ROOTS of Country Music

Guitar Players of Country Music

The following is a list of guitar players who worked recording sessions or played in bands or both. This list contains only those who played electric bass, acoustic bass, electric lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars.

These players are primarily from the period mid-1940 through 1980, but a few are from the early-1980s to the early-1990s.

There are over 550 players listed here, so Press CRTL F on your keyboard to search for a name.

 A-Z, Partial Listing

1. Adair, Bill (bass)
2. Adams, Teddy (string bass guitar)
3. Ahern, Brian
4. Allen, Joe (bass)
5. Allen, Rex
6. Allsup. Tommy (bass)
7. Anderson, Chopper (bass)
8. Anderson, Pete (bass)
9. Andrews, Joe (bass guitar)
10. Arnone, Don
11. Arrington, Bob
12. Arnspiger, Herman (guitar)
13. Athony, David
14. Atkins, Chet
15. Austin, Bobby (bass)
16. Austin, Chris
17. Bain, Bob
18. Baker, Kenny
19. Ball, Ernie (bass)
20. Barber, Jack (bass)
21. Bare, Bobby
22. Barnard, Junior (guitar)
23. Barnes, Benny (rhythm guitar)
24. Baugh, Phil
25. Bays, Cecil
26. Bell, Ken
27. Bellamy, David
28. Bellamy, Howard
29. Bellow, Roger (bass)
30. Benard, Lester Jr (lead guitar)
31. Bennett, Richard
32. Benson, Ray
33. Berghofer, Chuck (bass)
34. Bernas, Joseph (bass)
35. Birchfield, Benny
36. Bishop, Arthur (rhythm guitar)
37. Bishop, Tommy
38. Black, Bill (bass)
39. Blackwell, Ronnie
40. Blake, Norman (acoustic)
41. Bledsoe, Ron (bass)
42. Bond, Johnny
43. Boone, Claude (bass)
44. Bordonali, Pete
45. Botkin, Perry
46. Bradley, Harold (electric bass)
47. Brandon, Luke
48. Brawley, Paul (bass)
49. Breau, Lenny
50. Bresh, Tom
51. Bridges, Jerry (bass)
52. Bromberg, David
53. Bruce, ED
54. Bruneau, Al
55. Bryant, Jimmy
56. Burgess, Dave
57. Burgh, Steve
58. Burke, Pete (bass)
59. Burton, Barry
60. Burton, James
61. Buskirk, Paul
62. Butram, Hillous
63. Bryant, Jimmy
64. Byrd, Billy
65. Byrd, Jerry (bass)
66. Byron, Larry
67. Cagle, Buddy
68. Caiola, Al
69. Callahan, Bill (bass)
70. Callende, George (bass)
71. Callender, Red (bass)
72. Campbell, Archie
73. Campbell, Glenn
74. Campi, Ray (bass)
75. Capps, Jimmy
76. Carlisle, Bill
77. Carlille, Thumbs
78. Carlisle, Kenneth
79. Carroll, Frank (bass)
80. Carson, Billy
81. Carter, Billy
82. Carter, Fred
83. Carter, Maybelle
84. Cash, Johnny
85. Casstevens, Mark
86. Chambers, Carl
87. Chambers, Jesse (bass)
88. Chapman, Mike (bass)
89. Chapman, Steve
90. Chance, Floyd (bass)
91. Charleton, Buddy
92. Chemay, Joe (bass)
93. Chernet, Al
94. Christopher, Johnny
95. Clark, Roy
96. Clement, Jack (rhythm guitar)
97. Cobb, J.R.
98. Cochran, Hank
99. Coe, David Allan
100. Cogbill, Tommy (bass)
101. Colvard, Jimmy
102. Collier, Jack
103. Collins, Charlie
104. Collins, Cotton (bass)
105. Collins, Tommy (rhythm guitar)
