From: First Generation Records / Creative and Dreams Music Network

Nashville, TN
July 20, 2012

On the 29th day of July in 1988, the Nashville music community lost one its most influential members. Pete Drake – steel guitar legend and renowned producer – left us 24 years ago, and he is still missed by musicians, music professionals and music lovers every day. His mark on the world of music is indelible and his legacy is still growing!

Drake visited Nashville as a teenager and was turned on by Jerry Byrd’s playing. He began learning steel guitar in 1951 at the age of 19, and less than a decade later , in ‘59, had moved to Nashville and was playing as a session musician. He hit the road touring with some of country’s most popular artists, and then decided to land in Middle Tennessee for good.

During the early ‘60s, Pete Drake cut several records and earned the nickname “King of the Talking Steel Guitar” with his hit “Forever.” In 1962, he began a successful publishing company, and by 1970 had earned quite the reputation as a producer. Pete founded First Generation Records in ‘77 with Ernest Tubb, going on to work with Stonewall Jackson, Dottie West, and many more top country stars.

We are talking about the man who introduced the steel guitar into rock music, with Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, and Carl Perkins. He gave Peter Frampton his own creation which musicians so aptly call a “talkbox,” played on George Harrison’s “All Tings Must Pass,” and records with Bob Dylan, including “Nashville Skyline.” It is a safe bet that if a person has ever turned on a radio, they have heard Pete’s playing.

He continues to influence the music world, after all these years. Former steel player for Moe Bandy, Robert Rogers said, “Pete was such an innovator… it’s, really, it’s hard to put into words… just so much, if he could only know the impact [Pete made]… I’m sure he’d be very proud.”

According to Steve Chandler, who was a close friend and recording engineer with Drake for years, the source of Pete’s influence was that he was “such an individual,” in character, person and musicianship. “No other had the effect [that Pete] had… and everything had a signature sound.” Pete Drake had a directness and honesty – never cold, just to the point – that earned him respect, Chandler and others have said, to the point that “well, David Allen Coe called him, ‘Sir’ .”

As the 29th approaches and our thoughts turn toward Pete Drake, we also think of all the people whose lives have been touched by his. Everyone who ever knew him, all the musicians that felt his work, friends and the people he worked with all still show their respect. Rose Drake and everyone at First Generation and C.D.M.N. want them to know that we appreciate them all! As we move farther into this new millenium, we feel Pete’s influence still growing, and we look forward to bringing you many more years of fantastic music and artists with that “signature” sound of love and music.

release by: C Bret Campbell – ©2012 Creative and Dreams Music Network