March 2012 - Steel Guitar Stories, Pictures and Rants

Carol Lee hangs it up

Carol Lee Cooper has closed out a 40-year career as a background singer on Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Carol Lee Cooper has closed out a 40-year career as a background singer on Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry.
Carol Lee was one of the first things I noticed the first time I worked the Opry, right after I ogled those three black Emmons steel guitars, belonging to Sonny, Hal and Weldon, on the stage. Now she’s retiring. Sad to see her go.

Tracy Lawrence

Tracy used to come around Gabe’s and sit in and win Judi Martin’s talent contest sometimes.

Tracy used to come around Gabe’s and sit in and win Judi Martin’s talent contest sometimes. He was an OK singer, and a nice enough guy. He’s got a new album coming out, and in a recent interview he says “…it’s more contemporary and more in the same vein as where the industry is headed. I don’t have steel guitar, but rather more guitars and fiddle.” Doesn’t sound like something I’d want to listen to. Read the interview here at the Boot if you care.

Nashville guitarist Billy Johnson dies at 51

Very sad to see an old friend go so early.

Very sad to see an old friend go so early. In the Tennessean.

Cal Sharp

I'm a steel guitar player, a web designer and a writer.

Resume: Stonewall Jackson, Jimmy Dickens, Red Sovine, Faron Young and "many others".

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