Steel Guitar Rag
Encyclopedia
"Steel Guitar Rag" is the seminal Western swing instrumental credited with popularizing the steel guitar
as an integral instrument in a Western band.
Written by Leon McAuliffe
, it was first recorded by Bob Wills
and The Texas Playboys in 1936. The song stylistically bears a striking resemblance to a popular Hawaiian song
, "On The Beach At Waikiki" (words, G.H. Stover; music, Henry Kailimai; arrangement, Sonny Cunha; 1915), which was widely performed on the vaudeville circuits in the U.S. McAuliffe's composition is likely adapted from "Guitar Rag" recorded by guitarist Sylvester Weaver
in the early 1920s. Many musicians and bands have recorded this instrumental over the years. A recent version was performed by country hall of famer Jimmy Russell.
Steel guitar
Steel guitar is a type of guitar or the method of playing the instrument. Developed in Hawaii in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a steel guitar is usually positioned horizontally; strings are plucked with one hand, while the other hand changes the pitch of one or more strings with the use...
as an integral instrument in a Western band.
Written by Leon McAuliffe
Leon McAuliffe
Leon McAuliffe , born William Leon McAuliffe, was an American Western swing musician from Houston, Texas...
, it was first recorded by Bob Wills
Bob Wills
James Robert Wills , better known as Bob Wills, was an American Western Swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader, considered by music authorities as the co-founder of Western Swing and universally known as the pioneering King of Western Swing.Bob Wills' name will forever be associated with...
and The Texas Playboys in 1936. The song stylistically bears a striking resemblance to a popular Hawaiian song
Music of Hawaii
The music of Hawaii includes an array of traditional and popular styles, ranging from native Hawaiian folk music to modern rock and hip hop. Hawaii's musical contributions to the music of the United States are out of proportion to the state's small size. Styles like slack-key guitar are well-known...
, "On The Beach At Waikiki" (words, G.H. Stover; music, Henry Kailimai; arrangement, Sonny Cunha; 1915), which was widely performed on the vaudeville circuits in the U.S. McAuliffe's composition is likely adapted from "Guitar Rag" recorded by guitarist Sylvester Weaver
Sylvester Weaver
Sylvester Weaver was an American blues guitar player and pioneer of country blues.-Biography:On October 23, 1923, he recorded in New York City with the blues singer Sara Martin "Longing for Daddy Blues" / "I've Got to Go and Leave My Daddy Behind" and two weeks later as a soloist "Guitar Blues" /...
in the early 1920s. Many musicians and bands have recorded this instrumental over the years. A recent version was performed by country hall of famer Jimmy Russell.