My favorite musical moment ever recorded is his playing on Neil’s “Albuquerque”

In the Movie Mr. Keith is talking about, “Neil Young Heart of Gold”, there is a song called “It’s a Dream”. When Neil is singing about the Red River flowing and swirling, Ben Keith plays a beautiful passage on his steel guitar that perfectly represents that image of the river. It is incredibly moving to hear a musician who is so sensitive to the lyrics being sung. This particular artistic embellishment transcends musicianship into the realm of surrealism. Mr. Ben Keith is sorely missed.

Ben Keith was a master, a nuanced, sensitive player -his work on Old Man was divine, I can talk about it for a long time.

This is definitely among the best channels on KZfaq.

Ben is mentioned in Neil's book Special Deluxe with deep respect ! No one else can do what Ben did! Ben had a inner drive that connects to Artist style/ creativity and he does it as balance harmony! No computer software ! Pure human Spirit that Ben gave to music industry! Well loved and missed by all!

Terrific interview, how fortunate for you to have gotten Ben’s history on tape! I’m always amazed, that so many of the greatest musicians or producers had no or very little formal training, yet they seem to excel in spite of it! I’m guessing that if you don’t know the “rules”, your creativity has no bounds! Thanks Joe!💫

Great interview, Joe. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It amazes me how down to earth and, often, actually humble the really great musicians and artists are. The interviews you've produced with them over the years are truly treasures.

Another great post , Joe. It's no wonder that Ben was Neil's favorite. Thanks a ton.

Love Ben Keith. I had the honor of meeting him by chance here in Nashville - at Green Hills movie theater when I took my son to see Neil Young's "Greendale" back in '03. We had seen the tour earlier, and were interested in seeing the film version. Ben was there in the theater with the woman who played Grandma in the movie - can't recall her name. Anyway, after the movie was over, I realized who they were - talked with him out in the parking lot, and he gave me his opinion of the movie. He was such a tremendously talented musician, and quite a nice man.

Immortal twang of Harvest!!!!

Glad to have seen BK live in San Diego w/ Neil Young...great concert!

That just blew me away, Joe. I knew of his history some, but a homemade steel and self taught?? Phenomenal musician and gentleman!! His playing thru the years with Neil was awesome. One of my favorites is that Old Ways album. I have my Dad's old records and I know there's a Hawkshaw LP and a Faron Young LP in there I'll have to dig out and listen to. Btw, I recently ordered a Ben Kieth Tribute cap. Long Live Long Grain - his contributions to music will never die. Thanks once again, Joe!!

Neil always sounds great and writes a great song - to this day - but, with Ben Keith in the mix - goosebumps. Those unexplainable moments of music that seem to pierce you through the heart. Accompaniment that isn't about showing off but about revealing the soul of the song. The last note of "Deep Forbidden Lake" - a single note that, while probably unwritten, HAD to be there. To me, only one of those guys is famous, but they're both geniuses. I have to admit that I became emotional when I turned the corner at the museum and was suddenly looking at Ben's pedal steel, still adorning a sticker from, I believe, Neil Young's Time Fades Away tour. (Not to mention the little bottle of hot sauce!!) To think that I got to see Ben play that on-stage... wow. I know I'm not the only younger player who sees people like Ben as masters and appreciates the chance to finally learn their stories. Thanks, and Happy New Year to Joe and the museum staff!

What struck me most is this man's humility. As always, I (as well as many others) come for Joe's interviewing style. Based in common courtesy I'd say. 👍

The Prairie Wind film at the Ryman is one of the most beautiful performances ever captured on film and Ben was such a big part of it. What a wonderful and varied career he's had. Thanks for the upload.

Awesome video thanks for sharing. I'm happy that you are sharing the older videos. Maybe we get a chance to see performers that are no longer with us. Plus the younger people will get meet performers they wouldn't have ever seen. Stay well and safe my friend. God bless you and your family.

I really enjoyed that, and enjoy your channel. And Ben Keith is yet another person who seems like he was so down to earth. Thanks very much.

