I was having a fun conversation with a buddy about the 10 "best" guitar players in Nashville. Obviously a subjective idea, it started some fun dialogue and got us thinking about all the different players.
Jack Pearson
Brent Mason
Guthrie Trapp
Pat Bergeron
Tom Bukovac
Kenny Greenberg
Andy Reis
David Grier
Tom Hemby
Richard Bennett
This is sort of a compilation of favorties, and we know we missed some (probably obvious), and there's some that live in Nashville part-time or are there a lot for work. Who else is really good? Note: this is a conversation starter, and not intended to argue or make people mad hahaha
JD Simo. Is he still Nashville based? He’s very good.
All good choices.....but Billy Strings loves in Nashville now, folks. 
JD opened for Gregg a couple years ago in Nashville and it was very good, 3 piece. I think it was the night Joe Cocker passed away. That same night Jack Pearson came out with Gregg playing JD's white flying V (A) and toasted the Ryman.
Does Mike Henderson still live in Nashville?
[Edited on 2/16/2020 by Rusty]
Nasahville Cats
[Edited on 2/16/2020 by njpaulc]
Yes, Mike Henderson and JD Simo still live here. Along with Billy Strings, Marcus King now calls Nashville home too. I would also add Richard Smith, Thom Bresh, and John Knowles and a whole list from the Chet/Jerry school. Bob Britt ain't no slouch either. And the next bus in to the Greyhound station will probably have one or two on it.
Was hoping to get your input here Upton_nogood We could probably have a list of "10 Best from the Chet/Jerry School" haha. And yes, the greyhound station is walking-distance close to 3rd & Lindsley, City Winery, Rudys Jazz Room, etc......should just have daily auditions there for people arriving in town with a guitar on their back
[Edited on 2/16/2020 by rationalrebel]
It use to be most Nashville guitarists often played a Telecaster but not always.
I remember a guitarist I knew in the 70's who moved to Nashville in the 1970's for a year or so. He was probably the best electric player in my town and reminded me of Clapton and Robin Trower. Even had a couple of albums on ths Chelsea Chelsea lable.
When he returned he said in Nashville all the studio gigs are taken and the competition was incredible. He said you could walk up to a tree on one of the main streets, shake it and several players as good or better than you would fall to the ground.
When I think of Duane Allman telling Gregg and the others he was quiting and going to Muscle Shoals. They said aren't you going to call and see if they can use you? Duane said" No I'm just going down there and get the damn job". And he did. He sure had a cocky confidence. Even his friends from his teens said Duane was cocky and confident. And needed a dentist:)
[Edited on 2/16/2020 by blackey]
Bryan Sutton would also be on my list along with Billy Strings...…...
Definitely on Bryan Sutton, what a player. A couple others that are in the area like Larry Carlton and Robben Ford, someone just brought up in a separate group text thread. Also, Tommy Emmanuel is in Nashville a bunch, not sure if he lives in the area.
Jack Pearson is big on Tommy Emanuel.
Bart Walker is Nashville based, too. Had a solo thing, then took Zito's place in Royal Southern Brotherhood for about a year, perhaps, and is now playing lead w Hank Williams, Jr among other gigs.
That's a good list, most of the people on a Nashville list aren't going to be household names. Marcus King lives here now, Billy Strings is a beast (seems mostly bluegrass based), JD Simo for sure and Robben Ford also lives here as does Vince Gill. There's just SO many. It's not really a "contest" but Guthrie Trapp and Jack are pretty damn hard to top IMO.
[Edited on 2/17/2020 by jparadise]
Joe Bonamassa & Peter Frampton also own homes in Nashville...
I would put Vince Gill on the list for sure
Ongoing list. Add to it:
Jack Pearson
Brent Mason
Guthrie Trapp
Pat Bergeron
Tom Bukovac
Kenny Greenberg
Andy Reis
David Grier
Tom Hemby
Richard Bennett
Billy Strings
Joe Bonamassa
Peter Frampton
Vince Gill
JD Simo
Robben Ford
Bart Walker
Larry Carlton
Tommy Emmanuel
Bryan Sutton
Thanks Sully! Adding a couple more that people have mentioned offline. Thanks to upton_ogoode for the Johnny Hiland reminder Paisley is actually quite the player, not a lot of people know him for that. Also, Daniel Donato is another up and comer like Billy and Marcus, young Tele burner.
Jack Pearson
Brent Mason
Guthrie Trapp
Pat Bergeron
Tom Bukovac
Kenny Greenberg
Andy Reis
David Grier
Tom Hemby
Richard Bennett
Billy Strings
Joe Bonamassa
Peter Frampton
Vince Gill
JD Simo
Robben Ford
Bart Walker
Larry Carlton
Tommy Emmanuel
Bryan Sutton
Johnny Hiland
Brad Paisley
Daniel Donato
I believe Marty and Kenny also live in Nashvegas. If I had a Top 10 list, they'd both be on it! 😉
For any Daniel Donato fans out there, or someone that hasn't seen him, here he is playing Ramblin' Man a couple years back. He normally steers more towards country and swing.
Hey Rusty, You beat me to it, I was going to add Kenny and Marty to the list. Keith Urban can hold his own with many on the list, but he doesn't work around town like the others. I would also add former Aiken resident Kerry Marx and future CPA Parker Hastings (The joke we have is that after he graduates, he'll be able to go on tour and screw himself out of his own money)
Someone mentioned Audley Freed. Good player. He's toured with the Black Crowes, Peter Frampton, Dixie Chicks, and others. Also was a founding member of Trigger Hippy with Steve Gorman and Jimmy Herring. You can also see him on the Gregg tribute show DVD from the Fox in Atlanta; he and Jack Pearson were the 2 "house band" guitarist, along with bassist Don Was.
