Wayne Henderson plays The Steel Guitar Rag

After much arm twisting, we finally convinced master luthier and picker Wayne Henderson to sit down with us to reveal some of his playing secrets. Most guitarists are aware that Wayne's guitars are some of the most sought after instruments in the world, but few have ever had a chance to see him play live and up close. Now, for the first time on video, Wayne explains his technique in his own words and puts it to good use in these blistering arrangements of The Steel Guitar Rag and Billy In The Lowground. Don't miss these exclusive free videos from Virtualwoodshed.com!

[@BATENKILL]

Yeah in the Clapton's guitar book the author says Clapton calls Wayne and say's I can't come pick up the guitar because I have trouble going out in public with the crowds and all, Wayne replys nicely well aint nobody really likes the type of music you do around here and most people don't even know who you are!!!! Thats not word for word but I recall it in the book going something like that! I think it brought Clapton back down to the human level lol

[@ronvonryan]

Great book, and great man, a friend of mine in the States sent it to me as he knows I love guitars as much as he does. It's a real page-turner, I would love to meet Wayne in his workshop and talk about guitars with him.

[@alexlightningboyedwards5350]

Wayne is the man. I have a triple 000 similar to that that he helped me make back in 1988 (Augusta Heritage Arts). He is the most humble and gracious musician I have ever met.

[@TheDodi143]

Eric Clapton waited 10 years to get his Henderson!! I have heard a Henderson played and the sound is so rich that you just want to cry.

[@sarahm.5356]

I had the great fortune of meeting Wayne in 1990 after a show in Eugene, Oregon. My friend and I had dinner with Wayne, a few back-up musicians and some crew. Jerry Douglas was at another table. Wayne and I talked for three or four hours. He told me all about his home and workshop, his guitars, and his other job delivering mail on the back roads of North Carolina. It was delightful. I liked him very much. I'd recently bought one of the early Taylor guitars, a full-body maple. I think the model # was 610 or 600. I was so excited about that guitar, in fact I was absolutely in love with it. I asked Wayne what he thought of Taylor guitars and I think he said he hadn't played many of them. I asked him if he wanted to see mine and he said sure. I ran out of the restaurant and drove to my apartment, grabbed the Taylor and raced back to the restaurant. To my relief everyone was still there and Wayne spent a good 20 minutes playing my guitar. The musicians and my girlfriend and I closed down that restaurant at 2 a.m. I had to be at work at 3:30 a.m. to do a delivery run to Portland. It was one of the best nights of my life. I talked with Jerry, too, but apparently Jerry thought I was a groupie and stayed away the rest of the night because he didn't want trouble in his marriage. That's what Wayne or the other musician said. It was silly because I had zero interest in that kind of thing. I was a singer and very amateur guitar player. Years later I fell in love with a guitarist named Steve and I told him this story on our first date. Steve was very impressed that Wayne Henderson had played my guitar. I lent Steve that Taylor for awhile. Now I have an old Martin 00-21NY. Steve was a great guy. He passed on two years ago. Miss you, Steve. Wayne, if you read this, it was so great to meet you and talk with you that night. Your guitars are just splendid. Would love to hear one in person. I hope you're doing well! Fondly -- Sarah, formerly of Eugene.

[@VirtualWoodshed]

Thanks for posting that. Wayne doesn’t read these comments but I will pass along your story to him! ✌️

[@sarahm.5356]

@@VirtualWoodshed That's great, thanks!

[@michaelnichting3312]

it is so rare for a Luthier to be able to play like that. very nice.

[@lafreeway]

That is a flat out great sounding guitar.

[@martinguitar22]

Wayne Henderson is the real deal i just read Claptons Guitar, which is a book bout his building of ECs guitar and he is one of the best luthiers around today. i had the pleasure of playing a henderson last summer and it practically played itself

[@mikereynolds3294]

what a living national treasure, it would be such an honor to one day meet mr. henderson.....but i getting on in years now....shoot, i would just love to pick one of his mandolins for 5 minutes, be one of the highlights of my life.

[@BillWardWesternLights]

Wow, that was incrediblem best version of that "steel guitar classic" I ever heard on an acoustic guitar!

[@lowellcalavera6045]

A great player, and humble, as well. That guitar sounds incredible.

[@t4texastom587]

WoW..... fantastic! R. I. P. Sylvester Weaver Leon McAuliffe

[@bigtorquehemi]

Awesome! my hats off to you. Great picking!

[@uptopmikep7065]

Fantastic version of that song Wayne! Great job. I like your "chicken pickin" style. Very bluegrass. I love your guitar too. Beautiful!

