“"I know the harp guitar's future is in good hands when I hear Matt play and write with the sensitivity and passion that he has. He's got terrific chops on a regular six string too!" ”
Matt Thomas- Acoustic Guitar Virtuoso & Harp Guitarist
Awards and Achievements
- 1st Place International Fingerstyle Collective Competition 2019
- 1st place International Contemporary Thumbpicking 2006
- 1st place International Open Thumbpicking 2006
- 1st Place International Open Thumbpicking 2007
- Kentucky Hall of Fame Inductee 2007
- Winfield 3rd place International Fingerstyle Championship 2017
Endorsed artist for the following companies
- Larrivee Guitars
- Mayson Guitars
- Morris Guitars Japan
- Dimarzio Pickups
- Grace Designs Preamps
- Elite Acoustics
- Bluechip Picks
- ToneDevil Harp Guitars
- Cimirron/Rainbird Records Artist
- CandyRat Records Featured Guest Artist
Festivals & Notable Venues
- APAP Showcase NYC
- La Conner Guitar Festival 2020
- NAMM Showcase Performer (Anaheim, Nashville)
- Fingerstyle Collective Festival 2020
- Merlefest NC (Featured Performer)
- Walnut Valley Festival Kansas (main stage)
- Annual Harp Guitar Gathering (Featured Headliner 2009, 2018)
- Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention (Main Stage Performer)
- Ohio Fingerstyle Association Concert Series
- Woodchoppers Ball at Kent Stage 2017 (Sold out with Muriel Anderson, Mark Sganga), 2019
- NC Fingerstyle Association Concert Series (Richard Smith, Wayne Henderson, Buster B. Jones)
- Hampton Bay Days
- Bluegrass at the Bagley (Chesapeake, Va)
- American Music Festival
- Tidewater Friends of Acoustic Music concert Series (Headliner 2016-20)
- Portsmouth City Concert Series (4 consecutive years)
- Port Warwick Art & Sculpture Festival ( Resident/yearly performer for a Decade)
- Versability Resources Corporate Events
- St Jude Hospital Yearly Benefit at The Virginia Living Museum
- Tin Pan Richmond, Va (Headliner)
- Zeiders American Dream Theater Virginia Beach, Va (Headliner SOLD OUT Concert 2017)
- Yoder Barn 2005 (With Tommy Emmanuel)
- Williamsburg Library (Concert with Stephen Bennett 2008, 2009)
- Newport News City Center Vineyards by the Fountain Festival (2007-2010)
- Williamsburg Wine Festival (Opening for Christopher Cross)
- Bike VA Festival ( Evening Concerts 2014-2018)
- Harris Creek Acoustic Theater (Opening for David Wilcox, Tommy Emmanuel)
- CultureFix Bluegrass Festival (Williamsburg, Va 2017)
With over a decade of touring and competitions across the world, Matt Thomas has crafted one of the biggest guitar sounds in the industry today! With mind blowing techniques and deep songwriting, Thomas takes the audience on a wild ride of melodic and theatrical highlights that transports listeners to an imaginary world. With stories files with scientific knowledge and wonder, he not only brings listeners a world-class performance... but also educates and challenges our everyday patterns in life. Thomas uses some of the most complex technology to bring the audience along the journey with him, including 4 individual pick-ups that are sent to a psychedelic array of pedals to achieve a larger-than-life sound. Seeming like a mad-scientist, Thomas combines technological wizardry and a plethora of guitar techniques such as Percussion, Flamenco, Classical, Bluegrass, Jazz, Swing, Blues, and Acoustic Rock to sound like a complete full band.
Press Photos
