‘Pulling strings since 1955′
Jackson Steel builds on a legacy of twang
by Candice Dyer (Georgia Music Magazine, Summer 2011)

The following videos are animated demos of our patented Individual Mount Split-Design Raise and Lower System. This Pulling System is used on the BlackJack, BlackJack Custom, Ultra Lite and Acoustic models.

LOWERS (Pulls result in Lowered pitch change):

1. View demonstrating the LOWER Rod Puller being actuated by the pedal resulting in movement of the Split-Design String Puller	2. View demonstrating the LOWER Rod Puller being actuated by the pedal
3. View demonstraing the LOWER String Puller being actuated by the Lower Pulling Rod	4. View demonstrating the top side of the String Puller and its EDGE being actuated by the LOWER Pulling system

RAISES (Pulls result in Raised pitch change):

1. View demonstrating the RAISE Rod Puller being actuated by the pedal resulting in movement of the Split-Design String Puller	2. View demonstrating the RAISE Rod Puller being actuated by the pedal
3. View demonstrating the RAISE String Puller being actuated by the Lower Pulling Rod:	4. View demonstrating the top side of the String Puller and its EDGE being actuated by the RAISE Pulling system

Style: Country/Folk/Pop/Latin
Current Gig: Joan Sebastian

Over the last 30 years, Bob “Boo” Bernstein has made his mark in the world of pedal steel, working with a long list of country and roots artists. Following a road stint playing with the legendary Tex-Mex performer Freddy Fender, he went on to back up such renowned artists as Dwight Yoakam, Jana Jae (from the “Hee Haw” show), Gatemouth Brown, and Hank Thompson, among others. He also worked in one of the many incarnations of the house band at the celebrated Palomino Club in Los Angeles. Recently, Bob gained acclaim as the featured steel player on Gustavo Santaolalla’s Academy Award-winning score for Ang Lee’s motion picture “Brokeback Mountain.” He has also appeared on the Latin Grammy Album of the year by Latin superstar Juanes and the Grammy Award-winning album “Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster.” Additionally, he appears on recording by such acclaimed artists as Tanya Tucker, Jerry Lee Lewis, Emmylou Harris, Mark Chesnutt, Curt Kirkwood from the Meat Puppets, Erasure, Eliza Gilkyson, and Monte Warden. Boo is continually seen playing with top musicians throughout the Los Angeles area. As a partner with famed producer/guitarist Pete Anderson in independent record label Little Dog Records, he is constantly in the studio adding his parts to a variety of new recordings. Bob is currently breaking new ground in the Latin music world as the touring pedal steel guitarist for superstar Joan Sebastian and can be heard on the artist’s No.1 Latin chart album “Huevos Rancheros” released by Universal Music. He also appears on the upcoming debut Pop album by Latin diva Jenni Rivera.

Guitar:
2010 BlackJack S1035 – Black

Style: Country
Current Gig: Gord Bamford

The first gig Jeff had with an artist of Canadian renown was at the age of twenty, with Ian Tyson (from 60′s folk group Ian & Sylvia). He’s been playing and recording with Canadian country artists ever since. He is currently producing records and cutting steel tracks for a variety of musicians and writers from various genres, as well as occasional touring with CCMA Male Artist Of The Year for 2003,2008,2009 and 2010, Gord Bamford. Jeff has been awarded the Canadian Country Music Award for steel player of the year four times (2004-2008-2009-2010).

Guitars:
2006 Shot Jackson Commemorative S1045 (Tobacco Brown)
2009 Pro IV D1086 (Sunburst)

Till The Rivers All Run Dry (as played on original Jackson Steel website).

“Day Job” by Gord Bamford

Style: African-American Gospel
Current Gig: The Campbell Brothers

Chuck Campbell began playing the lap steel guitar at the age of 12. At the age of 17 he became one of the first players to utilize the Pedal Steel guitar in the House of God Church, Keith Dominion. Chuck is renowned for his innovative approach to the instrument both technically and musically. His use of effects such as distortion, and wah pedal and his picking techniques enable him to emulate the human voice in an uncanny fashion, which evokes images of gospel moaning and field singing. Early in his career Chuck became recognized for becoming the first steel player to be accomplished in the Sacred Steel styles of Calvin Cooke, Ted Beard and Henry Nelson when most steel players could only play in one! Chuck’s inventive blending of those methods along with his ground breaking use of complex chords and fast picking formed the musical style which is the most emulated among young Sacred Steel players today. (more on The Campbell Brothers website)

