James Golden, affectionately known as “Tubby,” was born in Warren Ohio on December 22,1937 to James and Dallas “Dixon” Golden. Tubby was trained under the tutelage of Sacred Steel Legend, Lorenzo L. Harrison, and became one of the Sacred Steel masters of his era.

Tubby created his own signature sound and was one of the few pedal steel guitarists in the Jewell Dominion church. He began to experiment with other styles and tunings thus developing his own technique.

In 1971, Tubby recorded with the Golden Brothers on the Pacific Records Label, producing two sides entitled, “I Believe and Little David.” He was also a member of the New Revelation Band which recorded with Reverend Mackalee Washburn on his “Spreading the Gospel Album.”

James Tubby Golden passed away in 1993 and his contribution to this music tradition has given him a seat alongside many distinguished African American steel guitar players.

Tubby received the Sacred Steel Legends Award in 2009, in 2010 he was inducted into the Sacred Steel Hall of Fame.