Article Author - Rusty Hoyle of Keep Traditional Country Alive
In Collaboration with John Carter from Honky Tonk Traditions.
Welcome back to the KTCA Picker of the Month, folks! In August, Kevin Skrla became our inaugural honoree, proving that the heart and soul of traditional country music lives in the hands of dedicated steel players. Last month, Muskrat Jones showed us that the future of pedal steel is in damn good hands. Now, we're spotlighting a player who's making history at just 24 years old.
This month's feature is personal for me in a way I didn't expect. After publishing Muskrat's article, I received a message through our website from a proud father named Paul Melo. He praised our coverage of Kevin and Muskrat, then asked if we'd be interested in featuring another great steel guitar player: his son, Caleb. What Paul didn't know was that I'd already chosen Caleb as our October honoree two days earlier! So this is our first ever article to have a family member's comments include!
Meet Caleb Melo: a California-born pedal steel wizard who left high school at 18 to tour with The Reeves Brothers, spent four years creating magic with Jesse Daniel, and now, at just 24 years old, plays steel guitar for Ben Haggard and The Strangers. That's right: Merle Haggard's legendary backing band. The same Strangers who defined the Bakersfield Sound and were voted Band of the Year by the Academy of Country Music eight times between 1969 and 1987, more than any other group in history.
He's not just keeping traditional country alive. He's carrying the torch handed down from the masters themselves, one soulful note at a time.
Video
Video taken from Caleb's IG of him playing a Lloyd Green lick off a song called “When My World Left Town” from Gene Watson's “Because You Believe In Me” record from 1976.
The Spark: Growing Up in the California Country Sound
Caleb Melo was born and raised in Porterville, California, right in the heart of Bakersfield country territory. His father, Paul Melo, is an accomplished drummer and songwriter who's been a fixture in the San Joaquin Valley music scene for years. His younger brother, Gavin, also plays drums. Music wasn't just playing in the Melo household; it was the heartbeat of the family.
"Caleb was always interested in music," Paul recalls. "In grade school I thought he would gravitate to the drum set because I played drums, but instead he came home with a cello. He played it all the way through school. My opinion, he was great! Once he picked up guitar it was a different story. He was just playing that thing all the time. I was blown away by how fast he would learn Buck and Merle songs and everything in between. He would always be practicing. He would play all hours of the day and night. We always told him 'Just turn it down.' We never told him to turn it off. Always music around our house in one form or another."
That early foundation in cello gave Caleb a deep understanding of melody and harmony. He even performed with the Harmony Magnet Academy Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. But when he picked up the guitar at 10 or 11 years old, something clicked. And then came the moment that changed everything.
"I think the real spark that started it all for me is from my Mom and Dad!" Caleb explains. "My parents constantly had good country music playing as I grew up... Merle, Red Simpson, Buck Owens, Wynn Stewart, etc., so I've been a fan of steel guitar before I really even knew what it was. Not only did my Mom and Dad introduce me to so much great music, but they have ALWAYS done everything they can to encourage and support me in everything I do… especially my interest in music. They bought me my first pedal steel guitar from Larry Petree in Bakersfield when I was 15 years old."
At 15, most kids are figuring out driver's ed. Caleb Melo was beginning his journey to becoming one of the finest young steel players in the country.
"Well, I played guitar first," Caleb says. "When I started with that, I knew I wanted to be a musician… and then the moment I first played a steel guitar, I was immediately obsessed. I knew I HAD to be a steel guitarist."
His father Paul knew it too. "Also, my Dad is an incredible drummer and songwriter, so being around that and watching him growing up definitely made me want to be a musician! Thank you Mom and Dad!"
Photo provided by Caleb's Dad, Paul Melo!
The Education: Learning From Legends and Local Heroes
Every great steel player has their Mount Rushmore of influences: the players they've studied until the grooves wore thin on the vinyl. For Caleb, that list reads like a Steel Guitar Hall of Fame roster.
"Since the beginning, I've been inspired by the greats like Lloyd Green, Norman Hamlet, Buddy Emmons, Ralph Mooney, Jim Murphy, Tom Brumley, Sonny Garrish, Curly Chalker, Hal Rugg, Buddy Cage, etc."
