UP Features Maggie Eckford for Christmas

You can also see her performing with Phil Keaggy

Jimi Hendrix and the Greatest Guitar Player Ever: Phil Keaggy

World Magazine recently interviewed Phil Keaggy.

There is an urban legend that either Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix was asked what it felt like to be the greatest guitar player in the world to which they replied, “I don’t know. Go ask Phil Keaggy.”

I’ve heard that story before. Actually, the myth is more popular than I am, the urban legend that it is. No, it was never said by either of them. There are echelons of artists up there. Just like there are classic movies. Then you have “B” movies or you have unusual documentaries over there to the side. I’m kind of like an unusual documentary when it comes to my contribution because I’m just what I am, and I try to do the best I can at what I do. I want to thank God. I want to thank the people who have enjoyed and loved what I’ve done musically, artistically, and, hopefully, in a ministry sense, too.

The myth has nonetheless persisted and I think the reason is it’s one of those stories that could be true. Your fans hear your guitar playing and say, “It’s possible that Phil Keaggy might be the best guitar player in the world.”

I’m certainly one of the guitar players in the world, that’s for sure. When Jimi Hendrix was asked the question, “How does it feel to be the greatest player in the world?” He goes, “Let’s just say I’m the greatest guitar player in this chair.” He was pretty modest and humble about his own assessment of himself. Anybody who is a true musician knows they’re not the greatest at anything. ... The closer you are to the Lord, the more you realize what a sinner you might really, truly be. The closer you get to the light or the closer you get to becoming a great writer, the more you realize how little you know. I’ve always had a pretty realistic assessment of my own gifts and talents. I also know my limitations. I’m limited immediately. I have nine fingers, but I’ve learned how to do some finger style. I have my own picking style but I have a melodic style that I’m really grateful for. There have been times where I might have been driving or I’ll be walking the trails in the park. When I got the iPod on and I listen to books sometimes, and then I’ll let it shuffle into some music. Maybe an old song of mine will come up, maybe an instrumental piece. I’ll go, “Wow! Did I really do that?” I’m some kind of humbled by the gift of music by God. The gift to be able to make music, especially when you draw from a beautiful source. There’s all kinds of music and there’s music that shouldn’t be called music, but we don’t need to go there. Everybody has their tastes. I just know what I like, and I know what I love, and I know what I’m capable of. I don’t try to venture off into places I’m not at least experienced at.

Having been in the Christian music industry for more than 40 years, what’s different today than when you started? 

I’ll tell you what is consistent and what is not different today is the hearts of the artists. I’d rather talk about them than the people that have run the business of Christian music. … Back in the beginning, we didn’t set out to be “CCM artists.” The term didn’t even come until the late ’70s. I guess I would say the artists who love God and devote their music to Him and develop their music and are investing in that, those are the people that I really love. I think that’s what stayed consistent. I know artists who are really big names, and they’re some of the humblest people I know. Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, these guys are very successful—Amy Grant—just incredibly humble people. I can go down the list from those who are from the earliest days to those who I’ve gotten to know who are now popular. The main thing is the message because no one can really bank on a career in this. We were called to be proclaimers whether we do it with words or without words. We’re planted on this Earth to love God, to worship Him, to proclaim Him, and to love one another well. To me, that’s life right there. Love your families, love your husbands, your wives, your children, and if you’re blessed with grandchildren, which someday I’m looking forward to, someday, go for it. Love your neighbor. 

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Phil Keaggy Honored with Prestigious ASCAP Award

Singer/songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire Phil Keaggy will be honored with the prestigious ASCAP Golden Note Award in recognition of his extraordinary career achievements. The ceremony will take place tonight during the 35th Annual Christian Music Awards. The invitation-only gala will also honor the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP's most performed Christian songs of the past year.

Past recipients of the ASCAP Golden Note Award have included Michael W. Smith, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Bob McDill, Don Williams, Lindsey Buckingham, Reba McEntire and J.D. Souther. "Phil Keaggy's influence on both the contemporary Christian and mainstream music markets is immeasurable," says ASCAP's Michael Martin. "We are very proud to honor him with the ASCAP Golden Note Award in recognition of his incredible career."



Keaggy earned his first Dove Award in 1988 for his instrumental album The Wind and the Wheat, and won his second in 1992 for the Celtic-influenced Beyond Nature. From 1998 to 2001, Keaggy dominated the Instrumental Album of the Year category at the Doves, winning for Invention, Acoustic Sketches, Majesty and Wonder, and most recently, Lights of Madrid. For three years in a row, Keaggy was voted one of the top fingerstyle guitarists by Guitar Player Magazine readers.

Disney's Night of Joy Turns 30

"Disney cares about the family like we care about the family," says Brandon Heath, one of the Christian artists who performed this weekend at Walt Disney World's 30th annual Night of Joy. "It's a common goal that we have to enrich families. They can come enjoy the rides and attractions, and they can enjoy great music."

Third Day, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Francesca Battistelli, MercyMe, Chris August, Royal Tailor, Red, Disciple, Thousand Foot Crutch, NEEDTOBREATHE, Lecrae, Kutless, Dara Maclean and Yolanda Adams were among the acts performing at three different stages Friday and Saturday nights (Sept. 7-8) at Disney' Magic Kingdom.

