Pedal Steel in Southern Gospel Music

Bill Duncan · Post by **Bill Duncan** » 7 Dec 2021 5:05 am

It has been said before, but it is worth saying again. Southern Gosoel Music just ain't as interesting without pedal steel guitar. Or Country music. The one bright spot is Ireland and Keltic music. They still feature lots of pedal steel guitar in real Country and Gospel music. God bless them.

John Palumbo · Post by **John Palumbo** » 7 Dec 2021 5:18 am

Well said Bill!

Duane Becker · Post by **Duane Becker** » 7 Dec 2021 6:35 am

I agree. Some of my favorite music is Southern Gospel with steel, especially the 1960s and 70s era, Dwayne Friend, Florida Boys, Hemphills, and even the Rambo's used Weldon Myrick on a couple of their albums.

Bill Duncan · Post by **Bill Duncan** » 7 Dec 2021 7:39 am

I have a Goodman live album from 1981 and Lloyd Green is listed as the steel picker. I don't know if he was there live or studio, but I can't tell by listening. He did a great job as is usual for him. I have other Southern Gospel albums by various artists where Buddy Emmons, Sonny Garrish, Weldon, and others are attributed. There is some great pickin and singing on them. Great music era.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 7 Dec 2021 7:42 am

The Goodmans had a steel player with them most all the time.
Does anybody remember his name?

Erv

KENNY KRUPNICK · Post by **KENNY KRUPNICK** » 10 Dec 2021 6:14 am

Jack Smith was the Goodman's steel player. Steve Easter played for them for awhile also.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 10 Dec 2021 7:35 am

Thanks, Kenny

Erv

Paul Wade · Post by **Paul Wade** » 10 Dec 2021 7:56 am

KENNY KRUPNICK wrote:Jack Smith was the Goodman's steel player. Steve Easter played for them for awhile also.

here go erv THE LIGHT HOUSE"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM1uIKSJHEk

P.W

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 10 Dec 2021 8:09 am

Paul,
Thanks SO much!
That is my favorite Goodman's song.
It brings tears to my eyes.

Erv

Jim Pitman · Post by **Jim Pitman** » 13 Dec 2021 3:56 pm

Wow that steel tone/performance is great in that song. Seems it recorded the best while other instruments were soso.
Is the Gospel steel considered a part of the sacred steel movement?
Perhaps I should word that the other way around.

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 14 Dec 2021 1:13 am

I love southern gospel too. Got to play with the Singing Rambos in 1973 and 74. Back then many groups had full bands and many with steel players. Now it's mostly pre recorded tracks with a few exceptions.

Peter Freiberger · Post by **Peter Freiberger** » 14 Dec 2021 6:45 am

Since I imagine most are out of print, I'd love to see some listings of albums to look for on YouTube or at the used record store with specific players. As a side note, many of my favorite R&B singers started in their own branch of gospel music before their pop careers. Notably, Sam Cooke, Johnny Taylor, Aretha, Wilson Pickett... the list is endless.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 17 Dec 2021 8:51 am

Skip to about 1;30 to hear Rabbit Easter, he also got tone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q562tMEO48

Wayne Baker · Post by **Wayne Baker** » 17 Dec 2021 4:22 pm

I play almost exclusively southern gospel. I have toured with gospel groups. I find that many won't use musicians due to the cost involved. In saying that, I don't charge for ministry... But I love administering the Gospel with the steel guitar.

Marty Broussard · Post by **Marty Broussard** » 18 Dec 2021 7:21 am

Great topic!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 18 Dec 2021 7:34 am

"Give praises to the Lord on an instrument of 10 strings"
(Psalms 33:2), (Psalms 92:3) and (Psalms 144:9)

Erv

Marty Broussard · Post by **Marty Broussard** » 18 Dec 2021 7:39 am

Wayne, one of my retirement initiatives is to play/tour with gospel groups at NC. Should be ready in a couple of years. Please keep me in mind….

Bill Duncan · Post by **Bill Duncan** » 19 Dec 2021 4:43 am

I believe Southern Gospel Music grew out of church Home Comings and all day singings with dinner on the ground. I was born and raised in the South going to a small country church. I remember those Home Comings and all day Sunday singings well. The music was a mixture of shape-note Gospel and 50s Country.it seems most everyone played some kind of instrument and sang.

Bill Ford · Post by **Bill Ford** » 19 Dec 2021 5:03 am

Bill Duncan wrote:I believe Southern Gospel Music grew out of church Home Comings and all day singings with dinner on the ground. I was born and raised in the South going to a small country church. I remember those Home Comings and all day Sunday singings well. The music was a mixture of shape-note Gospel and 50s Country.it seems most everyone played some kind of instrument and sang.

I remember those days, nobody stopped by KFC to buy chicken to bring.....good music, good worship/fellowship, good homemade food, remember them well. BF

Bill Duncan · Post by **Bill Duncan** » 19 Dec 2021 6:13 am

Bill Ford said....I remember those days, nobody stopped by KFC to buy chicken to bring.....good music, good worship/fellowship, good homemade food, remember them well. BF

That was the only time I could get my fill of banana pudding. Mama only made that on rare occasions when the preacher was coming to visit, Christmas or funeral wakes.

It was also where I saw my first 6 string steel guitar up close. I remember seeing a guy with a D28 Martin guitar and I knew he was headed for the big time.

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 19 Dec 2021 7:40 am

When I was pretty much yet a kid, in the mid-late 70's, my brother, best friend and his wife and another friend traveled all over the Pacific Northwest doing Gospel Concerts, and although our music was more "Country Gospel" than Southern, many of the Southern Gospel groups were a big influence and we drew from and used many of there songs. Groups like The Hemphils, and Rex Nelon Singers, Gathers and Rambo's, with Weldon and Sonny on much of what we listened to.

We weren't a BIG group, and certainly not as professional as some of ya'll, but we did have a Sho~Bud Pro lll

which I STILL have.

In my neck of the woods the Gospel Music we were doing wasn't being done, yet we were ALWAYS very well received even in the most conservative of surroundings.
Everyone was always very interested and curious about the Pedal Steel, though I did get a look or two when they'd see the Hearts Clubs Spades and Diamonds

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 20 Dec 2021 8:09 am

Dale,
On my Sho~Bud, I covered those fret markers up.

Erv

Wayne Baker · Post by **Wayne Baker** » 20 Dec 2021 5:02 pm

Marty, I can only imagine that there are a lot of opportunities in NC. If I hear of anything, I'll definitely give you a shout.

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