Live Steel Music in Nashville

Vic Lawson with today’s newsletter.

I’d like to start with a congrats to Bob Hempker for getting the call to go back to work for Loretta Lynn. Bob plays very well and sure needs to be playing more so congrats Bob!

We often get caught up discussing a select few steel players that “blazed the trail” and that is fine and well deserved, however I would like to talk today about some of the players here in Nashville that are keeping the torch lit every week. I would like to recognize some of those players and say thanks for your passion and loyalty to the genre and instrument we all love!

Let’s start with Rusty Danmeyer. What a player! He works the road with Leann Rimes but you can hear him most every Tuesday and Wednesday night at the Music City Bar and Grill wearing out some traditional country music the way it’s supposed to be played with a great band equally suited for the task, including Eddie Lange on bass. The Music City Bar and Grill is at 2416 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, Tennessee 37214 in the Opryland area where the new Opry House is located.

This brings me to our next player, Eddie Lange. He is not only one of the busiest players in town but one of my favorites. You can catch up with Eddie every Monday night 10PM-2AM and Saturday 2PM-6PM at Robert’s Western World churning out some very nice swing and traditional country with parts played with fiddle, steel and lead guitar. Eddie plays bass with Georgette Jones and played steel for Bill Anderson. Awesome! Robert’s Western World is at 416 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.

Next up, Mike “Cookie Monster” Jones he can be spotted at numerous places around town with his signature style. Mike is an “all around” great player and a super nice guy, well worth the effort to listen to every Wednesday night 6PM-10PM at Legends Corner. Cookie is best known for his work with Barbara Mandrell. Legends Corner is at 428 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.

And of course you can see the great Randy Beavers from Leann Womack’s band on some Saturdays 6PM-10PM at Swingin’ Doors Saloon, and as usual playin’ his butt off! The Swingin’ Doors Saloon is at 111 4th Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37201. It’s just off the corner of 4th and Broadway.

Next up my friend Jay Andrews playing that great sounding Push Pull! IMO Jay has the And of course we can’t leave out the great Mike Sweeney. What else can I say,? Mike is one of the most well rounded players and teachers out there! Mike played steel for Wesley Dennis.best tone on Broadway hands down! You can hear him every Saturday afternoon 2PM-6PM at The Wheel playing some great country music! Jay is known for his work with Johnny Paycheck and Joe Nichols. The Wheel is at 421 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.

And of course we can’t leave out the great Mike Sweeney. What else can I say,? Mike is one of the most well rounded players and teachers out there! Mike played steel for Wesley Dennis.

You can see and hear another great player and teacher Doug Jernigan on most Mondays 4PM-8PM at Layla’s Bluegrass Inn. Doug has recorded with Con Hunley, Lorrie Morgan, Charlie Walker, David Frizzell, Keith Whitley and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band to name a few. You won’t be disappointed! Layla’s Bluegrass Inn is at 418 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.

Then there is J.R. Merseal playing his Push Pull. J.R. is one of the most creative and entertaining players playing Saturdays at The Second Fiddle 11AM-2PM, then moving across the street to the Full Moon Saloon for a 2PM-6PM shift and he is always worth listening to! The Second Fiddle is at 420 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. The Full Moon Saloon is at 423 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203.

Two of my favorite younger steel players Eddie Dunlap with Clay Walker’s band and Tyler Hall who currently plays for Joe Nichols, can be spotted from time to time playing around town.

Let’s not forget about Tommy Hannum, a very creative and well rounded player, you can see him with John England and The Western Swingers at Robert’s Western World every Monday evening. You know Tommy from his recordings with Steve Earle, Jack Ingram, David Allen Coe, Ricky Van Shelton, Mary Chapin Carpenter and on and on. They also play at The Nashville Palace at 2611 McGavock Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37214. Check The Nashville Palace website (www.nashvillepalace.net) for times.

Then of course, yours truly can be seen every Tuesday 6PM-10PM at The Nashville Palace. Saturday 11AM-2PM at The Stage which is at 412 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. Saturday 6PM-10PM at The Wheel at 421 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. And then again Sunday 6PM-10PM at The Wheel rounds out my weekend. Regular readers will have picked up on my work with Joe Diffee and Tracy Byrd.

I’ve included the addresses so anyone visiting with a smart phone can link directly to Google Maps and easily find these locations.

I apologize if I’ve left anyone out!

So you see steel guitar is not fading away thanks to these fine players keeping the torch lit week after week, please try and see and support these guys the next time you visit Nashville. They’ll make your trip worthwhile.

Vic Lawson

www.steelguitar.net
info@steelguitar.net
www.youtube.com/bobbeseymour

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Steel Guitar Nashville
123 Mid Town Court
Hendersonville, TN. 37075
(615) 822-5555
Open 9AM – 4PM Monday – Friday
Second and Third Saturday each Month Open 9AM – 2PM
Closed Sunday