Your Biggest Early Influence (redone)

Thiel Hatt · Post by **Thiel Hatt** » 10 Jul 2018 5:59 pm

I consider the two most influencial players who in their own way contribute the most to steel guitar were Jerry Byrd and Buddy Emmons. Others were amazing and very talented, with unigue styles but Jerry and Buddy were pioneers. (At least that's the way I see. it)

Jeremiah Wade · Post by **Jeremiah Wade** » 20 Aug 2018 6:26 pm

Hank Williams records exposed me to the sound of the steel. Helms and Byrd. Mooney drew me to the sound of pedal steel. Chalker and Vance Terry to c6th. I love listening to all the great pickers.

Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 20 Aug 2018 7:04 pm

Gabby Pahinui (lap) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3Th-0L ... X9&index=9
Buddy Cage (pedal) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB7CfxMWsEs

Roy Carroll · Post by **Roy Carroll** » 21 Aug 2018 4:17 am

I had been playing pedal steel for about a year, learning from slowed down licks on the record player. The group I was in opened for MMMMMMel Tillis and Paul Franklin was the steel player. When I saw him I knew right there that this was going to be a lifelong journey. There was about 5 or 6 steelers in the audience with their tongues hanging out and all of their eyes were glazed over. He played some very fast stuff and also had the finesse with the slow songs. He had some big hair too!

Georg Sørtun · Post by **Georg Sørtun** » 21 Aug 2018 5:22 am

Bought this Lloyd Green record in the early -70s…

… and in the early -80s my curiosity regarding how he could produce such captivating sounds and play with such precision, and how the Pedal Steel worked mechanically, led me to buy a PSG and start exploring for myself.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 21 Aug 2018 9:46 am

Picking one is hard. First steel player to catch my ear? Jimmy Day on the Everly's records but that doesn't count because I just thought it was a regular guitar. I'd didn't know what a steel was.

Then it all came in a rush with Rusty Young, Garcia, Cage, etc; Emmons swam into my world at the same time and, while I thought that JayDee was the most exciting player of the lot, Buddy won the day with his total musicality.

My favourite 'other'? Skunk Baxter for the great stuff on Steely Dan's first records!

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 21 Aug 2018 12:21 pm

My biggest was Mike Auldridge, for a few reasons.
1) Although he's famous for his Dobro, he was QUITE good on pedal steel.
2) my dad was his bassman in two bands at the same time, so I got to see him weekly.
3) he was my Dobro teacher, so he became my steel teacher.

B0b, a lot of people my age would have been influenced by Rusty Young or John David Call (Poco and Pure Prairie League, respectively), but I didn't see them.

Of course Buddy, Jimmy, Lloyd, Jay Dee and the gang joined the gang that went into my stew, but the biggest early ones were, in rough order:

Mike
John David Call
Buddy
Buddy Cage
Bruce Bouton (those early Ricky Skaggs albums!)
Bobby Black
Lloyd
Curly Chalker

Fred Treece · Post by **Fred Treece** » 21 Aug 2018 3:37 pm

Awesome story, Lane.

You’re right about Rusty Young. I am a 60 something who might not have ever known what a pedal steel sounded like if not for him. How I wish he would get back into it and record a nothing-but-Rusty-on-steel album!

Loren Tilley · Post by **Loren Tilley** » 2 Sep 2018 4:48 pm

Sol Hoopii
Leon McAuliffe

Bob Dunn & Speedy West get honorable mention

Steve Spitz · Post by **Steve Spitz** » 3 Sep 2018 6:51 am

Jimmy Day. He was the first pro steeler I saw at a small local steel show..
Touch, tone, phrasing,,soul.

His approach to play the melody was an important influence to my E9 playing. Ive got a lot out of that mindset. The way Jimmy played the vocal melody. Every sylalable.

I love all the other great players mentioned. They all inspire me to play, but Jimmy Day influenced the way I try to play, at least on E9.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Your Biggest Early Influence (redone)

What famous steel player was your biggest influence when you started playing steel?