Jerry Byrd (born in Lima, Ohio on March 9, 1920; died April 11, 2005) was a musician who played Lap steel guitar in country and Hawaiian music. His interest in the instrument began after a "tent show" when he was 12 and by 15 he was playing in bars. Although his initial interest was Hawaiian music much of his work was country and in 1944/1945 he joined the Grand Ole Opry. He was important to the early career of Dolly Parton being possibly the first to sign her. Read more on Last.fm