Pedal Steel Guitarist for Remote Sessions and Online Recording for Hire- Fly You Tracks

Looking for the perfect pedal steel session player to elevate your latest track or album? Meet Jon Jimmerson—a full-time Nashville music producer and touring guitarist with Sony PlayStation The Concert. A versatile musician, Jon has shared the stage with artists like Larry Fleet, Neon Union, Shay Mooney, Carrie Underwood, and many more. He has completed hundreds of remote sessions with a professional setup that allows him to deliver polished pedal steel, lap steel, dobro, lead guitar, mandolin, banjo, and keys right to your inbox. Ready to bring the magic of Nashville’s music scene to your project? Reach out to Jon Jimmerson today for a quote and experience the unmatched touch of his steel guitar from anywhere in the world.

Pedal Steel for Singer Songwriter Session

If you’re in search of the perfect pedal steel player to add that authentic, soulful touch to your next song or album, Jon Jimmerson is your go-to musician

Pedal Steel for Americana Session

With a professional-grade setup, Jon can deliver pristine, studio-quality tracks to you no matter where you are in the world. Whether you need a taste of Nashville’s classic charm or an innovative sound to set your music apart, Jon’s session work guarantees the quality and character your music deserves.

Steel Guitar for Modern Country

Jon’s pedal steel captures the heart of modern country with expressive slides and hooks that elevate any track to commercial quality.

Whether it’s a radio single or a heartfelt ballad, his playing delivers the signature Nashville sound that defines today’s country music.

CCM Pedal Steel

Jon specializes in recording pedal steel for Contemporary Christian Music (CCM), adding warmth, emotion, and atmosphere that perfectly complements worship and inspirational songs. His playing blends seamlessly with modern CCM production, enhancing both live worship tracks and studio projects with authenticity and soul.

CCM Steel and Guitar

Jon provides professional steel and guitar recording, combining the soulful touch of pedal steel with the energy and precision of acoustic and electric guitar. This versatility allows him to shape songs across genres, delivering the authentic Nashville sound your project deserves.

Rock Pedal Steel

Jon’s pedal steel adds a unique edge to rock tracks, cutting through distorted guitars while adding melodic depth and texture. Blending soaring steel lines with driving rock riffs, his playing brings a fresh, dynamic dimension to modern rock productions.

Americana Pedal Steel

Jon’s pedal steel brings warmth and character to Americana recordings, perfectly complementing acoustic instruments and storytelling vocals.

With soulful phrasing and authentic Nashville tone, his playing elevates Americana tracks, adding depth, emotion, and timeless musicality.

Alternative Pedal Steel

Jon’s pedal steel pushes the boundaries of alternative music, creating unique textures and atmospheric layers that transform any track.

From experimental sounds to edgy riffs, his playing adds a fresh, modern twist to alternative productions while maintaining expressive musicality.

Playing Pedal Steel with Carrie Underwood

Nashville, is full of great musician and amazing singers. Carrie is a wonderful talent. This was at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN.

Country Pedal Steel Guitar

If you are wanting to have a country sound, you need a steel guitar. No country band is complete without one.

Pedal Steel for CCM Music/ Christian Music

Pedal steel can be great for CCM/ Christian Music. It can fit anywhere in the mix unlike most instruments.

Nashville Pedal Steel Guitarist

Nashville has high standards for pedal steel players. It is after all, the pedal steel capital of the world.

Steel Guitarist in Nashville for Remote Studio Sessions and Online Recording

Steel guitar can be exactly what you need on your record. Most people are very familiar with the sound even if they don't know what a pedal steel is. Genre wise, you can fit it into any genre. Examples of some country players would be- Paul Franklin, Doug Jernigan, Tommy White, Loyd Green, Buddy Emmons, etc. Some great examples of rock and r &b players would be- Russ Pahl, Robert Randolph, Jerry Douglas, etc. Steel guitar is also widely used in Americana, Folk, Bluegrass, Singersongwriter, Jazz, and many more genres. Make sure that you have pedal steel on your next track/ album.

Ways to Use the Pedal Steel in a Track

1. Solos and Fills- The steel guitar is a lick machine. It sustains better than any instrument at clean levels and sounds the most like the human voice. It is a great instrument for leads.

2. Pads/ Ambient- Steel guitar is the best instrument for pads and ambient sounds. It takes pedals very well and because of the clean, sustainy sounds it goes well with delay and reverb.

