Gareth Pearson in Grand Rapids

Gareth Pearson is a Welsh acoustic guitarist from Cwmbran, South Wales, known for percussive fingerstyle playing that carries bass, melody and rhythm on one instrument. Also billed as “The Welsh Tornado,” he performs original instrumentals and arrangements including Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”; Urban Echoes is among his recorded releases. International Guitar Night included Gareth Pearson in its touring lineup, and he has also appeared as a support act for Tommy Emmanuel. His established solo format combines fretted notes, harmonics and percussion played on the body of the guitar. He has presented that approach at the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society convention in Nashville.