Jerry Byrd Dies

Jerry Byrd, who helped pioneer the pedal steel guitar sound in country and Hawaiian music, died from complications of Parkinson’s disease April 11th at a Honolulu hospital.

Byrd, 85, performed with top Nashville artists including Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Chet Atkins, Marty Robbins and Ernest Tubb in addition to session work.

After moving to Hawaii in the 1970s, he played with island musicians including Don Ho and Danny Kaleikini, and recorded eight albums.