More Women of Steel
Emily Robison
She's the Dixie Chicks' dobro and (once in a while) lap steel player, and sort of redefines the term "lovely and talented." (As in, well, duh!) She and the band also sat in with Asleep At The Wheel on their "Ride With Bob" album, and their cut of "Roly Poly" is fantastic. If you haven't heard it, you gotta.
Interestingly enough, Lloyd Maines plays pedal steel on the Chicks' albums -- he happens to be the father of lead singer Natalie Maines. (Wonder if she ever thought of taking up her dad's instrument?)
Joan Herndon-Cox
She's a regular at steel guitar conventions and shows, and recently was married to another steel player, Johnny Cox. They both have albums available at their website. Joan's is titled: "Not Bad For A Girl."
Irene Kyme
Who says there are no young people taking up the steel? This young Englishwoman (far left) -- all of 18 -- is the steel player for the Okeh Wranglers, a group of family members who play some tasty music. (Irene made it an all-family band when she took over for Lee Jeffriess, later steel player for Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Boys).
The Wranglers toured the U.S. earlier this year; during one of the appearances, young Irene was momentarily barred from the nightclub where the band was to play because she was underage.
And here's some more ...
Diana Keene
Janet Lynn
Another regular on the Steel Guitar Convention circuit
Her album also is available on Tom Bradshaw's website.
Jackie Toney
Patti Maxine
She plays Hawaiian steel -- or "real steel," as she calls it -- in a Western Swing band called "Saddle Up And Boogie," based in Felton, Calif.
She sang for Doc Watson in the '50s, took up lap steel in the early '70s and later graduated to pedal steel.
Are there any female steel players we've missed?
Tell us.