KGNU welcomed Tony Ortega and John Macy to preview the 2025 Denver Steel Guitar Show, happening Sunday, August 10 at Heroes Bar & Grill in Thornton. Now in its fifth year, the show celebrates the diverse sounds of the pedal steel guitar with performances spanning country, jazz, blues, and rock. Ortega shared highlights from this year’s lineup, including Jerry Fessenden, Sharon Denny, and rising talent Joey Rowland. Macy joined remotely from Texas to reflect on his steel guitar journey and preview new music from the Twang Wranglers. The conversation also honored late Colorado steel player Bob Case, to whom this year’s show is dedicated. (Interview: 7/19/25)
Dan Willging: Our special guests today are Tony Ortega, the trail boss of the Denver Steel Guitar Show, and John Macy, joining us remotely. The show takes place Sunday, August 10, at 1:00 p.m. at Heroes Bar & Grill, 10217 Reba Street in Thornton, Colorado. That’s two blocks south of 104th and close to Federal or I-25. Still the same great venue—just a new name and owner. Musician Jim Hyatt, who plays 16 instruments, bought it from Doug Egli, who wanted to retire and become a pro golfer. Is that rumor true, Tony?
Tony Ortega: I hadn’t heard that one! But hey, glad to be here. Thanks for having me.
Dan: This is your fifth Steel Guitar Show, right?
Tony: I think so, yeah—fifth one I’ve produced.
Dan: The poster looks great. You’ve got some fantastic players lined up.
Tony: Absolutely. A great mix of pedal steel guitarists—really talented folks. And it’s not just country music. There’s Latin jazz, blues, rock and roll… it’s a day of incredible music. Each player gets about 25 minutes to play what they love—some sing, some stick to instrumentals. The audience really connects with the pedal steel guitar. If you’ve listened to Dan, you already know that sound.
Dan: It’s not the same lineup as last year. Bruce Bouton played then. But this year, I see a few folks I haven’t seen in a while.
Tony: That’s right. About half the lineup is new. Jerry Fessenden is coming—he’s a renowned pedal steel builder and player from Indiana. I have two of his custom guitars. They’re amazing.
Dan: I saw you playing one at Heroes last Saturday. Was that the single- or double-neck?
Tony: That was the single-neck. It’s a 10-string. Most single-necks are 10. The doubles are usually two 10s.
Dan: And what tuning do you use?
Tony: E9 and C6 are the standard tunings.
Dan: How often do you need to tune it?
Tony: Well, it’s never perfectly in tune. The key is to sound in tune with the band. It’s kind of like playing a fiddle—no frets, so you’re constantly adjusting by ear.
Dan: Also on the lineup this year is Sharon Denny from Indiana.
Tony: Yes, she’s a wonderful player and plays Fessenden guitars too. She’s awesome—come hear her play!
Dan: Joey Rowland will be there too, from Grand Junction. He’s kind of a prodigy. Bob Case mentored him early on.
Tony: That’s right. Bob, who passed last year, was a wonderful musician. Joey really soaked it up. He’s a great player.
Dan: On the line with us now is John Macy. Hey, John!
John Macy: Hey, I’m on a boat in Aransas Pass, Texas, watching dolphins!
Dan: I love that part of Texas—Rockport and Fulton Beach. You’re doing well down there.
John: Yeah, I started life in Texas and I’ll probably end it here too—just the other side of the state.
Tony: Let’s hope that’s not too soon, John!
John: The boat left right behind the festival tent where you were last year, Dan.
Dan: There’s a festival John’s involved in—it honors Guy Clark in November. But I want to hear how you got into pedal steel.
John: I grew up in Lubbock and hated country music! But after moving to Boston in high school, I heard Linda Ronstadt and Michael Nesmith and thought, “This doesn’t sound like the country I knew.” Bought a steel guitar the next week.
Dan: Didn’t your teacher push you into playing live early on?
John: Yep—he said I’d either get better or quit. So I found a band, sucked for a while, and went home every night figuring out how to improve. Played 14 hours a day with a guitar buddy and we got good fast.
