Before and even after pedal-steel guitars began showing up on country records, Jerry Byrd (1920-2005) and his lap steel remained a gold standard. Whether soloing or accompanying, his distinctive, easy-flowing, undulating lines, flawless voicings and a tone oozing warmth and depth, earned him the title Master of Touch and Tone. The Ohio native’s playing became a starting point for generations of steel greats, including Buddy Emmons, Lloyd Green, Curly Chalker among them.
