Billy Robinson

[Bob Cox]

With a heavy heart I am saddened to say I just heard Billy Robinson passed away. Billy was the finest lap steel players in the land and inspired me to play more and more, each time I heard this great musician. He was also a talented artist and painted many wonderful musician paintings.
In 1947 Billy was the staff steel player on the Grand Ole Opry. During that time he backed up the greatest artist of the times. Billy played on the original record of “Candy Kisses “with George Morgan, “I overlooked an orchid “with Carl Smith and “Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy “with Red Foley. On June 11, 1949 he backed up Hank Williams on the Opry when Hank received 6 encores for Lovesick Blues. In 1996, Billy was inducted in the “International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame”.

[Walter Stettner]

Oh no, that is really very sad news. What a great musician and what a great human being. I spent quite some time with him during the Convention as we shared some mutual friends.

Farewell, old friend and thanks for just being you.

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria

[Mike Neer]

Really saddened to read this. Billy was a giant of a man and player. One of a kind.
My condolences to his family and friends.

[Junior Knight]

Another great one goes home..RIP ole friend!

[Jack Stoner]

Sad. RIP Mr. Robinson

[Pete Finney]

So sad to hear; Billy played at my wedding 4 years ago today...

What a great guy, and fantastic musician. He, along with Don Davis, should be much better known for all the important records they played on, in my humble opinion.

RIP Billy

[Herb Steiner]

This really just shocked me... like when I opened the page up and there was Jeff Newman's name. My eyes grew wide and my jaw dropped, and I said "oh God, no" to a computer screen in an empty room.

I loved Billy, he made me feel like a colleague, a brother in non-pedal steel. We did many such shows together, often in the front row for each other.

I have his art on my wall.

I'm gonna miss you, brother.

[john buffington]

So sad, yet another Legend has left us. Prayers for his family.

[Bill Dobkins]

Billy was a great person and friend. He always had time for you. One of the greats, he always amazed me with his non pedal playing. RIP Billy.

[Ricky Davis]

Oh my, rest in peace Billy, it was a pleasure meeting and hearing you.You have one of the most musical souls I've ever heard. Now Go Rest High On That Mountain🙏🙏🎶🎶🙏🙏

[John Herb]

Rest in peace he will definitely be missed. Condolences to the family and friends.

[Larry Dering]

I will never forget my 1st encounter seeing Billy play for the 1st time. Wow, what a talented incredible musician. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Rip Billy.

[Dave Diehl]

Billy was a great guy as much as a great player. I've heard him tell a lot of stories of his experiences at the Opry and he would keep you laughing. I always heard that Little Roy got credit for a lot of songs where Billy was the actual steel player. Loved the guy and he'll surely be missed.

[Jim Thompson]

So sad to hear this. I got to meet Billy at the Hummingbird Steel Show in New Philadelphia, Ohio in the early 2000's. It was such a great honor to play bass for such a great player on his set. He was so gracious and easy to work for. A true Gentleman.

[JERRY THURMOND]

He was a great player an friend. He gave us 90 years of his talent, few can say that. RIP Billy

[Jim R. Harrison]

I am very sad to hear of Billy's passing. Besides being a great lap steel player, he was a great artist and a friend to everyone. I will never forget the time he took me out to see the painting he did on the back of the bus that brought him & others to St. Louis six years ago! RIP my friend!

[Rose Sinclair]

https://countrymusichalloffame.org/oral ... obinson-2/

Billy backing up Hank Williams when the Opry took a group show to Europe. I think this was in Germany.

Billy and Caroline at home - they are back together now. Billy designed the logo on their house. He also designed the Shobud logo. He had a painting studio at home.

Always enjoyed hanging out with Billy at the Dallas steel show.

RIP Billy Robinson. Thank you for your music and positive spirit.

[Andy Volk]

Billy was unique as a player and a great ambassador for the steel guitar. I remember our interview well. He was a warm, friendly person as well as an amazing steel player. RIP.

[Chuck S. Lettes]

Sad news. A friendly spirit, I always enjoyed Billy's company. He will be missed.
Chuck

[Michael Greer]

In addition to being one of the greatest non pedal steel players of all time , Billy was also an exceptional artist.

His Christmas postcards are a great example of his talent.

It is a sad day to know we will no longer get to see Billy play his steel guitar and classic songs

Condolences to the family.

[Sandra Scott-Wall]

Billy Robinson was elected into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1996. He was a tremendous steel player as well as the nicest person we knew. Condolences to his family. RIP Billy.

[Jamie Howze]

Heartbreaking.

[Donna Dodd]

What a dear man! I will personally miss Billy very much! I started buying his prints a number of years ago. Eventually he asked if I would like to display and sell some of his work here in Atlanta. I did, and people fell in love with his art wherever I had them. He always took the time to tell his great stories with the magical detail that I will always hold dear! I could have listened to him and Lynn cut up all day! What an impressive legacy he leaves!
To Billy’s family and close friends, I offer my deepest condolences and prayers at this difficult time.

[Dawn Jackson]

The Jackson family sends our deepest condolences and appreciation. Billy Robinson was the man that designed the logo for the Sho-Bud brand.
Roy Acuff gave us the name, Billy Robinson gave us the look. He also made our first brochure in color.
He was one of the Nashville first studio steel guitar recording
artists. A hot mic with musicians and singers playing together. One of our giants in Country Music, Red Foley,used him on his recordings.
We lost another piece of our history today.
Rest in peace, Billy, and thank you for all you brought to the pedal steel guitar world.

[Jim R. Harrison]

I would like to share some more photos of Billy, doing what he was so very good at doing. I loved his music and the man!







My condolences to Billy's family.