List of famous guitarists born who were born in Tennessee, listed alphabetically with photos when available. Many of these guitar players from Tennessee are legends in the music world, each with their own innovative styles of play. If you play guitar, whether acoustic or electric, then these famous Tennessee guitar players should be people you look up to. These are some of the best guitarists that have ever picked up the instrument, and whether they play rock, blues, metal or folk, these men and women are considered legends.
Examples of items on this list include Duane Allman and Carl Perkins.
This list answers the questions, "What guitar players are from Tennessee?" and "Who are famous Tennessee guitarists?"1
Carl Smith
Dec. at 83 (1927-2010)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Union County, Tennessee, United States, with Territories, Maynardville
Carl Milton Smith (March 15, 1927 – January 16, 2010) was an American country music singer.... more2
Chet Atkins
Dec. at 77 (1924-2001)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Luttrell, Tennessee, United States of America
Chester Burton Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001), known as "Mr. Guitar" and "The Country... more3
Duane Allman
Dec. at 25 (1946-1971)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
Guitars Played: Gibson Les Paul
Howard Duane Allman (November 20, 1946 – October 29, 1971) was an American guitarist, session... more4
Carl Perkins
Dec. at 66 (1932-1998)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Tiptonville, Tennessee, United States of America
Carl Lee Perkins (April 9, 1932 – January 19, 1998) was an American singer-songwriter who... more5
Gary Talley
Age: 72Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
Gary Talley is a celebrated guitarist, singer, songwriter and author. Gary Talley began his... more6
Waylon Payne
Age: 47Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Tennessee, Nashville, USA
Waylon Malloy Payne (born April 5, 1972) is an American country singer, songwriter, musician... more7
Ellen McIlwaine
Age: 74Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
Ellen McIlwaine (born October 1, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter and musician best... more8
Randy Scruggs
Age: 66Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
Randy Lynn Scruggs (August 3, 1953 – April 17, 2018) was a music producer, songwriter and... more9
Arthur Gunter
Dec. at 50 (1926-1976)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
Arthur Neal Gunter (May 23, 1926 – March 16, 1976) was an American blues guitarist and... more10
Norman Blake
Age: 81Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Tennessee, Chattanooga, USA
Norman Blake (born March 10, 1938) is a traditional American stringed instrument artist and... more11
Frank Stokes
Dec. at 67 (1888-1955)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Whitehaven, Memphis, Tennessee
Frank Stokes was an American blues musician, songster, and blackface minstrel, who is... more12
Bill Black
Dec. at 39 (1926-1965)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, United States of America
Guitars Played: Fender Precision Bass
William Patton Black Jr. (September 17, 1926 – October 21, 1965) was an American musician and... more13
Eric Gales
Age: 45Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
Eric Gales (born October 29, 1974), also known as Raw Dawg, is an American blues-rock... more14
Luther Dickinson
Age: 46Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Area code 901, Tennessee, Shelby County, United States of America, United States
Luther Andrews Dickinson (born January 18, 1973 in Memphis, Tennessee) is the lead guitarist... more15
Harold Bradley
Age: 93Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
Harold Ray Bradley (January 2, 1926 – January 31, 2019) was an American guitarist and... more16
Paul Worley
Age: 69Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
Paul Worley (born February 16, 1950 in Nashville, Tennessee) is an American record producer... more17
Bruce Bouillet
Age: 54Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
Bruce Allan Bouillet (; born February 3, 1965, in Memphis, TN) is a guitarist who played in... more18
Shawn Lane
Dec. at 40 (1963-2003)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
Shawn Lane (March 21, 1963 – September 26, 2003) was an American musician who released two... more19
Abu Talib
Dec. at 70 (1939-2009)Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
Abu Talib (born Fred Leroy Robinson and also known as Freddie or Freddy Robinson; February 24,... more20
Mark Warner is a song writer, studio musician and music producer from Nashville,... more21
Brownie McGhee
Dec. at 81 (1915-1996)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Tennessee, Knoxville, Great Smoky Mountains, United States of America, United States
Walter Brown "Brownie" McGhee (November 30, 1915 – February 16, 1996) was an African-American... more22
Johnny Echols
Age: 72Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
John Echols (/ɛ́kəlz/, born February 21, 1947) is an American songwriter and guitarist, who... more23
Luther Perkins
Dec. at 40 (1928-1968)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
Luther Monroe Perkins (January 8, 1928 – August 5, 1968) was an American country music... more24
Luther Tucker
Dec. at 57 (1936-1993)Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
For the publisher see The Genesee Farmer Luther Tucker (January 20, 1936 – June 18, 1993) was... more25
Doug Wamble
Age: 47Nationality: United States of America
Birthplace: Clarksville, Tennessee
Doug Wamble (born Samuel Douglas Wamble, October 22, 1972) is an American jazz guitarist and... more