Ronnie Miller, born in San Diego, California, began playing steel guitar at a young age, thanks to his mother's encouragement. After moving to Ocean Beach and spending time in Denver during the 1960s, he transitioned to pedal steel guitar, inspired by a local musician. Ronnie played with various bands, including those led by the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame members, like John Munson and Dewey Knight. He gained experience in the club scene and became a respected steel player in Denver.
In the 1980s, Ronnie formed his own band, Whirlwind, which toured extensively and opened for several well-known artists.
In January of 1993, Ronnie moved to Dallas and became the steel player for Charley Pride, touring many parts of the world as a Pridesmen. With Charley, he has performed at least 150 Grand Ole Opry shows, various CMA and ACM shows, and appeared on major country music television shows including Nashville Now and Crook and Chase. He has also appeared on television shows on the BBC, as well as networks in Ireland, Canada, and Australia.
One quintessential performance was the show at Carnegie Hall in 2005. To mark Carnegie's 80th anniversary, the Grand Ole Opry arrived at America's most famous concert hall, featuring Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Little Jimmy Dickens, Trisha Yearwood, Charley Pride, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Ricky Skaggs, Brad Paisley, Bill Anderson, Martina McBride, and Alan Jackson.
Ronnie Miller has been using "The Virgo" by BENADO for several years — a unit for those who are looking for a simple and clean sound.
Ronnie Miller plays The Virgo — simple, clean, boutique analog tone.
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Paul Franklin is one of the world's most influential pedal steel guitarists. He began his career in the 1970s as a member of Barbara Mandrell's road band and also toured with Vince Gill, Mel Tillis, Jerry Reed, and Dire Straits. Paul has become a prolific session musician in Nashville, playing on thousands of albums.
He has been named by the Academy of Country Music as Best Steel Guitarist several times. He was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019.
Paul Franklin is the most nominated person in CMA history and is notable for having been nominated for the Country Music Association Award for Musician of the Year more than thirty times.
In addition to the pedal steel guitar and lap steel guitar, Franklin plays Dobro, fiddle, and drums, as well as three custom-built instruments called the Pedabro, The Box, and the baritone steel guitar. Since 2016, Franklin has been offering online steel guitar lessons.
Franklin has worked with many well-known acts during his career, including Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits, Barbara Mandrell, Rodney Crowell, Notting Hillbillies, Sting, Peter Frampton, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Barbra Streisand, Reba McEntire, Patty Loveless, Kathy Mattea, Big & Rich, Clint Black, Etta James, Jake Owen, Kane Brown, Kenny Rogers, Kid Rock, Lauren Alaina">Lauren Alaina, Lee Ann Womack, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, Olivia Newton-John, Peter Cetera, Randy Travis, Ronnie Milsap, Sheryl Crow, Thomas Rhett, Tim McGraw, Toni Braxton, Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Luke Combs, The Bellamy Brothers, Mark Chesnutt, George Fox, Collin Raye, John Michael Montgomery, David Lee Murphy, Lace, Toby Keith, Harry Connick Jr., Wynonna Judd, Mark Wills, Hal Ketchum, Jo Dee Messina, Aaron Tippin, George Jones, Carrie Underwood, Aaron Lewis, Willie Nelson, Easton Corbin, Troy Cassar-Daley, and Megadeth, to name just a few.
BENADO and Paul Franklin have been collaborating since 2011. Paul uses several BENADO units in the studio and on the road, including the PF Steel Dream and the PF-5 PRO, which he utilized during the Chris Stapleton tour.
Paul Franklin plays the PF Steel Dream — his signature boutique analog unit.
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