Steel Guitar Great Pete Finney Passes

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Pete Finney. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Steel guitarist Pete Finney, noted for his work in Americana, pop and country styles, has passed away at age 70.

Finney was also a music historian. He co-curated the Country Music Hall of Fame’s 2015–2018 exhibition “Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City.” He wrote the lead essay in the exhibit’s catalog.

During his career, he backed the Chicks, Vince Gill, the Judds, Beck, Jon Byrd, Shemekia Copeland, Justin Townes Earle, Jon Langford, Jim Lauderdale, Allison Moorer, Ron Sexsmith and Candi Staton, among others.

He was touring with Reba McEntire when eight members of her band and two crew members lost their lives in a plane crash in 1991. Finney survived because he and another band member flew on a second plane with the tour’s other crew members.

He was particularly associated with 2023 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Patty Loveless. He toured with Loveless for more than 20 years.

Pete Finney was also an associate of The Monkees. Group member Michael Nesmith’s solo work was with his much-applauded country ensemble The First National Band. This made the steel guitar an essential part of his solo sound. Michael Nesmith (1942-2021) recruited Pete Finney as his accompanist on tour. This led to the steel guitarist joining The Monkees on their 2017 final tour. Following Nesmith’s death, Finney joined Monkee Mickey Dolenz on a 2021 tribute album titled Dolenz Sings Nesmith.

Pete Finney frequently performed in Music City’s nightclubs. He collaborated with such top Nashville players as Mac Gayden, Chris Scruggs, Jen Gunderman, Jimmy Lester and Kenny Vaughan. For several years, Finney led the house band at The Stone Fox in the Nations neighborhood of West Nashville.

“He exemplified how top instrumentalists can adapt to a range of styles and settings, whether in a recording studio, a concert stage, or the corner of a small nightclub,” eulogized the Hall of Fame’s Michael McCall.

“He was one of a kind,” commented Dave Pomeroy of the AFM. “Heaven is a cooler, smarter place today.”

Pete Finney died on Saturday, Feb. 7. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Robert K Oermann
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