Mel Bay Kentucky Thumbpicking Blues for Guitar [Paperback]

Tommy Flint (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2003

A collection of 15 intermediate level thumbstyle blues guitar solos in the style developed and played by some of the coal miners of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky and surrounding areas in the early to mid-20th century. Jim Mason and Amos Johnson were two of the early players. The style was picked up and streamlined by Mose Rager and Ike Everly and was the forerunner of the Travis Style. This style can be heard on Merle Travis blues recordings. The music is presented in notation and tablature with chord symbols. The performance/demonstration recording is excellent for listening. It contains all 15 tunes with rhythm guitar accompaniment.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tommy Flint is an outstanding guitarist who is known worldwide for his musical achievements. He is an internationally acclaimed author of guitar instructional books, CDs, and videos. Tommy and his band have accompanied many major artists in concert halls, recording studios, and package shows. Tommy has shared the stage with artists such as Chet Atkins, Cher, Ray Charles, Roger Miller, Liza Minnelli, Dolly Parton and Glen Campbell. He and his band performed as an opening act for the late Elvis Presley.

Tommy's resume includes performances at the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame, A Tribute to Merle Travis at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas, the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society in Nashville and the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas.

Tommy has conducted clinics and workshops across the U. S. and Europe. He is well known for his work with the Music Educators National Conference, the Merle Travis Guitar Festival at Northeastern State University at Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and other venues. He has participated in workshops with a number of nationally recognized guitarists including his cousin Merle Travis, Mel Bay, Thom Bresh, Bill Bay, John Knowles, Buster B. Jones, and Muriel Anderson.

Tommy has written 40 instructional books (with companion recordings) published by Mel Bay Publications. Many of his books are used in the nation's leading music schools. He also writes for Fingerstyle Guitar magazine. Tommy is heavily scheduled playing concerts, conducting workshops and clinics, writing, recording and personally instructing a limited number of exceptional students. His performances, clinics, videos, books tapes are an inspiration to guitarists and guitar music lovers the world over.

Tommy's honors include a Governor's Appreciation Certificate for his participation in Oklahoma Homecoming '90. He was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of the Bluegrass State. He was proud to be designated a Country Music Pioneer by the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Association. A street in Drakesboro, KY was recently named Tommy Flint Avenue. Tommy has attended the Reunion of Country Music Artists by special invitation from the CMA. One reunion was highlighted when Tommy and legendary guitarist Mose Rager (Merle Travis' mentor) took the stage together.

Through the early influences of Merle Travis, Mose Rager, and "Spider" Rich, Tommy developed an unmistakable "style of his own".

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786670339
• ISBN-13: 978-0786670338
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,907,014 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)