Best Guitarist in Christian Music?

[clemsontigers23]

Who do you think is the best guitarist in Christian music? For me, it's Lincoln Brewster. No contest.

[bdfwinn]

Steven Curtis Chapman

His music is not my first choice but cuz can claw the hound out of a guitar
Bill

[iLoVeJeSuS23]

um ide say either the guitarist for Skillet or SwitchFoot

[clemsontigers23]

um ide say either the guitarist for Skillet or SwitchFoot

We saw Skillet in concert and it's amazing how they were able to hit all of their notes while jumping around like that...they don't have incredible guitar solos, but they're good at what they do.

Switchfoot...nah, not really. Meant to Live was great but I've never really heard a Switchfoot solo.

I still think Lincoln Brewster...the guitar work on All to You and You Are Good is amazing. He's definitely the most creative guitarist.

[danbos]

I'd agree with those who say Lincoln Brewster. The solo on the live version of All to You is amazing.

[Sharon]

Personally I prefer Glenn Kaiser .... the man can work the blues :cool:

[Jason]

Outside of Third Day; Two words. Phil Keaggy.

[Sharon]

Two words. Phil Keaggy.

Yeah .... him also

Ya know there's so many different styles and some excell at one style more than others

Like what about Oz Fox and Michael Sweet from Stryper? Excellent at metal and rock.

[Tony Trout]

My #1 choice would be Bob Hartman of Petra.....





















(Brad and Mark of our beloved TD rock the llama, also!)

[Les_Is_More]

Phil Keagy is the second best.

Doyle Dykes is the best christian guitarist in my opinion. Check him (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT9eyWrUVpA) out.

[Euphoric]

Like what about Oz Fox and Michael Sweet from Stryper? Excellent at metal and rock.Now you're talking! :cool:

[Aunt Dinah Gome]

:rolleyes: BRAD AND MARK....Of course...

[freakysoccer]

BRAD AND MARK!!! Third Day Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :D

[Someone]

Thats a hard one. In terms of pure virtuosity, definitely Phil Keaggy. However, I am still a huge fan of Lincoln Brewster, and he ranks as my personal favorite Christian guitarist.

[larryl]

man.... there are some folks being overlooked here.

michael roe (the lost dogs, the 77s, various others) (one of the best on earth)
andy prickett (the prayer chain[rip], cush, kevin max, the violet burning)
jeff schroeder (formerly of the violet burning, cush, now in the smashing pumpkins)
jonny lang
buddy miller
wes king

and of course, keaggy, but he's been mentioned.

[Thirddaywannabe]

Keaggy. Hands down for me. Though DD is good, too...
Thom Daughtery, The Elms.
The guy from Delirious?.

[lilmikey]

Two words. Phil Keaggy.

Aman!!!!!!! What makes him so good though is the fact that he is excellent in all styles of music. He is very good in rock and even better in classical/acoustic. He is to me the best guitar player in the world. check out www.glassharp.net and you can download some of his work. Glass Harp is the most unique and most talented bands in the prog/jam band genre. They are my favorite band

[Macsbiggestfan]

BRAD MARK AND MAC 4 SURE!!! THEY ROCK!!!:D

[mvdb]

I really like Brad and Mark. Bob Hartman is very talented, Dan Huff, Phil Keaggy definetly is one of the most gifted guitarists. Gordon Kennedy, Brian Wooten, Scott Dente. Marjan:D :cool: :cool:

[prayercloth sis]

Joe Bridges of Bridging The Gap


...www.btgap.com or www.myspace.com.btgap


go take a listen...and vote for him on famecast...under spiritual...

thanks
Rhonie
his wife

[MarkoGomer]

MMMmmm interesting stuff...
Do you mean technically 'best' or 'best tone, style, etc'
Phil Keaggy or Shaun Lewis are technically superb, 'proper' guitarists guitarists if you like - in other words - I'm a reasonable guitarist and I go, wow i'm givin' up.
But someone like Brad Avery, may not play the most complicated stuff all the time but plays the right thing at the right time that takes skill too and his tone and style are enviable.
Most non-guitarist (like my wife) just say that's cool guitar if it sounds good, it's not how many notes you play.
Phil Keaggy's music is way complicated but not catchy or hooky, most sucessful guitarists rely on 'hooks' and 'licks' that are catchy and clever....Brad is cool - Phil is not...sorry....

