Guitar Center Guitarmageddon '04 Champion: Michael Kelsey

[@219inDaHouse]

I just saw him on Saturday at a small venue. Let me say first off that whatever videos of his you may find on here, they don't do him justice. To see him in person was repeatedly mind-blowing. As if the caliber of his playing wasn't enough, he's also an amazing showman, is funny and engaging with the audience and seems to be a genuinely decent guy. Saturday was the first time I've seen him, but it definitely will not be the last. Hit up his website and go see him. You'll be glad you did.

[@guitarcenter]

Come for Randy Jackson's intro of our 2004 Guitarmageddon Champion Michael Kelsey. Stay for the outstanding performance.

[@RealDiaz]

This guy rips!

[@victorshingles5914]

Bullies this east side of Chicago to play

[@ShawnDeVries]

Mike used to play at this dive bar at Purdue University in W. Lafayette, IN called T.A. Tom's every week back in the 1990's. Always blew my mind, so it was good to see him get some attention in the competition. "25 Years" is the name of the tune, and he was putting it together back in the 1990s so it's been through a few variations. Great stuff!

[@RtaniDean]

Hands down one of the most talented and kind men / musicians I’ve ever met. Michael inspires audiences and fellow musicians. Way to go Michael!!! It was humbling to play with him in 90’s a bit. Dean

[@smilingdan4244]

he played our wedding reception in 2004. Everybody stayed after dinner. Even the seniors were mesmerized!

[@edgarcruzguitar]

Michael, Your one of my favorite guitarists in the world. I always love wondering what your going to come up with next. We look forward to having you back in Oklahoma June 2013. Love you man!

[@Tess1061]

He just played here tonight. Yayyy. He's friends with my mom and he came all the way down to Alabama to play for us and the college. Was well fun. =] Ah, Michael is amazing.

[@joesmith4020]

You've gotta see him live!

[@falxonPSN]

Saw him live a couple weeks ago. Mind blown.

[@dragoncooler1]

This has to be the first time I have ever been put into an "AWE TRANCE" I was front and center for this once and a life time concert and saw Micheal perform this very act. This concert was the first time I had ever seen or heard of him and ever since I have bought just about everything he has put out. AMAZING GUY!!! Thank you for this video, been looking for this since the concert.

[@gforceforever]

Listen to his CDs when in the dark and by yourself, and you will be transported to another dimension -- no drugs needed. This guy understands music in ways most can't accept. Yes, I said "music" and not guitar, because he is so much more than a guitarist. I saw him change a busted guitar string once, and it was while he was playing; he never missed a beat, note, or lyric. This guy defies the realm of possibilities even in simple ways!

[@TheKungFung]

I'm pretty sure I have viewed this video 35,000 times..... Michael Kelsey is probably the greatest acoustic guitarist I have ever heard hands down. He has a TEDTalks performance that's is really great too. His song with LD Miller is amazing as well, "It's Alright".

[@chadlohmeyer4408]

He is from my home town, he plays fee concerts in the summer. He does what he does for love of music and no other reason. Fantastic performer

[@aaronkerr5993]

Saw this man live the day before this show during the finals of the concert, blew my mind. He performance was better the first day.

[@LeoWoessner]

Micheal is awesome. And from my wife's hometown....

[@ArielDoesThings]

He is an improviser and he came to our school today..he is awesome

[@m0j0b0ne]

There's so much more to Mike Kelsey that nearly nobody knows, but this is a great place to start. I'll never understand why he claimed to be from Indianapolis, rather than the town where he grew up, with Axl, Izzy and Shannon Hoon.

[@deannadune9992]

I know right!he grew up in my hometown, dated my sister in high school

[@wyliestivers2634]

A super guy and, by far, the best guitar player that I have ever met or seen play. When I see him play, I wonder why I even try, lol. Dude doesn't get near the exposure that he should but I don't think that's really what he's after anyway, he just loves playing and sharing with others, at least that is what I recall him saying when he was recording a band I was in for a radio commercial. No way around it, Mike is an unbelievable musician and performer.

[@lindasublettnatereli1503]

Way to go, Mike! I had no idea you did this, though I'm not surprised. It's been a long time since Kyle and I had you over to our little Lukens Lake, and then grad school at Purdue...you will likely not get this, but I'm proud of you. xo

[@lilhendrix9]

Michael came to an old bar in toledo called Mickey finns and I was in 8th grade (with my parents) and he let me play that very same guitar he's using in the video. it was heavy as bricks and the strings hurt my fingers. but I do her plucked "babe I'm gonna leave you" for him and he loved it. he signed a CD and my mom gave him a cool ring she had made. one of my fondest memories.

[@S3NAT30]

Wow he makes the guitar such a diverse instrument

[@Rizzo12388]

Okay, WTF! This is unbelievable! I have never heard those tones come out of an acoustic guitar! Wow, it is really a shame that more people don't know who he is!

[@HexCypherr]

Watch him live it's insane

[@abradfordajb]

Alright, alright all ready ..... mind officially BLOWN.

[@feverlead]

great song

[@wilhelmrayn]

sweet. cheers to that.

[@mro2112]

Joe Walsh and Eric Clapton were backstage at this event...saying...WTF???!!! Mike is always amazing...

[@suolmasta]

This guy used to open Blind Melon´s tours!!!

[@d.c.porter1379]

Kelsey and Shannon Hoon were in a band together in Lafayette called Stiff Kitten.

[@ohh338]

wow is all I can say.... I didn't know a guitar was capable of that

[@GetMasty]

Ah, yes...Tom's. I worked for the owner at one of his other establishments. Both are now closed, though...

[@traviskearneyspanish]

A girl i worked with said he makes amazing breakfast too.....I'm assuming they were lovers. ALSO, several Mcutcheon people have told me that he was on the bus when Shannon Hoon died. Maybe Urban Legend, but thought I'd throw that out there.

[@Kesava1975]

now i know where jack black got his antics in the school of rock

[@Spookiijuice]

i saw him today at school! XDDD

[@GetMasty]

@gake Just like Bob Dylan? Are you serious?!? I lol'd at your comment...

[@robertkreiling1746]

He is better than Bob Dylan

[@bozzojoe]

I would guess that he has seen and likes Tommy Emmanuel!

[@joedaiwarriors]

True that! eventful.com/events/michael-kelsey-tommy-emmanuel-cgp-/E0-001-051125180-8

[@Rustybits]

It's like Marcin before Marcin

[@50srefugee]

This guy doesn't even have a guitar, just a part of his body that happens to be made of wood and string.

[@bashtian10]

0.0 :-O!!

[@ReverendHogwash]

Amazing talent, but what just like Bill Bailey he is ashamed of Lafayette?

[@Sunburst64]

LSD induced rant. Mike, dial 1-800-rehab

[@robertkreiling1746]

Go back to your Mommies basement troll

[@OstropoloS]

0:37 - 0:40 i wanna slap him for trying to copy vai