My Steel Guitar Journey

Approximately 1 year ago, I started learning the Pedal Steel Guitar.

This website is going to display my journey along the way and I'll include recordings and videos of my progress.

Progress Updates

The very beginning

My steel guitar — My first steel guitar, a Hudson 6 string, 2 pedal, 2 knee lever

This guitar was built by Jimmie Hudson, specifically for me in September 2025.

Under the direction of Bill McCumber, I began my journey, initially trying to get used to finger picks, and learning my way around the fretboard. Eventually, I got to where I could make a few good sounds and then moved over to learning chords and at the same time, working on palm and pick blocking so everything didn't just all "run together."

Early Recordings

I recorded these after about 2 months of playing

A simple Country Intro

A familiar Pedal Steel RIFF

Later Recordings

I recorded these after about 4 months of playing

Mansion On The Hill (this song is over 3 minutes long)

Farewell Party

Most Recent Recordings

I recorded these within the last 2 months

Out Of Sight (in the style of Midland, performed by Hank & Adrienne Wiley w/ Hank on guitar & my PSG accompaniment)

Take Me Out To A Dancehall (in the style of Pat Green, performed by Hank Wiley w/ Hank on guitar & my PSG accompaniment)

A Major Change in Direction: Moving to Lap Steel

After a year of having to spend a lot of time and effort, carrying everything from the car, setting up, tuning, tearing down and unloading at home, and not being a "spring chicken," I found several artists on Steel Guitar Forum that were, for the same reasons as me.... moving from Pedal Steel, to Lap Steel.

I discovered other artists, like Doug Beaumier, Troy Brenningmeyer, Luke Cyrus Goetz, Gary Morse, etc....; that all play Lap Steel and some also play Pedal Steel, but their current work is MOSTLY on lap steel. Please feel free to do a "search" on YouTube for any of these guys and check out their beautiful music!!

I was inspired by YouTube videos as well as some lessons from Troy Brenningmeyer. I was then motivated to get a Lap Steel with Multibenders. The "benders", as we'll call them from now on.... give the lap steel some of the "classic pedal steel" sounds that everyone loves and expects in most country tunes.

So, here is my new lap steel.

Gretsch G5700 with Duesenberg Multibenders

I will be adding some discussion video and a lot more music videos featuring the Gretsch as I start the learning process.... AND.. I will be adding information on how you can hire me to make you a Lap Steel with Multibenders, just like this one; AND you can customize how it is built....so check back!

Site Under Construction

..... with a lot of AWESOME things coming!!