Fiddles, banjos, and guitars have long been commonplace in country music. However, a pedal steel guitar brings a whole new layer of emotional depth to your favorite country song. First used in 19th-century Hawaii, the instrument gained popularity in the U.S. during the first half of the 20th century. On this day (Jan. 25) in 1924, Wesley Webb “Speedy” West—the genre’s first steel guitarist to ever incorporate pedals—was born in Springfield, Missouri.
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How Speedy West Earned His Nickname
Growing up on a farm 10 miles east of Springfield, Speedy West first became acquainted with the steel guitar at a young age thanks to some neighbor boys who played. In fact, his stunning alacrity on the instrument is what earned him the nickname “Speedy” from other local country artists.
“The name stuck, and I think it had a lot to do with my career,” he said in a 2002 interview with the National Association of Music Merchants…