It's been three decades since Disney launched the first Night of Joy with a line up that included Scott Wesley Brown, David Meece, Shirley Caesar, Leon Patillo, Benny Hester, Petra, Phil Keaggy and Sheila Walsh. Since then the festival has become one of Christian music's premiere events drawing fans from all over the world with an audience heavily populated by church youth groups. During the event, Disney hosts a special lounge for youth pastors where they can interact with artists.

Casting Crowns frontman Mark Hall and fellow Casting Crowns members Juan DeVevo and Hector Cervantes were surprised with a huge Stars Wars cake recognizing their birthdays. Third Day's Mark Lee and Mac Powell, Moriah Peters, and members of Red and Royal Tailor were on hand to sing and celebrate.

Hall, who has long been known as a big Star Wars fan, recently auctioned off his collection to benefit charity. "We raised about $20,000 selling my collection," he told Billboard. "We sold the Han Solo desk, the emperor's chair, helmets and paintings and all sort of stuff I accumulated over the years. My son and I started a collection several years back. I'm trying to teach my son: 'Stuff is cool, but ultimately people are more important than stuff.' To prove that to him I said, 'hey man, I really felt like God is wanting us to do this.' So it was something we did together and he got to see that you can have your hobbies, but it needs to lead to something bigger. The money went to World Vision and we supported water efforts in Rwanda."

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Phil Keaggy Released From Hospital

It was announced today that Phil Keaggy was released from the hospital.  Keaggy was hospitalized for hemorrhaging after experiencing complications from surgery. 


Canceling an anticipated show on April 16th, news spread of Keaggy's hospitalization. With many fans concerned about Keaggy's illness, an update about his condition in a statement via his Facebook account was released. 

"Thank you everyone for your concern about Phil. He had some issues after a colonoscopy and had some bleeding which required medical attention. He is doing fine and will most likely be able to fly home to his family tomorrow. We appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers and would request that you respect Phil's privacy at this time."

Today, his Facebook page announced:

"Thanks to all you folks out there who have been praying for Phil. I am happy to report that he has been released from the hospital and is on a flight back home to Nashville with his wife by his side."

Phil Keaggy Reunites with Glass Harp at BB King's in New York City

 Legendary Christian recording artist and world-renowned guitar maestro Phil Keaggy recently performed in New York City at BB King's Blues Club and Grill in Times Square. During the show, the guitarist was joined onstage in a rare guest appearance by drummer John Sferra and bassist Daniel Pecchio of Glass Harp, the three-piece rock band with which Keaggy recorded three albums on Decca Records in the '70s. During the two-hour show, Keaggy entertained the audience with both acoustic and electric guitars, featuring selections from his current CD, Live From Kegworth Studio.

Of Keaggy's performance, Bert Saraco in a show review published in The Phantom Toolbooth, writes "Phil stepped onstage with his acoustic guitar, JamMan, and a small table with his various 'toys' and treated the room full of New Yorkers and wide-eyed tourists to a half-hour of the kind of guitar wizardry found on his recent Live From Kegworth Studio project. Utilizing every technique known to any pair of guitarist's hands, Phil filled the room with layer upon layer of sound, including vocal and percussion effects."

When Sferra and Pecchio joined Keaggy onstage, the musicians treated the audience to Glass Harp repertoire, as well as improvisation.

"All three men shared vocal harmonies…and of course each is a master of their respective instruments," Saraco says.

In the review, Saraco, who calls the show "a rare treat," said Keaggy and company left its audience having witnessed "that special symbiosis that musicians sometimes share, creating sounds that charge the room with an energy that exists only for that special moment."

What's Hot Chelle Rae's Connection to Guitar Legend Phil Keaggy?

Hot Chelle Rae's platinum selling song “Tonight, Tonight” has been burning up the charts this summer, but did you know that two of its members have famous Christian musicians? Nash Overstreet (lead guitar, backing vocals) is the son of country music singer Paul Overstreet and the brother of actor Chord Overstreet. Ian Keaggy (bass guitar, backing vocals) is the son of Phil Keaggy.

Melissa Ethridge - Christian artist?

In Rolling Stone magazine Melissa Etheridge revealed:

"In high school I had dreams of maybe having a career in Christian music." (Her first real gig was opening for Phil Keaggy in her hometown, and after the show she asked him what he thought of her set. "He basically said, 'I don't think there's a place for people like you in Christian music.' But he said it very nicely. I thought, 'Ok. They don't want me, I don't want them."

Keaggy heard of Etheridge's comments and responded:

"I believe that Melissa Etheridge is a gifted and dedicated artist who has proven herself to be creative and brave especially in light of her victory over cancer...

Well, first off, I hardly remember saying such a thing to her, at least in such a negative tone, as may be perceived. As I recall, in my own journey around that time, I had my own issues with the Christian Music Business as I saw it...

Melissa and I have never met since that day and I regret if she feels offended by what she thinks I said and meant.

As I look again at the words she claims I said, I wonder if, in reality, I was quite impressed with her music and delivery and thought perhaps CCM and the business of Christian music of that day would ever "get her"-- and be able to support her. Finally, I wish her all the best and applaud her fortitude throughout all the adversities of life."

On a related note, even Rolling Stone recognized Keaggy's prowess in an article on the top 25 underrated guitarists.