Who are the must-see acoustic guitarists touring right now?

[mymartind35]

Martin Tallstrom is one I haven't seen yet.
Here he does an excellent cover of the Hollies song "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother".
Go check out his YouTube channel. He is amazing.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Bill Ashton

I can't believe I forgot to include Jim Hurst. He was Claire Lynch's guitarist for several years and is now playing a few dates with them to fill in. He is great musician, patient teacher and just all around nice guy. Look for him, you will just watching Jim perform have a great evening!

some years ago - I walked into a "dormitory" at a bluegrass summer school and saw Jim and Jim Heffernan jamming in the hall. They were a) great musicians, and b) absolute gents. I wasn't in ether of their classes (I was with Darrel Scott) but I learnt a lot just watching Jim Hurst playing .

[sahill]

Can't believe nobody has mentioned Richard Thompson! Better solo than with his band... Technical virtuoso, but his playing is always in service to the songs.

On the other end of the spectrum, John Hammond. His passion puts him in a league of his own.

[stevezenof]

Fingerstylist Shaun Hopper http://www.shaunhopper.com/ is definitely worth seeing.

Just saw him perform at a Martin Guitar clinic a couple of weeks ago. He is a genius and a nice, humble guy.

He will be at numerous clinics in the coming weeks http://www.martinguitar.com/events/events.html

[GoldCraft]

I think these were mentioned but Ill second them having seen all these preform. Dave Rawlings Machine , Willie Watson , Milk Carton Kids. Ill throw the Punch Brothers out there too even though they do a little more than guitar.

[s2y]

Saw Andy McKee last night. Great show. Great playing. He signed my guitar at the end, too. I think he wanted to know more about my 7 string and perhaps play it, but there was a heck of a line of people wanting to meet him.

[roylor4]

Jonathan Byrd and the Pickup Cowboys.

His guitar player, Johnny Waken, is an absolute beast.

[GeorgeJR]

Originally Posted by MFG

If you have a chance to see Richard Smith, you will be stunned. He plays with Tommy Emmanuel frequently and sometimes with his wife Julie Adams, also Hot Club of Nashville. He is the fingerpicking virtuoso (National Champion) who played with Chet Atkins at Her Majesty's Theater in London at age 11. His solo show is nothing short of mind-numbing.

Richard Smith is simply jaw dropping amazing. He impressed me more than any others I've seen in the last two years. His version of Hugarian Dance #5 on youtube is incredible! and I just noticed that there is more recent clip with better sound ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n5i-hvQJn8

[flagstaffcharli]

I saw Brian Sutton this past weekend playing with the McCoury brothers. He's something else. Wow!

On a completely different style, Chris Smither is coming to Portland in a few weeks. The first time I heard him I was in my early twenties. I had to pull over my car to listen. Then I signed up for guitar lessons at the Old Town School of Folk Music. It opened the door to folk & roots music for me. His style is subtle, soulful, and precise.

[raysearay]

James Taylor
Ed Gerhard
Chris Smither

[bho]

I saw Sarah Jarosz last week. Extremely talented and great music.

[hotroad]

Saw Mike Dawes a month ago. His playing is crazy good and very very creative. But besides being a great fingerstyle player, his humor and story telling make the show one of the best acoustic guitar performances I have witnessed. Grab the chance if you get it to sit in on his show.

[Mr. Jelly]

I have to put in Eric Skye. I can't believe he hasn't been mentioned.

[Toby Walker]

Dakota Dave Hull.
http://dakotadavehull.com/

Vicki Genfan
http://vickigenfan.com/

Mike Dowling
http://www.mikedowling.com/

[BrunoBlack]

Richard Thompson is always great. Here are his tour dates.
http://www.richardthompson-music.com/tour-dates/