Eartley Washington's journey is a testament to his devotion to sacred steel music, reflecting passion, dedication, and faith. His ability to master multiple instruments, particularly the steel guitar, shaped his lifelong commitment to his church and community, ensuring his influence would resonate for generations.
His posthumous induction into the Sacred Steel Hall of Fame highlights his invaluable contributions to gospel music. However, his greatest legacy lies in the musical gifts he passed down to his children and grandchildren, ensuring that his artistry continues to thrive beyond history books and hall of fame records.
Washington’s story isn’t just one of personal achievement—it is a living legacy, reflected in the music carried forward by his family and the countless musicians and worshippers who continue to be inspired by his contributions.
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.