106. Collins, Sugarfoot
107. Cook, Jeff
108. Cooley, Bill
109. Copeland, Leon (bass)
110. Cropper, Steve
111. Crowell, Rodney (rhythm guitar)
112. Cunningham, Truitt (bass guitar)
113. Cuno, Jesse
114. Curtis, Sonny
115. Daily, Gene
116. Dalton, Arthur
117. Daniels, Charlie
118. Davis, Don (bass)
119. Derksen, Arnie
120. Digby, Dennis (bass)
121. Dobkin, Gene (bass)
122. Dodson, Bert (bass)
123. Doering, George
124. Dooley, Bud (bass)
125. Dozer, Billy (rhythm guitar)
126. Drake, Jack (bass)
127. Drake, Eddie
128. Drake, Jack (bass)
129. Drake, Troy (bass)
130. Dudley, Dave
131. Duffy, Donald (bass)
132. Dyson, Bobby (bass)
133. Edenton, Ray (rhythm guitar)
134. Edrington, Bob
135. Ellington, Jim
136. Emerson, Bill
137. Emmons, Larry (bass)
138. English, Jimmy
139. Estep, Jess (bass)
140. Easterday, Jess
141. Ethridge, Chris (bass)
142. Eubanks, Jack
143. Evans, Frank
144. Ezell, Ralph (bass)
145. Ferguson, Joe (bass guitar)
146. Finley, Earl  (guitar)
147. Flack, Ray
148. Flatt, Lester
149. Flynn, Pat
150. Foley, Red
151. Foster, J. D. (bass)
152. Foster, Paul (bass)
153. Franklin, Roddis
154. Franks, Tillman (bass)
155. Frizzell, Lefty
156. Frost, Donald (bass)
157. Gabbard, Rusty (rhythm guitar)
158. Galbraith, Gregg
159. Gale, Red (electric bass)
160. Gallant, Ralph (bass)
161. Garcia, Benny  (guitar)
162. Garland, Hank
163. Garnier, Tony (bass)
164. Garrett, Amos
165. Garrison, Harold
166. Gray, Claude
167. Gentry, Teddy (bass)
168. George, Bobby
169. Gibb, Sam (bass)
170. Gibbons, Bobby
171. Gibson, Curtis
172. Gibson, Don
173. Gibson, Steve
174. Gill, Vince
175. Goff, Duke (bass)
176. Gordy, Emory (bass)
177. Gosdin, Verne
178. Grammer, Billy (rhythm guitar)
179. Grant, Marshall (bass)
180. Gray, Billy
181. Gray, Malcolm
182. Green, Charles (bass)
183. Greene, Jack
184. Griffin, Buddy
185. Gropp, Gerald (rhythm guitar)
186. Haggard, Merle
187. Hale, Terry (bass)
188. Hall, John
189. Hamilton, George IV
190. Hansard, Kirk (bass)
191. Hansen, Russ
192. Hanson, Larry
193. Harbert, Slim (bass)
194. Hargrove, Linda
195. Harris, Charlie
196. Harris, Hal
197. Haworth, Speedy
198. Hayes, Sherman (bass)
199. Hayes, Warren
200. Haynes, Walter
201. Heithmeyer, Howard
202. Henderson, Alton
203. Hensen, Buck (bass)
204. Hensley, Tim
205. Herston, Kelso (bass, rhythm guitar)
206. Hicks, Alan (bass)
207. Hils, Cliff (bass)
208. Hill, Cameron
209. Hill, Eddie (rhythm guitar)
210. Hinton, Eddie (rhythm guitar)
211. Hollingsworth, Sam (bass)
212. Holly, Doyle (guitar, rhythm, bass)
213. Holt, Cully
214. Hood, David (bass)
215. Horton, Johnny
216. Howard, harlan (rhythm guitar)
217. Hromek, Dennis (bass)
218. Huff, Danny
219. Huff, Leon (guitar)
220. Hughes, Randy
221. Hugg, John Leslie
222. Huggins, Harley (guitar)
223. Hummon, Marcus
224. Hungate, David (bass)