Cheers!

[larryl]

wow. i'm not sure which of phil's discs you have, but i find him extremely catchy, and some of his stuff is quite hook-laden.

don't forget... he come from the prog world, which still influences a lot of what he does.

[ibanez_player]

here's a few, most have been mentioned already:
Phil Keaggy
Lincoln Brewster
Thom Daugherty from The Elms
Tyler Burkum from AA is really good.

[MarkoGomer]

I used to really be into Phil Keaggy in the 80's 90's, but tried to listen to him recently and didn't like it so much - not my old LP's, his newer stuff, are there any sound samples on the net? I'm interested.......

[rossid]

My two cents: Jason Truby of Living Sacrifice, P.O.D., and now solo again.

My son's two cents: Either Larry Farkas (Vengeance Rising), or Peter Espevoll (Extol). Extol's earlier stuff is really technical. Their stuff takes more skill than at least half of anything previously mentioned. Of course, Dave Mustaine is pretty awesome, but I don't know if we are considering Megadeth "Christian music".

Tyler Burkum from AA is really good.

Amon Amarth? :eek:

[clemsontigers23]

My two cents: Jason Truby of Living Sacrifice, P.O.D., and now solo again.

My son's two cents: Either Larry Farkas (Vengeance Rising), or Peter Espevoll (Extol). Extol's earlier stuff is really technical. Their stuff takes more skill than at least half of anything previously mentioned. Of course, Dave Mustaine is pretty awesome, but I don't know if we are considering Megadeth "Christian music".



Amon Amarth? :eek:

What album was Jason Truby on for P.O.D.? The Satellite album had some great guitar playing.

[jumpingmaniac]

Im not sayin hes the best, but my fave guitarist is Brad!! I love his solo in Nothing Compares!!!

[clemsontigers23]

Im not sayin hes the best, but my fave guitarist is Brad!! I love his solo in Nothing Compares!!!

Brad and Mark are more radio-friendly than just about every one of the people mentioned...there's nothing wrong with that, there's a reason why they're two of my favorite guitarists as well. But as far as the best, they keep it simple because that's the style of music they play. On songs like Blackbird and I Got a Feeling, the guitar shines a little more.

As far as talent, I'm not really sure how good they really are...it would be great to hear them just go crazy on the guitar one time, but there's something to be said for being able to play fast and yet hit every note.

Most of the people already mentioned are able to do that better than most other people. I will say this, besides Lincoln Brewster, they're probably the best guitarists on CCM radio these days, but let's be honest, that's not saying much.

I know Third Day likes Lynyrd Skynyrd...it would be interesting to see how well they could play Free Bird. ;)

Come on Brad and Mark...show us what you got!

[iLoVeJeSuS23]

hmm.. i think Kutless does an amazing job with guitars...

both eletric and acoustic

[ibanez_player]

My two cents: Jason Truby of Living Sacrifice, P.O.D., and now solo again.

My son's two cents: Either Larry Farkas (Vengeance Rising), or Peter Espevoll (Extol). Extol's earlier stuff is really technical. Their stuff takes more skill than at least half of anything previously mentioned. Of course, Dave Mustaine is pretty awesome, but I don't know if we are considering Megadeth "Christian music".



Amon Amarth? :eek:
Audio Adrenaline. He's not always a really flashy player. Sometimes he does let lose, and plays some crazy stuff. Often, what he plays is not that hard, but it really fits their music. I love the cool part he plays in the song "Strong" from the "Worldwide" album.

