While the identity of the first female sacred steel player remains uncertain, the influence of women in the genre has become increasingly significant. In recent years, a talented sisterhood of female musicians has stepped into the spotlight, demonstrating exceptional skill and artistry on par with their male counterparts.
These trailblazers have not only mastered the sacred steel tradition but have also infused it with their distinct interpretations, leaving a lasting imprint on the genre. Their contributions continue to shape and evolve sacred steel music, ensuring its legacy remains dynamic and inclusive.
Sacred Steel is an African-American gospel tradition that features the steel guitar in religious services. It originated in Pentecostal churches in the 1930s
It developed in the Church of the Living God, particularly in the Keith and Jewell Dominions.
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.