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| After 38 years of playing the Lap Steel Guitar, he is a true legend and master artist in his own right! At the age of six Aubrey developed a great passion for the lap steel. His first guitar was a 'true tone' rhythm and he used a true tone amplifier which was a great combination, but Ghent wasn't satisfied. He decided to use a #16 nail under the stings to raise their height (as he had seen someone else do) in order to use a steel bar and play the guitar as a steel. After about six months his two grandfathers; Bishop W.L. Nelson and Elder Eugene Ghent, got together and bought his first steel guitar and amplifier. It was a red 'Supro' and a small, used, tweed 'Fender Deluxe' amp. After three years of much practice he began playing for church services at age nine. His skills were so amazing that local churches and other events began inviting him to play for services and venues. It wasn't long before he began to travel to other cities and states playing his steel. | ||
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| As a teenage deacon Aubrey began to preach and was called "the preaching deacon". At age 20 he fully accepted the call and began evangelizing through word and music. His preaching ministry and church positions became increasingly demanding and took precedence over his music which caused him to play less. After several years Ghent realized that his purpose and destiny was to fulfill both ministries and he began devoting equal time and attention to them both. One day while playing tunes in a music store in Miami, Florida in the fall of 1992, an employee told him that he knew of a man who would love to hear him play. It was Robert Stone of the Florida Folklife Department. Stone soon contacted Ghent and interviewed him at his home. He was floored and somewhat speechless to hear an African American man play a steel guitar with such skill and expertise. Ghent had been playing at concerts throughout Florida and other states and now with Bob's assistance he began to play at festivals and events on a state, national and international level. Once Stone learned that Aubrey was a third generation lap steel guitarist he knew he was on to something big! Several services and programs were set up for Aubrey and his father, Henry Nelson (who played the steel for more than 50 years) to be recorded together as well as Willie Eason, Ghent's uncle who introduced the steel to the House of God Churches and thus is recognized as the "Father of Gospel Steel". | ||
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In 1994 Ghent performed at the Smithsonian Folk Masters Concert at the Barns of Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA where his music was recorded and placed in the Institute's archives. Later that year he was named and awarded Master Artist of the state of Florida. He gained national attention by being on National Public Radio on numerous occasions, and present rotation. Through all of the exposure, Arhoolie Records became interested and began recording footage of Ghent during church services. He signed a contract with Arhoolie in 1996 and his group" Aubrey Ghent & Friends" released their first solo CD entitled "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus". The record was a huge success and continues to be in high demand. But that wasn't nearly the end, in fact, it was only the beginning. Something even more profound happened through this masterful lap steel guitarist, Aubrey Ghent: the birth of the "SACRED STEEL TRADITION", which has become one of the greatest AFRICAN-AMERICAN GOSPEL ROOTS TRADITIONS ever to be discovered! |
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Ghent remained on the Arhoolie roots label for six years and has several recorded selections on each of the sacred steel volumes. He has recorded with several other artist and has made appearances with Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Bishop Ronald Brown, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Shirley Ceasar, Dorothy Norwood, Albertina Walker, Inez Andrews, Derrick Trucks Band, Susan Tedeschi, To To Jones, and Tremaine Hawkins. In October of 2004 he appeared on Austin City Limits with Robert Randolph and the Family Band and continues to receive raving reviews for his featured song, "Train Don't Leave Me", and his skills and precision on solo licks. Ghent toured with Susan Tedeschi as her opener in 2003 in the south an eastern United States region. He also appeared with Susan Tedeschi, The Derek Trucks Band, Rev. Rev. Billy Wirths, David Maxwell, and Corey Harris on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise in January 2005. Aubrey and Lori toured acoustically in Italy in June and July 2005. They made such an impression that their band was booked for a European tour in December 2005. It was "Buone Feste" indeed! The Band has appeared at several national and international festivals numerously, including the Pocono Blues Festival on July 30, 2006. They opened the festival Sunday at noon with a smashing gospel concert that was truly the highlight of the entire weekend! Aubrey has been featured in several magazine articles including the featured cover story of Juke Blues in January 2005. |
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| Ghent independently produced and released, along with his wife Lori, his Band's sophomore solo project entitled "Everything Will Be Alright" in May 2004. The project's inspiration was Lori's second cancer diagnosis which required numerous surgeries and extensive chemo therapy treatments. Through much prayer and supplication they were assured by GOD that everything would be all right! The project ministers to the hurting and offers hope in the midst of struggles. On July 30, 2006, AuLo Records released the Ghent's third solo project entitled "What A Time!" in which the Band spent two days at Rock House Records' Studio in Greensboro, NC, with producer Roy Roberts, together creating a true masterpiece. Both CD's are available online at Pay Pal, CD Baby, Best Buy, and Amazon. The Ghent's have versatile capabilities; Aubrey is a virtuoso instrumental soloist, Aubrey and Lori are an acoustic duo, and they have a five piece soulful band. Their repertoire is also versatile and fits in several genres such as gospel, traditional gospel, contemporary gospel, gospel blues, folk, and bluegrass. In every setting their performance is electrifying. It's music you can feel! You will love every minute!! |
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For media, marketing, and bookings contact Lori Ghent at (615) 478-5724. |
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