Guthrie Trapp - Pick Peace (2012)

Guthrie Trapp is one of Nashville’s preeminent guitar talents. He’s currently finishing work on a follow-up to his successful solo album, Pick Peace, a 2012 showcase for Trapp’s stellar talent that long supported the careers of superstar artists and his own bands. Pick Peace served as a perfect template for Trapp’s brilliant mix of musical influences, exploring country, blues, Latin, reggae, jazz, rock and experimental music. The innovative guitarist worked with long-time collaborators on Pick Peace, including bassist Michael Rhodes, percussionist Dann Sherrill, drummers Pete Abbott and Doug Belote, and Reese Wynans, former keyboard player for Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, on B-3 organ, most of whom perform regularly with Trapp in live performances throughout Nashville with the Guthrie Trapp Trio, TAR (Trapp, Abbott & Rhodes) and the Nashville supergroup 18 South.

As a member of dobro legend Jerry Douglas’ band for five years, Trapp played on two of recordings of the “Muhammad Ali Of Dobro”, including “Jerry Christmas” and the Grammy-nominated album Glide, and toured extensively throughout North America and the UK, taking the stage at New York City’s Blue Note, Radio City Music Hall, Celtic Connections and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Trapp is a versatile musician who crosses many genres with ease, taste and authenticity. Prior to joining Douglas’ crew, he spent several years with revered country artist Patty Loveless, appearing on two studio albums with her including the Grammy-winning Mountain Soul 2. Onstage or in the studio, Trapp has supported the world’s most talented and best-selling artists including Garth Brooks, John Oates, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, Travis Tritt, Dolly Parton, Tim O’Brien, Delbert McClinton, Randy Travis, George Jones, Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, Earl Scruggs, Lyle Lovett, Rosanne Cash, “Cowboy” Jack Clement and many others.

Trapp was surrounded by music during his youth on the Florida/Alabama coast. His family exposed him to numerous genres. By age seven, Trapp had taken up harmonica, by age 10, he had graduated to guitar, later adding mandolin to his musical resume. Joining his first band at age 13, he was a regular performer at the clubs, festivals and events throughout the Gulf Coast region. At ages 15 and 16, Trapp won consecutive statewide guitar and mandolin competitions in Alabama. At age 18, Trapp travelled to Nashville to record on Gove Scrivenor’s album, Shine On, which also featured John Prine, Nanci Griffith, Lari White and Ray Flacke. Also a young adult, he teamed up with Nick Branch to form the popular band Filthy Rich, touring throughout the US and France.

Trapp eventually settled in Nashville in 2001, paying early dues with the heralded Don Kelley Band at the famed honky-tonk Robert’s Western World. He made his way to Music Row, where one of his first master sessions was playing mandolin alongside industry staples Willie Weeks, Ian Wallace and Tim Hinkley. He’s never looked back, expanding his resume to include participation as one of the most in-demand performers on the popular Artist Works instructional website, serving as music consultant got the “Nashville” television show, record-producing (singer Rylie Bourne’s debut album) and hosting weekly both a talk-show on Acme Radio and a live-music evening at Acme Feed & Seed, one of Nashville’s hottest venues.

“Guthrie Trapp is the Man For All Seasons on the guitar.” ~Delbert McClinton