Guitar Video; Chet Atkins, CGP

Country music star Chet Atkins's finger-picking guitar career lasted for half a century. In the early 1950s he moved to Nashville and his first album, Chet Atkins' Gallopin' Guitar, came out in 1953. His career flourished and he became known as "Mr. Guitar" for his distinctively clean, relaxed and even jazzy sound. He also was hired by R.C.A. to help run their operations and produce the records of other country performers. He oversaw construction of R.C.A.'s famous Studio B, and helped create a new, more sophisticated take on country music -- the so-called "Nashville Sound." By the 1960s he was juggling his own surging career, producing other artists like Waylon Jennings, Charlie Pride and Elvis Presley, and was made a vice president at R.C.A. In 1973 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In later years he became a revered elder statesman of country music, continuing to play and record nearly until his death in 2001.

Here he performs his arrangement of "Autumn Leaves (Les Feuilles Mortes)" with the Boston Pops (circa 1972):

Band Video; Boyce Avenue

Alejandro Manzano and Daniel Manzano of Boyce Avenue covers Train's '90s hit "Drops of Jupiter":

Drum Video; Jason Hunter

Aspiring studio drummer Jason Hunter of Switzerland performs a respectable cover of System of a Down's "Toxicity":

Ukulele Video; Jake Shimabukuro

Jake Shimabukuro is the ukulele wizard from the island of O'ahu, Hawaii. Perhaps more famously known for his arrangement of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", here he performs his original tune titled "Let's Dance":

Bass Video; Gustavo Dalfarra

Here's a quick bass video today; The player is Gustavo Dalfarra of Spain, and the jam is pretty groovy! Check out the video:

Electric Violin Video; Michael Shulman

Violinist Michael Shulman has been gaining popularity lately as his stunning electric violin performances are reaching out to many thousand new fans through the worlds of television and Youtube. Born in Soviet Russia, a place that had ironically banned Hard Rock music for it's supposed anti-social and "capitalist" agenda, Shulman now makes his living performing Hard Rock, Metal and Pop music on his custom Black Dragon "shred" acoustic/electric violin (made by Eric Keebler) in the subways of New York.

Here, Shulman performs a cover of Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal":

One Man Band Video; Jon Baglo; Boston "Foreplay/Long Time"

Jon Baglo of Canada put this cover of Boston's "Foreplay/Longtime" together with vocalists David Steel (lead) and Spencer Needham (BG). Aside from the vocals, 18-year-old Jon layed down all of the tracks for this one - not an easy feat! And the video is just plain cool; check it out:

Chapman Stick Video; Rob Martino

The Chapman Stick is a two-hand stringed instrument played by "tapping" the notes out on the fretboard, combining elements of bass, guitar and piano. It's been around since the '70s, steadily gaining popularity amongst many thousands of players and fans worldwide; player Rob Martino can be seen here, covering Beck's "Lost Cause":

Guitar Video; Per-Olov Kindgren

Swedish classical guitarist Per-Olov Kindgren is a man known for his melodic, often melancholic guitar pieces. In 1981, Kindgren started "Fyra Gitarrer", a Danish classical guitar quartet; By 1987 the group had become "Nordic Guitar Quartet", and performed concerts around Scandinavia over the next seventeen years. Currently, Per-Olov teaches, composes for and performs solo classical guitar. His 23-track CD "After Silence" is available now.

Check out footage of his latest performance, an original titled "Sweet Dreams":

Piano and Cello; Love Story meets Viva La Vida

The description for this video reads:

"Arranged by a loving dad, dedicated to his cute little 7-year-old daughter, Sarah."

The aforementioned arrangement for piano and cello is by Jon Schmidt, and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to share this video with y'all (be sure to watch in HQ!):

Band Video; Sixwire

Nashville super group Sixwire put a few Taylor guitars through the paces at a demo during NAMM '09; The medley (composed of dozens of popular guitar-driven tunes) is called "The Beast", and it's a real treat to watch:

Singer/Songwriter Video; Mike Massé

Brigham Young alumni Mike Massé is a public defender residing Salt Lake City, Utah. He semi-regularly performs around the area - often with friend and fellow musician, Jeff Hall - and has recently began to lend his talents to the entertainment of ever-thirsty and appreciative masses on Youtube.com. Time to quit your day job, Mike!

