Inaugural Austin Steel Guitar Fest Helps Restart Hall of Fame Inductions
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.
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 for 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 Akaka. There was also a non-pedal stage where performers like Akaka 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.
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October 5, 2026 @ 6:37 pm
Two thumbs up!!
October 5, 2026 @ 7:05 pm
Pick it Moon!!!
October 5, 2026 @ 8:57 pm
Thanks Trig for the great review, it was nice meeting you and getting a chance to hang a bit. It was great to be able to hear such talent and be able to rub shoulders with present and past Steel Players and other Texas Player and other great musicians from around the country.
The Hawaiian guys were so fun and enthusiastic the whole weekend. I’m already looking forward to next years festival and huge kudos to Ted Smouse for putting on such a fantastic event!
Just flew Back to Jersey land tonight, time to hit the hay!
October 5, 2026 @ 9:09 pm
Was great to meet you Jerseyboy.
October 6, 2026 @ 12:46 am
I’m a huge fan of pedal steel, and would love to see it make a comeback! Unfortunately, economics dictate that bar and road bands be kept to a minimum of personnel, namely bass, drums, and lead guitar. Also, from what I’ve heard of today’s mainstream FM “country” music, fiddles and steel aren’t a priority. By the way, can anybody actually dance to this stuff?
October 6, 2026 @ 7:13 am
I would encourage anyone questioning just how resurgent the steel guitar is to go listen to the albums of Megan Moroney, not because you will like them (thought you might), but because they are straight pop country, but absolutely dripping with steel guitar. That is where we’re at in 2026. FM mainstream “country” DOES have much more steel guitar than it did five or ten years ago. Sure, there’s still plenty of drum programming and pop hits coming from the Morgan Wallen crew, etc., but we are living through a much twangier time in country music, including in popular country music. I don’t even think that’s up for dispute.
Also, two step dancing is on the dramatic rise. The #1 song in all of music “Choosin’ Texas” is about that very thing.
October 6, 2026 @ 9:37 am
You just have to go see the right performers if you want to hear some live steel guitar. Both concerts I’ve been to this year had steel players. One was Moe Bandy who’s steel player has been with him since the late 1980s.
The other was Gary Allan a couple weeks back at our county fair. While the steel was drowned out and wasn’t featured as much as I would have liked, kudos to Gary for still having a steel in the band.
On a side note, Gary announced at his concert he’s working on a new album that he says will be an ‘adult’ album. It’s about half recorded and he was going back in the studio the next few weeks to finish it up.
October 6, 2026 @ 2:44 pm
Dance to it?!!! Sure can. Next time I see Jake Penrod or Jim Loessburg playing I plan to dance. 2 step or waltz
October 6, 2026 @ 1:58 am
Do I care who’s topping the Hit Parade? Here’s the best country song going –
Brennen Leigh, w/Kevin Skrla “Tell Me”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQ4fgnjfj-M
btw Sure looks like a very cool get-together there in Austin. Thanks for the report and the photos, even though they worsen the “wisht I’d of been there” feelings. Boomhower now: Melismas, man, lap steel, Sacred Steel. You GO!, Toledo, Ohio. The bedrock moves. PSG’s the dang Rubik’s cube of instruments, miles and miles of Texas, Australia, and Hawai’i!
October 6, 2026 @ 2:19 pm
Earlier this year, I saw Brennen Leigh and Kevin Skrla play in a 700-year-old church in Chester, England. I was blown away by how good they were. Kevin was playing a Telecaster on his lap, with a lap-steel balanced across his knees and was skipping effortlessly between the two, often in the same song (as in the video claiborne linked above). I was astonished at how clean and precise everything sounded, with Kevin’s pitch control absolutely spot on. what a talent!
October 6, 2026 @ 2:08 am
I’ve been watching some of the videos you put on Instagram. Amazing event, amazing musicians. Thanks!
October 6, 2026 @ 5:54 am
Cool event! Great photos! Im a big fan of Asleep At The Wheel but never got to see Lucky Oceans. Seeing him play was clearly worth the price of admission.
Unpopular take: moving the Steel guitar HOF to Hawaii isn’t a great move. Most people never go to Hawaii, its not on most folks radar anymore. I get that the sentiment is to put it back in its native home and thats a great thought. But realistically how many people are gonna go see it in person? Most tourists go to Hawaii, stay in a resort, go to the beach and drink. I hope im wrong I really do, but it seems more of an emotional decision than a well thought out business decision.
Honestly I think Nashville would be the place for a steel guitar HOF. Im willing to be wrong and I sincerely hope I am. Long live steel guitar!!!
October 6, 2026 @ 7:15 am
Kevin, It’s a tough thing, it used to be at a hotel in St. Louis and that place has been demolished. Most people never went to see that anyway since the old steel convention there ended ten years ago and Scooy Dewitt passed away. It’s been idle since until his son decided to restart .
Nashville is tough and same with the CM HOF. They won’t display things unless you donate it to them.
There are few places to display the plaques that will be around forever.
To me it is good that they will be on display at some point in a pretty permanent place and also at the birthplace of the steel.
Who knows maybe it will boost tourism. (Insert smile)
I’m
Just happy it’s been restarted and enthusiasm with increase.
October 6, 2026 @ 7:21 am
I have mixed feeling re The Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in Hawaii. In one respect, it’s perfect. The instrument is going home. In another respect, it’s terrible. Not only is Hawaii very very far away, it’s is extremely expensive to get to and stay at. I have a sibling who is pretty well off and loves to take beach vacations and goes all around Mexico and the Caribbean. They would love to go to Hawaii, but it’s 2 or 3 times more expensive than everywhere else. It’s cheaper to go to Europe.