[larryl]

i don't think you have heard most of what i mentioend, if you think brad and mark are more radio friendly.

make no mistake.... i love them. and i was at brad's first show with the band, and was blown away. mark...... well i've used his amp for a show..... he's always been a cool player.

[rossid]

What album was Jason Truby on for P.O.D.? The Satellite album had some great guitar playing.The two after Satellite, "Payable on Death" and Testify", and now Marcos rejoined the band at the end of last year.

[BigRalphN]

In Christian Rock there are quite a few. Keaggy is up there but how about the following:

Jimmie Bratcher (http://www.jimmiebratcher.com)
Rob Perez of Visual Cliff and Fall of Echoes (http://www.visualcliff.net)
Marvin King (http://www.marvinking.com/)

Others to mention: Neal Morse, Randy George of Ajalon, Scott Spivey of Orphan Project and the boys from Third Day!

[3D NC fan]

I know Third Day likes Lynyrd Skynyrd...it would be interesting to see how well they could play Free Bird. ;)

Come on Brad and Mark...show us what you got!

They have played Free Bird. I'm pretty sure there is a clip on YouTube and there may be one in the Greenville, SC tour thread from last year.

[EmmoGomer]

Can you find that for us Elaine? I know Mark (my hubby) would luuuuurv to see that :D........and me too :D:D

[BigRalphN]

They have played Free Bird. I'm pretty sure there is a clip on YouTube and there may be one in the Greenville, SC tour thread from last year.


Didn't Mark make a comment on here a year or two back about a bad experience playing Freebird once?

[3D NC fan]

Can you find that for us Elaine? I know Mark (my hubby) would luuuuurv to see that :D........and me too :D:D

Here it is:

http://www.thirdday.com/boards/showthread.php?t=92415&highlight=freebird

[BigRalphN]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guKIdxyDMKo

[EmmoGomer]

Oooooooo thanks. I'll take a looksee now :cool:.

[clemsontigers23]

They have played Free Bird. I'm pretty sure there is a clip on YouTube and there may be one in the Greenville, SC tour thread from last year.

When I said Free Bird I meant the solo...but that was a funny video. :D

I think Third Day could pretty much pull off the Free Bird solo because they have the duel guitarists. I think I would have to see Brad and Mark just tear it up once to say they are two of the best in Christian music, though.

[E. Blues Gomer]

Technically, I'd have to say Lincoln Brewster.... Innovatively I'm gonna have to say Sameer from Flyleaf... Such a cool sound and a cool guy to be around.

[iamagomer]

I think that Brad Avery adds so much to the Third Day sound. I would LOVE for Brad to join my praise team. Also, Ethan with the OC Supertones is the most underated in Christian musi.

[in hiding]

best guitarist who is a christian.....Christopher Parkening.

[ails]

i hav a question...is tommy emmanuel a christian?
he does alot of hymns and suchlike but no-one really knows. if he is he clearly wins cuz hes an absolute legend!
also chris tomlin is pretty gd on acoustic goodness...i heard him play on some mixed cd and it was beautiful
also i like ur man from delirious...hes pretty gd.

but clearly we all luv brad an mark.:D
ails

[luv2laf]

Rex Caroll is the best !

[OnceDead]

I remember when Brad Avery played in a band called Free Fare, and they played our Jr. High dance. They played 80's hair metal covers. That guy can squeal. Lincoln Brewster is amazing, as is Oz Fox from Stryper.

[HPE89]

Outside of Third Day; Two words. Phil Keaggy.


yeah,we like Phil Keaggy at our house...he's missing a part or a whole finger,too! (did anybody know that?? :))

[rocker]

I would say Becca Barlow from BarlowGirl. She's really good!

[rocker]

Who do you think is the best guitarist in Christian music? For me, it's Lincoln Brewster. No contest.

Ya, Lincoln Brewster is really good! I also like Becca Barlow from BarlowGirl. She's awesome!

