All time favorite pedal steel vocalist backing parts

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 6 Dec 2022 7:34 am

No solos, intros, fills, instrumentals etc... We are discussing a part played under or alongside a lead vocal, chorus, etc that compliments it, and just makes the vocal part better.
There are thousands as we know, yet all steel players must have one or two [or more} that we can all appreciate and share .. The 3 I chose were simply perfection first time I heard them decades past, and sounded just as wonderful to me 10 minutes ago as I was putting these links down. I would like to share them with all our friends here on the forum and hear some others that I might have missed, or just never thought about much.

My choices seem to "echo" the vocal parts I am hearing, and move parallel with it..

Rusty's steel on my first pick just soars into the sky as the guys in Poco accelerate into that magnificent harmony
1- starts at 0:55
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPMadlXtfE0

2- starts at 0:20.. a similar part on verse 2 as well.. again, simply perfection that exemplifies the beauty a great steel part adds to a great song . This part was recently discussed on this forum, and I know its a favorite of others.. The tone and execution is just sublime, and Jeff Peterson became an instant hero to me the first time I heard the part he layed down years ago.. Simple but elegant and packed with emotion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB_4AoiRCVw

3- Buddy's wonderful part starts at 2:10 and then again at around 2:60 he lays down a pad under the banjo and fiddle that you could park a truck on..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkpi5bAfVUc

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 6 Dec 2022 9:11 am

Good topic, Bob!

This is Stu Basore playing C6th on my old Fender 1000, so this one is very special to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2c7ophjYY8

Ben Thomas · Post by **Ben Thomas** » 6 Dec 2022 11:48 am

Great topic! This is what draws me more than any intros, solos or PSG instrumentals. I love anything that Tommy Detamore plays on, but here’s a great example:

Jim Lauderdale “Lost in the Shuffle” from This Changes Everything

https://youtu.be/bGXvzoCMBMg

Starting at around 10 seconds in.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 6 Dec 2022 12:25 pm

Donny Hinson wrote:Good topic, Bob!

This is Stu Basore playing C6th on my old Fender 1000, so this one is very special to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2c7ophjYY8

Nice... Those old Fender cable jobs had a sweet voice to them,.. that sound has fallen out of favor with modern steel players, but man there was some great steel guitar music played on them.... Stu sounds great on this tune!

Gil James · Post by **Gil James** » 6 Dec 2022 1:21 pm

https://youtu.be/LLR-XLtH4WY
I just came across this earlier today after viewing this thread this morning. Dont know who the steeler is,but puts on a clinic for accompaniment, as does the whole band. Steel comes in at 1:42. I'm a fan.

Jim Arnold · Post by **Jim Arnold** » 6 Dec 2022 7:26 pm

I'm with you Gil. Whoever's playing steel knew exactly what the song called for. Outstanding. Appreciate you posting it.

John Palumbo · Post by **John Palumbo** » 7 Dec 2022 3:41 pm

I'm believe this is Tommy White on Music City Tonight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ud1sP8M2mFM

Walter Stettner · Post by **Walter Stettner** » 8 Dec 2022 6:18 am

This one gives me chills every time I hear it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz6QM33g5z4

Fayssoux McLean (she was married to John Starling at one time) with Lloyd Green.

Kind Regards, Walter

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 8 Dec 2022 6:32 am

Gil James wrote:https://youtu.be/LLR-XLtH4WY
I just came across this earlier today after viewing this thread this morning. Dont know who the steeler is,but puts on a clinic for accompaniment, as does the whole band. Steel comes in at 1:42. I'm a fan.

I checked with Marvin Morrow: it's David Johnson.

This much talent in one person should be illegal!

:
https://www.blueridgeheritage.com/artist/david-johnson/

Gil James · Post by **Gil James** » 8 Dec 2022 8:10 am

Thanks for the info Frank. He's a heck of a steel player .Marvin has a great band behind him. Top shelf musicians all.