sacred steel Archives - The Arhoolie Foundation

Down Home Music: The Stories and Photographs of Chris Strachwitz

A visual storytelling celebration of American roots music in its rich variety through unseen and newly scanned photographs by the founder of the legendary Arhoolie Records....

The Arhoolie Foundation Year-End Letter

Looking back at this last year, the Arhoolie Foundation continues the work of promoting and preserving roots-based American music. From Mississippi to Louisiana, Florida, Mexico, and...

Deep Dives: The Roots of Sacred Steel

In 1997, Arhoolie Records released its first disc of Sacred Steel music, a gospel tradition with deep roots in the African American holiness churches of the...

Sacred Steel Archive: Alvin Lee Interview

Alvin Lee Interviews Brothers Alvin, Glenn, Keith and Derrick were the driving force of the church band at the House of God church in Perrine, about...

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Sacred Steel Archive: Jeannette Eason Interview

Tough, strong-willed and big hearted, Jeannette Davis Eason was a truly remarkable woman and a major factor in Willie Eason’s success as a musician and businessman.

Robert Stone Sacred Steel Archive

The Arhoolie Foundation’s Robert Stone Sacred Steel Archive consists of over 150 recorded interviews and over 6,510 photographic negatives documenting the Sacred Steel gospel music tradition....

Sacred Steel Archive: Calvin Cooke Interview

Calvin Cooke lived most of his life in Detroit and is now retired to the greater Atlanta area. As his family first belonged to the Church of the Living God and later joined the House of God, he immersed himself in the steel guitar musical traditions of both denominations.

Sacred Steel Archive: Glenn Lee Interview

A highly influential steel guitarist in Florida, Glenn Lee introduced pedal-steel guitar to the House of God churches of his home state. Eclectic in his musical tastes, he incorporated elements of country music, blues, rock, jazz, funk and other genres into the music he played at the Perrine House of God, about fifteen miles south of Miami, where his father served as pastor.

Sacred Steel Archive: Ted Beard Interview

In about 1933-34, Church of the Living God Chief Overseer Bishop Mattie Lu Jewell brought Ted Beard’s father, Maurice Beard, Sr., from Beaver Dam, Kentucky to play for worship services in Detroit, Michigan. Elder Ted Beard, Bishop Ron Hall, Calvin Cooke and Sonny Treadway grew up together in Detroit.

Tag: sacred steel