After 49 years of playing the Lap Steel Guitar, Aubrey Ghent is a true legend and Master Artist in his own right! At the age of six he developed a great passion for the Lap Steel. His first guitar was a 'true tone' rhythm and he used a true tone amplifier which was a great combination, but Ghent wasn't satisfied. He decided to use a #16 nail under the stings to raise their height (as he had se...en someone else do) in order to use a steel bar and play the guitar as a steel. After about six months his two grandfathers; Bishop W.L. Nelson and Elder Eugene Ghent, got together and bought his first steel guitar and amplifier. It was a red 'Supro' and a small, used, tweed 'Fender Deluxe' amp. After three years of much practice he began playing for church services at age nine. His skills were so amazing that local churches and other events began inviting him to play for services and venues. Shortly afterwards, he began traveling to other cities and states playing steel.

As a teenage Deacon Aubrey began to preach and was called "the preaching deacon". At age 20 he fully accepted the call and began evangelizing through word and music. His preaching ministry and church positions became increasingly demanding and took precedence over his music which caused him to play less. After several years Ghent realized that his purpose and destiny was to fulfill both ministries and he began devoting equal time and attention to them both. One day while playing tunes in a music store in Miami, Florida in the fall of 1992, an employee told him that he knew of a man who would love to hear him play. It was Robert Stone of the Florida Folklore Department. Stone soon contacted Ghent and interviewed him at his home. He was floored and somewhat speechless to hear an African American man play a steel guitar with such skill and expertise. Ghent had been playing at concerts throughout Florida and other states and now with Bob's assistance he began to play at festivals and events on a state, national and international level. Once Stone learned that Aubrey was a third generation lap steel guitarist he knew he was on to something big! Several services and programs were set up for Aubrey and his father, Henry Nelson (who played the steel for more than 50 years) to be recorded together as well as Willie Eason, Ghent's uncle who introduced the steel to the House of God Churches and thus is recognized as the "Father of Gospel Steel". His father and uncle are both deceased but Ghent is dedicated to continuing his sacred family legacy and heritage.

In 1992 Aubrey recorded his first musical collaboration entitled, I've Got A Fellin'. The entire project was instrumental and very vividly showcased his uniquely gifted talent. This recording was a huge success because it was the first of it's kind. It was most definitely a phenomenal, rare gem.

In 1994 Ghent performed at the Smithsonian Folk Masters Concert at the Barns of Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA, where his music was recorded and placed in the Institute's archives. Later that year he was named and awarded Master Artist of the State of Florida. He gained national attention by being on National Public Radio on numerous occasions, and present rotation. Through all of the exposure, Arhoolie Records became interested and began recording footage of Ghent during church services. He signed a contract with Arhoolie in 1996 and his group "Aubrey Ghent & Friends" released their second solo CD entitled "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus". The record was another huge success and continues to be in high demand. But that wasn't nearly the end, in fact, it was only the beginning. Something even more profound happened through this masterful lap steel guitarist, Aubrey Ghent: the birth of the "SACRED STEEL TRADITION", which has become one of the greatest AFRICAN-AMERICAN GOSPEL ROOTS TRADITIONS ever to be discovered!

Ghent remained on the Arhoolie roots label for six years and has several recorded selections on each of the sacred steel volumes. He has recorded with several other artists and has made appearances with Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Bishop Ronald Brown, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Shirley Caesar, Dorothy Norwood, Albertina Walker, Inez Andrews, Derrick Trucks Band, Susan Tedeschi, Tu Tu Jones, Tremaine Hawkins, Lee Williams, and many more. In October of 2004 he appeared on Austin City Limits with Robert Randolph and the Family Band and continues to receive raving reviews for his featured song, "Train Don't Leave Me", of which he recorded on Arhoolie Records in 2002. His participation and performances displayed his vocal ability and also his skills and precision on solo licks. Ghent toured with Susan Tedeschi as her opener in 2003 in the south an eastern United States region. He also appeared with Susan Tedeschi, The Derek Trucks Band, Rev. Rev. Billy Wirths, David Maxwell, and Corey Harris on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise in January 2005. Aubrey and Lori toured acoustically in several locations in Europe. The Aubrey Ghent Band has toured extensively in the United States and Europe, including Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France, Ireland, and Spain.

They have represented Sacred Steel at several heritage, folk, bluegrass, jazz and blues festivals. In July 2006 the group released their forth project, entitled, "What A Time!" at the Pocono Blues Festival. This recording was their first CD on their very own Gospel Roots Record Label; "AuLo Records!" This was a great leap of independence for the Ghent's in the music industry. They performed the entire weekend, opening the festival Sunday, July 30 at noon with a smashing gospel concert that was truly the highlight of entire weekend! Most recently the band has performed at many festivals, namely, the Ireland Bluegrass Festival, the Wheatland Music Festival, and several national folk, heritage, and blues festivals, New Orleans Black Heritage Festival, African American Heritage Festival, and more.

Aubrey Ghent has been featured in numerous magazine articles, especially the featured cover story of United Kingdom's "Juke Blues" magazine in January 2005. He was named “Most Outstanding Lap Steel Musician of 2008” by Living Blues Magazine, October 2008, Issue 197. How profound!

Ghent independently produced and released, along with his wife Lori, his Band's third solo project entitled "Everything Will Be Alright" in May 2004. The project's inspiration and motivation was Lori's second cancer diagnosis which required numerous surgeries and extensive chemo therapy treatments. Through much prayer and supplication they were assured by GOD that everything would be alright! The project ministers to the hurting and offers hope in the midst of struggles. On July 30, 2006, AuLo Records released the Ghent's forth solo project entitled "What A Time!" in which the Band spent two days at Rock House Records' Studio in Greensboro, NC, with producer Roy Roberts, together creating a true masterpiece. Both CD's are available on-line at Pay Pal, CD Baby, Best Buy, Amazon, Rapsody, and I-tunes. Digital downloads are also availalbe.

In 2010 Ghent toured with Robert Randolph and the Family Band on the Habitat For Humanities Tour, appearing for several months with Third Day and Jars of Clay. In 2011 he participated in the national Experience Hendrix Tour along with Robert Randolph and many other outstanding artists.

In 2012 Aubrey became one of The Slide Brothers. They recorded their first collaboration on Concord Records entitled, Robert Randolph presents The Slide Brothers. The project features four master steel guitarist with different styles which makes for a masterfully eclectic project. Randolph's idea of bringing four steel master's together was merely genius! Their sound is rich, and unprecedented because of each of their individualisms and unsurpassed skills and talent. The group has chemistry and passion that mesmerizes it's audiences from the on set of their performances. Ghent is featured on several tracks, namely Sunday School Blues, Catch That Train, and No Cheap Seats In Heaven. The CD was released in February 2013 and the band toured extensively throughout the United States and Canada most of the year. They performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Conan Obrien, and The Artie Lang Show.

The Ghent's have versatile capabilities. Aubrey is a virtuoso instrumental soloist, he and Lori are an acoustic duo, and they have a five piece soulful band. Their repertoire is very versatile and fits into several genres such as gospel, (traditional & contemporary) rhythm and blues, folk, bluegrass heritage and more. In every setting their performance is electrifying! Its music you can feel!

Visit Aubrey's official web site: www.aubreyghent.com

MySpace: www.myspace.com/aubreyghentband

Face Book: www.facebook.com/aubreyghent

Twitter: www.twitter.com/aubreyghent

Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/aubreyghent

For national and international festival and event bookings email Lori Ghent at: lorighent@aol.com or call 615-478-5724.