Music For The Mind: 5 Acoustic Guitarists To Lift Your Mood During Covid-19

guitarists

By Martine Ehrenclou

The coronavirus pandemic is causing anxiety and depression for many. Grief and stress over lost loved ones, lost jobs and income, loss of community, fear of catching the virus and more. It feels like a lot. The stress comes in ripples, sometimes in waves. Despite that, there’s still an oasis, one I count on regularly—great music. This is your antidote.

Maurizio Fava, MD, psychiatrist-in-chief with the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital says, “It’s quite understandable the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to cause significant stress and psychological distress for a large portion of the population.”

Known by many, music increases well-being and boosts mood. According to Harvard University Health, “Bright, cheerful music can make people feel happy, energetic, alert and music even has a role in lifting the mood of people with depressive illness.”

I chose five world-class, contemporary acoustic guitar player videos, (some also singers), that to my ears are so uplifting and sonically pleasing, that I’ve watched their videos several times. Hopefully they will move you too. Please comment below.

Thom Bresh and Tommy Emmanuel “Guitar Rag”
Combining two greats because the video is just too good to pass up, this is a true feel-good video. A world class guitarist, the son of country singer Merle Travis, Thom Bresh is an American country music guitarist, singer and entertainer. He has charted multiple singles on the Billboard Hot Country Charts. An Academy of Country Music nominee for Top Make Vocalist of the Year, he has been inducted into the ‘Thumb pickers Hall of Fame” he has been employed as producer for Jerry Reed, Merle Travis and Valerie DuChateu.

Tommy Emmanuel is a Certified Guitar Player and Grammy nominee. He is one of the best solo acoustic guitar players in the world, including one of the best entertainers.  It would take three musicians to do what Tommy does solo on guitar, forging a style that’s based in musicality and joy as much as his extraordinary technique. The inspiration for Tommy’s acoustic guitar playing is none other than Chet Atkins. Thanks to Carl Weise in the Rock and Blues Muse Group for this one.
Thom Bresh 
Tommy Emmanuel 
Watch “Guitar Rag”

Mike Dawes “William Shatner’s Pants”
An English fingerstyle guitar player known for composing, arranging and performing multiple parts simultaneously on guitar. Named as “Best Acoustic Guitarist in the World” two years in a row by Total Guitar Magazine, Dawes’ ability to combine melody, bass, harmony and percussion all seamlessly together with one guitar, dazzles audiences worldwide. This tune is from his latest album, Shows And Distancing: Live In the USA.
Mike Dawes
Watch “William Shatner’s Pants”

Christie Lenée “Possibilities”
2019 Winner of Acoustic Guitarist of the Year (Music Radar), 2017 International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion and award-winning songwriter, Christie Lenée combines guitar mastery with contemporary singing/songwriting and storytelling. Christie’s shows are often performed solo with her own instrumentation and percussion. Amazing.
Christie Lenée 
Watch “Possibilities”

James Taylor “Carolina In My Mind”
Multi Grammy Award-winner, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, James Taylor needs no introduction. His music brings peace and harmony, hope. This acoustic guitarist, singer-songwriter is one of the greats of all time. He is the definitive songwriter and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Thanks to Kern Pratt for the reminder to include him.
James Taylor
Watch “Carolina In My Mind”

Tommy Emmanuel & John Knowles “How Deep Is Your Love”
I haven’t heard a more beautiful rendition of this song, and performed by these two guitar masters, it’s likely to take you away into the beautiful sounds of the acoustic guitars.

John Knowles, like Tommy Emmanuel, is a Certified Guitar Player, an honor bestowed upon him by Chet Atkins. According to Knowles’ website, he was 13 years old when he discovered Chet Atkins. Since then he has worked with the finest fingerstyle and classical guitarists including Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Lenny Breau and Tommy Emmanuel. In 2004 John was inducted into the National Thumb Picker’s Hall of Fame for the second time.
John Knowles 
Watch “How Deep Is Your Love”

Jontavious Willis “The World is In A Tangle”
Nominated for a Grammy Award in 2020, Jontavious Willis is an American country blues singer, guitarist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist. His second album, Spectacular Class, was produced by Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ with 10 originals penned by Willis. This tune is on that album. His standout fingerpicking, flat picking, slide prowess and soulful vocals touch the roots of country blues. Willis adds some humor too in his music, which adds to the fun.
Jontavious Willis 
Watch “The World Is In A Tangle”

Please comment below. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.