This was interesting to happen across. A full store dedicated to the pedal steel, right in my home state to boot. Billy Cooper's Steel Guitars

I don't have a clue how to play the pedal steel, but is there a better instrument? Ok, maybe a few, but are there a lot of better instruments?

I often think of a friend of mine who played in a fine honky tonk band for several years. My friend was the singer and guitarist, so he isn't the focus of the tale. The pedal steel player was some dude who was kind of a non-entity who disappeared for a year and then resurfaced as a professional level pedal steel player. I think he sold his soul to the devil, but do not have independent confirmation of this. (My friend thinks he just practiced a lot--sure like that ever helps!)

So I periodically think about the Pedal Steel and about selling my soul to devil. He won't give me a hand on the bajo, but maybe he likes country music. (The Devil fears Mexicans, that much is clear).

I think perhaps the best part of the Billy Cooper Pedal Steel store is not the huge array of pedal steels, it is his profession of faith (see the little tab on the upper right).

" We are so pleased to have you stop by our website. You must have a passionate interest in the steel guitar, as we do. We realize, though, that the things of this world will eventually fade away. We would like to introduce you to the One Who can give you eternal life and eternal happiness.

1.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". Matthew 6:19-21.

2.

"The world and its desires pass away, but the (one) who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:17. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16.

3.

"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."** Romans 10:13.

4.

..Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9.

**If you have just received Jesus Christ, we encourage you to grow with Him by reading the Bible and going to a church that preaches from the Bible and believes it to be the inspired Word of God. If you have any questions about this matter, we would feel privileged to help you in any way we can.





Sincerely in Christ,
Billy & Wanda Cooper"

Ah yes, Virginia. It is so easy to forget how things are when you are walking through the clouds of marijuana smoke in Berkeley.*




* that is literally true, but the way, people smoke openly all over the place with little consequence that I can see.