Kelly Joe Phelps

About

Initially beginning his musical career playing country songs on the piano in a small Washington farm town, then picking up the guitar to play Coltrane-influenced free jazz at the age of 12, Kelly Joe Phelps found his true calling when he began listening to blues greats like Robert Pete Williams. This led to Phelps learning the lap-style slide guitar, which gained him fairly widespread attention at folk and blues festivals. In the 1990s, Phelps began writing lyrics for his songs, embarking on the trail of singer/songwriter. With his instrumental prowess, Phelps manages to find an equal amount of success, no matter what style he decides to tackle.