Scott Holt Band

Guitar player and songwriter Scott Holt describes his art “a singular and supreme form of prayer.” Widely recognized as one of the greatest guitar players of the modern era, Scott Holt continues to imagine and reshape traditional approaches to blues and rock guitar. Jaw dropping performances that leave his audiences breathless, weak in the knees and begging for more have become his signature.

The Nashville based guitarist hasn’t strayed far from his childhood home. Although he spent parts of his childhood in Mississippi and Texas, Scott Holt was raised in Tennessee. Hearing Jimi Hendrix for the first time as a kid drove Scott to a single-minded focus the guitar. To hear Scott’s mother tell the story, “As a kid, Scott practiced 8 or 10 hours a day. There just wasn’t anything else”.

Holt met Buddy Guy at age 20 and the rest is history. After hearing Buddy play one night at The London Victory Club in Tampa, Scott got the chance to meet the legend and spend some time jamming with him. Buddy and Scott became fast friends, and in 1989 Buddy called Scott and asked Scott to join his touring band. Scott spent the next 10 years touring with Buddy. Scott’s friend and mentor schooled him in the history and soul of the blues - Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, not to mention cognac and the many uses of the word motherf***er. Buddy Guy called Scott his “secret weapon.” When asked about breaking strings in Guitar Player magazine Buddy Guy said, “Yeah…I break ‘em on anything…but I got a great guitarist with me, Scott Holt…so if I break ‘em all, he can make you forget I’m gone!”

Scott began writing songs and working with his own band during breaks from Guy’s international touring schedule. In 2000, with encouragement from his mentor, Holt left Buddy Guy’s band to develop his own career. Produced by the legendary Eddie Kramer, Holt’s first major solo release in 2000, Dark Of The Night, featured an amazing collection of musicians, including Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Tommy Shannon, Chris Layton and Reese Wynans.

Four amazing records have followed, Including Angels In Exile, Chipped Front Tooth, Revelator and From Lettsworth To Legend – A Tribute To Buddy Guy. His most recent release on Audio Fidelity, From Lettsworth to Legend - A Tribute to Buddy Guy, is Scott’s expression of respect for his blues heritage and love for his mentor. “I wanted to bring myself to some of the gifts that Buddy has given me over the years, without losing track of the heritage,” said Holt. Among the standouts are the Buddy Guy classics Damn Right I’ve Got The Blues and When My Left Eye Jumps. Scott’s fluid phrasing and rich tone on Lettsworth result in a fitting tribute to a true legend and one of the best blues recordings of recent memory.

Scott takes his musical lineage and his obligation to his fans very seriously. Rooted firmly in the blues, Scott’s original material transcends traditional forms and continues to shine on every new release. Working constantly, Scott performs over 200 shows each year at venues all over the world and maintains a busy recording schedule.