[BigRalphN]

Another great Christian guitarist is Rob Perez of Visual Cliff, and now Sonic Martyr as well. Check out some of his clips at http://www.trinityrecords.net

[thirday]

Personally I prefer Glenn Kaiser .... the man can work the blues :cool:

Never heard of him, but you said "blues", so I ran(sprinted) straight to youtube. Checked out "Since I laid my burdens down" WOW!!! Loved it!! Here it is. Love that slide. Gonna be buying a cd soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AilDVFNzelU

Other great guitar players that I like, were the ones on Burlap to Cashmere first cd and concert tour, when they had a full band. Great acoustic work.

[Howlin' Wolf]

Jason Woodell

The Battle of Meadow Bridge.

[Corrine]

Jason Woodell

The Battle of Meadow Bridge.

I've heard of him. (add the winking smiley here in your imagination, because the smileys seem to have taken a hike.)

[BigRalphN]

Never heard of him, but you said "blues", so I ran(sprinted) straight to youtube. Checked out "Since I laid my burdens down" WOW!!! Loved it!! Here it is. Love that slide. Gonna be buying a cd soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AilDVFNzelU

Other great guitar players that I like, were the ones on Burlap to Cashmere first cd and concert tour, when they had a full band. Great acoustic work.


If you like Christian Blues, then you need to check out Jimmie Bratcher. He is another great Christian guitar player and he has a couple videos on You Tube as well.

[rossid]

Dave "The Edge" Evans of a band of Christians called U2.

[princess1087]

in no particular order:
Wes King
Phil Keaggy
That guy from Burlap To Cashmere
The Jars Of Clay Guys are pretty awesome
Salvador also has some awesome guitars

[Steven Brown]

I agree. I have been listening to Phil Keaggy for about 30 years now, and overall, I believe he is the best guitarist ever (Christian and Secular).

He can play any style (classical, jazz, rock, folk, traditional, contemporary, acoustic, electric, etc...) he writes his own stuff, sings and plays instrumentals like no one else I have ever heard.

[Unstereotypical]

Best guitarist overall: Michael Romeo from Symphony X for Rock and Metal.

S.tevie R.ay V.aughan for Blues.



Best Christian guitarist: George Ocha from RecoN and DeliverancE,

Mark Lewis from TourniqueT (who only played one time with the band doing those impossible solos on the "Stop the Bleeding" CD),

The Edge from U2.

[danbos]

Brian Bunn of DecembeRadio...that guy can tear it up...and they play music that can showcase that.

[sandyandporter]

Brian Bunn of DecembeRadio...that guy can tear it up...and they play music that can showcase that.

I'm gonna agree with you there. I think that he'll get more and more recognition for his skills as they get more well known.... which I think they will next month when Satisfied drops.

[Mr.Elwood]

(no, I did not go back through the whole thread)

Shawn Lewis is the most talented ‘player’ I’ve ever seen.

He played the Bass and guitar in a show where the other member of the band was to sick to show.
If you know of his work of Glory Revealed, you seriously need to rethink what talent means.

This man is almost self-sufficient in putting thought to music and then delivering that the rest of us.

But most of you probably still don’t know who he is.

[oncelost1224]

Keaggy is awesome, but while I haven't heard much of his stuff, what I've heard is really technical yet not very catchy, so I'll have to agree with the first person who brought up the technique vs. listenability factor. On that note, I think the most talented guitarist in Christian music right now who makes it to the radio every now and then has to be Lincoln Brewster. His chops are ridiculous, yet he doesn't overplay (and that's a KEY distinction). Shawn Lewis is also extremely impressive and my be the best "whole package" musician / performer in the industry given his amazing vocal talent. I'll also echo the guitarist from Salvadore, Steven Curtis Chapman and of course Brad's my personal favorite. There's a key artist who's been overlooked: Johnny Lang. He's got great chops, especially in the blues, but his live performance is even more incredible. Definitely check him out if you get the chance! Oh and how have we not mentioned Robert Randolph??? Finally, Jerry Douglas of Union Station fame is amazing on the dobro. Happy pickin'!

