Legendary Guitarist Phil Keaggy Performing Rare Concert to Benefit Local Charity
Photo of Phil Keaggy by Sean Hagwell
Interview edited for length and clarity
It’s been close to a year since Phil Keaggy, one of the most decorated guitarists in the country, played a concert, but that all will change on April 11 at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
The legendary musician had surgery on his left hand last July, and he is now making good on putting on a benefit show for Lighthouse Ministries after the procedure forced him to push back a concert that was originally scheduled for October 2024 in Lakeland.
These days, the 74-year-old spends most of his days in Nashville enjoying the simple luxuries of being a grandfather, a husband and friend to many. In fact, the day I spoke with him he was happy to report he was ready to settle in for the interview after perusing a local market with his wife, Bernadette, and enjoying a can of sardines that he would gladly be a brand evangelist for.
The Youngstown, Ohio native has recorded more than 60 solo albums—both vocal and instrumental—as well as eight releases with the band Glass Harp in the 70s, plus myriad other collaborations. He will tell you he’s a little rusty right now, but he continues to pump out new music.
He recently joined Cosmic Cathedral, a band that features drummer Chester Thompson (known for playing with Genesis and Frank Zappa), bassist Byron House (Robert Plant, Alison Krauss) and lead singer Neal Morse. He also released music earlier this year on Bandcamp with his friends Tyler and Erick Coomes, an 11-track “adventure” as the trio calls it.
There are tickets still available for his 7 p.m. show at the church located at 301 N. Florida Ave that is being presented by White Thorn Events.
The Lakelander recently caught up with the guitar legend to talk about the season of life he’s in, what to expect at the show and memories from a career that has spanned nearly six decades.
TL:
You talk about the blessing of being a grandfather, you’re out visiting the local market and then coming home to enjoy a can of sardines, but you're putting out all this music. How do you describe this season of life and this season of your career as a musician?
Phil:
As a musician and in this season of life…I am not taking anything for granted. I'm not taking life for granted. I'm not taking my faith for granted. I'm not taking my family for granted and what ability I still have left to play, I don't wanna take that for granted either.
We help out our kids. We have three grandsons, and we help the kids out at least three days a week. Our daughter also is a baker…she bakes custom cakes and cupcakes and things like that.
I'm not hardly doing any concerts anymore…and it really is a blessing because they take up a good deal of wonderful time, you know? But I have a studio. I do try to get to work in my studio as often as possible, so that’s a blessing too. I've got my workspace and I've got my grandkids, [and] I've got my wife—she's wonderful. I just couldn't thank God more.
TL:
Talk about where you are in the recovery process from surgery on your hand.
Phil:
The thumb is always swollen and doesn't bend for the top low string of the guitar like it used to…I can't really use it anymore. I figure, well, classical guitar players don't use the thumb on the [strings], either.
I think the Lakeland concert is really gonna be a real tried and true test of what I'm capable of in concert—to be able to stand there and play for an hour and a half. But, you know, it's more, it's more than about the music, it's more than about trying to prove anything musically—it's about being there with my brothers and my sisters and friends who come, and sharing in the life of the Lord. If I weren't a Christian, I would be scared stiff, but the Lord will give me courage and the Lord will enable me to do what I'm supposed to do, which is show up…and rejoice in all things.
“I think the Lakeland concert is really gonna be a real tried and true test of what I’m capable of in concert—to be able to stand there and play for an hour and a half. But, you know, it’s more, it’s more than about the music, it’s more than about trying to prove anything musically—it’s about being there with my brothers and my sisters and friends who come, and sharing in the life of the Lord.”
TL:
You've played in many venues of all kinds…concerts and festivals and churches and everything over the years. As a musician, what is it like to be in a church, in the house of the Lord, and make music?
Phil:
It's a real privilege. It's really joyful. I can't hardly remember any event that wasn't sweet, you know? And before I was a Christian, I played in a lot of bars…but then played a lot of big venues like Carnegie Hall and the Fillmore East, and Winterland [Ballroom]...big venues, big pop festivals, rock festivals. But I've also played at many Christian festivals too, which were quite exciting..and made a lot of friends along the way. I've played in Europe and South America, in Australia, New Zealand, Canada…and I played in every state in our country.
TL:
Do you see yourself still touring on occasion? Or is it one of those things that if an opportunity arises…maybe it will still happen on occasion?
Phil:
I think I'll just do dates on occasion. I have no interest in leaving home for three weeks. 1987 was my last five-week tour because I wanted to be home for my kids and take them to school and tuck them in bed. And that meant more to me than going out there and touring my brains away.
Never regretted that decision. There were people that said, you know, you just don't tour enough, Phil. It's okay, it's alright, sorry to disappoint you.
TL:
You mentioned you're excited, you're a little bit nervous [for the Lakeland show]. Tell me, what are you hoping someone walks away with if they come and attend this event?
Phil:
I would hope that what they walk away with is a sense that they are truly loved by God the Father and they have a relationship with Jesus and that they know that Christ really did die for all their sins. And that there's peace and forgiveness to be enjoyed and had and cherished. And also that they would walk away going, you know, not bad for 74.
TL:
That's beautiful. That’s well said. I mean, I would say that's a testament to the Creator as well if at 74 you can still riff like that.
Phil:
Yeah. And I can still hit some of those high notes, you know, so I'm looking, testing out. But I must confess I have a lot of wood shedding to do between now and April 11th. I've gotta really go through songs and remember the lyrics because, you know, it's been 10 months since I've actually had to, you know….I don't sit around and sing my songs…I don’t seem to entertain myself that way.