Phil Leadbetter

Certainly a bucket list item for me. I had seen and heard this iconic guitar on many records/CDs  during my life. The first time when I was only 11 years old. I finally got to play it for the first time during the IBMA. Bucket list item !

Well......I am a little late announcing, but as of September 26th, I was voted IBMA "Resonator Guitar Player Of The Year". This came as a huge shock to me. I had just got the news 1 week earlier that I was in remission after return of my cancer this past Summer which almost took my life. I am now a 5-time survivor. Winning the IBMA Award was just icing on the cake. Turned a bad year into a great year for me. God has been good to me.

Phil Leadbetter And The Allstar's Of Bluegrass has started on their first debut CD for Pinecastle Records. Phil has recorded 7 CDs with them over the last couple of decades. Project is being recorded at Eastwood Studios in Cana, VA with engineer Wes Easter. Looking forward to get our first band recording out. We have some great material. Stay tuned.

Very pleased that after nearly 5 years of design and development, the new Recording King "Phil Leadbetter" Signature Resonator Guitar has been released to the public. This is an awesome guitar at a very affordable price. They are selling fast! Be sure and check them out. You will be amazed at what a nice guitar at such a incredible price!!  www.recordingking.com

Many of you came to the last Allstars show at The Clayton Center in 2015. It was a huge success. WDVX has decided to do it again. Another WDVX "World Class Bluegrass" with Phil Leadbetter and The Allstars Of Bluegrass with Special Guests John Cowan (former member of The Newgrass Revival, and current member of The Doobie Brothers) and  from "THE VOICE" 1st runner-up Emily Ann Roberts from Season 9 (Team Blake). Also Phil Leadbetter, Steve Gulley, Alan Bibey, Jason Burleson, Adam Haynes, Mike Bub, Matt Leadbetter, Darrin and Brooke Aldridge, Carley Arrowood, Kenny and Amanda Smith and others. Concert will take place on November 30, 2018. Hope you will make plans to attend for a great night of music. www.WDVX.com

Great seeing my friend Joe Bonsall and the rest of The Oak Ridge Boys this past Friday in Pigeon Forge, TN. A great bunch of guys, and a super group!!!!

Very proud to be part of a reunion of the original formation of Wildfire. This will take place on June 12, 2019 at The Bill Monroe Music Park in Beanblossom, IN. Original members will be Phil Leadbetter, Robert Hale, Darrell Webb, Curt Chapman and Barry Crabtree. The last time this band played with all original members was in 2006. Hoping to do more shows with this band, and possibly another recording. Make plans to come and see us !

Sure had a great time this year teaching Dobro class at Kamp Kaufman during Bluegrass Week. Looking forward to being there again in 2019 !

I was very pleased to teach again this year at Bluegrass Camp Germany just outside of Munich, Germany in the Bavarian town of Fischbachau. Always great to be there will all my European friends!