Stephen Bennett was born in Oregon , grew up in New York and has lived in
Virginia for the better part of the last three decades. Since his 1987 first-place
win at the National Flatpicking Championship in Winfield , Kansas (The Walnut
Valley Festival), he has become known as a versatile fingerstyle and flatpicking
guitarist who consistently garners critical praise and audience enthusiasm
for his recordings and live performances.
With his stellar musicianship, a relaxed stage presence, and quick wit, Stephen
has performed throughout the United States and Europe , as well as in Canada,
Australia and Japan .
With a dozen self-produced CD recordings to his credit at this writing, a
new Stephen Bennett recording is probably in the works.
Aside from his work on the six-string guitar, Stephen is also one of the world's
premiere performers on the Harp Guitar, an instrument he indirectly inherited
from his great-grandfather. As a composer and arranger, he has created an
enduring repertoire and a significant body of recorded work for this instrument.
Slide work on his 1930 National resophonic steel guitar is also an important
part of Stephen's instrumental diversity.
The image of Stephen Bennett embracing his harp guitar is the one that tends
to linger. The fact that Stephen is only too happy to champion the cause of
the harp guitar may inadvertently obscure his abilities on the six-string
instrument. In what is becoming known as the Golden Age of Guitar Luthiery,
it's easy to overlook the fact that this is also the Golden Age of Guitar
Playing. With six strings or more, as one of the most original and prolific
composers and arrangers for the guitar on the current scene, Stephen Bennett
is clearly a part of the latter heritage.