[mac_mcdoodle]

I can automatically go with the default two: Brad and Mark, but I think that Tyler Burkum of the great band Audio Adrenaline deserves mention. Check out his crazy solo on the Worldwide DVD.
How many Christian musicians do you see rolling around on the stage floor?

I think that one of the greatest bassist to ever grace the CCM scene is Ben Shreve of GS Megaphone. Unfortunately, he seems to have fallen away from those glory days. Take a listen to the song "Venom". It has a crazy bass solo for its intro. You can see the videos on YouTube. Search under GS Megaphone.

[gladebranchfan]

me of course

[lilmikey]

Phil Keaggy hands down

[lilmikey]

Keaggy is awesome, but while I haven't heard much of his stuff, what I've heard is really technical yet not very catchy, so I'll have to agree with the first person who brought up the technique vs. listenability factor. On that note, I think the most talented guitarist in Christian music right now who makes it to the radio every now and then has to be Lincoln Brewster. His chops are ridiculous, yet he doesn't overplay (and that's a KEY distinction). Shawn Lewis is also extremely impressive and my be the best "whole package" musician / performer in the industry given his amazing vocal talent. I'll also echo the guitarist from Salvadore, Steven Curtis Chapman and of course Brad's my personal favorite. There's a key artist who's been overlooked: Johnny Lang. He's got great chops, especially in the blues, but his live performance is even more incredible. Definitely check him out if you get the chance! Oh and how have we not mentioned Robert Randolph??? Finally, Jerry Douglas of Union Station fame is amazing on the dobro. Happy pickin'!
you are missin out on a lot than

[lilmikey]

I agree. I have been listening to Phil Keaggy for about 30 years now, and overall, I believe he is the best guitarist ever (Christian and Secular).

He can play any style (classical, jazz, rock, folk, traditional, contemporary, acoustic, electric, etc...) he writes his own stuff, sings and plays instrumentals like no one else I have ever heard.

I would have to say that his blues is a tad bit rusty. I agree wholeheartedly

[Martyred]

To Me, it's like a tie.

Shawn Lewis from Hyper Static Union is amazing at what he does- both lead and rhythm guitar.

and

Lincoln Brewster. His chops ( I know this has been said already) are amazing. I would love to see him just JAM once. haha

[Mr.Supervious]

robert randolph is the best Christian guitarist and one of the best of all time!

[Jason]

I don't understand why people keep mentioning other names than Phil Keaggy. ;)

[lilmikey]

I don't understand why people keep mentioning other names than Phil Keaggy. ;)

I dont know cause really there is no comparison he is the best.

[lilmikey]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKjDFMqkdKA

here he is on acoustic

here is one of my all time faves can you see me. Glass Harp was the quintessential jam band, one of the first. This is the middle section of Can You See me (this song is 28 min, at the Carnagie Hall) This here is one of the first ever televised/recorded concerts on PBS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2fR0YNemYU

[mickholt]

Naming the best guitarist, in any music style, is like naming the best running back in football (which of course is Walter Payton, but that is a different thread) I have not seen anyone mention Quinton Gibson. This guy is for real. He's played with everyone, was in WhiteCross and a band called Seraiah. Find some of this guy's music and you will add him to your all time greats lists.

[Rafinha Gomer]

BRAD MARK AND MAC 4 SURE!!! THEY ROCK!!!:D
Sure . They are the BEST !!!!! :Dhttp://myplay.com/files/imagecache/photo_345_square/files/artist_images/dxc__uz1685038.jpg

[Johnny 59]

Phil Keaggy

[R. Smith]

Ox Fox was/is amazing. Larry Norman rocked. Mac Powell/Tia Anderson/Mark Lee for sure rock out. But for my money - Jody Davis formely of the Newsboys was/is the best. I was the boys live in 99, and Jody is a great great guitar player both live and on CD.

