October 5, 2026

Inaugural Austin Steel Guitar Fest Helps Restart Hall of Fame Inductions

*Junior Brown giving his acceptance speech to the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame*

It was only a few short years ago where the discussion around the steel guitar was whether the instrument that has been so instrumental to the appeal of country music would survive into the next decade aside from in the hearts of hobbyists and oldtimers who were quickly aging out.

Now the longest-running #1 song in all of American music features steel guitar prominently, you hear it all over the place in country music again—including from otherwise big pop country stars like Megan Moroney—while young players are coming out of the woodwork to study the old ways, and pay them forward in music where the twang lives once again.

It’s within this environment of resurgence and rebirth that the Austin Steel Guitar Festival held its inaugural gathering at the Marriott South in Austin, TX October 1st through 3rd. As the rest of the music universe seemed preoccupied with the images of the mudfest that transpired in Zilker Park a few miles away at the first weekend of ACL Fest, inside the ballroom and meeting spaces of the Marriott hotel, steel guitarists and their most fervent fans from all over the world gathered to pay tribute to the instrument, and many of the titans who kept it alive.

The doings of inaugural event weren’t just confined to the four walls of the hotel though. The Austin Steel Guitar Festival organized by Ted Smouse of steelradio.org also saw the restarting of inductions to the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. They were paused since 2016 when the Hall of Fame lost its permanent home, and the festival in Austin was also where it was announced that the new permanent home for the Hall of Fame will be in Hawaii where the instrument originated.

The three inductees to the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame for 2026 were guit-steel inventor and legend Junior Brown, Asleep at the Wheel original member and now Australian steel guitar legend Lucky Oceans, and David “Feet” Rogers—a lap steel guitar great from Hawaii who passed away in 1983.

The 74 year old Junior Brown showed up to Austin with a bum foot, and spent most of the time being ferried around in a wheelchair. But on Saturday evening when it came time to accept his induction, he got the crutches out, and made it on to the stage triumphantly. Then when it was time for his set, he rallied once again, standing up behind his guit-steel, and putting on a veritable clinic, including fan favorites such as “Too Many Nights In A Roadhouse,” “My Wife Thinks You’re Dead,” and “Highway Patrol.”

Lucky Oceans wasn’t hobbled in any sort of manner, and is perhaps one of the most animated steel guitar players you’ll ever see. That rabid enthusiasm Lucky brought to old Western Swing music with the original Asleep At The Wheel never left. Ray Benson and many of the current members of Asleep At The Wheel showed up to help back Lucky who made the trek all the way from Australia to accept the award.

Multiple nieces and nephews of David “Feet” Rogers also made the trek from Hawaii to participate in the festivities, including placing leis around the necks of just about everyone involved, including Steel Guitar Hall of Fame president Michael Scott, and Junior Brown during his Hall of Fame performance set. Lap steel player Bobby Ingano played a tribute set to David Rogers as part of the presentation.

*Steel Guitar Hall of Fame President Michael Scott with members of David “Feet” Rogers family*

The induction of David “Feet” Rogers was the perfect segue into the announcement of the new home of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, which was originally located in St. Louis, Missouri where it opened with the inaugural class of Jerry Byrd, Leon McAuliffe, and Alvino Rey in 1978. Since then, steel guitar greats such as Ralph Mooney, Jimmy Day, Don Helms, Shot Jackson, Pete Drake, Lloyd Green, Paul Franklin, Barbara Mandrell, and others have been inducted. 84 total members now grace the Hall of Fame.

The new Steel Guitar Hall of Fame and its archives will be located at the Kekauluohi Building in Honolulu, near the Hawaii State Capitol as part of Hawaii’s state archives. Though they admit they do not have the space for full, permanent displays at the moment, they plan to hold all the archives, digitize them for display, hold expeditions fof artifacts, all while they work to build a bigger display space for the Hall of Fame in the future.

All the archives will be in the public domain, meaning they will be owned by the people, not in a private collection or holding.

Beyond the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame inductions and the announcement of the Hall of Fame’s new home, over 50+ steel guitar performers showcased for attendees over the three days. This included Hall of Famers like Lynn Owsley, who played with the likes of Webb Pierce and Lefty Frizzell back in the day, and Joe Wright, who might be one of the most entertaining and hilarious performers behind a steel guitar, or in front of one for that matter.

Though the steel guitar is synonymous with country music, it was also cool to see so much Hawaiian representation for the instrument, including by Alan Anka. There was also a non-pedal stage where performers like Anka and Rose Sinclair performed.

There is also a long-standing tradition dating back to the early 1900’s called the “Sacred Steel” where steel guitar is played in Black Pentecostal churches and at the Church of the Living God. This also happens to be where you can find some of the best and most impassioned steel playing around. Dashawn Hickman and his wife Wendy were there representing the Sacred Steel tradition, and representing it well.

But just as much as the Austin Steel Guitar Fest was about preserving and honoring the past, it was also looking to the future. Some of the greatest young steel guitar players on the planet were there in Austin, including Caleb Melo, known for working with Jesse Daniel and Ben Haggard, country preservationist and multi-tool performer Jake Penrod, and producer and the “Professor of Twang” Kevin Skrla. Pedal Steel Noah, Caleb Lindley, and so many others also showcased over the weekend.

It was also cool seeing pedal steel players comprising the backing bands for each other. “Brother” Ethan Shaw might have played on over a dozen sets over the weekend. Caleb Melo and Kevin Skrla also did their shifts on bass for others, making sure each performer showcased with a full sound, and singers like Brennen Leigh and Austin Stambaugh were there to lend superior vocals to the music.

Turnout was surprisingly high for a first year festival, and the event was also super well-organized. Technical difficulties delayed the schedule on Saturday, but they still got everything in, and they’ve already assured people there will be a 2nd annual event in 2027. With the way interest in the steel guitar is growing, there’s certainly a demand for it, and it’s likely to only grow from here.

To see video from the Austin Steel Guitar Festival, follow Saving Country Music on Instagram. Apologies to performers not mentioned or pictured.