3. Texture- There are a lot of notes in a pedal steel guitar. Possibly more than a piano. Therefore, the steel guitar can work around other players and find a sonic space that isn't being occupied. The role of the pedal steel in modern uses is best described as two female background singers.

4. B3/ Leslie/ Organ Sounds- Most organ pedals work better for steel than they do for guitar. JJ uses the B9 by Electroharmonix. Also, Leslie speakers work well for steel guitar. Jon frequently uses one of those for sessions. Rusty Young perfected this sound better than anyone.

5. Slide Guitar- Steel guitar can imitate slide guitar and in many ways, make a better sound. There's a lot more harmony options and more notes to choose from.

6. Overdrive/ Distortion- Pedal steel takes to overdrive, distortion, and fuzz very well. It can rock as hard as anything out there.

Recording a record online is one of the best things you can do for your track. First of all, remote session work is growing since technology for recording is becoming more accessible to the average person. Your remote recording journey will be a learning experience, but it will bring you more enjoyment and save you money in the long run. If you are a studio engineer or producer at a studio, even better.

The steel guitar is a type of guitar that is played horizontally, with the strings facing upward, using a slide or a metal bar to fret the strings. There are different variations of steel guitars, including pedal steel, lap steel, and dobro, each with its unique features:

Pedal Steel Guitar: This type of steel guitar is equipped with pedals and knee levers that allow the player to change the pitch of certain strings while playing, creating a smooth and fluid sound. Pedal steel guitars are often used in country and western music.
Lap Steel Guitar: Played on the player's lap, this type of steel guitar typically has a solid body and is played with a metal or glass slide. It produces a distinctive smooth and gliding sound. Lap steel guitars are used in various genres, including blues and Hawaiian music.
Dobro: Short for "Dopyera Brothers," the dobro is a type of resonator guitar with a metal resonator cone. It is played with a slide and is known for its distinctive metallic and twangy sound. Dobros are often used in bluegrass and folk music.

The steel guitar's unique playing style and the ability to produce sliding and bending notes contribute to its characteristic sound, making it a popular choice in various musical genres.

Rock Pedal Steel Guitar

Steel guitar can rock just as hard has normal guitar. Pedal steel's distort rather nicely.

Pedal Steel for Hawaiian Music

Pedal steel as well as lap steel, are great for Hawaiian music. JJ can play either for you.

Pedal Steel for Folk, Country, Bluegrass, and Americana

Pedal steel obviously, sound great in country, folk, and bluegrass. Whatever your needs are, we can help.

Pedal Steel for Western Swing

Western swing always sound better with a pedal steel in the mix.

Pedal Steel Sessions for Nashville Singer-Songwriters and Artists Nationwide

Few instruments capture emotion quite like the pedal steel guitar. Its vocal-like movement, warmth, and atmosphere can completely transform a song—especially for singer-songwriters looking to create something authentic and memorable. At JJ Music, we provide professional pedal steel sessions for both local Nashville singer-songwriters and artists recording from anywhere in the country.

Whether you’re cutting tracks in Music City or producing remotely from another state, JJ Music delivers tasteful, musical pedal steel parts designed to elevate your song—not overpower it.

👉 Learn more about JJ Music:
https://www.guitaristandpedalsteelplayernashville.com/

👉 Explore session recording services:
https://www.guitaristandpedalsteelplayernashville.com/session-player-recording/

Why Pedal Steel Matters for Singer-Songwriters

For many singer-songwriters, the goal isn’t just making a song sound bigger—it’s making it feel more emotional and alive. Pedal steel guitar excels at this. A well-played steel part can:

Add movement and emotion between vocal phrases
Create cinematic transitions and swells
Support choruses without cluttering the arrangement
Bring warmth and authenticity to acoustic-driven tracks

At JJ Music, pedal steel tracks are recorded with restraint, taste, and intentionality. Every note is played to support the lyric and emotional direction of the song.

Pedal Steel Sessions for Nashville Artists

Nashville is filled with incredible songwriters, but finding the right session player still matters. JJ works directly with local artists, producers, and studios to provide professional pedal steel guitar sessions that fit naturally into modern country, Americana, folk, CCM, and indie productions.

Because JJ is also a producer and multi-instrumentalist, he understands how pedal steel should interact with:

Acoustic guitars
Electric guitar layers
Vocals and harmonies
Drums, bass, and keys

This bigger-picture understanding helps create parts that enhance the arrangement instead of fighting for space.