But there was another crucial figure in Caleb's development, one who doesn't have records in every store, but whose impact on young Caleb was immeasurable.
"Another huge inspiration to me was a local steel guitarist from Exeter, California named Jack Guthery. He was the first guy to let me sit at his guitar and really check it out, and we would jam together often. He passed on a lifetime of knowledge about pedal steel guitar to me. Jack also gave me a lot of instrumental steel guitar CD's, and I was introduced to a lot of the great players we all love that way."
Jack Guthery represents something essential in the steel guitar community: the willingness of the older generation to pass knowledge down to the young guns who care enough to listen. Rest in peace, Jack. Your legacy lives on in every note Caleb plays.
As Caleb's skills developed and he discovered the young steel slingers making waves in the traditional country scene, he found a new source of inspiration and brotherhood.
"Then of course the moment I discovered guys like Kevin Skrla and Muskrat Jones they became instant sources of inspiration. They are world class."
That feeling is mutual. Muskrat Jones, who we featured last month, had this to say about his friend and fellow steel brother:
"I really have Caleb to blame for me going home and practicing haha. We spent a long time on the road together in our early 20s. I got to listen to him play every night. Not only is Caleb one of my best friends but he is family. Blood. Love him like a brother. The thing I love the most about Caleb's playing is his ability to tip his hat to his hero's but completely sounds like himself. Every steel player spends their whole life finding their identity and Caleb is nothing but personality when he plays. You know exactly when it is him. He encapsulates California sound but not a copy cat, he truly has his touch mastered. TIL this day I still get nervous playing on stage with him or if he's in the room. If he's playing guitar and I'm on steel I find myself looking at him for his approval after my solos hahaha. We have far too many good road memories that I'll remember til I die. Caleb Melo is one of the absolute best steel players around today and an even better friend and person. I love that man."
That's the kind of respect that can't be manufactured. That's brotherhood.
All photos provided by Muskrat Jones
The Reeves Brothers: Baptism by Road
In 2018, at just 16 or 17 years old, Caleb Melo made a decision that would change his life: he joined The Reeves Brothers on the road. Matt and Cole Reeves, the Arkansas-based siblings who won the 2018 Ameripolitan "Honky-Tonk Group Of The Year" award, needed a steel player. Caleb was their guy.
"The Reeves Brothers were the first guys I ever hit the road with," Caleb reflects. "Matt and Cole let me join their band when I was 16 or 17, and I really believe if it weren't for them I wouldn't be where I'm at today. They taught me how to live on the road and more importantly how to embrace and love that lifestyle. I also did my first sessions ever with them, at Wolfe Island with the great Kevin Skrla. So, in short, I have them to thank for a whole lot of what's going on in my world today. They are TRULY the real deal and my Brothers Of The Road for life."
That's right. Caleb's first recording sessions happened at Wolfe Island Recording Company in Dayton, Texas, with our inaugural Picker of the Month, Kevin Skrla, at the helm. The brotherhood runs deep.
By April 2018, Caleb had left high school to tour full-time, finishing his education online while crisscrossing the country playing honky-tonks and dance halls. He was 18 years old when he recorded with The Reeves Brothers on their album "The Last Honky-Tonk," released in August 2020. The band called him their "secret weapon," and anyone who heard those sessions understood why.
Caleb's father Paul watched it all unfold with a mixture of pride and wonder. "What goes through my mind as I'm watching Caleb is I am so happy and grateful that he is living out his dream. I am proud that Ben and the Strangers can see what I see in Caleb and hear what I hear when he plays music with them. It's pure joy for me!!"
During those years with The Reeves Brothers, Caleb toured extensively across Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkansas. One experience stands out above the rest: "My favorite experience was spending three days on the Virginia-Tennessee border in Bristol at the Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival. It was just great. Not only did we get to play, but we also saw a lot of other groups perform. It is a very historical town for country music, and all kinds of music, folk, rock and roll, to name just a few."
Bristol, Virginia: the "Birthplace of Country Music," where Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family made their legendary recordings in 1927. For a teenage steel player steeped in country music history, it was hallowed ground.
