Sho-Bud Showcase Live
An all-star lineup celebrates the rebirth of an American music icon
History was made in Hollywood on April 24th, 2025, as the Sho-Bud brand made its re-emergence onto the music scene, after more than thirty years…and what a grand entrance it was. If you were within earshot of the Desert 5 Spot, on Selma Avenue, you may have been lucky enough to hear the swooning, crying and rocking of the iconic pedal steel guitar, performed by some of the most well-known guitarists in the world. If you were among the uber-lucky to be among the intimate roof-top gathering, here’s to an amazing and special memory. For the rest of you, here’s a snapshot of what went down.

The Show
Hatfield Rain

Hatfield Rain got the crowd moving with their pop rock americana songs, featuring Ted Stern on his one-of-a-kind 2019 Jackson Steel-era Maverick HD. Ted is a multi-instrumentalist from San Diego, where he plays pedal steel for Hatfield Rain, Jeff Berkley and the Banned and other local notables. His west-coast style of steel playing, combined with tasty skills on fiddle, banjo, bass and guitar, keeps him busy in America’s finest city as a studio musician. He has released a solo record, The Universe Channel—Clue to Another World, and he is featured on the soon-to-be-released sophomore record by Hatfield Rain. The band was fronted by Sho-Bud’s very own, Dawn Jackson, on guitar and vocals.
Ensemble
Ted Stern, Dawn Jackson, Kyle Ince, Mark Tucker, Bob Sheehan, Andrea Whitt, Dakota Cohen
Set List
- Levon
- You Said You Would Call Me
- I Was Wrong
- Nashville Remember Me
Hexx Henderson

Part punk, part prophet. Hexx took the Sho-Bud to uncharted territory at Desert 5 Spot—proving that steel can shout, stomp, and soar. Hexx is a pedal steel and lap steel guitarist known for his unique rock style and extensive musical influences. He has played with various prominent musicians, including David Allan Coe, and is working with Sho-Bud on a signature super steel guitar with the rockers in mind. His playing style is influenced by rock guitarists like Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Beck, as well as steel players like Buddy Emmons and Leon McAuliffe. Hexx was playing his smoke-stained 1976 Sho-Bud LDG, “Lloyd Brown”.
Ensemble
HeXx Henderson, Ryan Posner, Michael Lemmo, Remo Packer
Set List
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Kiss Kiss
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Cry Empty Soul
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Don’t Bogart That Joint
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Running With the Devil
Andrea Whitt

Andrea Whitt, with her fun Boho-Bunny fashion, graced the stage behind her champagne sparkle Maverick II, “Althea”, serial #00004 off the new Sho-Bud line. She was joined by Blues Traveler’s Chan Kinchla on vocal and guitars, Jaime Wyatt on vocals and the Y’all Star Revue band. Andrea is an accomplished violin, viola and pedal steel player. She has been a regular touring member of Shania Twain’s band, and has performed with Clint Black, Blues Traveler, Struggle Jennings, Journey, Moby and Jelly Roll. Her extensive list of studio credits include work with Kendrick Lamar, Kamasi Washington, Zuccero and Lainey Wilson, and grows weekly.
Ensemble
Andrea Whitt, Chan Kinchla, Desert 5 Y’all Star Band, Jaime Wyatt
Set List
- Althea – Grateful Dead w/ Chan on Vox/Acoustic
- Notes from a Lover – Original w/ Chan on Acoustic
- Misery and Gin – w/ Jaime Wyatt
- Sleepwalk
Rocco DeLuca

The Sonic Storyteller. Minimal. Raw. Magnetic. Rocco carved quiet thunder out of the Sho-Bud, letting silence speak just as loud as sound. His performance was a masterclass in restraint and reverence. Rocco DeLuca is a versatile musician, songwriter, and steel guitarist known for his soulful compositions and ethereal performances. He has worked alongside legendary figures such as Robbie Robertson on the soundtrack for “Killers of the Flower Moon.” He has written with an impressive array of artists including D’Angelo, Daniel Lanois, Leonard Cohen, The Hallelujah Train, and Slash. What sets DeLuca apart is his innate ability to channel raw emotions, pairing haunting steel guitar riffs with captivating vocals and melodies. Rocco performed on his 1970 Sho-Bud Pro S-12.
Ensemble
Rocco DeLuca, Lucas Guerin, Seth Ford-Young, Dylan Day, Ben LeCourt, Slash (Song 3)
Set List
- Raga
- Siddhartha’s Hand
- That’s the Way It Is w/ Slash
Slash

Slash surprised the audience, as the evening’s unannounced performer, with his black 2024 Jackson Steel-era Pro V. He was joined by compadre, Shooter Jennings, on guitar and vocals, and they brought the honkey tonk vibe with a couple of Hank Williams Jr. sing-alongs. Slash, the GRAMMY®-winning, world-renowned rock guitarist (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver, Snakepit and Slash Ft. Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators) was bitten by the pedal steel bug a few years back, when Jeff “Skunk” Baxter let him borrow his Sho-Bud. Now, he never leaves home without one, and is touring the world with GnR, with his Maverick HD in tow.
Ensemble
Slash, Shooter Jennings, Desert 5 Y’all Star Band
Set List
- Country Boy Can Survive (Williams Jr)
- Whiskey Bent and Hellbound (Williams Jr)
Robert Randolph

When Robert steps on stage, the Sho-Bud sings. His performance was electric — channeling gospel roots through pedal steel power. A reminder that Sho-Bud isn’t just an instrument. It’s a vehicle for spirit. He was joined by Slash, Shooter and Andrea and, as always, delivered a set that left mouths agape and people asking “what is happening here?” Robert is considered one of the top 100 guitar players of all time, according to Rolling Stone, and has most likely performed with the other 99. Robert’s new record “Preachers Kids” will drop June 27th, with a raw, gritty direction that showcases his unique ability to weave between rock, blues, Americana, and soul.
Ensemble
Robert Randolph, Desert 5 Y’all Star Band, Jaime Wyatt, Dakota Cohen, Slash (Song 4), Shooter Jennings, Andrea Whitt
Set List
- Foxy Lady (Hendrix)
- Baptise Me
- Angels
- Freeway Jam (Jeff Beck) w/ Slash
- I’d Like to Love You Baby (JJ Cale) w/ Shooter
Finale

The Sho-Bud team crowded on-stage to bring the show to an end, with a steel-laden rendition of “Black Water”. Hollywood was not disappointed and the evening ended with smiles and cheers, fun had by all. What an incredible way to say “welcome back, Sho-Bud”. We are most appreciative of all the performers and fans who contributed to such a special event.
Ensemble
Robert Randolph, Slash, Rocco DeLuca, Andrea Whitt, Skunk Baxter, HeXx Henderson, Ted Stern, Shooter Jennings, Jesse Hughes, Jaime Wyatt, Kyle Ince, Desert 5 Y’all Star Band
Set List
- Black Water