GUITAR MAESTRO PHIL KEAGGY
PERFORMSÂ AT NASHVILLE’S TPAC
Legendary Christian recording artist and world-renowned guitar maestro Phil Keaggy was among the performers at the inaugural “Christmas In America” concerts, presented in two U.S. cities by the American Policy Roundtable (APR), a non-profit organization established to restore Judeo-Christian principles to American public policy.
Keaggy joined a host of musicians during shows in the greater Cleveland, Ohio, area and in Nashville, Tenn.
The concerts were an educational outreach as well as a fundraiser by the APR to further its mission, according to Wayne Shepherd, who emceed the events. Shepherd is host of “The Public Square,” an APR daily radio show out of Chicago.
In addition to Keaggy, the shows’ performers included the duo Four Wall Flight, Annie Ribbins, David White, Nathan Clark George, and the Bender Family, a family band featuring seven of its 11 children on violin, viola and cello.
Keaggy was showcased on a solo rendition of “Shades of Red and Green” from his Welcome Inn Christmas CD, as well as a number of other holiday tunes. For the finale, Keaggy, on electric guitar, joined the cast of musicians on “Joy to the World.”
“Christmas In America,” with two exclusive shows in Medina, Ohio, and in Nashville, was recorded and can be heard at aproundtable.org and on iTunes.
Pictured (L to R): Phil Keaggy performs at American Policy Roundtable (APR) concert with a number of musicians, including Mary Grace Bender, cellist and member of family band, The Bender Family.
About Phil Keaggy:
One of the world’s most beloved musicians, Keaggy’s solo career has spanned 40+ years and has included more than 50 solo albums, both vocal and instrumental, as well as eight releases with his band, Glass Harp.Widely recognized for his phenomenal guitar playing as well as his vocal and songwriting prowess, he has received numerous accolades and awards for his music, including seven Dove Awards and a Grammy nomination. Keaggy was inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2007, and was named one of the Top 10 best rock singers in Christian music history by GospelMusicChannel.com in 2009. In addition, Rolling Stone named him one of the “25 Most Underrated Guitarists,” alongside Prince, The Beatles’ George Harrison, Kurt Cobain, Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham.
An accomplished record producer and one of the most sought-after studio guitarists on the planet, Keaggy also continues to sell out concerts all over the United States with his ever-changing style, ranging from rock & roll to fully-orchestrated instrumental compositions.
Keaggy recently released Live From Kegworth Studio through Strobie Records, featuring his most popular live arrangements, including “Salvation Army Band,” “The True Believers” and “Here Comes the Sun.”
The latest project from the Gospel Music Hall of Famer is in response to fan requests through the years following Keaggy’s concerts.
“When I finish a show, people are always asking me if I have a CD with all the songs I played live at the concert. Regrettably, I didn’t have one CD with many of the songs I played on a given night. So I took it upon myself to record live in my home studio many of the songs I do in concert,” says Keaggy.
“With an audience of one,” Keaggy says, “I played and sang my heart out and chose the best takes of each song presented in the collection.”
In true Keaggy fashion, the new project features the musician’s amazing vocals coupled with his brilliant guitar playing and looping magic, using no overdubs.
Live From Kegworth Studio includes elements of all the musical stylings for which Keaggy is famous. He cuts loose with a wailing rendition of the classic “Salvation Army Band,” allows the mood and tempo to take center stage on the Keith Green-penned “Your Love Broke Through,” pays homage to George Harrison with a spot-on rendition of the Beatles’ hit “Here Comes the Sun,” and settles into some intricate acoustic guitar strumming coupled with reflective lyrics on the contemplative “Chalice.”
For more information on Keaggy, Welcome Inn and Live From Kegworth Studio, visit philkeaggy.com.
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