If you like acoustic music specficially fingerstyle guitar playing, then it behooves you to make the trek to Ferndale to catch a show sponsored by the Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society. These guys have been hosting performances and workshops all centered around this specific style of guitar playing. It’s very listenable music and can make for a very enjoyable evening of watching highly skilled musicians ply their craft. The shows take place at The First United Methodist Church in Ferndale, which is a great venue for an acoustic performance. The artists aren’t household names but there’s a good chance that you’ve heard some of their handiwork in the background of some mega-star’s band (ex: Lawrence Juber-McCartney, Pat Donahoe-house band on A Prarie Home Companion). This past weekend I caught Peppino D’Augustino (voted Best Acoustic Guitarist of 2007 by Guitar Player magazine). Not only was his guitar playing amazing to watch but he’s equally entertaining with the storytelling that prefaces each tune. For the most part singing is kept to a minimum to showcase the virtuosity of each performer and primarily most shows feature just a solo performer.
The concert schedule typically runs from fall through spring and the final show of the season is on May 16 featuring the incredible Billy McLaughlin. Like all of the acts invited to a Fingerstyle show, he’s a guitar virtuoso, but Billy adds a lot of visual dynamics to a performance. You can catch a clip of him at the official Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society site and also read more about this fine organization, striving to bring the best in acoustic music to the area.