Pioneers Page

Lorenzo is the Father of the Jewell Dominion steel guitar music tradition. As a young man Lorenzo accompanied the Overseer, Chief Jewell, as she traveled the country setting up and establishing churches in the early days of the organization. During a time of great racial oppression in this country, Lorenzo’s music brought joy and inspiration during the era of "Outside Tent Meetings".

His desire was to use his God given gift to make music for the Lord. Lorenzo influenced the style, sound and direction of this music, producing a network of accomplished African American steel guitar players spread across the United States. His musical influence was so great that it can still be heard inside of the church by many who are carrying his tradition on.

James “Tubby Golden” was born in Warren Ohio on December 22,1937. His contribution to this tradition has given him a seat along side of other Jewell Dominion steel guitar legends. Tubby created his own signature sound and was one of the few pedal steel guitarist in the Jewell Dominion church. Tubby began to experiment with other styles and tunings thus developing his own technique.

Lorenzo was a mentor to Tubby and taught him the basics and Tubby used it as a launching pad to develop his own style. Every true musician must find their own way of musical expression unto the Lord, it is a personal thing. Tubby is one of the true Legends of the Jewell Dominion steel guitar tradition, and as such his works will continue to live on through us.

Henry Wayne White - born to Son Henry White and Mary Jane Hartwell of Detroit, Michigan. Wayne White is a master of this steel guitar tradition and actually played rhythm guitar years before even considering the steel guitar. Around 1957 or 1958, Sonny Treadway (another steel guitar master) taught Wayne rhythm guitar so they could play together in the local church services.

In 1965 while dating his future wife, Drucilla (Warren) White a Toledo, Ohio native, Wayne was encouraged to learn the steel by Clifford (Buddy) Warren. After taking a serious interest in the steel, Wayne began to follow in the footsteps of Felton Williams Jr., and Lorenzo Harrison. Wayne’s youthful style of playing inspired other young steel players in the Michigan and Ohio church districts to continue on the tradition.

Fred Neal is on record as one of the earliest steel players to travel with Chief Jewell. In 1939 at the age of 17 years old Chief Jewell heard Fred play in Corinth, Mississippi and was very impressed. Mora Neal, Fred’s mother, allowed her son to traveled with Chief. Fred traveled and played for the church from 1939 to 1953, after which he relocated to Los Angeles, California.

He continued to play at the local church in Los Angeles and loved playing steel guitar with a passion. Many people were touched by his anointed style of playing. People would come to the Los Angeles church just to hear him play. The spirit of God moved through the church as he played skillfully. He would even get happy himself while playing and would holler out!!

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan to Deacon Phillip and Elder Ruby Hall, this multi- talented musician plays both the steel and rhythm guitar fluently. He became interested in playing music around age eight or nine, but it wasn’t until 1953 that Ronnie began playing consistently for the Ecorse, Michigan Church of the Living God. It was here that he began to shine and develop his own style while yet staying true to his roots in the Jewell Dominion Steel Guitar Tradition.

In 1973, Ronnie bought his first Fender eight-string steel guitar (pictured above). He favors this Steel over others in his vast collection of string instruments. His early influences were Teacher Felton Williams Jr. and Bishop Lorenzo Harrison also of the Jewell Dominion Steel Guitar Tradition. Bishop Hall began preaching the Gospel thirty-nine years ago and has been Senior Pastor of the Mt. Carmel Full Gospel Assemblies Inc. for twenty-nine years.

His responsibilities are many and at the tender age of sixty three, finds himself continuing on the Steel Guitar Legacy that he was exposed to as a child. Ronnie hasn’t lost his touch or desire to make a Joyful Noise on the String Instruments.