Photo from Caleb's IG (LTR: Cole Reeves, Caleb Melo, Kevin Skrla, and Matt Reeves)
Jesse Daniel: Four Years of Growth and Brotherhood
In 2019, at the Ameripolitan Awards, Caleb Melo met a fellow California country artist who would become one of his closest friends and musical partners. Jesse Daniel, the "Son of the San Lorenzo," was up for the Honky Tonk Male award. The Reeves Brothers were also nominated. The two young musicians hit it off immediately.
By 2021, Caleb had joined Jesse Daniel's band full-time. What followed were four years of relentless touring, recording, and musical evolution that would help shape Caleb into the player he is today.
"Joining up with Jesse was a continuation of learning and growing," Caleb explains. "Jesse and I hit it off both as friends and musically, and we worked together pretty closely on demos and arrangements for the show and the last couple of records he put out, which made me really want to rise to the occasion and bring my best ideas forward. He really let me play what I felt… explore and go for things that were pretty wild, both in the studio and in the live show! With Jesse, I also had the opportunity to play with some phenomenal guitarists (Joey Kukura, Dave Knodle, Austin Roach) and we worked up and really dialed in a lot of harmonies and transitions which helped improve my playing."
Jesse Daniel watched Caleb grow from a talented young player into a true master of the instrument. His assessment of Caleb is unequivocal:
"Caleb Melo is one of those rare people you'll meet in life who makes an impression on you. We first met in 2019 at the Ameripolitan Awards. I was up for an award for 'Honky Tonk Male' and he was there with The Reeves Brothers, another great band who was also in the running for an award. We became fast friends after that and he joined my band full time in 2021. From then until 2025, we spent countless hours touring together, doing nearly 200 dates a year, playing overseas etc. He has played on multiple records of mine, including the live album. His sense of humor and jovial personality is a light to be around, and he brings a lot to the table musically, not just as an incredible steel guitarist, but also as a guitarist, bassist and more. Having him in my band for those years was a pleasure and I think of him like a brother. One of those kinds of friends you'll maintain for life. Good person, great musician."
Jesse added one more crucial observation: "And just to add, I think he is the best of the young steel players out there today. Some come close, but Caleb is truly an original and an innovator. He has a style of his own which I think is a hallmark of many of the greats of the past."
Nearly 200 dates a year. Multiple albums. International touring. For four years, Caleb Melo was in the trenches, honing his craft night after night, learning what it means to serve the song while developing his own voice.
During this period, Caleb played on several of Jesse Daniel's critically acclaimed albums:
"Countin' the Miles" (Released June 7, 2024). Pedal steel and dobro on all tracks, recorded at Arlyn Studios in Austin, Texas. The album featured guest appearances from Ben Haggard, Jon Randall, and the legendary Gene Elders of George Strait's Ace in the Hole Band, who passed away shortly after recording. Caleb's steel work on tracks like "That's My Kind of Country" and "Golden State Rambler" showcase his ability to honor tradition while bringing fresh energy to the Bakersfield sound.
"Son of the San Lorenzo" (Released June 6, 2025). Recorded live at The Bomb Shelter in Nashville with producer Andrija Tokic, this album captured the raw energy of Jesse Daniel and The Restless Riders, with Caleb's steel guitar weaving through every track.
"My Kind of Country: Live at the Catalyst" (Released March 24, 2023). This live album, recorded in Jesse's hometown of Santa Cruz, California, was the first album made at The Catalyst since Neil Young & Crazy Horse recorded there in 1984. Rolling Stone and Billboard both praised the album, with Billboard noting how it was "soaked in steel guitar." The album was even nominated for best song of the year at SavingCountryMusic.com, with special recognition for Caleb's stellar playing on his LDG Sho-Bud.
In December 2022, Caleb joined Jesse Daniel and Jodi Lyford for a special performance at The GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles for "Reel To Reel: They Called Us Outlaws." These weren't small-time gigs—Caleb was playing on some of the most respected stages in roots music.
Summer Dean, a rising star in the Texas country scene who's shared stages with Caleb, saw firsthand what makes him special:
"I'm around the steel players often and every one of them slates Caleb as being one of the best on the scene. From a working standpoint, I know that I can depend on Caleb to show up prepared, ready to play, and with a great attitude. It seems like Caleb can do it all. Pulling from both his Texas and California roots he just nails it on both guitar and steel guitar every time. He may be really young, but he's been an amazing player for years already."
