Robby Turner is an American pedal steel guitarist, best known for his work with Waylon Jennings and his contributions to recordings by many other artists.

Robby Turner
Born (1962-04-07) April 7, 1962 (age 62)
GenresCountry, country rock
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Pedal steel guitar, bass, resonator guitar, mandolin
Years active1976–present

Biography

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Early years

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Turner grew up in a musical family; his parents Doyle and Bernice Turner played in Hank Williams' band The Drifting Cowboys from 1944 until 1946.[1] At age six, Turner played drums in his father's band, and at age nine he played drums for the Wilburn Brothers. Turner began playing the pedal steel guitar at age ten, and at age twelve was the youngest musician chosen by Shot Jackson to endorse and represent the Sho-Bud pedal steel guitar. In 1976, at age 14, he performed with Ace Cannon's band.[2]

Music career

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In his career, Turner has played, recorded, and toured with a number of artists, including George Jones, Chet Atkins, Loretta Lynn, B. B. King, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He has also performed and recorded with contemporary artists, such as Chris Stapleton[3] and Sturgill Simpson.[4]

In 1989, Turner recorded and toured with The Highwaymen (Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson.[5] From this came a friendship with Jennings and his wife Jessi Colter lasting until Jennings' death in 2002.[6][7]

Turner toured the United States, Europe, and Australia with the Dixie Chicks in 2003 on their "Top of the World" tour.[8]

Turner produces and records in his studio Turner-Up Recording, in Nashville, which is where Waylon Jennings recorded 2012's Goin' Down Rockin': The Last Recordings.[9]

Discography

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Solo recordings

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  • 1996: Man of Steel (self-released)
  • 1998: Steel Country (self-released)

As producer

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Also appears on

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1990 - 1999

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2000 - 2009

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2010 - 2019

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References

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  1. ^ Lentz III, Harris M. (May 20, 2014). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2013. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. ISBN 9780786476657. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  2. ^ Philip Martin (June 19, 2016). "As Highwaymen, Four Legends Just Couldn't Match Solo Works". Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  3. ^ Courtney E. Smith (April 28, 2016). "Q&A: Chris Stapleton Brings Outsider Influences to Nashville". Radio.com. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  4. ^ Davis Inman (April 26, 2013). "Sturgill Simpson: Man Of The Hour". American Songwriter. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  5. ^ Rick Gables (May 23, 2016). "American Masters Presents World Premiere of "The Highwaymen: Friends Till the End"". TV Weekly Now. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  6. ^ Randy Lewis (January 5, 1994). "Round Trip Has Some Ups, Downs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
  7. ^ Jennings, Waylon; Lenny Kaye (June 27, 2009). Waylon: An Autobiography. Grand Central. ISBN 9780446562379. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  8. ^ Gene Stout (November 24, 2003). "This Week's Hot Pick: Dixie Chicks' 'Top of the World Live'". Seattle Times. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  9. ^ "Waylon Jennings: The 'Last Recordings' Of A Dreamer". NPR. October 2, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  10. ^ Andy Langer (September 12, 2012). "Not Fade Away". Texas Monthly. Retrieved September 27, 2017.
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