225. Huskey, Junior (bass)
226. Huskey, Roy (bass)
227. Husky, Ferlin
228. Innis, Louis (rhythm guitar)
229. Jackson, Alan
230. Jackson, Carl
231. Jackson, George
232. Jackson, Leo
233. Jackson, Shot
234. Jackson, Stonewall
235. Jenkins, Joe (bass)
236. Jennings, Waylon
237. Johnson, Bob (rhythm guitar)
238. Johnson, C. G. "Sleepy"  (guitar)
239. Johnson, Clifton
240. Johnson, Howard
241. Johnson, Johnny (rhythm guitar)
242. Jones, Chuck
243. Jones, Darrell  (bass guitar)
244. Jones, David Lynn
245. Jines, George
246. Jones, Neal
247. Jones, Red (guitar, string bass)
248. Keener, Glenn (rhythm guitar)
249. Kiser, Robert 
250. Kennedy, Gordon (rhythm guitar)
251. Kennedy, Jerry (lead)
252. Kershaw, Doug
253. Kershaw, Rusty
254. Killen, Buddy (bass)
255. Kirby, Dave
256. Kirby, Pete "Oswald" (string guitar)
257. Kirkland, Ray
258. Knight, Joe (rhythm guitar)
259. Knopfler, Mark
260. Lambert, Tag (electric guitar)
261. Lane, Red
262. Lanhan, Roy
263. Lanning, Floyd
264. Lansford, Sonny (bass guitar)
265. Leach, Mike (bass)
266. Leadon, Larry
267. Lee, Albert
268. Lee, Clarence (bass)
269. Leo, Josh
270. Levang, Neil
271. Linde, Dennis (bass)
272. Lingle, Woody (bass)
273. Linneman, Billy (bass)
274. Little, Keith
275. Lloyd, Jack  (bass)
276. Loudermilk, John D.
277. Louvin, Charlie
278. Lowe, Howard (bass)
279. Lowe, Nick (bass)
280. Lowery, Kenny  (guitar)
281. Lunn, Gary (bass)
282. Madison, Roy (bass)
283. Maddox, John
284. Manuel, Bobby
285. Maphis, Joe
286. Marshall, JW
287. Martin, Bobby (rhythm guitar)
288. Martin, Grady (lead)
289. Martin, Jimmy
290. Martin, Odell (rhythm guitar)
291. Mason, Brent
292. Mathis, Johnny
293. Matthews, Neal (rhythm guitar)
294. Mattola, Tony
295. Mauldin, Besse
296. Maulsin, Joe (bass)
297. Maynard, Jimmy
298. McAnally, Mac
299. McArthur, Benny
300. McAuliffe, Leon
301. McBay, Bobby (bass)
302. McCall, Darrell
303. McCormick, George (rhythm guitar)
304. McDaniels, Sleepy (bass)
305. McDonald, Hugh (bass)
306. McDonald, Skeets (bass)
307. McHan, Alfred
308. McRae, Rick
309. McReynolds, Jim
310. Meadows, Bucky
311. Meeks, Johnny (bass)
312. Melford, Michael
313. Mensy, Tim
314. Meyer, Edgar (bass)
315. Milete, Shirl
316. Miller, David (bass)
317. Miller, Jody
318. Miller, Len (bass)
319. Miller, Roger
320. Millsap, Bob (rhythm guitar)
321. Mims, Kenny
322. Mitchell, John (bass)
323. Mize, Billy
324. Moles, Gene
325. Moman, Chips
326. Moore, Bob (bass)
327. Morrell, Tommy (guitar)
328. Morris, Billy (bass)
329. Morris, Bob (guitar, bass)
330. Moss, Wayne
331. Mullins, Maurice
332. Mullins, Shorty
333. Mure, Billy
334. Murrell, Red (bass)
335. Mustoe, Dan
336. Neal, Bobby
337. Nelson, Wayne (bass)
338. Nelson, Willie (rhythm guitar)
339. Newell, Fred
340. Newman, John
341. Newton, Ernie (Bass)
342. Nichols, Marcia
343. Nichols, Roy