[@uptopmikep7065]

You must have some kind of woodshed to build a fine looking and sounding instrument like that! :>)

[@dumpsterchicken6287]

Awesome! Great guitar builder, great guitar player. Wayne can do anything he sets his mind to. How could 14 people not like this video?

[@VirtualWoodshed]

craig baker I agree Craig! Happy Easter!

[@dionst.michael1482]

Damn I like the sound of your guitars. So much volume and punch. Perfect for flat picking and bluegrass music in general. Pretty too. Bravo sir. Respect.

[@Seazer009]

Wayne is amazing with his picking and with his guitar building also..I have heard no matter who you are if you want one of Wayne's guitars you have to get on the list and wait for it..Thanks for the video..

[@leaddispenser9]

Oh my GOD!!!! lol. Some of the best pickin ive ever heard in my life.

[@johnoneill2661]

Be proud my friend. You deserve it. My uncle used to play that tune for me. Thank you for the reminder of what matters in this world.

[@najtrows]

I think this man can be one of the greatest builders AND guitarists i've seen! :D

[@rmweav11]

that acoustic sounds phenomenal! Wayne is an incredible luthier. Wish the waiting list wasn't so long for one of his guitars.

[@hardcore7298]

wonderful guitar. really enjoyed. congrats.

[@larryholland7192]

Awesome sound and picking!!

[@WhammyDiver]

This is the way it SHOULD be played! Thanks so much for sharing your talent!

[@jhbanjoman]

Awesome playing and hat! Wayne Henderson and Red Sox are BEAST!!

[@alanshaw6379]

Stunning bit of picking from a master craftsman..Great stuff Wayne,keep building them. From an old Liverpool guitar picker.

[@TexasTwins]

👏🏻👏🏻🎶🤩💯🏆😍🎵⭐️✨ Amazing!! Wonderful!! Thank you soooo much!!!

[@VirtualWoodshed]

@stream41 yep! that a near perfect replica of a 1930 OM-42. Back and sides are of Brazilian rosewood and the top is Appalachian red spruce. The whole guitar was assembled with period correct hide glue. Thanks for asking.

[@pattibaines1402]

fantastic....could listen all day...

[@jimbo9580]

Inspirational, thank you

[@brandulph]

Marvelous pick'n, man! ... and it made me finally throw my old guitar away for good.

[@Tennfatmatt]

Wow! Thanks for featuring this excellent tune! I used to listen to my Dad play it, except I grew up thinking he called it the Chattanooga Shoe Shine Rag! Melody is the same however. Love the song!

[@kendesjarlais7577]

i remember my dad playing this song on his guitar in the mid 60s he taught it to me-- this dude plays it most admirably

[@connorwoolcott3676]

HOLY CRAP!!!!! This guys freaking amazing

[@mikeb1589]

Great song! And one of the best versions I've heard.

[@flybob63]

Holy God that was amazing!!!!! I think he put a little Hot Rod Lincoln or Guitar Boogie in there as well.

[@VirtualWoodshed]

Thanks Stacy. I watched your documentary. It was great. I see you were in the shop while #417 was being built, which is only a few serial numbers away from the one in this video!

[@acousticspectrum]

Always loved Wayne's playing. Really great, AND he's an awesome luthier to boot!

[@debschick1987]

you good thanks i needed to hear that

[@bluesangrass]

WHAT CAN I SAY ,, MAN THAT WAS AWESOME. LOVE IT

[@mjthomas14]

This man's pickin' is amazing,sure wish I could buy a CD of his music...

[@MarieMandolin]

Awesome!!! Best I have heard on a acoustic guitar. Thank you. Marie

[@stream41]

Is that his version of an OM? That guitar sounds absolutely fantastic.

[@joshiewhite]

And that's why there's a festival named after him.

[@LexLuthier1]

Wayne: You start with a piece of wood and cut away everything that isn't a guitar. SIL gave me that book years ago (Clapton's Guitar) and I loved it

[@VirtualWoodshed]

I’ve heard Wayne tell that story more times than I can remember.

[@garrywise2792]

Nicely done! Loved the rolls. I play banjo as well as guitar nice job.

[@tim05519]

nice pickin' Thanks for the post!

[@heatmanable]

love it ...

[@stevewhyles6755]

Sir you are an absolute genious

[@timothykimray1175]

Thank you. You just don't know how much.

[@setneg]

amazing talent..thank you..subbed

[@Ilikepicking]

Fanatastic

[@KyThumb]

Good picking there to..this is one of my favorites too...you got a good arragement ,,I like it..KOP....Bill

[@dennisbriggs1571]

all I can say is.... Wow!

[@jean-paulraillat3771]

rien à dire; seulement la classe!!!! jpr de la saintonge maritime en aquitaine

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Nice!

[@deserthighways4095]

If the Lord could grant me one wish it would be to pick a guitar like Wayne.