👉 Learn more about production services here:
https://www.guitaristandpedalsteelplayernashville.com/experienced-music-producer-for-hire/

Remote Pedal Steel Sessions for Artists Out of State

You don’t have to live in Nashville to get Nashville-quality pedal steel tracks. JJ Music works with artists and producers nationwide through a streamlined remote recording process.

Here’s how it works:

Send your demo, stems, or rough mix
Discuss the direction and feel of the track
JJ records custom pedal steel parts
Receive clean, mix-ready WAV files delivered online

Whether you’re recording from Texas, California, Florida, or anywhere else, JJ Music makes it easy to hire a professional remote pedal steel session player without sacrificing quality or communication.

More Than Just Pedal Steel

While pedal steel is a specialty, JJ Music also offers additional session instruments to complete your track, including:

Lap steel
Dobro
Acoustic guitar
Lead electric guitar
Baritone guitar
Mandolin and banjo

This allows artists to create a cohesive, layered sound with one trusted session musician.

👉 Explore all services here:
https://www.guitaristandpedalsteelplayernashville.com/

Nashville-Level Feel, Wherever You Record

Great pedal steel playing isn’t about flashy licks—it’s about feel, dynamics, and knowing when to leave space. That’s what JJ Music brings to every session.

Whether you’re a local Nashville songwriter or an artist recording from across the country, JJ Music provides professional pedal steel sessions that bring depth, emotion, and authenticity to your music.

B3 Sounds Using a Pedal Steel Guitar

Steel guitar is very diverse and it is able to create great organ sounds. Rusty Young was a great proponent of the B3 sound on steel.

Using an Ebow on a Pedal Steel

Ebows work just as well on steel guitars as normal guitar. Plus, the steel guitar has the added benefit of slide, pedals, and more notes.

Ambient Steel Guitar Pads

Pedal steel is great for pads. It sustains really well which makes it great for pads.

Country and Bluegrass Pedal Steel

This is a clip of some country and bluegrass pedal steel.

Pedal Steel for Country Music Session Player

Country music means many different things now. Older country has a certain sound that is different from Modern Country. Either way, you are going to want a pedal steel that sounds fitting to the style of music that you are playing. In older country music the pedal steel was trying to make a statement and had more leeway to use a variety of licks. In modern country, the steel is used more for texture and pads. If you are interested or have questions contact JJ about what kind of approach you should have for your pedal steel sounds on the record.

If you are interested in getting a country sound for your songs contact Jon. He also plays dobro, lap steel, and guitar. Combined with pedal steel, making your song sound more country will be no problem. JJ knows a lot of session players in Nashville, TN so you need more instruments like fiddle, drums, etc. then he can help. He also knows plenty of mixing and mastering engineers to recommend.

Americana and Singersongwriter Steel Guitar

Americana is a great genre to used pedal steel in.

Pedal Steel for Rock and R&B

Steel guitar is great for rock and R&B music. Pedal steel take overdrive very well. If you want a Robert Randolph type sound the steel would be great for that.

Lap Steel for Worship Music

Here is a cover of Rising Sun by All Sons and Daughters.

What Are Some Great Pedal Steel Guitars?

Most guitarists at some point in their life want to take up pedal steel guitar. They usually ask what kind of steel guitars are avalible for purchase. Here are a few options-

1. Mullen- https://mullenguitars.com/

Notable Player- Tommy White and Robert Randolph

2. Show Pro- https://www.showprosteelguitars.com/

Notable Player- Russ Pahl (they have a Russ Pahl model that is absolutely amazing).

3. Sho Bud- http://www.sho-bud.com/ (they make a Loyd Green model).

Notable Players- Loyd Green and many players in history

4. Derby- no website since the owner has passed. These are wonderful pedal steel that stay in tune very well. They sound and feel like an Emmons pedal steel.

5. Zum- https://steelguitarforum.com/Forum5/HTML/008737.html

Notable Player- Doug Jernigan

6. Emmons- https://www.emmonsguitar.co/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmZejBhC_ARIsAGhCqncHEo3AYUOwhVyQmJUXK0YsaV_QtM66xNHxV-SCUFMGcyEGYWGmgQ0aAmVbEALw_wcB

Notable Players- Buddy Emmons, Bruce Bouton, and many other steel players.

