Steel: The Steel Guitar Podcast
The Fretboard Journal
5.0from 67 ratings
- 14
- Episodes
- 67
- Ratings
- 2023
- First episode
About Steel: The Steel Guitar Podcast
Welcome to Steel, a Fretboard Journal podcast dedicated to the wonderful world of the steel guitar. Hosted once a month by Matt Perpick.
- Publisher
- The Fretboard Journal
- Category
- music · music
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 8 Aug 2023
- Latest episode
- 10 Oct 2025
Latest episodes
14 episodes in the feed.
10 Oct 2025
Travis Toy
On Episode 14 of Steel, we meet Travis Toy, one of Nashville's deepest pedal steel players. Travis has shared the stage and studio with some of modern country's biggest acts, including Luke Bryan, Rascal Flatts, Luke Combs, Steve Wariner and Patty Loveless. Travis is one of the deepest technical practitioners of pedal steel. He's just as comfortable playing a honky tonk gig as he is shredding jazz funk fusion on E9. We discuss his fascinating musical upbringing in Kentucky, his obsession with '90s country and GRP records, how he tries to play things that matter in the studio, and lots more. Read more about Travis here: https://travistoy.com/ (https://travistoy.com/) http://www.travistoytutorials.com/ https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3WdOaE9fKZThXhFWU9dsfe?si=78e43673760841d4 Steel is brought to you by the Fretboard Journal magazine and is mixed by Armen Bazarian. fretboardjournal.com
4 Jul 2025
Dave Biller
Guitarist Dave Biller discusses his diverse musical journey through rock, jazz, and country, highlighting his deep dive into pedal steel after a pivotal hotel room conversation in this interview.
2 Mar 2025
Laurel Premo
For episode 12 of Steel, we meet Laurel Premo, an incredible folk musician from Traverse City, Michigan. Laurel’s 2021 album, 'Golden Loam,' is a collection of deep, dark folk tunes played on solo electric guitar and lap steel, and the sound is completely her own. The record is spare, brooding, rhythmically deep, and completely captivating. When I learned Laurel was coming to New York, I jumped at the chance to meet her and talk about her musical life. In this episode, we discuss Laurel’s musical roots in Northern Michigan, where she played fiddle in Finnish Barn dances; how she picked up the lap steel and adapted it to her style of music; her immersion in Scandinavian folk traditions; how chanting is at the heart of her musical practice; and lots more. laurelpremo.com (https://www.laurelpremo.com) laurelpremo.bandcamp.com (https://laurelpremo.bandcamp.com/) Steel Ep 12 Spotify Playlist Steel Ep 12 Youtube Playlist This podcast is mixed by Armen Bazarian and brought to you by the Fretboard Journal magazine. www.fretboardjournal.com
28 Jan 2025
Jerry Douglas
Episode 11 of Steel features legendary dobro player Jerry Douglas, who joins to discuss his new album 'The Set.' Jerry Douglas is one of the most recorded, accomplished, and expressive players in the history of his instrument. His career is as deep as it is varied. He’s been a top-flight bluegrass player for five decades and has shared the stage with everybody from J.D. Crowe to Billy Strings. He is a Nashville session ace and has played on thousands of recordings. And when he can find the time, he makes his own records. Today, Jerry and I discuss how this record came to be; how his band communicates, writes, and records; his stint playing pedal steel on the Grand Ole Opry; and lots more. Check out the following links to learn more about Jerry and his music. https://jerrydouglas.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jerrydouglas https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2QKfmniXegfjB43geOK1ok?si=e8dd20bde5d1457b https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=KRpwZ9BkN4E&list=PLvvtMAAyfWueRPSioMXfNaeY83AoxM2Kn The music for Episode 11 is “A Meadow in the Valley of Secrets,” by Sweet Gary from Austin, Texas. It’s on the album, 'Pink Pedal Steel.' https://www.instagram.com/sweet.gary https://sweetgary.bandcamp.com/album/pink-pedal-steel This podcast is brought to you by the Fretboard Journal magazine. https://www.fretboardjournal.com
5 Dec 2024
Chris Parker
Chris Parker, a Brooklyn-based guitarist, shares his unique approach to creating pedal steel sounds on a six-string guitar, revealing the evolution of his singular slide guitar sound and the realities of being a professional musician in New York.
