Great Guitars: Pete Anderson

Long considered one of the world’s best-of-the-best Tele-twangers, musical pioneer Pete Anderson has never settled for maintaining the status quo. In his recently released album Birds Above Guitarland, the Detroit native presents a line-up of all-original music—a rich roots music gumbo of blues, funk, swing, country twang with a hint of surf music and a dash of jazz. To many, Anderson is known as the musical partner to Dwight Yoakam, whose records he’s produced, arranged, and played on from 1986 to 2003, sparking the sales of over 25 million. Anderson is also known as a spearhead of the roots-rock genre and early champion of the Americana movement, where he played a vital role in debuting artists such as Lucinda Williams, Jim Lauderdale, Michelle Shocked and Rosie Flores. As a distinguished bandleader, Anderson has played over 3,000 live shows in over 15 countries around the world in addition to appearing on “Saturday Night Live,” “David Letterman,” and “The Tonight Show.” His love for the blues was ingrained at a young age after he attended the first ever Ann Arbor Blues Festival in 1968, which featured artists such as B.B King, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, T-Bone Walker and Lightnin’ Hopkins. In 2006, following years of commercial success, Anderson was approached by Guitar Center to help judge and organize their “King of Blues” guitar competition, the largest in history. In addition to creating all of the backing tracks that he contestants used in competition, Anderson served as a judge and bandleader at the finale featuring B.B. King one year and The Black Crowes the next. Anderson’s renowned talent and innovative spirit has ensured his continued presence as an architect of the American roots music scene. Please join us as we welcome Anderson to the Clive Davis Theater for an unique interview, moderated by Vice President of The GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares, Scott Goldman, and special performance.