All photos provided by Jesse Daniels
The Strangers: Coming Home to the Bakersfield Sound
In 2025, Caleb Melo made a career move that seemed almost predestined. After an amicable departure from Jesse Daniel's band ("things are still cool, Caleb just wanted a change of scenery"), he joined Ben Haggard and The Strangers.
Let that sink in for a moment. At 24 years old, Caleb Melo is now the steel guitarist for the band that backed Merle Haggard, one of the most important and influential bands in country music history. The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield Sound, served as the blueprint for every great country band that followed, and were inducted into every hall of fame that matters.
The current lineup of The Strangers includes Norman Hamlet on steel guitar and musical director. The very same Norm Hamlet that Caleb named as one of his two biggest influences when he was learning the instrument. Now they share the stage.
"Picking with Ben and the guys is an absolute joy," Caleb says with characteristic humility. "For as long as I've been listening to music, Merle Haggard and The Strangers have been my number one. That music and that legacy has resonated with me and so many others, so being able to help keep that alive is an opportunity I'm grateful to have. It's something important to me that I take very seriously, so there's definitely always pressure to do my best."
The pressure is real, but so is the inspiration. During their shows, Caleb walks the tightrope between honoring the iconic arrangements that Norm Hamlet and The Strangers created decades ago, while also bringing his own voice to the music.
"During our shows, I definitely try to honor the sound and play what fits each song the best," Caleb explains. "Some songs like 'Holding Things Together' or 'Emptiest Arms In The World' for example have iconic steel guitar parts/arrangements that, to me, should be played just like Norm and The Strangers played it. But then there's songs like 'I Get Off On The Blues' where I play parts that I came up with. There's also a lot of opportunities to improvise and play in a 'stream of consciousness' kind of way… some of my favorite moments on stage are when we do the old instrumentals like 'Fat Boy Rag' or 'Stealin' Corn'. We get to hit tight harmonies and arrangements, then I get to try and stay afloat and improvise a solo or two!"
For Caleb's father Paul, watching his son play with The Strangers represents the culmination of a dream that started in a Porterville living room filled with Merle Haggard records.
"Caleb is a humble, approachable musician," Paul says with evident pride. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and history to the table without trying to be the center of attention, a very kind humble young man."
Recently, that pride reached an emotional peak when Caleb performed at the Grand Ole Opry, country music's most sacred stage.
"I got super emotional just recently when I heard that Caleb was playing the Opry," Paul recalls. "I did not go. My wife, my other son Gavin, his aunt Tina, uncle Randy went to Nashville and saw the show. I stayed home and I listened to it on the Grand Ole Opry radio station via the Internet. And it was just surreal. It hit me hard. I'll probably regret not going to see that show but to listen to it and not see him was just as exciting for me!!! Now if he ever plays Austin City Limits I'll be there 100%, God willing."
There's something deeply moving about a father listening to his son play the Opry over the radio, alone in California, letting the moment wash over him. That's love. That's pride. That's what this music means to families who've given everything to keep it alive.
Paul adds: "I will tell Caleb his approach to becoming a professional has all the characteristics of being a professional. His passion for what he does is obvious when you hear him. I believe he truly plays for the song. He plays from the heart. He has the skills and creativity to become one of the best steel guitar players out there. But most of all is great brother and son to his family!!!"
The Craft: Technique, Tone, and the Endless Pursuit
One of the things that separates good steel players from great ones is the understanding that you never stop learning. The instrument is a lifelong journey, and Caleb Melo is a dedicated student.
When asked about moments or songs that completely changed his approach to the steel guitar, Caleb's list is telling:
"I can think of a million things that shaped or changed my approach on steel… Lloyd Green's Little Darlin' Era, 60's Ralph Mooney, Buddy Emmons' 'Steel Guitar Jazz', Buddy Cage with The New Riders, Jim Murphy with Johnny Paycheck, etc. I could go on forever!"
But for all his skill and growing reputation, Caleb is refreshingly honest about the challenges that keep him up at night.
"Something that has always been really difficult for me is being in tune," he admits. "It definitely keeps me up at night, haha! I have spent countless hours working on technique, trying out different methods of tuning, etc., but it's really a never ending battle. That's how the whole thing is though… always room for improvement in every aspect, and I love it!"
