On Sunday February 6, 2011, Robert Stone, author of Sacred Steel:  Inside an African American Steel Guitar Tradition, will join members of the Campbell Brothers for a panel discussion of the steel guitar in gospel music at 1:30 p.m. in Julia Morgan’s historic Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, California. 

The Campbell Brothers band features two steel guitarists, Chuck and Darick Campbell, who are virtuosic performers in the House of God, Keith Dominion church tradition, where the steel guitar has reigned supreme for about seven decades.  Chuck Campbell received the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2004 for his artistic excellence and contributions in shaping the House of God musical tradition. 

The event is part of a three-day series of concerts, discussions, and film screenings celebrating the 50th anniversary of Arhoolie Records, one of America’s most important roots music labels. The Campbell Brothers will also perform in an evening concert at the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison Street, Berkeley.  For more information visit www.arhoolie.com

(Photo of the Campbell Brothers and Katie Jackson courtesy of Robert Stone)