The Steel Guitar Forum

I just finished an extensive interview for a new book. Brandon's desire is to write a complete history on the evolution of our beloved instrument, its musicality, along with its players. I'll let Brandon tell you more about the direction.

He could use your help with information. Lets provide him the various perspectives he needs to provide its accuracy down to its timelines. As I told Brandon, An archive book documenting the pedal steels contribution in music and American history is long overdue.

Thanks for everyones support,

Happy New Year!

Paul

Sounds awesome, lookin forward to it.

This is a very important book,It's about time.

That's something I've been hoping someone would undertake. Speculated vaguely about trying it myself. Hey, if I can't play the thing worth a d***, at least I could contribute something!

I would be especially interested in the evolution of the instrument itself. The information on that seems scattered and piecemeal, and needs to be brought together before it's too late.

I'd be certainly willing to add whatever I had of any value but I know so little about the history of the steel...I'd love a copy once it's done.

Mike

who is brandon?

Me too Miguel

You should talk to Basil Henriques. He knows about as much of the history of the pedal steel as anyone I know.

What a great idea. I'm a writer and was thinking of trying to do this myself in about 5 years when I retire. But if someone else saves me the effort by doing it sooner, so much the better, as long as they do it right. Looks like Brandon is starting off working with the right person. The sooner this is done the better. As we have seen so recently, our old heroes, who know so much of the history, do not last forever. Good luck to Brandon.

This is great!!! I would be happy to supply ZB Custom info and pictures if its needed!!

Greg

That is great news! We need a book like that.
Who is Brandon, Paul?

Gary Brandon?

Naw, that's Gary Brandin.

I don't know who Brandon is either, but volunteer any Fender steel history/info I can help with, and also have editing experience in the instrument-book arena. I'd be happy to do any proofreading/editing/material contributing/whatever for no pay...just a copy.

Three worthwhile people to talk to would be Herb Steiner, who has researched the subject, and our venerable pioneers, Roy Ayres and Al Marcus, who witnessed the evolution of our instrument themselves.

Isn't Carter still building? John should just take notes while his boss talks. Mr. Carter literally told me the history of the instrument the last time I spoke with him. He never missed a stroke on the unit he was finishing up.

Last I heard, Carter is still building steels.

Brett

Greetings to all,
My name is Brandon Barker (I'll be posting under Gregg Galbraith's screen name while my paperwork is being processed). First, may I say that I am excited to chat with and learn from the members of this forum.
A bit about myself: I am a folklorist finishing my PhD at the University of Louisiana. I studied under Dr. Charles Wolfe at MTSU and am taking up his torch with this project as he understood that no complete book on the pedal steel has ever been written.
At this point of the project, I am especially interested in the specifics of the historical development of the pedal steel (although the book will also cover important players and builders).
I have created an email account for this purpose: pedalsteelhistory@gmail.com. Though I will check the forum as often as possible, I can more easily organize the information I recieve via emails. I welcome all legitimate contributions; this includes names of people I should contact (and means to contact them when possible), general information about the history of the steel, and places where specific information can be found (especially written information). Look forward to hearing from you all.
Thanks,
Brandon Barker

Brandon this book is long overdue. For a long time I have been wanting to do the same thing but your credentials out do mine 1000%. I am looking forward to the book and maybe somehow along the way maybe I could help if I am lucky enough too. And yes, Herb Steiner would be a great place to start.

I sincerely wish much success for the proposed informative publication. I hope that the labors involved will include extensive editing. Brandon, you may gather much information from past steel guitar magazines, that covered virtually all players of distinction, plus instructions galore. One publication was produced in California; another in the great Northwest. Producing a book that exceeds their past entertainment values, will be quite a work order!

Brandon,you should contact Professor Anthony Lis at the University of South Dakota

As you can see from this article his documentation and referencing are top notch AND VERIFIABLE, something you really need to take note of, as there are so many 'Urban Myths' abounding.

Anthony Lis wrote this article for our magazine and is submitting further historical articles on the development of the Steel Guitar..

Sub Titled :- The Steel Guitar in Early Country Music

whewww......!! i say check with tom bradshaw and don't forget vance terry's steel!

just got out of the shower (where i do some of my best thinking)... this book should be very intriguing to many people. and also difficult to document all the niche areas with importance. playing steel in the sacramento/northern california area since 1970, i've crossed paths with so many steelers that i wouldn't want to start rattling them off for fear of passing over many influential ones.
however, i imagine the book will sell at least to most forum members just to see if they got a 'nod' in the book!

At this point of the project, I am especially interested in the specifics of the historical development of the pedal steel (although the book will also cover important players and builders)

Who is going to decide who are the historically "Important Players and Builders" ?
For instance Gordon Huntley, Gerry Hogan, Nigel and Gordon (Denley), Rod King, Ron Bennett and many more.
Who stateside even knows of them, yet here in Europe their importance to the development of the Pedal Steel Guitar is fundamental and unquestionable..

right on, basil....that's kind of what i'm saying...if you're going to write the history of steel, it gets more complicated every day. let's hope this brandon guy is up to the task...we've progressed well beyond hawaii at this point.
i know a little of gerry just because i've had the honor of picking with albert a little..but after 40 years of stateside picking, i'm not aware of many players out of the U.S.A.