Brief Biography of

Carter Steel Guitar Player

Billy Phelps

Monster Pedal Steel Guitarist, Billy Phelps started playing guitar in church at age 4 with his brothers. By the time Billy was 12 years old, he was touring professionally with Tex Ritter, as well as playing with various artists in Nashville, including 18 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry.

Billy's first interest in pedal steel guitar came when he was 15 years old and met Gary Boggs, who later became George Jones' steel player. Billy was so enthralled by the steel guitar that he traded his bass guitar for a Sho-Bud Maverick right away and played his first steel guitar gig less than 6 months later! Soon after, he met steel guitar legend, Julian Tharpe, who became Billy's teacher and friend.

Billy went on to play with many of Nashville's top artists, including Billy Crash Craddock, Kenny Price, Gene Watson, Crystal Gayle, Mel Street, and Dave Dudley. Billy later worked at WENO radio in Nashville while touring with his own band and opening for such acts as Barbara Mandrell, Larry Gatlin, Jack Greene, and Bill Anderson.

Following his marriage in 1976, Billy moved to Ohio and signed with Capitol Records and the Wheeling, West Virginia Jamboree. Later, he started another band, Full Circle, which played around the USA.

Since 1985, Billy and his wife, Patty, have lived in Midland, Texas where he teaches, does recording, and runs his own music business, Full Circle Music. Billy developed Full Circle Soundtracks and became the first to offer practice rhythm tracks on CD and Sony Mini-Disc for pedal steel guitarists.

Occasionally, Billy plays for Ray Price and performs on many of the steel guitar shows in the USA and Europe. In 1999, he played the Main Show at the world's largest steel guitar show, the International Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. In March 2000, Billy was named Texas Steel Guitar Player of the Year. Also, Billy tours and records with Canadian artist, Brian Sklar.

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