Brother Ben has been such an integral part of the Young sound

Love love love hearing and learning about songs and the people who created them. It'll never happen again like this.

These interviews are great. Thanks for putting up. I've been to the museum, it's awesome! I still play a Strat I bought from Chambers in Murfreesboro many years ago.

Thanks, Joe. Great interview. Ben Keith seemed like such a nice guy. Too bad he passed away. - Tim

Ben Keith is the reason I got into pedal steel guitar.

My stepdad played steel guitar in the late 60s and early 70s with a local band here in Ft Worth Texas. He too was self taught and “idolized “ a local guy, Maurice Anderson, who played on some records. I’m sure my dad watched Ben and some other steel players too to learn. I’m sure there are some fantastic jam sessions in heaven with all of the musicians and singers up there. Thanks for capturing history for us music lovers, Joe.

Played half of Harvest before meeting that guitar player beside him or Neil. That sort of blows my mind.

Well you & these interviews are amazing, I said it before & I’ll say it again, you bring out the best in people. Love this guy ...

Great Interview Joe ! It’s Wayland. 👍

Old Man is a favorite of mine too Fantastic interview Thanks so much

Great interview Joe. Like you, I love Bens steel on not just Old Man, but the whole Harvest album. I just love how his steel cries in the background on those songs. It sends shivers up my spine. Harvest is one of my favorite albums.

A great in depth interview with an underrated legend of pedal steel. I’ve been studying his style for a few months and didn’t know a lot of Ben’s history aside from the Faron videos. Great job Joe. Thanks

RIP Ben Keith. This clip is pure gold, is there more? I recall the release of Harvest in 1972 with great clarity. It’s possible that it was the first time I noticed steel guitar on a recording. I would have been 19 then. I play a bit myself now snd use the Jerry Byrd C6 tuning on my National acoustic tricone. I was fortunate to hear Ben play live with Neil Young twice in 6 months here in Halifax just before Ben passed. Respect!

Amazing, thanks Joe!

Just when I thought it could not get more interesting,,,,Joe these are gold and I really dont know how ANYBODY could give this a thumbs down,,,,or ANY of these fantastic videos,,,, I cant imagine the amount of time,effort and talents of ALL that are involved in the production of these tutorials,,,, My compliments to ALL involved !!!! Lastly,,,I strongly urge everyone to go to the Hall of Fame Museum while in Nashville,,,,it makes the place in Cleveland look silly,,, Thanks Joe,,,hope to see you soon !!!!

Fascinating!!!

I met ben twice. Great man

Neil Young is an American treasure...thanks for this

Wow, such an incredible story. This gentleman followed his instinct and went for it. Cannot imagine today being able to get through all the BS of the music business to show you have talent to a big name artist. He did the right thing at the right time. Also shows that encouragement alwas plays a big part on people with natural talent. As always a great interview.

Amazing

Another great interview Joe. I don't know how I found your channel but I'm glad that I did. I look forward to your next entry.

Another wonderful interview!

So many wonderful stories.

I'm so often fascinated by creativity. What musical or artistic traits did he show before high school and his first guitar? You gotta think those juices were perking from the beginning.

Another great interview Joe 👍🏻😎

Joe, I've listened to plenty of songs and artists 24/7. I'm hoping that you and yours are safe , happy and hopeful in this next new year.

Very talented fellow to be sure, wonderful work with Young...

I put a SUPER like!

Man of steel

Yet another terrific interview Joe! I Also watched your interview with Reggie Young. It amazes me that talented musicians like Ben & Reggie were self taught. I really love these interviews. However, it's a real downer knowing that they are no longer with us. Very sad..........

I saw Ben Keith with Neil in Hamburg and Horsens in 2008. That was great especially when they did "Words (between the .........) I will never forget :-)

Must be something in the water down there in Bowling Green, Kentucky, sure cranked out some good'ns.

