By Angel Ford, Contributing Writer
Back in 1985, a young and ambitious musician was featured in a local newspaper after landing his first tour gig with the southern gospel music quartet, Gold City. Nearly four decades later, that same determined musician is on tour with Clay Walker as the country music star’s band leader.
Vic Lawson, pedal steel guitarist, has played in venues as big as the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and worked with a variety of country music legends. The ability to make a living from music is a special gift, said Lawson.
“It’s not just about being able to play an instrument. It’s about doing it professionally and making a career out of it. I feel fortunate to be able to do what I do,” Lawson told the Sentinel.
Born and raised in Broken Arrow, Lawson never expected to make it as far as he has after the first local article was published. He attributes his success to his wife, Deb, with her unwavering support as he chased his dreams, alongside continuous hard work and perseverance.
He played in venues like the Grand Ole Opry, in Japan with Daryle Singletary back in 2013 and Switzerland for a country music festival in 2019.
‘I tell you what’
Lawson is unsure of where his love for music stems from but knows his grandfather played a little music on various instruments while his father took on the acoustic guitar. He was young when he first asked to learn the pedal steel guitar, said Lawson.
“I think I was seven when I asked my dad if I could get a steel guitar. He said, ‘What makes you think you can play one.’ Because he knew how difficult an instrument it is to play and how expensive it is.
“So he said, ‘I tell you what, we’ll buy you a Bass guitar. If you play at church and can show me you have an ear for music, then we’ll talk about a pedal steel guitar.’ By 12, I had picked up the Bass and ended up getting that pedal steel guitar, and it’s been a love-hate relationship ever since,” said Lawson.
The pedal steel guitar is not an easy instrument to master due to its unique mechanics and technique. Lawson took the challenge and has had numerous recording sessions after his move to Nashville in 2001.
He’s worked with about 20 artists, including Luke Bryan, Tracy Byrd, Garth Brooks and The Wilkinsons family group. He also recorded four tracks for the Joe Diffie tribute album “Hixtape Volume 3: Difftape,” released in 2023.
Lawson said it’s all of Joe Diffie’s hits re-recorded with guest appearances from Reba McEntire, Luke Bryan, Post Malone and many others.
“When I worked for Joe, he re-cut all his hits and I was in his road band. He asked me if I would record those for him. It’s exciting for me to be on a record with all the people of those statures,” said Lawson.
‘It’s still working’
Before he made the move to Nashville, Lawson worked as a paint contractor for 15 years and played music on the weekends. But he realized he was not happy and could not continue, said Lawson.
“I just wasn’t the best person. So, one day I came home and said, ‘I quit, I’m done.’ My wife asked me what we were going to do, and I said, ‘Well, I would like to move to Nashville and see if I got what it takes.’ She was supportive enough to say, ‘Let’s sell the house, pack up and move.’ It worked, and it’s still working,” said Lawson.
In the wake of all his successes, Lawson remains modest about his experiences and reminisces about his hometown.
“Living in Nashville has exposed me to so many talented musicians and songwriters. It’s been an overwhelming but humbling experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity to do what I love and make a living from it. Nashville is a great town for music, obviously, but I still love Broken Arrow, where most of my family still lives,” he said.
According to Lawson, musicians who wish to make it far should take constructive criticism well and be a sponge when learning anything from another more experienced musician. But most of all, he advises always to stay humble.
“He taught himself whenever he was 12. And then he started touring when he was 16. So, he didn’t finish high school in a traditional sense, or you know, do college because (music) was his job,” said his daughter, Olivia Hunter. “He has always instilled in us that we can do anything. He’s living proof that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.”
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