Dan: Steel was your first instrument?
John: Yep. Dove right in. I also started in a studio out of high school—engineering. That trained me to listen and be tasteful. Tasteful playing doesn’t require flashy technique, just the right note at the right time.
Tony: John has a beautiful tone and feel. He’s part of the Denver show every year.
Dan: What guitar are you playing this year?
John: A 1974 Emmons, previously owned by Sonny Garrish. He used it on sessions for George Strait, Eddie Rabbitt, “14 Karat Mind”—tons of classics. I keep it in Denver and will use it for the show.
Dan: This year’s show is dedicated to Bob Case. When did you first meet Bob?
John: Probably over 40 years ago. He had such tone and taste. A great guy and a great musician. I really miss him—and love to Lisa, his wife. I hope to see her at the show.
Dan: I went to his celebration of life in June. Tough not to get emotional.
John: I really wanted to be there, but the timing didn’t work.
Dan: And what’s this about the new Twang Wranglers recording?
John: Jeff Gold, Dave Schaper, Todd Moore, Lindsey Brown, and I went into Mighty Fine Studios in Denver and cut a live session—no fixes, just real playing. John Chandler sang on it. We’ve played together since 1977. I sent you a track—“Magnolia.” Everyone gets a solo and John kills the vocal.
Dan: Sounds great. We’ll play it. And thanks again, John. We’ll see you August 5 and 10!
John: Absolutely. Tony, thanks for organizing the show. These events bring us together—we may only see each other once a year.
Tony: That’s right. I’m just trying to keep the steel guitar scene alive in Denver.
Dan: John, how many steel guitars do you own?
John: Seven—all of them! I’ve never sold one. Still have the first one I learned on—a ’69 Sho-Bud.
Dan: And now let’s talk about “Protected by the Plant.” That’s a beautiful tune by Bobby Murphy, who introduced you to steel guitar, right?
Tony: Yes. Bobby played with our band back in 1970. After that, I knew I had to get a steel guitar.
Dan: Didn’t Rusty Young teach in Lakewood back then?
Tony: Yeah, but I didn’t take from him. He was already famous by then. But Bobby and I wrote songs together and even auditioned them for Poco when they rehearsed upstairs at the Dark Horse in Boulder.
Dan: They must’ve appreciated the music.
Tony: Great guys—really kind.
Dan: Let’s play it—“Protected by the Plant.” And now we’ll hear some music Bob Case recorded with Girls Night Out and Swing Shift, including “Blues Stay Away from Me,” “Boot Hill Drag,” and more—featuring none other than Junior Brown on vocals!
Tony: Junior’s an amazing lap steel and guitar player. He even designed his own instrument.
Dan: Dick Meese told me Junior might’ve gotten the idea for the “guit-steel” from him—playing both guitar and steel at once.
Tony: That’s wild! Playing both in the same song is impressive.
Dan: Next up, a tune by Jerry Fessenden called “If No News Is Good News.” He built guitars for Robert Randolph and other sacred steel players, right?
Tony: That’s right. Randolph plays Fessenden guitars—he’s used them with Clapton and at Crossroads. Sacred steel came out of African American churches emulating the human voice. Pedal steel was a portable alternative to organs.
Dan: Okay, one more from you—recorded at Caribou Ranch?
Tony: Yes! With a band called Blackhawk. We did a session up there, and this is the title track.
Dan: And after that, we’ll hear “La Segunda,” a tune you wrote. It means “secondhand” in Spanish, right?
Tony: Yep. As in secondhand store—the “Segunda.” It’s a live recording from last year’s Cabaret show.
Dan: August 5 is the Cabaret show this year, a Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. You and John Macy will both be there, right?
Tony: That’s right. And George is producing the live recording again. Can’t wait.
Dan: Tony, thanks for being here today!
Tony: See you at the steel show!
Dan: And we’ll close with Buddy Emmons—“Four Wheel Drive.” Thanks for listening, everyone!
