The pedal steel guitar has long held a mystique unlike any other instrument in American popular music. Crafted from wood, complex machined parts, electronic wiring, and tensioned metal strings, it produces a swirling, ethereal sound that can evoke instant sorrow or profound awe. For more than seven decades, this instrument has remained the lifeblood of country and western music, while carving out an essential presence in blues, gospel, and rock. At the heart of this instrumental heritage sits the legendary Sho-Bud Company. Co-founded by Hall of Fame steel guitarist Buddy Emmons and industry pioneer Harold Shot Jackson—whom Jackson famously dubbed “the Stradivarius of pedal steel guitars”—Sho-Bud instruments defined the golden eras of country music throughout the 1960s and 1970s before changing hands in 1980.
A monumental turning point for the brand occurred in 2024 when Shot Jackson’s grandchildren, Will and Dawn Jackson, officially repurchased the company name from Baldwin. Dedicating themselves to restoring the brand to its former glory, the family set out to manufacture world-class instruments worthy of their grandfather’s legacy. That multi-year revitalization culminated on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, on the sacred stage of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Billed as The Sho-Bud Showcase At The Ryman, the nearly four-hour marathon event functioned as a grand celebration of the brand’s new line of guitars, the launch of Sho-Bud Records, a massive gathering of signature artists, and a charity fundraiser. Featuring an astonishing lineup of Country and Rock Hall of Famers, iconic session players, and rising prodigies, the concert stands as a watershed moment for the global steel guitar community.
An Unprecedented Gathering on a Historic Stage
Upon entering the legendary Mother Church of Country Music, attendees and guest artists alike were greeted by a staggering visual spectacle. The cavernous stage was lined edge-to-edge with pedal steel guitars—so many, in fact, that traditionalist Marty Stuart remarked he had never witnessed that many of the instruments assembled in a single location. A quick backstage tally revealed at least twenty-five pristine Sho-Bud instruments positioned and waiting to be played.
The nearly four-hour chronology of the evening was supported by a powerhouse house band comprising elite multi-instrumentalists. Because the concert served as a direct showcase for Sho-Bud’s roster of endorsed artists, the talent pool represented a curated elite of the steel guitar universe. Fans and musicians had traveled from across the United States and overseas to witness the spectacle, which seamlessly bridged generational divides.
Marty Stuart, Dan Dugmore, and Classic Country Authenticity
The evening’s musical journey ignited when Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives took the stage, accompanied by young pedal steel gunner Brady Gandy. Blasting through high-energy fan favorites such as “Sundown In Nashville” and “Bridge Washed Out,” Stuart established an immediate rapport with the capacity crowd. The set reached an emotional crescendo when Stuart welcomed his wife, country icon Connie Smith, to the stage for a stirring rendition of her monumental hit “Once A Day,” a historic recording enshrined in the Smithsonian American Music catalog. Gandy’s fluid, confident playing proved that the future of traditional country steel is in extraordinarily capable hands.
Following this, veteran session master Dan Dugmore stepped into the spotlight. Having played on countless benchmark recordings across a legendary career, Dugmore shared the stage with powerhouse local Nashville vocalist Wendy Moten, who delivered a Linda Ronstadt-inspired tour de force on “Blue Bayou.” In a surprise appearance, Country Music Hall of Famer Wynonna Judd strode gracefully onto the stage to introduce singer Emily Ann Jones—wife of Robert’s Western World owner Jesse Lee Jones. Jones delivered a breathtaking performance of “Strawberry Wine” while Wynonna watched from the wings, leaving Dugmore visibly beaming behind his instrument.
Rock Royalty Embraces the Steel: Marcus King, Don Felder, and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter
The showcase successfully dismantled genre boundaries by integrating rock royalty into the fold. Southern rock torchbearer Marcus King traded vocal lines and guitar mastery with Blackberry Smoke frontman Charlie Starr, tackling the Marshall Tucker Band classic “Fire On The Mountain.” King commanded an orange Sho-Bud Pro V, executing Toy Caldwell’s iconic licks with precision before later stepping out with a Les Paul to back steel player Ed Williams.
The cross-pollination of classic rock and country continued when former Eagles member Don Felder delivered a buoyant, high-energy rendition of “Take It Easy.” Young up-and-coming steel player Asher Roseman took on the intricate parts originally recorded by Bernie Leadon, playing with infectious enthusiasm alongside the rock icon.
Similarly, Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers alumnus Jeff “Skunk” Baxter—who recently declared the pedal steel his absolute favorite instrument—delighted the audience with a scorching instrumental before launching into the Steely Dan anthem “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number.” Vocalist Lauren Morrow captivated the room, while young guitar prodigy Saxon Weiss stepped up to execute Baxter’s iconic recorded solo. Despite minor equipment and connection hurdles, Weiss delivered flawlessly under pressure.
