Leon McAuliffe was an American musician and bandleader, best known for his work in the country music genre. Born on March 2, 1917, in Houston, Texas, he gained fame as a steel guitarist and played a significant role in popularizing the steel guitar in country music. McAuliffe was a member of the Texas Playboys, a prominent band led by Bob Wills, and contributed to many of their classic recordings. In addition to his work with the Texas Playboys, McAuliffe had a successful solo career, releasing several albums and singles. He is particularly remembered for his hit song "Panhandle Rag," which became a standard in country music. McAuliffe's influence on the genre continued until his passing on July 23, 1988.