[bajagill]

I don't understand why people keep mentioning other names than Phil Keaggy. ;)

Yeah.... what's up with that any way? I got to listen to him tonight playing live (acoustic) on a radio show by himself for the first time and not in a band situation. It was a couple of semi-updated christmas songs. Truly, it almost brought a tear to my eye.......

[lilmikey]

Just listened to LB on youtube. awesome but nowhere near Phil Keaggy

[thirday]

I don't understand why people keep mentioning other names than Phil Keaggy. ;)

because, there's other people besides phil keaggy.

[Jason]

because, there's other people besides phil keaggy.

But not others that are the best. There's a difference between "best" and "favorite." Lots of people mentioned Third Day's guitarists. But while I obviously enjoy Third Day's music, there's absolutely no way I would say Mark, Brad, or Mac are the best guitarists in Christian music. Not even in the top ten. Especially not Mac. C'mon people ... he's a great vocalist and songwriter but an average guitarist.

[lilmikey]

But not others that are the best. There's a difference between "best" and "favorite." Lots of people mentioned Third Day's guitarists. But while I obviously enjoy Third Day's music, there's absolutely no way I would say Mark, Brad, or Mac are the best guitarists in Christian music. Not even in the top ten. Especially not Mac. C'mon people ... he's a great vocalist and songwriter but an average guitarist.

oh how the truth hurts:D :D Third Day is not striving to be the best and that's ok. Phil Keaggy aint either but he is anyway:D ;) . The man is in his early fifties and has been playing since he was around 9 or 10 that certainly lonnnng years of practice an work to get him where he is today.

[lilmikey]

not that this has anything to do with Christian music but Phill is evenn better than Hendrix(who in my opinion was way overrated)

[Howlin' Wolf]

not that this has anything to do with Christian music but Phill is evenn better than Hendrix(who in my opinion was way overrated)

you are out of your mind. Jimi revolutionized the electric guitar. Phil Keaggy is behind Page and Hendrix.

[Jason]

you are out of your mind. Jimi revolutionized the electric guitar. Phil Keaggy is behind Page and Hendrix.

But just behind. ;)

[manoverboard21]

Brad and Mark are great. Outside of them definitely Michael Sweet and Ox Fox from Stryper.

[Mr. J]

Tony Palacios of Guardian. They may not be doing much lately, but Tony rocks.

[lilmikey]

you are out of your mind. Jimi revolutionized the electric guitar. Phil Keaggy is behind Page and Hendrix.

He sure did and thats why he was so famous. But his playing ability itself is not even a drop in the bucket compared to Keaggy. I wonder how good Jimi was with an acoustic. The mark of a true accomplished musician is to master both electric and acoustic guitars and Keaggy has excelled at that. I have heard a lot of Hendrix and still I dont think he can't be compared to Keaggy

Now you have these fly by night talentless excuse of a band hacks who master the tone of hard rock and overdrive but have no idea how to play squat unplugged and with out their distortion pedals and overdrive switches.

Third Day excluded of course. The only to bands I know of who are brilliant, wonderful and unique are Phish and Glass Harp. I'm sure there is more out there but cant think of any now.

Anastasio and Keaggy are IMO the two best guitarist in the world today and that's all I have to say about that.

[thirday]

. I wonder how good Jimi was with an acoustic. The mark of a true accomplished musician is to master both electric and acoustic guitars and Keaggy has excelled at that.

Now you have these fly by night talentless excuse of a band hacks who master the tone of hard rock and overdrive but have no idea how to play squat unplugged and with out their distortion pedals and overdrive switches.

.

A good friend of mine who is an excellent guitarist, said once about playing the acoustic guitar.

"The acoustic doesn't lie. If you mess up, you hear it. You can't cover it up like you can on the electric."

I have found that to be so true.

[rossid]

How about that dude from Nickle Creek that is half of Fiction Family with Jon Foreman of Switchfoot? He has a bluee grass background and sounds good.

[thirday]

I don't know if this guy is a christian, but check out his guitar playing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TX0eTp7SoNU&feature=related