Guitar Video; Don Ross

CANdYRAT Records artist Don Ross is a well-known maestro in the fingerstyle guitar world. Rather than ramble on, I'll let ya' get right to the video:

Piano Speed Painting; Williams Shamir

An incredible artist and musician, Williams Shamir of Israel has enjoyed moderate success and publicity stemming from his venture into the world of Youtube. While music does not usually enter into the foreground in his videos, his love for the aural art remains evident; a consistent theme throughout most of his featured works, his current showcase boasts many paintings of famous musicians. His latest, a painting portraying Johnny Depp at an upright, exhibits music composed and performed by Shamir:

Symphony of Science; John Boswell

The Symphony of Science is a musical project by John Boswell designed to spread scientific knowledge and philosophy through the medium of music. "We Are All Connected" stands as the second intriguing installment in this allaying series:

Clarinet Video; Pete Fountain

Peter Fountain (born Pierre Dewey LaFontaine, Jr.), is one of the most recognizable and accomplished jazz clarinet players of our time. A New Orleans native, Pete has been tearing it up in clubs, streets, on TV, and anywhere that would have him & his band(s) since his days as a young man in the 1940s and '50s. Here, Pete stays close to his Dixieland roots, improvising a performance of the song "Shine":

Singer/Songwriter Video; Johnny Cash

The Man in Black himself, live from San Quentin Prison, quite appropriately singing a classic country tune about the place in which the men he was performing for were incarcerated:

John Lennon's Would-Be 69th; Rolling Stone Remembers

While music news giant Rolling Stone has been celebrating the Beatles’ immeasurable contributions to modern music nearly every day since the release of the band’s fantastic remastered albums and The Beatles: Rock Band, there’s an extra reason to break out Fab Four memories this weekend: John Lennon would have been 69 years old today had he not been gunned down 29 years ago in New York. To celebrate his remarkable life and music, Rolling Stone recommends diving into their essential Beatles page, which is stocked with photos, an album guide and more Fab Four artifacts.

Singer/Songwriter Video; James Dupré

James Dupré is a singer/songwriter born and raised in Bayou Chicot, LA. He has a unique style that follows traditional country music with a hint of a folk-rock influence. He currently resides in Eunice, LA, with his wife Kristen, and three sons, Paul, Topher, and Nickie. Here, he performs his original tune, "Memories of Heaven":

Playing for Change

Playing for change is a unique campaign and an impressive endeavor. The group's peaceful yet increasingly powerful agenda has birthed an organization dedicated to building and serving music and arts facilities in underprivileged communities around the world, and become a popular vessel and public face for peace & unity through music since its inception in 2005. Spokesman Mark Johnson explains:

"Playing for Change was born out of the idea that we have to inspire each other to come together as a human race, and that music is the best way to do this... None of these musicians had ever met in-person - it was the music that brought them together; and the belief that we can do a lot more for this world if we work together than we ever can apart."

The movement has produced four "Playing for Change" videos so far in which musicians from around the world are brought together through technology and for a common purpose. Here we see an incredible rendition of the legendary Bob Marley song "One Love":

Accordion Kid Shreds!

No details about this musician have become available yet, but "MAN!" this guy can play!

Piano Video; Valentina Lisitsa

Presenting: Ukrainian-born concert pianist, Valentina Lisitsa:

Guitar Video; Gustavo Guerra

As a complement to yesterday's acoustic guitar video, today we've got some electric guitar to check out! There are so many great electric players out there, and Gustavo Guerra of Brazil is making a mark on the industry with not only superb technical ability, but a talent for tasteful and creative compositions as well. This original tune is called "OxYGeN":

Guitar Video; Tommy Emmanuel, CGP

Here's a tune arranged and performed by a fella who needs no introduction: monster guitarist Tommy Emmanuel. The song is titled "Just an Old Fashion Love Song", and this performance - though sorely unappreciated at around 1k views - caught my attention around a year ago. Follow the link to view it in HQ:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBft4XcUqM0&fmt=18

Daughtry Covers U2

Popular American alt-rock band Daughtry, fronted by 5th-season American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry, has been known to, from time to time, treat fans to covers of songs by artists they themselves are fans of. Though the video is a few years old, new inspiration may strike as the band pulls off a passionate cover of U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday":

Pedal Steel Video; David Hartley

Pedal Steel player David Hartley, also known as "davepedalsteel" on Youtube.com, is a hobbyist from the UK. His pedal steel & vocals account for one-half of the Amarillo Country Music Duo, a team that's been bringing live country music to fans for years. The Youtube account he runs has become a great source of entertainment and education for players, currently boasting a sturdy 91 videos - one of the top-rated featuring a cover of "Desperado" by The Eagles, seen here:

Youtube, Warner Music Reach Agreement

The feud over advertising revenue between Google/Youtube and Warner Music Group that resulted in all of WMG's property being pulled from the internet video site last year has come to an end. WMG has released this statement,

"We're pleased to announce that we've reached a new and expanded agreement with Google and its YouTube subsidiary that will bring WMG content back to the service as early as the end of the year..."

To music enthusiasts and third-party content publishers, the news is received as a welcome relief and a "green light"; To the parties involved in the dispute, it means significant increases in ad profits, sales and popularity are nigh.

Read more at LA Times.

Drum Video; Cobus Potgieter

Cobus Potgieter, a 22-year old drummer from South Africa, has already made a name for himself on Youtube.com under the username "deedlebag". His proficiency and style make him stand out in a wide crowd of amateur percussionists, and are reason enough for many aspiring drummers to have near-idolized him. The demand for Cobus' playing reached a height that prompted him to release a DVD which is now on pre-sell at Cobuspotgieter.com.

Check out the video: