Can You Feel It?

Sacred steel is an African-American gospel tradition in which the lap steel or pedal steel guitar becomes the lead "voice" of the church band. It emerged within the House of God (Keith and Jewell Dominions) and related Pentecostal congregations, where the instrument accompanies sermons, prayers, and ecstatic worship. The style is defined by vocal-like slides, wide vibrato, call-and-response with the congregation, and high-energy "shout" sections driven by a tight rhythm section and Hammond organ. Harmonies draw on gospel, blues, and rhythm & blues, while the steel guitar articulates melodies as if singing, often quoting hymns and spirituals. Since the late 1990s it has also crossed into secular stages, influencing roots-oriented rock and jam scenes while remaining a living church tradition.

Gospel is a vocal-centered Christian genre whose lyrics explicitly express faith, salvation, hope, and communal testimony. Performances emphasize expressive lead vocals, choirs, call-and-response, and congregational participation, often supported by piano/organ, handclaps, and a rhythm section. While the modern form coalesced in the early 20th century through urban church music and the work of composer–leaders such as Thomas A. Dorsey, its roots trace back to earlier Christian hymnody and African American sacred traditions. Across cultures and denominations, gospel functions in worship, evangelism, community celebration, and—by the late 20th century—in commercial recordings and concerts. Stylistically, gospel spans traditional quartet and choir styles, “gospel blues,” and contemporary fusions with R&B, soul, pop, and hip hop. What unites these strands are dominant vocals, testimonial lyrics grounded in Scripture and lived experience, and a performance practice designed to move both spirit and body.