Jay Dee Maness - "California Steel"
One of the "unknown" players everybody has heard on countless records, but whose name is only known to Steel Guitar Lovers, is Jay Dee Maness. Talk about Eric Clapton's "Tears In Heaven", Ray Stevens' "Misty" or the legendary Country Rock Album of the Byrds "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" (together with Lloyd Green), he was on Steel Guitar! In 1974 he replaced Tom Brumley for a short stint with Buck Owens and the Buckaroos, in the 1980's he was a member of the Desert Rose Band, a successful group organized by California musical veteran Chris Hillman.
Besides his work in the studio and on the road, Jay Dee Maness also participated in landmark instrumental albums like "Pacific Steel Company" and "Suite Steel", together with other great players like Buddy Emmons, Tom Brumley, Rusty Young and Red Rhodes.
Jay Dee Maness is a member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.
Jay Dee Maness and Walter Stettner