Devil’s advocate though, as someone said to me over the weekend, “Nobody’s going to go anyway.” This is such a niche thing, you might as well put it somewhere where you can find a public partner like the State of Hawaii who will actually make sure the thing will stay open, and you won’t have to fight every year for funding.
October 7, 2026 @ 12:04 am
Hopefully the Hawaiian Base Steelers setup and host our mainland steel brothers n sisters. In Hawaii going the tourist trap way is gonna be ridiculous expensive cause they Lack ” ALOHA”. But staying in the country wit locals gonna be cheaper if not free , the real Hawaiian hospitality. Great points you brought up being from Hawaii, and Meeting all the really Nice people every turn every day someone different makes me wanna give back and put on a special host . Thanks & take care Aloha
October 6, 2026 @ 6:23 am
Article suggestion: 10 best steel players all time OR 10 best steel recordings all time?!
October 6, 2026 @ 6:25 am
Also I once heard the challenge of playing pedal steel described as “flying a helicopter upside down”
October 6, 2026 @ 7:54 am
Wisconsin , the one I heard is Flying a helicopter blindfolded. Those guys have two brains and are as smart and soulful as anyone you’ll ever meet.
Check Out Joe Wright on Trigs instagram snippet of his house of the riding son , that’s a tip of the iceberg, I’ve know Joe for over 25 years and he’s a genius, he also toured with Charlie Pride for over ten years , but is a master teacher and player. One heck
Of a nice guy too.
October 6, 2026 @ 10:41 am
That Instagram video is going viral at the moment. Will probably post more from that song soon.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DeIjtMPBAID/
October 6, 2026 @ 7:23 am
Love this! Love Joe Wright!
October 6, 2026 @ 7:32 am
Fuck you
October 6, 2026 @ 7:37 am
This comments section never fails to let me down.
October 6, 2026 @ 12:27 pm
And two people upvoted it, too. I’m sure that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.
October 6, 2026 @ 12:50 pm
Sorry to ruin it all for you, but rumor has it that Trigger is a straight male.
October 6, 2026 @ 5:10 pm
The fuck
October 6, 2026 @ 7:46 am
Anyone who is a fan of the steel guitar should check out Austin Stewart. He is the steel guitar and dobro player for Hannah Harper. He’s great.
October 6, 2026 @ 8:09 am
So glad they re-started the inductions. Great coverage of the event. Wish I could have been there.
October 6, 2026 @ 9:20 am
Sho-bud steel guitars are hosting the Sho-bud Showcase later this month at the Rhyman in Nashville, it’s a ton of players including Mr. Nashville Lloyd Green , Slash, Robert Randolph, Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives and a bunch of others will be there .
I can’t make it sadly , but tickets are still available , as Will Jackson of Sho-bud said, it’s a once in a lifetime show.
I asked him how dedicated Slash was to playing steel and he said, once he realized 6 string guitar could only do so much and the pedal steel opened up a whole new world for him, apparently he practices half a day at a time and is getting good. Watch out.!
October 6, 2026 @ 10:33 am
I will be there. Allegedly covering it for SCM. Fingers crossed.
October 7, 2026 @ 12:35 am
Slash could take some lessons from John 5 (formerly in Marilyn Manson’s band). He turns the Tele into a very convincing “steel guitar”.
October 6, 2026 @ 10:08 am
Bring back the good old Hawaiian steel sound on the charts.
And Marty Robbins.
October 6, 2026 @ 10:16 am
Great to see a pic of Joe Wright. Wondered what ever happened to him.
Sorry to see the HOF move to Hawaii. Kinda dumb.
October 6, 2026 @ 11:23 am
Joe had a few health problems the last few years,but got them ironed out and is good to go. I’m glad this is going viral, he deserves the attention, I always said he needed to be showcased on the old David Letterman show.
What he does is amazing, he can play heavy metal in one song then have you crying in your beer glass with the sweetest country song, he does it all.
I have most of Lucy Oceans with asleep at the wheel as well as Junior Brown’s sets recorded, but don’t have you tube account, both of those are brilliant as well.
And keep you eyes on Jack Phillips who can play pretty much anything with strings on it, but he played Charlie Parker’s Scrapple from the Apple, that would rival anyone, and at such a young age, thats really impressive, I have a bit of that too. Lucky me, or is that Lucky Oceans?
October 6, 2026 @ 12:16 pm
Forgot about JB’s guit-steel. Creative as all hell.
October 6, 2026 @ 4:34 pm
I would hope to see Andy Gibson inducted someday.
October 6, 2026 @ 6:08 pm
No Lloyd Maines?
October 6, 2026 @ 6:13 pm
I do genuinely work to avoid being “that guy,” but (unless I overlooked it) I’ll confess a modicum of disappointment at not seeing Smokin’ Brett among the names in this article. Dude’s always been a favorite of mine since seeing him play with Luke at Santa’s Pub all the way back in 2015.
October 6, 2026 @ 8:47 pm
It would have been cool to see Brett Resnick, Lloyd Maines, and some others folks have mentioned. It’s difficult to impossible to get every single steel guitar player in the same room at the same time. These guys are out on tour, in the studio, etc. But I do hope to see them on future lineups, and Lloyd Maines could definitely be a Hall of Famer.