Duane Ragan RIP

[Brian Christiano]

We are sad to announce that on September 25, 2023 we had to say goodbye to William Duane Ragan (Travelers Rest, South Carolina).

Obit: https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/ ... n-16986405

I found out that he had passed while talking with Joe Turner yesterday at the SC show.

I first met Duane at Saluda at the Southern Steel Guitar Convention. That man could play a 6-string lap steel as if it had pedals on it. He was so smooth.

I believe he last played our SC show in Columbia in May 2022. His daughters drove him down so he could play the show. He still, in his 90s, could play as smooth as silk and was one of the nicest guys you would ever want to meet.

A friend of ours made the comment, "Did he drive down from Traveler's Rest?"
I said, "No, he is so smooth, he just got on I-26 and slid all the way to Columbia."

He will be missed.

[Donna Dodd]

Duane played our GaSGA shows on numerous occasions. He was always a hit.
I often heard players tell others that they REALLY have to see what he does on his Lap Steel! Many had the opportunity to do so!
He was a gentleman through and through!