344. Niswanger, Paul
345. Noe, Dale
346. Norris, Allan
347. O'Connell, Chris
348. Osborne, Joe (bass)
349. Owen, Randy
350. Owens, Buck
351. Owen, Fuzzy (bass)
352. Owens, Buck
353. Palmer, John (bass)
354. Parker, Billy (rhythm guitar)
355. Parker, Clifford
356. Parks, Dean
357. Patterson, Johnny (lead guitar)
358. Paul, Les
359. Patton, Wayland
360. Paxton, Larry (bass)
361. Paycheck, Johnny (rhythm guitar)
362. Payne, Gordon
363. Payne, Jody
364. Perkins, Carl
365. Perkins, Luther (lead)
366. Perri, Danny
367. Phelps, Claude
368. Phillips, Wayde (rhythm guitar)
369. Pierce, Kenny (bass)
370. Pilder, Vernon
371. Pitman, Bill
372. Pomeroy, Dave (bass)
373. Potter, Don
374. Powers, Freddie
375. Preston, Leroy
376. Price, Gene (bass)
377. Price, Joel (bass)
378. Price, Ray
379. Price, Willard (bass)
380. Pride, Charley
381. Pruett, Sam
382. Puls, Stanley (bass)
383. Putman, Norbert (bass)
384. Rainwater, Jody (bass)
385. Raper, Sherrill (bass)
386. Rausch, Leon (bass guitar)
387. Reed, Jerry (lead)
388. Reed, Pee Wee (bass)
389. Reeves, Jim
390. Reid, Pee Wee (bass)
391. Reno, Ronnie (bass)
392. Reuss, Allan
393. Rivera, Bert
394. Reynolds, Billy (rhythm guitar)
395. Reynolds, Dean (bass)
396. Reynolds, Leigh
397. Reynolds, Ted (bass)
398. Rhodes, George
399. Rhodes, Leon (electric bass)
400. Rhodes, Oral  (string bass)
401. Rhodes, Michael (bass)
402. Rhoton, Howard
403. Rhone, Doug
404. Rich, Don
405. Richardson, Aubrey
406. Richey, George
407. Rizzi, Trefoni
408. Rizzy, Tony
409. Roberts, Jay (guitar)
410. Roberts, Howard (rhythm guitar)
411. Robinson, Billy (bass)
412. Robinson, Floyd
413. Rodriguez, Johnny
414. Rogers, Dave (rhythm guitar)
415. Rollins, Jimmy
416. Rodes, Dusty
417. Rowan, Brent
418. Rowe, Louses (bass guitar)
419. Rush, Alan (bass)
420. Russell, Leon
421. Sahm, Doug
422. Salathiel, Doyle  (electric guitar)
423. Sanders, Chuck (bass)
424. Sanders, Jelly
425. Sandusky, Vernon
426. Sandy, Lester
427. Sanford, Billy (electric, rhythm)
428. Saucer, Jack (bass)
429. Scaife, Ronny
430. Scruggs, Earl
431. Scruggs, Gary
432. Scruggs, Randy (rhythm guitar)
433. Scruggs, Steve
434. Seals, Troy
435. Selk, John (bass)
436. Sellers, Dale
437. Sellers, Jason (bass)
438. Selph, Jimmie (rhythm guitar)
439. Sewell, Keith
440. Shaeufele, Ben
441. Shamblin, Eldon
442. Shamblin, Estel
443. Shaver, Billy Jo
444. Shell, Larry
445. Shook, Jack
446. Shook, Jerry (rhythm guitar)
447. Simpson, Red
448. Singer, Doyle (bass)
449. Singleton, Don
450. Skaggs, Ricky
451. Sklar, Lelend (bass)
452. Slagle, John
453. Sledd, Dale
454. Smiley, Red
455. Smith, Cal (rhythm guitar)
456. Smith, Donald (bass)
457. Smith, Hal (bass)
458. Smith, Johnny
459. Smith, Tiny (bass)
460. Smith, Velma (rhythm guitar)
461. Snow, Hank
462. Sparks, Jesse (bass)
463. Speers, Bee (bass)
