Article Author - Rusty Hoyle of Keep Traditional Country Alive
In Collaboration with John Carter from Honky Tonk Traditions.
In the rolling farmland outside Dayton, Texas, where Czech-American families have worked the earth for generations, Kevin Skrla has built something extraordinary. Part recording studio, part musical laboratory, part shrine to classic country, Wolfe Island Studios represents everything the 34-year-old pedal steel virtuoso stands for: meticulous craftsmanship, deep respect for tradition, and an unwavering commitment to serving the song.
Oh, and one more thing - he's a stone-cold master of the pedal steel guitar.
"Kevin from Heaven," his collaborators call him, and for good reason. In a world where musical ego often overshadows artistry, Skrla has carved out a reputation as the player you call when you need someone who understands that the music comes first, always.
A Musical Journey Begins
Skrla's journey into the deep waters of country music began with an unlikely source: the Byrds' groundbreaking 1968 album "Sweetheart of the Rodeo." "To pick one song, it'd be 'You Ain't Goin' Nowhere,'" Skrla reflects. "It's the perfect gateway to all the great things that influenced it and beyond, without it being so hardcore country that it'll scare anyone off."But it was legendary steel guitarist Lloyd Green who truly ignited Skrla's passion. "Lloyd Green is to blame for my obsession with country music maybe," he says with characteristic humility. That obsession led him down rabbit holes of musical history that few players, even within classic country circles, dare to explore.
His partner and frequent collaborator, acclaimed singer-songwriter Brennen Leigh, marvels at his encyclopedic knowledge: "Few people even inside of what we call 'classic country' actually reach very far back and listen, and Kevin has made Country and Western his life's labor of love."
Photo Credit - Cole Reeves
Recognition Among Peers
Skrla's dedication to his craft has earned him recognition on some of country music's most respected stages. He was selected to perform at the prestigious Ameripolitan Steel Guitar Showcase, an honor that places him among the finest steel players in the genre. The Ameripolitan Music Awards celebrate authentic country, honky-tonk, rockabilly, and western swing, making this recognition particularly meaningful for an artist devoted to traditional sounds.
He also just recently played on the Sho-Bud Showcase Live Wanted For Steelin' show at Robert's Western World Fan Fair (THE Home for Traditional Country and Western Music on Broadway)
His reputation extends throughout the Texas country scene and beyond, having played with Brennen Leigh, Summer Dean, Christopher Seymour, and touring with notable acts including Dale Watson, Celine Lee, Bonnie Montgomery, Johnny Falstaff, and the Broken Spokes.
The Steel That Captivates
At the heart of Skrla's sound is his late 1960s Sho-Bud pedal steel guitar, that he has named "The Other Woman", an instrument he's mastered with such precision that fellow musicians literally stop what they're doing to watch him play. Summer Dean, a rising star in the Texas country scene, describes the phenomenon: "A fun part about working with Kevin in public on stages is watching all the other musicians (especially steel players) huddle around him while he's on stage. They stare intensely at his playing and shake their heads and giggle at how good he is. They all wanna be like him."
But Dean is quick to point out that technical prowess is only part of what makes Skrla special: "I have yet to find another player that can match his tone and awareness on stage. He's just incomparable!"
Photo Credit - Kevin Skrla
The Complete Musician
What sets Skrla apart in an era of musical specialization is his complete approach to the craft. He's not just a steel player but a multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, and luthier who can seamlessly move between drums, bass, guitar, and keys as needed.
Bonnie Montgomery, who worked extensively with Skrla, explains his versatility: "He can switch from drummer, bassist, lead guitar or steel player, so you know you're sittin pretty if he says yes." But she emphasizes that his technical skills are just the beginning: "In the studio, he's an incredible engineer and producer, and is fully collaborative and makes recording just magical and effortless."
Summer Dean sums up his range: "Kevin can play darn near every instrument in the band. Then record, produce, and mix it all in an impressive professional studio that he built himself. This is all on the days where he's not building custom pick ups and guitars, or repairing priceless vintage equipment. He's a genius!"
The Reeves Brothers acknowledge this versatility while focusing on what matters most to them: "We could give you a long list of everything that he's great at doing from producing albums, playing every instrument a person could own, building pickups, to being an amazing guitar builder. But that list is a little different for us. He's a man we can call at any time and he's there for us."
Photo Credit - Cole Reeves
From Teenage Fascination to Professional Mastery
Skrla's recording journey began at age 15, though his focus was initially on the technical side. "I was more interested in the technical side and all the people that made a record than actually playing. I'm still that way really," he admits. After years of learning about recording and gear while playing guitar in blues and classic rock bands, he made a push to seriously focusing on producing music in 2018 and and mostly focuses on producing country music.
