Best Acoustic Guitar Players Of All Time?


Piggybacking on the unique guitar theme, I thought it might be fun to get your list of acoustic masters.

Here is my list:
1. Michael Hedges - This will more than likely be a controversial #1 choice, because I know Michael was heavily influenced by Leo Kottke, but I think Hedges took all his influences to a higher compositional level. He was a total freak on the acoustic guitar and paved the way for so many of the new fingerstyle players. He may not be the best of all time, but he gets my vote anyway.
2. Andres Segovia
3. Leo Kottke
4. Chet Atkins
5. Al DiMeola
6. John McLaughlin
7. Tommy Emmanuel
8. Duck Baker
9. Doyle Dykes
10. Don Ross
11. Antoine Dufour
12. Andy McKee
14. Preston Reed
15. Peppino D'Agostino
16. Pierre Bensusan
17. Billy McLaughlin
18. Tim Sparks
19. Mark O'Conner
20. Tony Rice

I'm sure there's many more I've missed, but I'll leave those gems up to you guys!
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Seriously though. Was that an oversight?
Pawlowski6132,

Was my post too cryptic?

I was responding to Mattybumpkin with surprise that he had not heard of Segovia. Hence the question mark.

Regards,
Not necessarily the best but a few you might enjoy by the looks of your list ...

early Bruce Cockburn
Richard Ruskin
Stefan Grossman
Dave Evans
STEVE MANN !!
Peter Lang
Davey Graham
Bob Hadley
Happy Traum
I'll throw Ian Anderson into the mix. Yeah, the guy from J Tull.

By the way, Jaybo's choice RULES!
Some great picks so far. I think Ry Cooder's acoustic work certainly deserves mention. Also, one of my lesser known favorites would be Ed Gerhard. His "Live Album" should be in EVERY audiophile's collection - an amazing recording.
Don't forget Steve Howe. Originality counts largely. Not all the above can write.
Django
Richard Thompson
Jerry Douglass

A sleeper - Marshall Crenshaw; maybe not in quite the same league as some listed here, but continues to hone his technique over time. If you can find his acoustic greatest hits, you'll hear him show off a bit.

Marty
Michael Hedges is my favorite.

Andy Mckee was just recently a "featured video" on youtube. IMHO...he seemed like a Michael Hedges ripoff.
I think Antonio Forcione is worthy of consideration as one of the best current players (time will tell the rest). He is a true joy to listen to.

Chet Atkins - Maybe the best pure tone of all time?

My 2 cents anyway...
Metralla; I assume (hope) you're kidding.

Dawgbyte; I think you accidently left out Joe Pass and Christopher Parkening - in that order.
I didn't see Kelly Joe Phelps on your list. Perhaps not the best, but one of the most enjoyable to.
Matty one good place to start is Youtube.com! You can find several videos of Don Ross, Antoine Dufour, Andy McKee, Michael Hedges, Tommy Emmanuel, Preston Reed, Eric Mongraine, Doug Smith and others. Another place is CandyRat.com. If you like acoustic guitar these previously mentioned players are the bomb!

The Tommy Emmanuel videos are fun to watch... the man is totally into it.
Lol,

Other than Chet Akins I do not know one name. Guess I'll have to look into acoustic guitar musicians further. Thnx.