464. Speers, Dan (bass)
465. Staggs, Roy
466. Stanley, Noel (bass)
467. Starnes, Spencer (bass)
468. Stegall, Keith
469. Stephens, Phillip (bass)
470. Stewart, Billy (bass)
471. Stewart, Wynn
472. Stone, Cliffie (bass)
473. Story, Carl
474. Strange, Billy
475. Strait, George
476. Strong, Clint
477. Strzelecki, Henry (electric bass)
478. Stuart, Marty
479. Stuckey, Nat
480. Sullivan, John
481. Sullivan, Morey (bass)
482. Summey, Clell (string guitar) 
483. Sutherland, David (bass)
484. Sutton, Alvin
485. Swan, Billy (bass)
486. Swinney, James (bass)
487. Talley, Lewis (rhythm guitar)
488. Tanner, Joe
489. Taylor, Wesley
490. Thawl, Willie (bass)
491. Thomas, Michael
492. Thompson, Billy
493. Thompson, Bobby (rhythm guitar)
494. Thompson, Hank
495. Thompson, Michael
496. Tillis, Mel (rhythm guitar)
497. Tittle, James (bass)
498. Tomlinson, Tommy (rhythm guitar)
499. Travis, Merle
500. Trimbell, Hilmer J
501. Tubb, Ernest
502. Tullock, jake (bass)
503. Turner, Zeb
504. Turner, Zeke
505. Wade, Pete
506. Wakely, John
507. Walker, Billy
508. Walker, Billy Joe
509. Walker, Charlie
510. Walker, Jerry Jeff
511. Wallace, Jerry
512. Ward, Jerry (bass)
513. Wardlow, James
514. Warden, Don
515. Warren, Dale (bass)
516. Warden, Don
517. Wariner, Steve
518. Wass, Don (bass)
519. Wasson, Rance
520. Watson, Biff
521. Watson, Doc
522. Watson, Merle
523. Watts, Howard (bass)
524. Wayne, Bobby (rhythm guitar)
525. Wayne, Ricky
526. Wells, Kent
527. Wells, Kitty
528. Western, Johnny (rhythm guitar)
529. Whalin, June (rhythm, bass guitar)
530. Whalin, Kermit (electric, bass)
531. White, Clarence
532. White, Howard Jr
533. White, Tony Joe
534. White, Robert (bass)
535. Whitley, Keith
536. Whitman, Slim
537. Whitmore, Larry (rhythm guitar)
538. Whittington, Cotton
539. Wilburn, Doyle (rhythm guitar)
540. Wilburn, Teddy (rhythm guitar)
541. Wilkerson, James (electric bass)
542. Wilkin, Buck (rhythm guitar)
543. Wilkin, John
544. Williams, Al (bass)
545. Williams, Allen (bass)
546. Williams, Benny
547. Williams, Don
548. Williams, Hank
549. Williams, Hank Jr
550. Williams, Paul
551. Williams, Roger
552. Williams, Tex
553. Williams, Velma (string bass)
554. Willis, Guy
555. Willis, John
556. Wills, Luke (bass guitar)
557. Wilson, Eddie
558. Wilson, Lonnie
559. Wilson, James
560. Wilson, Wayne
561. Wiseman, Mac
562. Wooten, Red (bass)
563. Worf, Glenn (bass)
564. Worley, Paul
565. Wray, Bob (bass)
566. Wright, Bob
567. Wright, Charles
568. Wright, Johnny
569. Wyble, Jimmy (guitar)
570. Yandell, Paul
571. Yoakam, Dwight
572. Young, Chip (rhythm guitar)
573. Young, Reggie (electric guitar)
574. Young, Steve (rhythm guitar)
575. Zettner, David
576. Zinkan, Joe (bass) 

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Researched and compiled by Richard Bell, Roots of Country Music, Dec. 2011.