Best Flat Picker I've Ever Seen

[Arapaho G]

I saw Billy Strings at Red Rocks last night. 3rd time I've seen him perform and I was amazed again. I'm pretty well convinced he is the best flat picker I've ever seen. I'm not saying best ever, just the best I'VE ever seen. Who is your best?

[H165]

Peter McLaughlin (currently in the Sonoron Dogs).

I also like Tony's brother, Wyatt.

I've seen Billy twice - quite the player!

There are just too many good players around. Another, Russ Barenberg, is an amazing picker.

[Arapaho G]

I'm familiar with Wyatt. I'll have to check out Peter and Russ!

[raysachs]

I saw Tony Rice a couple times in the late 80s / early 90s. Possibly he’s been matched, but not bettered. Seems like a safe choice…

-Ray

[bluesguy63]

I think Trey Hensley gotta be somewhere in that mix.

[Arapaho G]

I wish I had seen Tony Rice perform. Just an awesome guitar player.

[dhodgeh]

I've been going to Kaufman Kamp for the past few years. Seen a bunch of phenomenal flatpickers, which include a number of Winfield winners.

Can't really put a finger on who I would call the best these days.

D

[Mr. Jelly]

For me there isn't anyone that even comes close to Norman Blake. His flat picking, which is just a part of his musicality, has more feel to it than anyone's yet just as technical and fast as there is. Yet his music has gone so much beyond mere flat-picking flash. Stunning is the word. Do a YouTube search for Norman Blake OCB #3 song and become educated.

[Robin, Wales]

I used to go to an open bluegrass jam session at the Golden Fleece in Tremadog and Andy MacKenzie would be there. He is just about the hottest and most creative off-the-cuff flatpicker that I have sat next to. I captured "whisky before breakfast" one night as we ripped through it in the bar.

[phydaux]

I've seen Dennis Agajanian a few times, but I think that had more to do with each of us living in San Diego at the time.

This is gonna sound catty, but I always thought all his solos sounded the same.

[pinkfloyd]

Molly Turtle

[frankmcr]

Doc Watson.

[Robin, Wales]

You have to have seen them live for it to count in this thread.

[capefisherman]

Recently? David Grier!!!! Saw him - unamplified in any way, BTW - in a living room type show nearby last fall and to say he was incredible would be a huge understatement. The man is something of a legend in Nashville and rarely ventures far from there. Plus, he is very funny with a big grin and a dry-as-toast sense of humor. He played lots of originals, a couple of which have entered my repertoire, and a highlight was him playing Blackberry Blossom with just one finger (index), then do it entirely with his middle finger, then with his ring finger! And I would bet he could do it with his pinky, too. And - not just the straight melody, but various embellishments, jazz licks ala Tony, and much more. He was astounding.

A disturbing sidenote though. After every song (as he was telling yet another corny joke) he was stretching and rubbling his fretting hand, which was not good to see. I spoke with him after the show (and bought three of his CDs) and did not mention his discomfort; maybe he was just tired. But my point it: see him when and if you can, you will be amazed, promise!!

[J Patrick]

….there’s a number of flat picking monsters that on any given day might be my favorite…..yes the icons Doc Tony Norman Clarence et all and the great newcomers..Billy Molly Trey et all…..but also a few lesser knowns like Scott Law James Nash Larry Keel Chris Luquette and several others that I love……and you gotta mention master violinist Mark OConner…..his work on Grismans Quintet 80 when he replaced Tony Rice is phenomenal…and there’s Bryan Sutton who may be the smoothest most elegant flat picker I’ve ever heard…..and Russ Barenberg who is clever quirky and always tasteful….the only ones of these mentioned I haven’t seen live are Russ Barenberg and Clarence White…
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