That last line is key: "I love it." The best players don't just tolerate the struggle. They embrace it. They understand that the pursuit of perfection is what keeps the music vital.
Jerry Zinn of West of Texas, who had Caleb play on his album "Hot Motel Nights," witnessed that pursuit firsthand:
"There aren't many people who've mastered much of anything by the age of 24, but Caleb Melo has come a long way in a remarkably short time. Now, he'd never call himself a master, but if he isn't one already, I can't imagine where he'll be in another 10 or 20 years. I'm certain his name will be mentioned alongside the great pedal steel players: Buddy Emmons, Ralph Mooney, Lloyd Green, Tom Brumley, Pete Drake, Jimmy Day, Weldon Myrick, and so many others. I had the pleasure of having Caleb play on a couple of songs for my album Hot Motel Nights, and what he did with those tracks was absolutely amazing. He has this rare ability to find exactly what a song needs, never too much, never too little and his playing elevated the songs to a whole new level. Beyond his incredible musicianship, he's also one of the nicest, most genuine people you'll ever meet."
Ben Arsenault, another artist who's worked with Caleb, echoes that sentiment:
"I've been lucky to have Caleb record pedal steel on four of my tunes. His parts are always intuitive, pitch perfect with pure country tone. There's one song in particular, 'Never Been the Boss' that Caleb absolutely took to a whole other level with a heartbreakingly beautiful and classic solo. It's my favourite song I've recorded, in no small part because of Caleb's playing."
The Rig: Sho-Bud Steel and a Signature from a Legend
For the gear heads out there (and if you're reading an article about pedal steel players, you're probably one of us), Caleb's setup is a thing of beauty.
"I have two main guitars," Caleb explains. "At home, for practice and remote recording I use my 1972 Sho-Bud Professional D-10. On the road and on most sessions, I use my 1973 Sho-Bud LDG SD-10. I was fortunate enough to spend a day with Lloyd Green a few years back and I was lucky enough to have him sign my guitar. He told me it was the only other first year LDG he'd seen in person, and that it was made only a few months after his. At home or at sessions I like to play through my '78 Peavey Session 400 or my Sho-Bud Christmas Tree. On the road I usually use a Fender Twin Reverb."
Let's pause on that for a moment. Caleb owns a first-year Sho-Bud LDG (the same model that Lloyd Green himself plays) and Lloyd signed it after confirming it was made just months after his own. For a young player who grew up studying Lloyd's every note, that moment must have felt like receiving a blessing from the steel guitar gods.
"My gear preferences have always been pretty consistent throughout the years," Caleb notes. "I've always been a big fan of Sho-Bud guitars, especially the 'Rack & Barrel' era guitars of the early 1970's. I've also always been a fan of Fender, Peavey, and Sho-Bud amplifiers."
That LDG Sho-Bud has become Caleb's primary instrument on the road and in the studio. According to members of The Steel Guitar Forum, including the legendary Ricky Davis who calls Caleb "one of my boys," that guitar is something special. The tone it produces in Caleb's hands is pure California country. Warm, singing, and instantly recognizable.
Caleb and Lloyd Green
Photos from Caleb Melo and his IG
The Brotherhood: A Community That Lifts Each Other Up
One of the most beautiful aspects of the pedal steel community is how the players support each other. There's no cutthroat competition, no tearing each other down. Instead, there's a genuine brotherhood built on mutual respect and a shared love for the instrument.
"I think that there's an INCREDIBLE community of young steel guitarists that truly care about the instrument and the music," Caleb says with obvious enthusiasm. "Guys like Kevin Skrla, Muskrat Jones, Silas Hamilton, Caleb Lindley, Cooper Dickerson, Zachary Moulton, etc. Those are guys that I look up to, and that truly inspire me. Also, each one of those guys is as great a person as they are a player. It truly is a brotherhood. Everyone cares so much about preserving and furthering the music and this instrument, they are eager and willing to share any knowledge or tips/tricks they have! No egos or negativity, just shared passion and enthusiasm."
