Psalms 150:4, "...praise him with stringed instruments...,"
The use of steel guitars started in the House of God church in the 1930's. Hawaiian steel guitar was a popular artform at the time so Troman and Willie Eason brought the instrument into the worship service. Willie played a one string slide, like a diddly bow, mimicking the wailing human voice. He joined with the Bishop J.R. Lockley and toured around as the Gospel Feast Party. The instruments were played in concert with the minister's message to whip the congregation into a tumultuous uproar, much as the organ player does in a more common gospel setting.
The House of God church is mainly active today in New York, Kentucky, and Florida. Upheavals in the church have fractured the congregation since the Eason days, but the steel guitar tradition has continued to evolve with subsequent generations of players. Henry Nelson, The Campbell Brothers, Aubrey Ghent, Calvin Cooke, Lonnie "Big Ben" Bennett, The Lee Boys, and Robert Randolph.
As with any musical tradition, technological evolution is inevitable. When the more sophisticated pedal steel guitar came on the scene in the 1970's, it was embraced by the church and players like Maurice "Ted" Beard, Jr and Acorne Coffee. Because of the inspirational mechanics of the music, experimentation ran rampant. Unusual tunings and styles developed as there was no one right way to do things. This is why you've never heard steel guitar like this.
Listen to a Sacred Steel band.
- God Is A Good God
Katie Jackson/Campbell Brothers - No Ways Tired
Calvin Cooke - Don't Let The Devil Ride
Denise Brown/Campbell Brothers - Without God
Robert Randolph Without God
Perhaps the the most famous Sacred Steel band is Robert Randolph and the Family Band. They have taken the energy from their church and brought it to the festival stage. They have been a big hit in the jam band and Blues markets where fans can savor the inspired, spontaneous playing. For most of today's music fans, Randolph has been the first contact they have had with Sacred Steel. The band's power, energy, and musicianship is an extrordinary manifestation of a long-hidden American musical tradition.
We now see the light!