Guitar:
2009 BlackJack Custom Aluminum S1075 – Black

Style: Jazz / Country / Pop
Current Gig: Session

TC Furlong has been active in the world of steel guitar since the early 1970’s. Playing Sho-Bud steels in the Chicago based country-rock band Rio Grande and following in the footsteps of Commander Cody and Asleep At The Wheel and classic country artists, the band played mostly music clubs and local music festivals. In 1977, TC along with two Rio Grande cohorts, formed Jump ‘ N The Saddle Band.  In 1983 “Jump” recorded and released The Curly Shuffle – an homage to the Three Stooges that was an international smash hit record. The band signed with Atlantic Records, made it’s third and final album and is listed in Billboard’s Book Of One-Hit Wonders right next to Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. Along with playing live, TC’s  played on thousands of recording sessions. Chicago commercial recording producers embraced TC’s pedal steel guitar sound as “the unique instrument” on countless TV and radio jingles. From United Airlines to State Farm Insurance to Applebee’s, you can probably still hear the distinctive tones of pedal steel ringing in the airwaves. TC also played on artist recordings for Flying Fish Records and hundreds of local bands and singer songwriters. He continues to be very much in demand as a session steel guitar player and is currently working on completing a collaboration album of atmospheric pedal steel and electronica with composer K-rAd. TC also designs and builds the TC Furlong Custom line of  self-powered speakers for steel guitar, which can be heard on stages and recordings around the world. TC also owns and operates the Midwest’s most established Pro Audio company, TC Furlong Inc.

Guitar:
2007 Shot Jackson Commemorative D1085 - Amber / Natural

Performances and Recordings on Jackson Steel:

“Lineman of the County” at Scotty’s 2009

Style: Country/Gospel/Jazz Fusion
Current Gig:

Hailing from Bald Knob, Arkansas, Zane King moved to Nashville in 1994 with years of playing and teaching steel, recording, and producing under his belt. He joined forces at Zion Music group where he worked with the Crabb Family, McGruders, Lesters, Ivan Parker, Anchormen, Heaven Bound and many others. Following Zion, Zane was A&R director of Homeland Entertainment Group’s roster of artists which included The Cathedrals, the Hoppers, and the Bishops. While there, he established a developmental label for the company, and Journey Records was born. N’ Harmony and the Dove Brothers were the first artists signed to the label. In conjunction with the recording company, he has his own publishing company, Journey Press Music (BMI). Now StudioZ is his own recording studio where he has produced several artists, including Terry Terrell, Jessica King, Skyline Boys, Chosen Few, Russ Lee, N’ Harmony, and many more.  Zane has also produced the Artist Spotlight showcases for the National Quartet Convention for the past decade and he was recently elected to President of the Southern Gospel Music Guild (SGMG), which he has served on for over ten years. He is an active participant in the music program of his church, New Vision Baptist where he served as the bandleader and pianist for seven years. He has served as Artist Relations Manager for Compassion International,  and now oversees all of the Southern Gospel and Country Music marketing initiatives.

Guitars:
2010 BlackJack Custom S1286 – Limeburst

Performances and Recordings on Jackson Steels:

Vincent (Starry Starry Night)

Slowly

Amazing Grace TSGA ’11

Softly and Tenderly TSGA ’11

John Henry

Style: Gospel/Blues/Funk/Rock
Current Gig: Robert Randolph and the Family Band

“I grew up in the House of God church. The pedal steel was a big part of our church tradition. I grew up watching older guys play, and I started playing when I was fifteen. When I was nineteen, someone gave me tickets to a Stevie Ray Vaughan concert. After that, I wanted to play pedal steel like Stevie Ray played his guitar. I wanted to take another path than the people who played traditional pedal steel to take it to a whole new level.” (more on RRFB website)

Guitars:
2006 Shot Jackson Commemorative S1275 / Ferrari Red / Build Date: 08-06
2010 BlackJack Custom S1275 / Sunburst / Build Date: 10-10

Performances and Recordings on Jackson Steels:

Feature: Robert Randolph Lesson on Pedal Steel

“We Walk This Way” (2010) Produced by T Bone Burnett

Videos:

Making of We Walk This Way

If I Had My Way (Official Video)

If I Had My Way (Live on Jay Leno)

Crossroads 2010 – “Going Down” – Joe Bonamassa, Pino Daniele & Robert Randolph

Style: Country/Rock
Current Gig: Craig Wayne Boyd

Rusty Rhoads played his first steel guitar gig in Detroit, MI in 1970 when Tex Ritter let him play a few songs in the middle of his show. He was ten years old. From there he played weekends filling in with Fred Bird and the Friendly Four. In 1974 he went to work for Little Jimmy Dickens then took a club gig where he played seven nights a week with Kelly Hall and South Bound. He recorded locally in Detroit on studio and live club sessions with artists such as Jack Mollette. He also played on numerous Ford and GM commercials. In 1985 Rusty went to Texas and worked Gilley’s as a guitar player/singer. He was offered a record deal but opted to move back to Detroit put his own band together with some old friends. The band was called Riccochet; they subsequently changed their name to The Lyin Fat Bastards which was scribbled on a napkin they pulled out of the suggestion box. Over the years, between Nashville and Detroit, he has backed numerous artists including Freddy Fender, Kitty Wells, Johnny Wright, Pee Wee King, Red Stewart, The Collins Sisters, Melba Montgomery, Stonewall Jackson, Stella Parton, Bobby Helms, Kenny Starr and Kid Rock. He now resides in Nashville.

Guitar:
2010 BlackJack Custom D1085 – Red Fade front / Sunburst Top

Performances and Recordings on Jackson Steels:

“Come Around” recorded on BlackJack Custom D1085

“Let it Snow” recorded on BlackJack Custom D1085