Speedy West

His uniquely identifiable style, combined with chordal executions single string riffs, gained public recognition for the steel guitar and Speedy’s name. He pioneered the “crash-bar” technique, composed instruments that became classics and was known as “Steel Guitar’s Foremost Showman.” Speedy was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.

Jimmy Bryant

This self-taught guitarist made a name as a top session player with his country-jazz style accompanying Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Gene Autry and many, many more. Alongside steel guitar legend Speedy West, Bryant pioneered the modern country music style and technique commonly referred to as “chicken-pickin,”which is far more difficult to perfect than Bryant made it seem. He never conformed and had a natural gift for improvisation, always finding new and exciting ways to play arrangements during studio sessions and giving recordings much needed flare.

In 1975, Pete Drake, a huge fan of Jimmy and Speedy’s music, asked them to record this CD in Nashville. Musicians watched their technique in amazement during the week of recording sessions at Pete’s Place Studio.