Jeff Newman (January 7, 1942 – April 7, 2004) was an American country musician who played the pedal steel guitar. He was a veteran Nashville session player. Together with his wife, Fran, he operated the Jeffran College of Pedal Steel Guitar outside Nashville for many years. His "Top Gun" boot camp (one on one instruction for five days) was an exceptional learning experience. His instructional material remains available through Steel Guitars Canada and popular as of 2017. Newman was inducted into the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1999.
Career
He started a school for steel guitar players in Nashville Tennessee which carried his name.[1] Newman said that The Jeffran College of Pedal Steel Guitar was the only school of its kind in the world.[2]
Newman appeared on the cover of Steel Guitarist Magazine #3 in September 1979. The magazine called Newman, "Steel's Foremost Instructor".[3]
Death
Newman was an airplane pilot, and he died on April 7, 2004, while trying to land an aircraft in Watertown, Tennessee. While he was attempting to land the plane it began spiraling and he lost control. He was the only person on the plane.[4] Newman had a commercial pilot license and was piloting his Ultralight aircraft.[5]
Discography
- Music to Get C6th By; pedal steel instructional record, Jeffran Music, 1969
- Steelin Feelin; pedal steel instructional record and book, Jeffran Music, 1970?
- Slidin' Smoke (with dobro player Mike Auldridge), Rounder Records, 1978
- Music To Steel By; pedal steel instructional record and book, Jeffran Music, 1969
References
- ↑ Hoffard, Vince (11 January 2007). "Priebe Brothers Hitting The Stage Again". Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ↑ "Jeff Newman is Steel Guitar Prof". Sun-News. 3 June 1979. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ↑ "Jeff Newman Steel's Foremost Instructor". No. 3. Steel Guitarist Magazine. September 1979.
- ↑ "Steel Guitarist Newman Dies in Plane Crash". Viacom International Inc. CMT. 8 April 2004. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ↑ Cooper, Peter (8 April 2004). "Steel Guitarist Newman Dies Trying to Land Small Plane". The Tennessean. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
External links
- Jeffran College, Newman's instructional website
- Steel Guitars Canada, Jeff's Instructional Material
- Video Jeff Newman - Right Hand Alpha course sample