Pioneers of the Sacred Steel Tradition

Here we celebrate the pioneers of the steel guitar tradition and the sacred steel music they have created. Discover the history and legacy of influential artists.

Learn about their unique styles, contributions to the genre, and their impact on the religious and musical landscape. Explore our collections, including videos, records, and apparel, and join us in honoring these legends of sacred steel music.

More Information can be views by clicking on the images or links below

Lorenzo Leonardo Harrison (1925-1986)

Willie Claude Eason (1921 -2005)

​Henry Randolph Nelson (1930-2001)

Fred L. Neal (1922-1991)

Eartley Washington (1926-2004)

Maurice Ted Beard Jr.

Bishop Ronnie P. Hall

Felton W. Williams Jr. (1934-2012)

Henry Wayne White (1944- 2012)

Charles Edward Flenory (1948- 2017)

Aubrey Ghent Sr.

James Rusher Sherman (1936-2023)

James Rudolph Golden (1937-1993)

Charles “Chuck” T. Campbell

Sam Windham (1932-1977)

Lonnie Farris (1924-1988)

Elder Anderson Johnson (1915 - 1998)

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!