Military Precision, Modern Virtuosity, and Unique Collaborations
The breadth of talent on display was further expanded by the United States Navy Band’s country ensemble, Country Currents. Featuring pedal steel player Nick Krol, the military band delivered a rousing set that featured Sally Sandker—daughter of bluegrass legend Rhonda Vincent—belted an epic version of “Stand By Your Man.” The collaborative spirit of the evening deepened as the ensemble welcomed veteran sideman and instrument builder Johnny Cox for a haunting take on Willie Nelson’s “Night Life,” followed by young picker Walker Robinson joining forces with Struggle Jennings to pay tribute to Waylon Jennings’ legendary steel player Robbie Turner on “Lonesome, Onry and Mean.”
The stylistic versatility of the pedal steel was underscored during the segment featuring Eddie Gossien and Eddie Dunlap. Gossien, renowned for his work with Mel McDaniel and Daryl Worley, cut a striking figure in purple while coaxing smoking licks out of a glittery gold Sho-Bud Maverick II on Harlan Howard’s “I Don’t Believe I’ll Fall In Love Today.” Conversely, Eddie Dunlap delivered a jaw-dropping, rock-oriented interpretation of Jeff Beck’s “Never Alone,” manipulating his effects pedals and guitar controls simultaneously to mirror Beck’s signature tone.
Pioneers and Prodigies: Junior Brown, Sarah Jory, and Robert Randolph
Newly inducted Steel Guitar Hall of Fame member Junior Brown brought his signature theatricality and unmatched fretboard prowess to the Ryman stage. Brown noted his lifelong preference for Sho-Bud instruments, prominently displaying the world’s first “Pedal Guit-Steel” built by the company. Accompanied by Gene Watson’s steel player Mike Borque, Brown performed “Long Walk Back To San Antone,” with Borque effortlessly alternating between a Telecaster and a pedal steel guitar to trade blistering solos.
International representation arrived in the form of UK master Sarah Jory, whose extensive resume includes collaborations with Glen Campbell, Van Morrison, and Ricky Skaggs. Jory partook in one of the night’s most magical moments during a side-by-side pedal steel duet with 89-year-old living legend Lloyd Green. Their instrumental interpretation of “Danny Boy” hushed the auditorium into reverent awe, culminating in an emotional embrace between Jory and her lifelong hero. Famed multi-instrumentalist Andrea Whitt also shared a stunning Green duet on Elliott Smith’s haunting “Waltz #2” before later plugging her pedal steel into a talk box to pay tribute to Pete Drake during a roaring cover of Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Way.”
The evening reached a fever pitch when Grammy-winning innovator Robert Randolph took the stage. Eschewing traditional configurations, Randolph utilized exotic tunings and a fuzz pedal to tackle Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)” on a pedal steel guitar. His ferocious execution left onlookers stunned; upon finishing the song, Randolph hoisted the entire instrument over his shoulder with one arm and exited the stage with unmistakable swagger.
The Grand Finale: Slash, Lloyd Green, and Wendy Moten
Undeniably, one of the most anticipated presences of the night was Saul Hudson—universally known as Slash. Beyond showcasing his ferocious six-string shredding alongside Cody Parks and The Dirty South on a heavy-metal rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues,” Slash’s appearance highlighted a lesser-known facet of his musicianship: his dedication to the pedal steel guitar. Encouraged by Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, who previously loaned him an instrument, Slash has spent the past several years quietly developing his steel playing, appearing recently with western swing stalwarts The Time Jumpers at Nashville’s Third and Lindsley.
The emotional peak of the evening arrived when Slash shared the stage with 89-year-old Lloyd Green—a monumental figure credited with playing on an estimated 30,000 recording sessions over his storied career. Seated side-by-side behind matching Sho-Bud Lloyd Green signature model pedal steel guitars, the two legends prepared for the ultimate cross-genre collaboration. As the opening notes rang out, the audience instantly recognized the opening riff of Guns N’ Roses’ global rock anthem “Sweet Child O’ Mine.”
Joined by the powerhouse vocals of Wendy Moten—whose soaring range effortlessly met the demands of the classic track—Green and Slash traded intricate melodies and licks across their instruments. The sight of Green smiling broadly as he locked in with the iconic rock guitarist encapsulated the spirit of the entire showcase: generational respect, genre fluidity, and an unwavering reverence for the mechanical majesty of the pedal steel guitar.
Implications and Broader Impact
The Sho-Bud Showcase At The Ryman served a purpose far greater than a mere corporate product launch or brand-name revival. By successfully uniting Country and Rock Hall of Famers, military musicians, international artists, and teenage prodigies, the event demonstrated that the pedal steel guitar is not a relic of a bygone era, but a vibrant, evolving instrument with a thriving future. As Will and Dawn Jackson continue to rebuild the Sho-Bud brand, events like this prove that a new generation of musicians is eager to master the complexities of the instrument, ensuring its enduring legacy in the modern musical landscape.