This technical fascination would prove invaluable as he developed into not just a player, but a complete musical architect capable of building songs from the ground up.
Building Dreams: The Wolfe Island Legacy
Perhaps nothing exemplifies Skrla's dedication to the genre more than Wolfe Island Studios, which he built entirely by hand with RCA Studio B in mind. The legendary Nashville studio, known as "The Home of a Thousand Hits," was where Elvis Presley recorded more than 240 songs, and where classic recordings like "All I Have to Do Is Dream" by the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison's "Only the Lonely," Charley Pride's "Kiss an Angel Good Morning," and Dolly Parton's early work came to life.
Montgomery describes Skrla's homage to this legendary space with obvious affection: "He handmade every square inch of the studio... all vintage equipment, a grand piano, Hammond B3 with Leslie, sound panels like the ones in Sun studios and checkered floor. And a board that's from the WWII era and a lava lamp!"
The studio represents more than just a workspace. "The Wolfe Island is a mindset, an oasis and a vibe," Montgomery explains. "No power dynamic, no gender norms, no downer vibes, nothing but pure collaboration."
Photo Credits - Kevin's Instagram (Hope You Don't Mind Kevin!)
Heart of Gold: The Man Behind the Music
Behind all the technical expertise and musical achievement lies something deeper: the values instilled by his Southeast Texas farming family. Leigh describes his background with evident admiration: "He's from a southeast Texas farming family who are Czech Americans…very hard working, salt of the earth people who'd give the shirt off their back and then some to any person in need."
The Reeves Brothers, Matt and Cole, who have worked extensively with Skrla, perhaps capture his character best: "In the music business you meet new people everyday, but it's rare to meet a genuine friend. Someone you call on the phone and chat about everything and nothing all at the same time. Kevin Skrla is more than a friend, he's our brother." They continue, painting a picture of someone whose generosity extends far beyond music: "He's a man that will say 'you lost the keys to your car, the night before having to make a 2,000 mile road trip? Then let's just take my car'. A man that will pile up 6 people deep in a F250 truck and tour across the country without a single complaint and a whole lot of laughs."
Those values manifest in every aspect of Skrla's approach to music. "I think what makes Kevin special as a player and producer is that he plays with his heart. Everything he does starts there," Leigh observes. "He's one of those rare ego-less men who only thinks of the song and how to best dress it."
Leigh continues with perhaps the highest praise a musician can receive: "I believe firmly that part of being a musician is treating others with care and humanity, the profession should be inseparable from the kindness demanded of those who bear our title…and Kevin is a beautiful example of that."
Summer Dean echoes this sentiment: "None of this goes to Kevin's head at all. Though he's confident in his ability, he's always kind, big-hearted, and one of the realest people I know."
Photo Credit - Cole Reeves
The Joy of Creation
In an industry often driven by ego and commercial concerns, Skrla stands out for his genuine love of the craft. Leigh describes him as someone who is "motivated by joy and curiosity," adding, "He's a hard worker and loves his work."
This joy is infectious, creating an atmosphere in his studio and on stage that brings out the best in everyone around him. Montgomery captures this perfectly: "SKRLA/WOLFE ISLAND STUDIOS FOREVER."
Why Kevin Skrla?
When I set out to launch KTCA's Inaugural Picker of the Month series, I knew the first feature needed to set the right tone. Kevin Skrla was an easy choice. Here is an amazing musician whose talent speaks for itself, but more importantly, everything I've heard about him as both a person and a musician has been nothing short of exceptional.
In conversations with his collaborators and peers, a consistent picture emerges of an artist who embodies the very best of what music can be: technically masterful yet humble, innovative yet respectful of tradition, successful yet generous with his time and talents. These are the qualities we want to celebrate, the musicians who remind us why we fell in love with music in the first place.
As Kevin Skrla continues to honor the traditions of country music while pushing its boundaries through his innovative production work, he represents something increasingly rare in modern music: an artist for whom technical mastery serves emotional truth, where the ego disappears in service of the song, and where the joy of creation remains paramount.
The Reeves Brothers sum it up perfectly: "Kevin Skrla can be called many things by many people, but to The Reeves Brothers… Kevin Skrla is our family."
In a world that often values flash over substance, Skrla reminds us that the deepest artistry comes not from showing off, but from showing up completely, humbly, and with an open heart.
Photo Credit - Muskrat Jones and Caitlyn Wilhoit
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