Preserving The
time-Honored
Hawaiian Steel Guitar
from an African American Perspective!
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to celebrate and promote the artistry of Sacred Steel musicians by curating historical records, organizing live performances, and fostering a deep appreciation for this unique musical tradition.
ABOUT US
Sacred Strings Records Inc. was founded in 2009 by Del Ray and Kelli Grace and later incorporated in August of 2012.
Under the umbrella of SSR Inc., they have established an avenue to preserve the rich musical legacy of African American steel guitar players, they host an annual Sacred Strings Showcase Concert, and they currently have 98 inductees in the Sacred Steel Hall of Fame.
They established the first Sacred Steel Music & History Museum here in Toledo, OH. The Museum is located within the Historic Old West End.
UPCominG EVENTS
Come out and Support
2 Events 1 Location
Saturday, July 26, 2025
Sacred Steel Workshop & Gospel Jam Jubilee (Noon - 1:30 p.m.)
Toledo Has Spoken - Live Filming of Toledo Creatives @ 3:00 p.m.
(welcoming all poets, spoken word artist, story tellers, etc.)
Collingwood Presbyterian Church, 2108 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, OH 43620
Join us for this Free Event!
2025 Sacred Strings Community Festival
Friday, August 15th and Saturday, August 16th 2025
🎸 Honoring a Musical Legacy & Celebrating Community! 🎉
Friday, August 15, 2025 | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join us as we honor the incredible music legacy of our beloved guitar player, Jay "Fingertips" Caver.
📍 The Sacred Steel Music & History Museum (Inside Collingwood Presbyterian Church) 2108 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, OH 43620 (off Floyd Street).
Saturday, August 16, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
🎪 1st Sacred Steel Outdoor Community Festival
📍 The Tabernacle Toledo Church Parking Lot,
531 Pinewood Ave, Toledo, OH 43604
*In collaboration with Warren AME Church and The Tabernacle Toledo Church
🎶 Join Us for a Day of Fun and Inspiration! We’re excited to feature:
🎸 Sacred Steel Musical Guest, 🎤 Spoken Word Artist, 🎶 Quartet Groups
🍔 Delicious Food Trucks,🏰 Bounce House for the Kids,🩺 Health & Hearing Screenings,🐴 Free Horse Rides for Kids,💇 Free Haircuts for Kids,✨ And So Much More! 🪑*** Please bring your own chairs**
*** Hotel Information - Delta Hotels Toledo, 3100 Glendale Ave, Toledo, OH 43614 Phone 419.506.8006 $124.00 per night.
Special Rate under "Sacred Strings".
Sacred Steel Conventions
Our Sacred Strings Showcase Concerts feature performances by musicians from a variety of religious and cultural backgrounds, showcasing the power of music to bring people together. These concerts are a celebration of diversity and unity. The genre continues to be a significant part of American musical heritage, blending faith, history, and exceptional musicianship.
Founders
Sacred Strings Records, Inc.
Del Ray & Kelli Grace
the mecca of
sacred steel
toledo, Ohio
The annual Sacred Steel Music and History celebration in Toledo, Ohio, is a significant event that brings together African American lap and pedal steel guitarists to honor and preserve this unique musical tradition.
In 2015, Mayor Paula Hicks Hudson officially recognized the importance of Sacred Steel by proclaiming August as Sacred Steel Music and History Month.
This proclamation was personally delivered to Del Ray and Kelli Grace, acknowledging their dedication to documenting and preserving the legacy of the steel guitar within the African American gospel tradition.
Their efforts have contributed to the establishment of the Sacred Steel Music & History Museum, which serves as a vital archive for historical recordings, memorabilia, and educational resources.
The museum features an extensive collection of artifacts, including steel guitars, photographs, and recordings from legendary musicians.
It also houses an archive and research center, providing visitors with access to decades of performances, interviews, and documentaries. Through these initiatives, Toledo continues to be a central hub for the preservation and celebration of Sacred Steel music.
FAQS
What is Sacred Steel?
Sacred Steel is an African-American gospel tradition that features the steel guitar in religious services. It originated in Pentecostal churches in the 1930s
Where did Sacred Steel originate?
It developed in the Church of the Living God, particularly in the Keith and Jewell Dominions.
How did Sacred Steel gain popularity?
Sacred Steel gained wider recognition through performances by artists like Robert Randolph, Calvin Cooke, Aubrey Ghent and the Campbell Brothers, who brought the genre to international fame.
God Bless Sacred Steel!
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