4 Oct 2024
Jeremy Wakefield
On Episode 9 of Steel, we travel to Portland, Oregon to interview Jeremy Wakefield, one of the finest swing and jazz lap steel players out there. He has a beautiful touch, he’s a great improviser, and he breathes life into this style of American music. Jeremy has played and recorded alongside ridiculously great players like Dave Biller, TK Smith, Jonathan Stout and Sage Guyton. His albums 'Hot Guitars of Biller and Wakefield' and 'Steel Guitar Caviar' are touchstone latterday swing steel guitar records. Jeremy’s playing is also heard all over the TV show 'Spongebob Squarepants.' Check out the following links to learn more about Jeremy and his music: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5M6dbAh0RRMC2AgKFWG2T6?si=8f425a7e0e2c4f05 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWucymmatfI5yj25bYEKHkzBl&si=LE39T6ldMKRcpS4S https://www.instagram.com/titanicstinks https://jeremywakefield.bandcamp.com/album/steel-guitar-caviar-2 https://spongebob.fandom.com/wiki/Jeremy_Wakefield Deep thanks to Benson Amps for their support of this episode. https://www.bensonamps.com/ This podcast is brought to you by the wonderful folks at the Fretboard Journal magazine. Check out the following links to subscribe to the magazine and dig into the rest of the FJ podcast network: https://www.fretboardjournal.com/
7 Jul 2024
David Murphy
For Episode 8 of Steel, we travel to Cork, Ireland to meet David Murphy and discuss his new album Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music for Pedal Steel Guitar. The album is a collection of melancholic Irish “airs” and Sean-nós tunes that David plays beautifully on the pedal steel. In our chat, David breaks down how he became one of the few pedal steel players in Ireland, where this particular strain of traditional Irish music comes from, what these songs mean, and how he brought them to life on the steel guitar. Check out these links to learn more about David and his music: https://www.davidmurphymusic.com/ https://davidmurphymusic.bandcamp.com/album/cuimhne-ghlinn-explorations-in-irish-music-for-pedal-steel-guitar https://www.instagram.com/steelydave83/ https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6IL0wdNVS59B9Eeydd0PNW?si=6fcaa4ea8cc24527 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWucZ8rnjOBsWWRlO_IEqA2ul This podcast is brought to you by the wonderful folks at the Fretboard Journal magazine. Check out the following links to subscribe to the magazine and dig into the rest of the FJ podcast network: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription https://www.fretboardjournal.com/category/podcasts/
1 May 2024
Greg Leisz
For Episode 7 of Steel, we catch up with legendary L.A. steel player Greg Leisz. Greg’s steel playing has graced recordings with iconic artists like Bill Frisell, Joni Mitchell, Beck, Mark Knopfler, Phoebe Bridgers, Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams and many more. He's renowned for his ability to bring depth and emotions to recordings with his touch, tone and occasionally minimalist musical sense. Greg and I discuss his musical journey, from high school garage bands and learning steel in honky tonk bars to becoming a first-call session player in Los Angeles. To learn more about Greg, check out Fretboard Journal #33 or check the following links: - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Leisz - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5MG1pGbqGltH79LxIYjVyN?si=6ffd82c09253448d - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWufFmO9oJAnT9dgMh4rgJwA8 - https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fj-33 Steel is hosted by Matt Perpick for the Fretboard Journal. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
28 Feb 2024
Christine Bougie
For episode 6 of Steel, we travel to Toronto to meet Christine Bougie. Christine is a guitarist and lap steel player who has shared the stage and studio with folks like Bahamas, Sarah Harmer, Amy Milan, the Queer Songbook Orchestra and Jeremy Dutcher. Christine just released 'Soft Start,' an album of gorgeous ambient music. In our chat, Christine breaks down her musical journey, from learning to record as a teenager with the two cassette records, to how a few choice words from Bill Frisell inspired her to record her own music, how the lap steel became part of her life and how she used the steel to create lush textures on her ambient album. To learn more about Christine and find her music, check out the following links: - https://www.christinebougie.ca/ - https://christinebougie.bandcamp.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/christinebougie/?hl=en - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1SZin6f4Z3SLnRWp7Bhv4r?si=ab46bc4dc9934f05 - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWue8AScjx7r6kWBHED7GDDHL Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
17 Jan 2024
Kashiah Hunter
