Teenage Guitar Prodigy Jackson Thatcher Releases Debut CD, The Path, on February 19

Jan. 31, 2013 - PRLog -- NASHVILLE, Tenn. Teenage guitar prodigy Jackson Thatcher is set to release his debut CD, The Path, a collection of instrumental songs written by the 14-year-old, on February 19. Thatcher is scheduled to perform at an event celebrating the CD's release on that same day at Puckett's 5th and Church in Nashville.

A student of guitar virtuosos Pete Huttlinger and Mike Bauer, Thatcher is garnering accolades from the music community, both within and outside of Nashville.

"...From the first notes I heard him play, maybe a year or two ago, yeah, Jackson, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you're a freak of nature! And I say that with all due respect. But it's true man, I just can't wait to hear what this guy keeps coming up with," says Jason Scheff, lead singer, bass player, legendary band Chicago.

"In all my years as a player and teacher, I've never personally known anyone so accomplished at his age as 14-year-old guitarist Jackson Thatcher," says Mike Bauer, solo artist who has also played with Pam Tillis, Little Big Town, Bo Diddley and others. "His debut CD, The Path, is a beautifully composed and performed project. The Path showcases his acoustic guitar style which has a wonderful blend of both technical prowess and heart with a writing style that's both groovy and optimistic. "

Huttlinger, with whom Thatcher has been studying fingerstyle guitar for which the Instar Records solo artist is best known (Huttlinger is the 2000 winner of the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kan.), likened the teenage musician to "a guitar hero."

"Jackson Thatcher is definitely someone to watch," Bauer says. "I can easily see him being mentioned among the new breed of great 21st century acoustic guitar wizards in the near future!"

Thatcher recorded The Path, which was produced by his father, Jay Thatcher, with capital raised through the innovative Kickstarter "crowd-funding" business model. In return for contributing financially to make the CD possible, fans received pre-release copies of the CD, youtube thank you videos from Jackson Thatcher, and other rewards.

Thatcher credits his dad with suggesting the CD title, The Path. "At first I wasn't sure that Iiked it, but now I feel like it's the perfect name for my first CD, because I am stepping on the path toward my future with guitar," Thatcher says.

Thatcher's acoustic guitar influences include Andy McKee, Sungha Jung, Tommy Emmanuel and his mentor Pete Huttlinger. On acoustic guitar, Thatcher incorporates the fingerpicking style of Huttlinger with the percussive style of McKee. His electric guitar influences are Pat Metheny, Joe Satriani and his mentor Mike Bauer. Thatcher recently was featured as a soloist with the Cool Springs Youth Orchestra performing songs by Pat Metheny and Elton John.

Thatcher has performed at multiple venues in Nashville and the surrounding area including Tin Roof Nashville, Puckett's 5th and Church, The Factory at Franklin, The Red House, Mellow Mushroom, Franklin Mercantile, Trevecca Nazarene University, Mama Java's, Nolensville Feed Mill, the Broken Wheel Festival, Buttercup Festival and others.

Thatcher currently is participating at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis with Cumberland Blue, a band representing the Nashville Blues Society in the youth band category at the famous competition. He is scheduled to perform a solo set at the Galaxie Agency Showcase today at B.B. King's in Memphis and at the youth finals on Friday.

Thatcher, a high school student from Nolensville, Tenn., also is an assistant teacher at Nolensville Guitar Academy. He has been studying guitar since he was 8 years old.

For more information about Thatcher and The Path, visit jacksonthatcher.com or like on Facebook at facebook.com/JacksonThatcher.