Who are your top three country guitarists (name more than three if you have more favorites)?

Favorite Answer

Doc Watson
Merle Travis
Tony Rice...Show more

Jerry Reed
Chet Atkins
Merle Travis
David Rawlings
Doc Watson
Steve Earle
Steve Wariner
Vince Gill
Redd Volkaert
Ricky Skaggs
Henry Haynes
Dale Watson
Brad Paisley
Willie Nelson...Show more

Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Vince Gill, Duane Eddy, Glen Campbell, Roy Clark, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, Hank Marvin from The Shadows, Nokie Edwards from The Ventures, Mark Knopfler....Show more

Every year there are awards by the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association for guitarist of the year. Research this Public information to know some of the greatest.
The ones the public sees are often not the master musicians (guitarist) like Al Bruno who has won 12 years guitarist of the year and John Jorgensen who played on many artists recordings & in concert with Elton John .... plus there are many more professional country guitarist flying under the public radar for years.

Then there are those who are singers or entertainers first and guitarists second and often known before the award winning craftsman.

Remember musicianship is a craft and there are many the public hears but never knows their names...like the man who built the house you live in...do you know his or her name?

Craftsmen vs. Public Persona ... so please be aware there are musicians that play on all recording sessions for Major artists being paid for their craftsmanship that you probably don't know their names.

Top Three often are given awards by their piers which are organizations like the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences membership (Grammy organization) to name just one.

Be a WISE consumer and you'll be giving true talent the respect it deserves....Show more

Brad Paisley
Jerry Reed
Chet Atkins
Redd Volkaert (Merle Haggard, solo artist, etc.)
Merle Travis
Brent Mason (session guitarist)
Albert Lee (session guitarist, Emmylou Harris, Eric Clapton, solo artist, etc.)
James Burton (Elvis, solo artist, etc.)
Vince Gill
Steve Wariner (he either released or is going to release an album in tribute to Chet Atkins...I'll be looking for that one!)
John Jorgenson (The Hellecasters, Desert Rose Band, etc.)
Buster B. Jones
Danny Gatton (also played a lot of blues, jazz, rockabilly, etc.--kinda like what Brad Paisley is capable of)
Johnny Hiland (another Gatton or Paisley-kind of player, who can play many genres...only this guy's blind!)



The sad thing is, there are probably many more that I've forgotten....Show more