elk »

I am old. Steel Johnny Sibert On dobro Oswald.

And When I was little I did not have to to be on Saturday night until I had heard
Lulu Belle and Scotty Sing. That was WLS National Barn Dance..
Joe Elk Central Ohio
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Larry Lenhart
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Post by Larry Lenhart »

Jerry Byrd...from the first time I head him on recordings.
Zum Encore, Pedalmaster D10, Remington D8 non pedal, Hallmark Mosrite clone, Gretsch 6120 DSW, 1976 Ibanez, Eastman archtop, Taylor Dreadnaught, Telonics pedal, Squire Tele, Squire Strat, Fender Tonemaster, Gold Tone 5 string banjo, Little Wonder tenor banjo, Boss Kamatra 100, 3 Roland cubes 30s and 80, Carvin combo bass amp
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Steve Marinak
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Post by Steve Marinak »

If only one, I'd say Dick McIntire.
Steve Marinak
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Dana Duplan
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Post by Dana Duplan »

There's no way I could name just one, or even a few, but these are up there:

Early: Joaquin Murphey
Mid: Tom Morrell
Current: Jeremy Wakefield

And many more!!
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Douglas Bryant
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Post by Douglas Bryant »

Joaquin, Speedy, John, Cindy, Eddie, Chris, Kayton, Bobby, Jeremy, Tom, Vance, Jim, or whomever else I have listened to recently. And that’s just the non-pedal players. Too many greats to pick just one!
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Don Kona Woods
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Post by Don Kona Woods »

Jules Ah See, the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Legend.
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Einar Baldursson
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Post by Einar Baldursson »

Impossible to pick one of course but these days it's David Keli'i.
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Stefan Robertson
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Post by Stefan Robertson »

Doug Jernigan of course.

With Tom Morrell and Buddy Emmons second.

Just can't believe how awesome Jernigan is truly. On pedal and non-pedal.
Stefan
Bill Hatcher custom 12 string Lap Steel Guitar
E13#9/F secrets: https://thelapsteelguitarist.wordpress.com

"Give it up for The Lap Steel Guitarist"
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Thiel Hatt
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Post by Thiel Hatt »

Non-pedal = Jerry Byrd
Pedal steel #1 = Lloyd Green, Ron Elliott, Buddy Emmons
Pedal Steel #2 = Audie Shields, Jeff Newman
Standard Guitar = Chet Atkins, Brent Mason
Keyboard = Floyd Carmmer
Honorable Mention = John Hughey, Paul Franklin, Kayton Roberts.
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Miles Lang
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Post by Miles Lang »

Santo Farina
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Doug Beaumier
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Post by Doug Beaumier »

Jerry, Buddy, Santo
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Steve Pawlak
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Post by Steve Pawlak »

Fred Justice
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David M Brown
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Post by David M Brown »

Don Kona Woods wrote:Jules Ah See, the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Legend.
Steve Marinak wrote:If only one, I'd say Dick McIntire.
Some of my favorites....hard to choose....and I have a soft spot for Billy Hew Len's style.
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Jim Cooley
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Post by Jim Cooley »

Dicky Overbey, Lloyd Green, John Hughey, Mike Johnson, Steve Palousek, and anybody I forgot to mention.
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Chris Walke
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Post by Chris Walke »

Greg Leisz
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Jim Williams
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Post by Jim Williams »

As far as a current non pedal player, and I'm not just saying it because he's a member here, but I really like Doug Beaumier's style. Mike Neer also does some very nice stuff.

Current pedal steel, I'd be hard pressed to pick an absolute favorite but Paul Franklin would certainly be in the running. I also like Sarah Jory, although I'm not sure how much she is playing currently.

Oldies? Of course Jerry and Don Helms.
GFI SM10 3/4, 1937 Gibson EH-150, 2 - Rondo SX Lap Steels and a Guyatone 6 String C6. Peavey 400 and a Roland 40 Amps. Behringer Reverb Pedal.
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Brad Davis
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Post by Brad Davis »

Don, Little Roy, Kayton. And Jerry. And Johnny Sibert. And a half a dozen others.

If I could just play a little bit like each of them I'd be doing fine. I like those Western swing guys too.
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G Strout
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Post by G Strout »

Tom Morrell , Jerry Byrd (of course) and have recently been listening to a lot Chris Scruggs and Eddie Rivers
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Tom Harris
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Post by Tom Harris »

Bobby White and PeeWee Whitewing, have loved these two guys sincve early fifties,I never get tired of that Brazos Valley western swing sound, of course Hank Thompson was my Idol since mid forties, that man had the smoothest voice,and loved their stage apearences with the Nudi suits.R I P Hank and BOBBY.
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Dave O'Brien
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Favs

Post by Dave O'Brien »

Weldon
Dave O'Brien
Emmons D-10, CMI D-10, Fender Deluxe Reverb, PV 112, Fender Pro Reverb
www.myspace.com/daveobrienband
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David Matzenik
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Post by David Matzenik »

I don't have favourites. I like all those mentioned so far and I would add to the list Jeff Au Hoy, Isaac Akuna and Chuck Lettes.

PS Did anyone mention Hal Aloma?
Don't go in the water after lunch. You'll get a cramp and drown. - Mother.
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Bill Creller
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Post by Bill Creller »

Very difficult to name just one, and of course my favorites are the people who play (played) Hawaiian music...
And some are still with us ! :D
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