TOP TEN?

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

[b]what about some
more of the Texas guys

Bobby Flores sports
three of the best in his
Yellow Rose Band
Randy, Joe, and, Bobby.
Then there is Dicky Overby...

[thefatcyclist]

Sarah Jory
Robert Randolph
Buddy Emmons
Paul Franklin
Jerry Garcia
Ralph Mooney
Maggie Björklund
Mike Perlowin

Jerry Garcia and Ralph Mooney are no longer with us.

Yeh I know, but couldn't be bothered changing it, after I re-read the original post...... oops.

[SHAKEY]

I have to say I am a bit surprised, 178 views but only 11 replies. well not to worry eh! but I do agree that we do have a wealth of world class steel players in this country, (yes Malcolm, you included,) Jamie Lennon has to be in there also and of course so many European players, Canadian players etc. Look I have a dispute going on at the moment with a certain person which may turn into a nasty legal battle and the more replies I get to my question is going to be vital to me. I don't want to say any more than that at the moment. Thank you to all that have replied so far and to anyone else who replies in the future.

[Ken Byng]

Out of the British players who I would consider to be truly world class, I would list Pete Heywood, B J Cole, Basil H, Gerry Hogan, Barry Gaskell and Derek Thurlby. Just my humble opinion.

Pete in particular could have had the world wide recognition that he deserves had he moved to the USA some 40 years ago. He had the potential to be as good as anyone who has ever played the instrument. As it is he has led a semi reclusive life in the UK, and just does not promote himself in any way. Just try to find his web site, clips of himself on You Tube that he has posted or indeed any self generated publicity. You won't find them as he has zero ego.

[Barry]

There are many great steel players past and present but a list impossible to create. The first the one on my list is from listening to Merl Haggard in the early days! and that's as you all know;

Norman Hamlett, then
David Hartley
Lloyd Green
Paul Franklin
These are my favourites who make the instrument sound the way I enjoy it being played.
Barry.

[Nick Bidmade]

Looks like I'm the first to add Red Rhodes...
Texan player Lloyd Maines gets an honourable mention.
Lloyd Green
Hank de Vito
Al Perkins
Herb Remington
Sneaky Pete
Bobby Black (plus West Virginia Creeper)
Ralph Mooney
BE

[Will C]

Definitely including the dead 'uns now Nick...

[Nick Bidmade]

I was clearly not paying attention, Will.
Strike out the goners - what am I left with?

[timdjango]

I feel this list concentrates too much on 'technical' players for my taste Plus, to be honest, a fair bit of back slapping. Are we doing a top 10 list or aren't we?

I propose an alternative list of the most musically vital and innovative steel players (those who have taken the steel and massively expanded its musical possibilities)

Classic Era

Buddy Emmons
Lloyd Green (still doing it)
Curly Chalker
Jimmy Day
Sneaky Pete


Modern day

BJ Cole
Susan Alcorn
Bruce Kaphan
Robert Randolph
Jim Hoke

[Jif]

Don't know if I could do a top ten, but players that have done it for me recently,

Buck Reid, Gary Carter, Sarah Jory. Got to mention Gerry Hogan, finally decided to give Pedal Steel a go after watching him live.

Also some good players on this site, from what I've heard in the Pedal Steel Recordings forum