Best Young Guitarists 40ish & Under: Artists

This group of young guitarists are not necessarily shredders, though they perhaps could be, instead they focus on creating beautiful music, beautiful melodies, beautiful tunes. They arrange beautifully. They write beautifully. They make art! I hope you like them.

Madison Cunningham

Age: 27

Bands: Madison Cunningham

Essential Album: "Who You Are Now" by Madison Cunningham

I have no idea why Madison Cunningham isn't HUGE. She is an amazing guitar player and songwriter. Her riffs are mindboggling and twistingly beautiful. Her voice is rich and true and authentic. Her songs are stellar, and she is prolific in her output. She should be HUGE! I was first captivated by her music 7 years ago. I saw a youtube video of her playing a cover of "Somebody Was Watching" by Pops Staples. I thought she had great feel and tone. Her arrangement was soulful and thoughtful. Then, it felt like she kind of disappeared for a few years...or at least I lost track of her music. Then, she re-emerged on my radar in 2019 with her album "Who You Are Now." And her guitar playing had improved in leaps and bounds. So much confidence and creativity and sassiness in her playing. I just can't say enough about her musicianship and songwriting. She is phenomenal. If you don't know Madison Cunningham, you gotta check her out.

HERE is her cover of "Somebody Was Watching"

HERE is her Tiny Desk Concert featuring her newer music and her new and improved playing style.

Andy Bunting

Age: 23ish?

Bands: Blue Deputy

Essential Album: "New Jersey/I Hate Steven Singer" by Blue Deputy

Her playing is original and catchy. There is melody, like, baked into everything she plays. She plays odd or open tunings so she can build these big, full, beautiful, unusual chords that just ring out so tunefullly and sad. There is just something completely compelling about her music. It sounds just as good with her solo on an acoustic guitar as it does with an electic guitar and a full band backing her up. This band has never released a full-length album. What are they waiting for?!?

HERE is a live set they did for a University of Delaware virtual music festival.

HERE is a live acoustic set she did so you can hear how good her music sounds acoustic.

Victory Boyd

Age: 27

Bands: Victory, Infinity's Song

Essential Album: "Glory Hour" by Victory Boyd

Victory grew up in a very musical family and started her career in a singing group with her siblings. But girl got some serious pipes. She is also incredibly soulful and unique in her approach to harmony and song structure. Her music is deep and haunting. And much of the effect comes from her profoundly soulful voice, but much of it is also, I think, from the intricate and thoughtful guitar work that frames so many of her songs. According to Another Planet Entertainment, she was discovered by Jay-Z in 2016, and in 2019, she was handpicked by Kanye West to co-write his "Jesus is King" gospel album. She actually won a Grammy for her work with Kanye. Now, she is creating some amazing music on her own. And it's fantastic!

HERE is her soul-stirring rendition of "His Eye is on the Sparrow"

HERE is her rendition of "Feelin' Good" that I think is what got her noticed by Jay-Z, though I may be wrong about that.

HERE is one of her original songs from her debut full-length album.