7. MSA- https://msapedalsteels.com/

Conclusion- Buying a used steel guitar can be ok but a new one will be a safer option. If you are going to be a used steel guitar you can find one in your area (that is what JJ would recommend) or you could go on the pedal steel forum. Most used steel guitars will need some sort of fix and a brand new one while more expensive, comes ready to be played. Shipping a steel is also a risky business and most players selling a used one will not pack it correctly. Buying from a dealer is a safer option. If however, if you want to save a few buck you could buy one used in your local area if you have a pedal steel repair expert around. If you don't and you are not handy, Jon would not recommend it. Avoid shipping pedal steel at all costs. JJ has an MSA Classic that he uses for fly dates but he keeps his nicer steels at home.

Online Pedal Steel Session Player for Hire

It is important to hire a real professional for your pedal steel sounds especially if it is an online session. Most steel players in the area you live in may not be the right fit for your steel guitar recording needs. Most musicians are not great recording professionals. That is why you want to make sure that you get the best session playing possible for your record.

Here is a list of equipment and skill sets that are needed to record great steel guitar tracks-

1. Tuning- steel guitars sound terrible if they are not in tune. There are many different components that go into playing in tune with a steel guitar. A few to mention are- bar placement, mechanical function of the guitar, corrosion, bar grip, tempered tuning, effects that are wet such as ones with modulation, strings, etc.

2. Timing- this is a musicians ability to play with good timing. There isn't much to say about this except year of practice will help.

3. Tone/ EQ- getting a good tone and sound for steel guitar can be tricky. Some steels are very midrangy and that works for a lot of tracks but not for all. Therefore, there's a great deal of thought that goes into getting good tone. First of all, it's mostly in the hands and how the player plays. Second, having a variety of amps to choose from helps. Also, having a good room with great acoustic contributes to great tone.

4. Gear- There's a lot of gear out there but in order to get a good recording here are a few basics that your steel professional should have- interface, variety of amps, great room preferably with high ceilings and hardwood floors, great steel that stays in tune, pedals for all of the necessary sounds, great accessories for steel such as finger picks/ bar...,reliable computer, great plugins, preamps, etc.

5. Discernment- most novice steel players play too much when they record. They do not know how to take up a sonic space without interfering with the song. A professional will be able to shred when the track allows but mostly serve the song. Pedal steel players tend to be bad at this in recording especially if they are used to playing in a country cover band. Finding your space is very important in a track. Watch this video of Bruce Bouton to get more information on that- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaD-4w6xbeg&t=772s

Steel Guitar for Session Work

This is a clip of JJ playing an overdriven part with some ambience.

Pedal Steel Session Player

Here is a sound of JJ playing with the Chandler Brown Band at AJ's Good Time Bar and Grill in Nashville, TN.

Steel Guitarist in Nashville, TN

JJ is a steel guitarist in Nashville, TN.

Pedal Steel Session Player

JJ owns several steels that he uses for live and session playin. His main steels are an MSA Classic and a Derby D10. The MSA is great for more of the modern steel sounds such as Ryan Adams, Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead, Riders of the Purple Sage, etc. This is because it is a little more treble with a dipped mid range. The Derby is great for the sounds that most people would associate with country music since it has more mid range and sounds warmer. The Derby is also a double neck. Most steel players use the second neck on the steel for a C6 tuning. This tuning is great for western swing and jazz. Jon likes using his E9th neck for that. Instead, Jon uses the second neck for open D. This gives him more sounds for rock and r&b. These sound would be like Robert Randolph and Derek Trucks. It can also do harder rock since the lowest notes are like a drop d on a guitar for power chords.

Modern Steel Guitar Session Work

The pedal steel guitar is similar to the piano in that it has quite a bit more notes at its disposal than most instruments. This means that whatever kind of needs you have in your track can be met by the sonic diversity of the steel guitar. Pedal steel can even emulate a B3 organ if desired. It is great for ambient playing and most anything else you need.

Pedal Steel Session Player and Musician

Steel Guitar Americana and Singersongwriter

This is a clip of my playing steel guitar Chandler Brown in Nashville, TN at AJ's Bar and Grill

Country Pedal Steel Playing

This is a clip of JJ doing a country pedal steel solo at AJs Bar and Grill in Nashville, TN.

Double Neck Derby D10

One of JJ's favorite pedal steel guitars is his Derby D10.

Guitar and Pedal Steel Tracking

This is a video of JJ's recording for guitar and pedal steel.

Pedal Steel, Guitar, Dobro, and Lap Steel Utility Musician (Multi- Instrumentalist)