Shaun Hopper & Friends w/ Joe Smothers – $10

5pm $10

Shaun Hopper’s TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY of playing at legendary Skipper’s Smokehouse!

Shaun Hopper Acoustic “fingerstyle” guitar wizard Shaun Hopper is at first glance an unassuming presence, a true southern gentleman whose humility stands in sharp contrast to the prodigious talents he unveils on stage. Merging complex melodic lines, harmonies and bass lines along with a one-of-a-kind percussive technique, he mesmerizes everyone within earshot. Both original compositions and pop covers are infused with the cutting edge resonance and flavor only found in the new breed of You Tube virtuosos, yet his overall approach to guitar remains inspired by the legends; Tommy Emmanuel, Michael Hedges, George Benson, Martin Taylor and Leo Kottke. The final result is a signature style which crosses over the full range of musical genres, including; Traditional Folk, Classical, Celtic, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Blues and Percussive-New Age. Shaun’s stagecraft is equally impressive. Weaving in humorous tales from his small town Georgia roots along with an occasional glimpse into his “backwoods” upbringing, he stirs his audience with both humor and introspection. Moving thematically through his repertoire, Shaun takes his audience on a global tour from Celtic Imagery and Classical Medley to Soulful Ballads and Jazzy Improvs, all of which he counters with a cliffhanging Nashville “hot licks session” or 70’s pop song. Shaun has made his mark opening for acts like “The John Jorgenson Quintet” (Elton John), Bobby Yang, Pierre Bensusan, Muriel Anderson & Tierra Negra and The California Guitar Trio. He has toured with Tim Reynolds (Dave Matthews Band) and has co-written songs with Tommy Emmanuel. Shaun was recently signed to Steve Vai’s Favored Nations/Digital Nations label (Fall 2010). Shaun has held several Guitar Clinics through Sam Ash and has received sponsorships and endorsements from Larivee Guitars, Maton Guitars, Keeley Electronics, TC Electronic, Radial Engineering, Elixir Guitar Strings, L.R. Baggs, Voodoo Labs and Zaolla Instrument Cables.   https://www.facebook.com/shaunhopper.fanpage/

Joe Smothers Joe Smothers was born in the Piedmont area of North Carolina in 1950. He grew up on barbecue, chili dogs, Brunswick stew and Elvis. Skinny belts and two tones were replaced in 1964 with Chelsea boots, Cuban heels and long hair thanks to the Beatles. Joe got his first guitar when his mom Betty purchased a Stella at the local pawn shop when he was thirteen. One morning Joe’s dad JM called him to the TV to see a blind guitar player on a local channel in Raleigh, North Carolina. The man’s name was Doc Watson. Little did either one of them know that years down the road Joe would have the honor of becoming a member of Doc and Merle Watson’s band Frosty Morn. Years of touring and more than a dozen albums with Doc, forged a relationship of deep respect. Joe has performed at every Merle Fest (26) and was also asked to be a performer at Doc’s funeral. Joe also toured extensively with Jack Lawrence. Their duo was Smothers and Lawrence. They recorded an album called Smothers and Lawrence. Joe chose to stop touring to help raise his son and daughter. He continued to to play in a favorite local band while working as a sales representative for an international casket company. With the children grown, Joe is again writing and touring in earnest. He recently completed his first CD called These Things I Know. One of the cuts is a song called The Three Buglers. It is a mix of fiction and historical facts on how Taps was written. Joe performed it at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas in 2007. He received a first place for this song. Joe’s voice is strong and pure. His guitar playing is solid. His mastery in song writing keeps your attention from beginning to end. Today Joe teaches guitar, and tours. He splits his time between homes in Valdosta, Georgia and Cortez, Florida with his wife Marghy. https://www.facebook.com/joesmothersmusic/

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More information about the powerful combination of Shaun Hopper and Joe Smothers…

http://yesweekly.com/acoustic-guitarists-shaun-hopper-joe-smothers-set-to-dazzle-triad-music-lovers-in-an-unforgettable-musical-experience/