Sacred Steel: Inside an African American Steel Guitar Tradition

Images 2

Jewell Dominion musician Kim Love is visited in her home by Keith Dominion musicians, Philadelphia, 2000. Left to right: steel guitarist Acorne “Flip” Coffee Jr. and rhythm guitarist Shevinah Johnson, both of Philadelphia; and Rochester steel guitarist Chuck Campbell. Photo by the author. Jamel Woffard (left), and his father, James, take turns playing steel and rhythm guitar for Jewell Dominion services. Tupelo, Mississippi, 2006. Photo by the author. Revival at the Jewell Dominion church, Tupelo, Mississippi, 2006. Photo by the author. Chief Jewell picked up Maurice Beard Sr. in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, in the heart of “Kentucky thumb-picking” country, and brought him (and an unknown banjoist) to Mt. Clemons, Michigan, ca. 1933–34. Courtesy Ted Beard. Felton Williams in his home, Ecorse, Michigan, 2005. He excelled on standard guitar and steel guitar and mentored several Jewell Dominion musicians in the Detroit area. Photo by the author. Bishop Ron Hall and his son, Marcus, play for services at Mount Carmel Full Gospel Assembly, Ecorse, Michigan, 2005. Photo by the author. Maurice “Ted” Beard Jr. and the Beard Sisters, Detroit, 1960s. Janie played piano and sang with Catherine (left) and Alfreda (right). Courtesy Ted Beard. Ted Beard, accompanied on electric bass by his son, Rico, at the first Sacred Steel Convention, Rollins College, Winter Park, Florida, 2000. Photo by the author. Calvin Cooke at the first Sacred Steel Convention, accompanied by Detroit Jewell Dominion guitarist Jay Caver, Winter Park, Florida, 2000. Photo by the author. Chuck Campbell gives Glenn Lee a few pointers at the Keith Dominion headquarters church, Nashville, 1996. Looking on (left to right): Campbell’s son Malcom Robinson and brothers Eddie (barely visible behind Campbell’s head), Enrico, and Dante Harmon. Photo by the author. Early publicity photo of the Campbell Brothers (left to right): Chuck, pedal-steel; Phil, guitar; vocalist Katie Jackson; Carlton (Phil’s son), drums; Darick, lap-steel. Gainesville, Florida, 1998. Photo by the author. The Campbell Brothers, Phil (left) and Chuck, “wreck the house” at the second Sacred Steel Convention, Sanford, Florida, 2001. Robert Randolph is second from left at the edge of the stage, pointing. Photo by the author. Glenn Lee plays for the Keith Dominion Florida East Coast State Assembly, Blanche Ely High School, Pompano Beach, Florida, 1992. He inherited the Morley Rotating Wah pedal from his uncle Lorenzo Harrison. Photo by the author. Frank Owens plays for shouting congregants at the House of God No. 2, Ft. Pierce, Florida, 2002. He is among the many Florida pedal-steel guitarists inspired by Glenn Lee. Photo by the author. Robert Randolph about a year before he began to play professionally, Keith Dominion headquarters church, Nashville, Tennessee, 1999. Photo by the author. The Lee Boys play for a party to celebrate the release of their Arhoolie album, Say Yes! the Bamboo Room, Palm Beach Florida, 2005. Left to right: Roosevelt Collier, pedal-steel; Keith Lee, vocal; Derrick Lee, vocal. Photo by the author. ...