b. Augusta, Georgia, October 8, 1932; d. July 29, 1988

Nashville Cat

At age eighteen, Pete Drake heard steel guitarist Jerry Byrd on the Grand Ole Opry during a trip to Nashville. Duly inspired, Drake purchased a steel guitar in an Atlanta pawnshop. The decision not only changed his life, but impacted the sound of country and rock music.

In Atlanta, Drake formed a band that, at various times, included future country stars Jack Greene, Doug Kershaw, Roger Miller, Jerry Reed, and Joe South. After arriving in Nashville, in 1959, Drake contributed to Roy Drusky’s 1960 hit “Anymore” and quickly became one of Nashville’s most prominent steel guitarists, playing on countless country hits. The pedal steel he added to Bob Dylan’s 1967 album, John Wesley Harding, helped set the stage for country flavored rock albums. Drake went on to record with many Dylan contemporaries, including Joan Baez, Ian & Sylvia, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, and George Harrison.

As a producer, Drake worked with rockers Tracy Nelson, Leon Russell, and Ringo Starr as well as on country albums by the Oak Ridge Boys, Ernest Tubb, and Slim Whitman. He also founded Stop Records, which released albums by Johnny Bush, the Jordanaires, and George Morgan. He brought the “talking” steel guitar, which amplified words through a tube running from his mouth to his instrument.

Ringo Starr, Beaucoups of Blues, 1970

Ringo Starr, Beaucoups of Blues, 1970

George Harrison, All Things Must Pass, 1970

Listen to Pete Drake

Now Playing
Behind That Locked Door – George Harrison

Selected Songs

George Harrison, “Behind That Locked Door” (George Harrison)
The musicians featured on this recording are Pete Drake, pedal steel guitar; George Harrison, acoustic guitar; Gary Wright, piano; Billy Preston, organ; Klaus Voormann, bass; Alan White, drums.
From the album All Things Must Pass, 1970. Produced by George Harrison and Phil Spector at Abbey Road Studios, London.

Bob Dylan, “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight” (Bob Dylan)
The musicians featured on this recording are Pete Drake, pedal steel guitar; Bob Dylan, harmonica; Charlie McCoy, bass; Kenny Buttrey, drums.
From the album John Wesley Harding, 1967. Produced by Bob Johnston at Columbia Studios, Nashville.

Tracy Nelson, “Why, Why, Why” (Buck Owens, Dolly Parton)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Pete Drake, pedal steel guitar; Johnny Gimble, fiddle; Shorty Lavender, fiddle; Jack Drake, bass; D.J. Fontana, drums.
From the album Mother Earth Presents Tracy Nelson Country, 1969. Produced by Pete Drake, Scotty Moore, and Travis Rivers at Music City Recorders, Nashville.

Ringo Starr, “Waiting” (Chuck Howard)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Pete Drake, pedal steel guitar; Jim Buchanan, fiddle; Shorty Lavender, fiddle; Junior Huskey, bass; the Jordanaires, backing vocals.
From the album Beaucoups of Blues, 1970. Produced by Pete Drake at Music City Recorders, Nashville.

Leon Russell, “Wild Horses” (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Pete Drake, pedal steel guitar; Leon Russell, piano.
Single, 1974. Produced by Leon Russell at Pete’s Place, Nashville.

Tammy Wynette, “Apartment #9” (Bobby Austin, Johnny Paycheck)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Pete Drake, pedal steel guitar; Jerry Kennedy, guitar; Pig Robbins, piano.
From the album Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad, 1967. Produced by Billy Sherrill at Columbia Studios, Nashville.

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