Aubrey Ghent with apprentice

    Willie Eason is one of the artists credited with the convergence of the steel guitar into gospel music in the 1930s when he began using it in the worship services of the House of God Church. In the 1970s the steel guitar evolved into a more sophisticated unit using a pedal in conjunction with the original instrument. With the evolution of the steel guitar players became more experimental and created different and unique styles of playing. One of the more recent and well-known steel guitar bands is Robert Randolph and the Family Band in Florida. Robert Randolph, who grew up in New Jersey, first heard the steel guitar played by Willie Eason. Thinking he would give it a try Randolph began playing the simple six-string lap guitar for a few weeks and then laid it aside for nearly a year. When he was sevenetten years old the steel guitar became his life. After a few months he began playing during the church services in Orange. Robert Randolph now tours, playing at churches and other venues.