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The year 2010 has been a banner
year for steel guitarist, Lynn Owsley. He has received
many of the coveted musician awards, beginning in
January, the Nashville Steel Guitar Association awarded
the "Living Legend Award" at a ceremony in Nashville,
Tennessee that was attended by the "Greats" of the steel
guitar and many other of Nashville's finest musicians.
More
information for the Nashville Steel Guitar Association
can be found in its website.
www.nsga.com
The state of Alabama is the
birthplace of numerous world class steel players as well
as many great singers and musicians. The purpose of the
Alabama Steel Guitar Hall of Fame is to promote and
recognize the instrument , its players and technicians.
On May 22, 2010 Lynn was inducted into the Alabama Steel
Guitar Hall of Fame. Lynn, who was from Lanett, Alabama
and formerly a "Loom Fixer" there in a cotton mill,
found his way to a musical life through the steel
guitar. He made his way to Nashville in the late 60's
and the 1st day in Nashville he was offered employment
playing steel on the road with the Legendary Wanda
Jackson's "Partytimers " band . He later toured and
recorded with many of the great and legendary stars of
the times. The rest is history. Lynn was the last steel
player for Ernest Tubb and the world famous " Texas
Troubadours " staying in that position for many years.
Lynn still plays regularly for many of the Grand Ole
Opry stars and many of today's "Rockers" such as Kid
Rock and Uncle Kracker and is often seen on venues
nationwide.
In
the Alabama Steel Guitar Hall of Fame Lynn finds himself
in pretty good company as some of the previous inductees
include Don Helms who was Hank Williams steel player,
Julian Tharpe, a master of the 14 string tuning, Lloyd
Green and Jimmy Day who recorded with just about every
one of the greats in Nashville, Curley Chalkker of Hee
Haw Fame , and Mike Johnson who is among the top session
players today. Lynn was the only inductee for 2010 and
he received 100% of the votes from the nominating
committee.
The Alabama Steel Guitar Association " Is very proud to
have Lynn our Hall of Fame" says Bill Cook, President of
the association, " This was a total surprise to Lynn. I
called Lynn and told him I needed his help at our annual
show and he stated that he would do his best to be there
on May 22nd." Lynn performed with some "Opry" acts in
Kentucky on the Friday night before the award show on
the 22nd. Lynn drove all night to Montgomery, Alabama to
perform for what he called "His People", his Alabama
friends. Lynn found out "His People" still love him and
his talent . Lynn has not gotten too big to remember
where his roots were from and he was very humbled by
being inducted into the ASGA Hall of Fame. Lynn's son
Jeremy and other members of his family were in
attendance for Lynn's Honor.
More information on the
Alabama Steel Guitar Association can be found in its
website;
www.AlabamaSteelGuitar.net
September 19th brought
another surprise to Lynn when he was inducted into the
George D. Hay Foundation Music Hall of Fame. This day
Lynn was surrounded by friends, fans, heroes, and many
relatives of the greats of country music, including
family members of Ernest Tubb, Faron Young, Porter
Waggoner, Speck Rhodes, and Uncle Dave Macon. Lynn
stated, " The years in the music business have been
almost like a paid vacation. I am proud to be a part of
this wonderful industry and I am thankful for Ernest
Tubb who gave me many opportunities and who is still
helping me along now even 26 years after his death. And
I am honored to be joining so many of my heros by being
inducted into the Hall of Fame."
The
George D. Hay Foundation Hall of Fame only has one other
steel guitarist to be inducted , the late Don Helms of
Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboys Fame. Bob Ross,
Spokesman and President of the foundation said, "Lynn
has become our second steel guitarist to be inducted and
we are all very proud of him."
Lynn continues to
perform and record and still travels worldwide taking
the steel guitar to the appreciative fans and making new
fans and friends where ever he appears.
Lynn now and for the
last 40 years resides in Hendersonville, Tennessee near
Nashville where he stays active in recording and semi
active in writing. He is a member of the Nashville
Association of Musicians Local #257 and a member of the
American Federation of Musicians.
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