On this episode, we speak with Kashiah Hunter, a wonderful sacred steel player based out of Atlanta, Georgia. Sacred steel is an incredible form of gospel music played in House of God Pentecostal churches across the United States and the center of this rich musical tradition is the steel guitar. Kashiah's deeply expressive, lyrical playing is a hallmark of the sacred steel style. Kashiah plays steel in the New Mercy, New Beginnings, New Victory Ministries church in Georgia, but I was lucky enough to catch up with him when he was in town to play the Brooklyn Folk Fest. We dig into Kashiah's musical history, how he "borrowed" his first steel guitar from his cousin and learned by playing along to cassette recordings of church services, and how emotion is the center of his musical practice. To learn more about Kashiah and his playing, check out the following links: https://www.instagram.com/kashiah_hunter/ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWucU6XzOjASCeY3sXWso-NLk Steel is hosted by Matt Perpick for the Fretboard Journal network of podcasts. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
30 Nov 2023
Jeff Snyder
Steel is a Fretboard Journal podcast that dives deep into the world of the steel guitar. For Episode 4, we speak with Jeff Snyder, a musician, composer and instrument designer about his fascinating new creation, the Electrosteel pedal steel synthesizer. The Electrosteel feels like a pedal steel, but has capabilities and a sonic palette that are a long way from your grandpa's Sho-Bud. Jeff tells us about his life as a musician, a composer, and instrument designer; his work as Director of Electronic Music at Princeton University; and, of course, we take a deep dive into the genesis, design, and inner workings of this fascinating new instrument. To learn more about Jeff, his instruments and his music, check out the following links: https://www.scattershot.org/ https://snyderphonics.com/ https://music.princeton.edu/people/jeff-snyder/ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWudTXgKOeZZBgIlKcK2qtU4d https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0am8PdaT3pLwrHQvNIgNxs?si=8967cdca13ad457b Steel is hosted by Matt Perpick for the Fretboard Journal network of podcasts. Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal here: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
1 Nov 2023
Steve Fishell
Steel is a Fretboard Journal podcast that dives deep into the world of the steel guitar. On Episode 3, we chat with Steve Fishell, a pedal steel player, a Grammy-winning record producer, and the author of the biography 'Buddy Emmons: Steel Guitar Icon.' Steve held down the steel guitar chair in the '80s incarnation of Emmylou Harris' Hot Band and has recorded with the likes of Dolly Parton, John Prine, Sam Bush, and Linda Ronstadt. We discuss coming up in the 1970s California country rock scene, cutting his teeth in the recording studio, Buddy Emmons' impact on the pedal steel, and more. You can find Steve's book and samples of his playing at the links below: - https://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/?id=p086786 - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWudoKf4GZ_E31rvU_CqQnKGp - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/16einqMwN2QkL5ZC7HutqF Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
26 Sept 2023
Raphael McGregor
Steel is a Fretboard Journal podcast that dives deep into the world of the steel guitar. For our second episode, we speak with Raphael McGregor, one of New York's most interesting steel guitar players. Raphael has shared stages with the likes of The Brain Cloud, Nation Beat, Jason Loughlin, Grant Gordy, Noam Pikelny, and Matt Munisteri. Raphael's musical sensibility and technical style give him a really unique lap steel sound. We dig into his musical beginnings, his steel guitar journey, and more. He is also an organizer of the Steel Guitar Unconvention in Brooklyn, NY. Steel is hosted by Matt Perpick. To learn more about Raph and his music, check out the following links: https://raphaelmcgregor.com https://www.instagram.com/raphaelmcgregor/ https://steelguitarunconvention.com https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2JmCz8r2sv1OdFHOvyr7am?si=fe4c254743464759 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWuccvVEvgJlHeKvSUgDsG838&si=zhVmBW4KAK2--pEP Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
8 Aug 2023
Rich Hinman
Welcome to the first episode of Steel, a Fretboard Journal podcast dedicated to the wonderful world of the steel guitar. Joining us today is Rich Hinman, a pedal steel player who's shared stages with k.d. lang, Sara Bareilles, Rosanne Cash, Adam Levy and more. He details his early musical life in Sleepy Hollow, NY, his journey with the steel guitar, how he approaches recording and more. If you want to dig deeper into Rich's music or educational materials, check out the following links: https://www.richhinman.com/ https://www.patreon.com/richhinman https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4VdFTv8BWUNytTM3cB0v0k?si=0d6edd9a51e74089 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvvtMAAyfWudSTGQqgio8RUC0QphFdiJx Subscribe to the Fretboard Journal magazine here: https://shop.fretboardjournal.com/products/fretboard-journal-annual-subscription
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 42 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 25 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 5
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 0
- Engagement
- 82
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