Sacred Steel @ 2011 Memphis Folk Alliance International
Sacred Steel at the 2011 Memphis Folk Alliance International
In February 2011, over 2,200 folk music professionals from around the world gathered in Memphis, Tennessee for the 23rd International Folk Alliance Conference, celebrating multi-generational songwriters, performers, and industry leaders.
Under the leadership of South by Southwest (SXSW) co-founder Louis Jay Meyers, the Folk Alliance continues to champion the past, present, and future of Folk, Traditional, and Roots Music.
Sacred Steel Summit: A Historic Return The 2011 conference marked the return of the Folk Alliance Sacred Steel Summit, featuring some of the most influential artists in the Sacred Steel world, including:
This event served as a major milestone in recognizing and honoring Sacred Steel’s contributions to folk and gospel music, ensuring its continued influence within the broader musical landscape.
Stax Music Academy
Stax Music Academy: Sacred Steel Workshop and Musical Collaboration
Immersive Sacred Steel Experience Del Grace Sr., Phil Campbell, and a group of Sacred Steel musicians led a special off-site workshop at the Stax Music Academy, providing students with hands-on exposure to the distinctive gospel steel guitar tradition. This session culminated in an electrifying improvisational gospel jam, where students actively engaged in creating music alongside these renowned artists.
Leadership and Educational Mission
Grammy Award-winning musician Kirk Whalum serves as the CEO of the Stax Music Academy and Soulsville Foundation, a charter school with a music focus, dedicated to fostering artistic growth among young musicians.
Special Sessions:
A Multifaceted Music Experience Each Special Session offers a diverse program featuring:
NPR radio show
Beale Street Caravan: Capturing Blues and Sacred Steel
Live Coverage at the Conference Throughout the conference weekend, Beale Street Caravan will be recording Blues and Sacred Steel performances at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, adjacent to the Downtown Memphis Marriott. The World's Leading Blues Radio Program.
The World's Leading Blues Radio Program
By documenting these performances, Beale Street Caravan continues to preserve and celebrate the rich legacy of Blues and Sacred Steel, bringing their artistry to a global audience.
PBS radio show
Live Taping at Folk Alliance Conference
Throughout the conference weekend, Jammin at Hippie Jack’s will be recording performances for its upcoming season, featuring prominent artists such as:
With its broad reach and dedication to folk traditions, Jammin at Hippie Jack’s continues to be a vital platform for preserving and promoting the artistry of Americana music.
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.