I'd seen his name all over records, just never knew who he was. I just ordered a lapsteel and a set of C6 strings. We'll see if I can figure it out. Thanks so much!

Love the history. (As I'm sure that I've said a dozen times or so!) 🎶

Wow.. what a humble fellow he worked with Ringo and didn't even mention it. Did he not passed at Neil Young ranch back in 2010.. Thanks Joe..

I watched my dad play the Hawaiian guitar when I was about 7 yrs old. He sold it to get an acoustic 6 string guitar. He worked night shift so I learned to play it when he was working. Now, almost 60 yrs later, I bought my first resonator. Here we go!

NS 10s in the studio! (I have a pair too for my 3rd monitors.)

Great interview Joe. I’ve been a fan of Neil Young since he first popped on the scene. What can you say about Joe Mavis. One monster guitar player. It sounds like Ben is one monster guitar player too.

Another great interview and video. I had never heard of Ben Keith before this interview, now I will have to look on my old Neil Young albums and identify the songs he played on so that I can give them a listen. I was also delighted to here that at one point he lived in Alvaton, Kentucky which is where I live. I settled here with my family after I retired from the military.

Ben Keith interview, very rare, I also could listen Old Man 24/7 mainly because of the haunting steel guitar but also because of the banjo. Ben used the Twin Reverb, anybody knows what Fx pedals he used?

Another classic Joe!! PLAY LOUD!!

ha! excellent!!

Watch Ben play guitar on " Cowgirl In The Sand" Live at Red Rocks Colorado on KZfaq.

you reckon you could get Jewel to come by the house, bring her guitar and sing the National Anthem?

Dear Joe Hey Joe, I hope you get a chance to read this. My wife Marcia and I met you in the early spring of 2007 (or maybe it was a year either way) the first winter we were empty nesters and took our first trip south since we were kids. I don't think the Musicians Hall of Fame had been open very long. We had no idea how to navigate Nashville so we'd rented a half ton and were driving around. Marcia and I played in bar bands and for weddings at that time and I'd always been a small time working musician so I was not going to get all goo-y about music stars but when I found the Musicians Hall of fame I turned into a little girl. We entered the building and were sheepishly nosing around and then you appeared out of a dark corner to visit. You seemed surprised that we found the place and asked where we were from and such (were from Saskatchewan) and you asked how we heard of the place. I'd read (internet) that someone was putting The Musicians Hall of Fame together but wasn't even sure if it would be open yet so when we were driving around I spotted the sign and hit the brakes hard. After visiting with you (we'd just missed the start of a tour so) you showed us around a bit. I was awe struck by ever thing. I knew a lot of the history but to see all the memorabilia of all my heroes that I only new about from years of reading album jackets as a kid was really something. We had loads of fun in Nashville and everyone was so nice but the highlight of the trip was The Musicians Hall of Fame. (well, we did get to sing a song at the Ryman using their prop guitar so that was cool also) I wanted to mention that every Sunday morning we have a big breakfast and watch this channel. I can't tell you how much of a treasure it is to us. Working musicians are different than stars (although the stars are working musicians also) and a lot of the talent never gets realized by a lot of the public and I know that is the premise for your organization, it's just that, well, good on you and all the people you work with. Marci and I will be having sausage, eggs coffee and watching you this do interviews this Sunday morning. It's such a good way to start the day. Sincerely Todd And Marcia Greenwood Saskatchewan Canada toddstudio@sasktel.net kzfaq.info/love/vEsmxcHKfTRIN4F9sjPKyQ

Where's Bob Dylan hall of fame story??!! Bob Dylan along with Johnny Cash put Nashville on the map! Let's never forget!

He looks like cross between Andy Griffith and Henry Winkler, lol.

~ I can't believe that Whitney Houston is in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame yet The Guess Who isn't?!!! Then what's the point of calling it the Rock 'n' Roll hall of fame? 🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🇨🇦

He's an enigma to me. Always been there behind the scenes and always noticeable when he's Not there. I could listen to his stories for days! Thanks again Joe!