[@leaddispenser9]

and then he makes them.. that's his real profession. it's one of the best sounding pickin ever.

[@deserthighways4095]

I know he does, and it's a great sound. Wish I could afford one. Who's the other luthier, the one in Texas....

[@Aenima308]

Jim Beattie the other luthier is lucifer, you have to trade your soul for one but they're great!

[@mikezuckerman521]

Great pickin! where was the grinnin??? LOL!

[@57RickH]

Wow, how've I not heard of this guy before now?! Anyway, very impressive playing and Ive clicked "Subscribe"!

[@ManwithAx]

@mjthomas14 There are some MP3 downloads albums available on Amazon. "Made and Played" "Les Pick" "Rugby Guitar." "Henderson/Kaufman - Not Much Work. "

[@Thrawn6211]

It sounds a bit like Blind Blake. Great tune.

[@aethelwulf8753]

looks like standard tuning but I think the original 1920's recording by Sylvester Weaver and Walter Beasly. Never tried to play it but I think Weaver played slide in vestapol tuning, can't remember if Beasley accompanied Weaver by also playing slide in same tuning or fingerpicked in standard. If the key was D then it's likely Beasley just played in Dropped D tining (that would give more colour and dimension and enhance Weavers slide playing. Doc Watson did an incredible version of this tune.

[@Aviv52]

Gotta go practice some more -- that is killer playing on a killer guitar.

[@ga2273]

He’s my great uncle

[@donluke578]

That ain't a strange way a pickin.......that's dang hot man......!!!

[@lukekeh540]

This man is in my family, it's my dads second cousin holy cow

[@thenormalyears]

tell him to make me a guitar

[@jameskonkle7794]

Reminds me of how I was raised.

[@justinkuemmerle2061]

This guy can really play.

[@Frapzoid]

Is this the same Steel Guitar Rag composed by Sylvester Weaver?

[@VirtualWoodshed]

Leon McAuliffe got credit, but yes he likely borrowed heavily from Weaver’s version.

[@adamrobisonmusic3942]

Can the guitars you make be purchased ?

[@mjt11860]

what fingerpicks does he use? great tone.

[@VirtualWoodshed]

mjt11860 that's a great question! I'm not entirely sure. I know he uses Dunlop banjo picks on his fingers but I don't know what gauge. I'm also not sure what kind of thumb pick he uses. But I honestly don't think Wayne is that particular about his picks and will frequently play with bare fingers if no picks are handy. Thanks for the question!

[@mjt11860]

thanx.

[@rs1373]

what brand of thumb pick is he using?

[@VirtualWoodshed]

Ran Shinahr Herco

[@integrityjoe]

Hi

[@wildwall]

Notice that he has steel strings. Not phosphorus bronze. And I'm sure they are 13's.

[@VirtualWoodshed]

You are half correct. The lighting is a little strange so you can’t see the true color of those strings. But they were John Pearse phosphor bronze .013. That’s my guitar and I personally strung it right before the video shoot. Those are the strings that Wayne puts on all his new guitars, unless a customer specifies otherwise. He’s been using those for decades. Thanks for the comment. 👍

[@markseelye8270]

Just a simple ol’ tune.

[@stressout53]

Does anyone know what the C stands for in Wayne C Henderson's name? Just curious...

[@AdamBM122]

His middle name is Columbus!

[@yourfriendandmine]

Standard tuning , EADGBE

[@elninojustino]

Any tab or sheet music for this gem?

[@VirtualWoodshed]

Not for this exact arrangement but David Ziegele did a book a Wayne transcriptions years ago. It’s excellent. Not sure if it’s still in print, but you might be able to track one down.

[@elninojustino]

Thanks looking for it now

[@VirtualWoodshed]

@@elninojustino David is on Facebook as well. If you can’t find the book online, you might be able to contact him on social media. I’m sure he’s still got a few copies he can sell you.

[@dobroanjo]

what tuning??

[@johnnycash2107]

Ay bro ur fucking awsome why cant u do a turorial on how u played it

[@alabastardmasterson]

Picks um like he makes um

[@ga2273]

Not kidding

[@VirtualWoodshed]

hey cool! Tell him ol' Willie said hi.

[@sweetpea7583]

I bet you pick a mighty fine 5 string banjo!

[@dazmalski]

what the actual f

[@leaddispenser9]

someone at work said Eddie van Halen Is the best ever on acoustic guitar. by the way he used to smoke meth... see what drugs do kids!!

[@sjd7aa]

Guess they don't listen to acoustic guitarists, as there are many who would take Eddie to the woodshed. He blazed an amazing trail on electric guitar and deserves all kudos for that. But acoustic... nope.