Robby Turner | |
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Born | April 7, 1962 |
Genres | Country music |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Pedal steel guitar, bass, resonator guitar, mandolin |
Years active | 1976–present |
Associated acts | Waylon Jennings, The Highwaymen, Dixie Chicks |
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.
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. 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.
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 Vaughn. He has also performed and recorded with contemporary artists, such as Chris Stapleton and Sturgill Simpson.
In 1989, Turner recorded and toured with The Highwaymen (Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. From this came a friendship with Jennings and his wife Jessi Colter lasting until Jennings' death in 2002.