Zachary Moulton, who recently left Silverada, started freelancing for awhile playing with other bands such as Summer Dean, and working on a solo project when he joined Jesse Daniel's band (taking over Caleb's spot after his move to The Strangers), is another young gun carrying the torch. According to those who've seen him play, he's one of the best, and Caleb wanted to make sure he got his flowers.
This is what country music is supposed to be about: community, continuity, and a shared commitment to something bigger than any one player.
Looking Forward: The Future Is in Good Hands
So what would Caleb tell a 15-year-old kid thinking about picking up the pedal steel today? Is the tradition in good hands?
"I think I would tell the kid to do it! I always tell people, I think it's just like any other instrument… if you are passionate about it and really have the dedication and discipline to become a lifelong student, you should dive in."
That's the key: becoming a lifelong student. Not looking for shortcuts or quick fame, but committing to the craft for the long haul.
When he's not on stage or in the studio, Caleb's life remains intensely focused on music. "Honestly even when I'm not playing at a gig or on a session, my life is pretty music focused. I really spend a lot of time learning and practicing, or trying to think up new things, or transcribing parts that inspire me. In my free time I enjoy sketching and drawing, I also like to hunt for gear, records, and anything vintage."
There's that word again: student. Even at 24, playing with one of the most legendary bands in country music history, Caleb Melo is still learning, still practicing, still transcribing the masters. That's what separates the ones who make it from the ones who fade away.
Why Caleb Melo?
When I launched this series, I knew we needed to spotlight the players who are keeping traditional country music alive, not the ones getting radio play, but the ones in the trenches, serving the song, honoring the tradition while pushing it forward.
Caleb Melo embodies everything this series is about.
He left high school at 18 to pursue his dream, learning the hard lessons of the road with The Reeves Brothers. He spent four years growing and evolving with Jesse Daniel, playing nearly 200 dates a year and becoming one of the most in-demand young steel players in the scene. And now, at 24, he's playing with Ben Haggard and The Strangers, literally standing on the shoulders of giants and carrying forward a legacy that stretches back to the golden age of the Bakersfield Sound.
But here's what really matters: he's humble. He's kind. He shows up prepared, with a great attitude, ready to serve the song. He treats his peers with respect and gratitude. He honors his parents for their support and sacrifice. He names his influences with reverence and studies their work with dedication.
In short, Caleb Melo is exactly the kind of musician (and person) that country music needs.
His father Paul said it best: "Caleb is a humble, approachable musician. He brings a wealth of knowledge and history to the table without trying to be the center of attention, a very kind humble young man."
Jesse Daniel said Caleb is "the best of the young steel players out there today."
Muskrat Jones said Caleb "is nothing but personality when he plays. You know exactly when it is him."
West of Texas said Caleb's "name will be mentioned alongside the great pedal steel players."
And Summer Dean summed it up perfectly: "He may be really young, but he's been an amazing player for years already."
The tradition is in good hands. Not just because of Caleb's technical skill or his tone or his feel (though all of those are exceptional) but because of his heart. Because he understands that this music is bigger than any one player. Because he's willing to be a lifelong student. Because he plays from the heart and serves the song.
Caleb Melo isn't just keeping the tradition alive. He's helping to write its next chapter, one steel lick at a time.
Photo Credit - Jesse Daniels
Where to Follow Caleb Melo
Instagram: @calebmelomusic
Keep up with Caleb's touring schedule with Ben Haggard and The Strangers, and catch him on stage carrying forward the legacy of Merle Haggard and the Bakersfield Sound.
To the young steel players reading this: pick up that instrument. Put in the work. Find your mentors. Join the brotherhood. The tradition needs you.
To Caleb: thank you for honoring the past while building the future. Your dad is proud, your peers respect you, and the legends are smiling down on you. Keep that steel singing.
And to Paul Melo: thank you for reaching out. Thank you for raising a son who understands what this music means. Thank you for letting him turn it down instead of turning it off. You did good, brother.
Caleb Melo, you're not just our October Picker of the Month. You're proof that the soul of traditional country music is alive, well, and in damn good hands.
Special thanks to Muskrat Jones, Jesse Daniel, Summer Dean, Jerry Zinn (West of Texas), Ben Arsenault, and Paul Melo for their contributions to this article.
Previous KTCA Picker of the Month Features: