Like the mandolin in bluegrass and the fiddle in Texas swing, the pedal steel guitar has been the defining sound in Nashville country music since the 1950s. In the 70s it fell into the hands of some hippie-cowboy bands from California, notably the Flying Burrito Brothers (Sneaky Pete Kleinow) and Poco (Randy Meisner), whose recordings are worth checking out.

IMHO, a well-played pedal steel solo is one of the most exciting things in country music. Plus, the thing can only be played by a very specific sort of sub-genius, requiring as it does the coordination of two hands, two knees AND two feet.

Cheers,
Michael