I was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the ninth of ten children. I grew up in a home filled with music. On my 10th birthday, my dad gave me my first guitar. That’s when the magic began.

 

In 1970, my band Glass Harp recorded a self-titled album that caught people’s attention. We opened for bands like Yes and the Kinks, and even performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. A few years later, my life changed direction. I made the tough decision to leave Glass Harp and pursue a solo career. My first solo album, “What A Day,” was recorded in just a week’s time. I married my sweetheart Bernadette that summer, and decided to take a break from recording.

 

Three years later, I recorded my second album. It became very clear to me that God gave me a calling to deliver the Gospel through my music, and for over 30 years I’ve been honored to do just that.

 

Recently, I had the great privilege of performing for the guests at Nashville Rescue Mission. Right off the bat, I could tell the staff demonstrated kindness and expressed a genuine interest in the people they are helping.

 

I’ve been playing for audiences for nearly 50 years now and I couldn’t have asked for a better audience than at the Mission. Everyone in attendance was enthused and couldn’t wait for the show to start. They made me feel especially welcomed.

 

My friend Paul Clark joined me and we broke out my electric guitar and jammed on one of his songs. You could feel the excitement and energy in the chapel as we played and sang our hearts out. The Good News of God’s love was also shared through the spoken word. You could see lives were touched and hopefully changed.

 

I look forward to returning to the Mission again soon. I pray the Lord blesses the work there and continues to keep Nashville Rescue Mission as a light and beacon for those members of our city and community who have hit hard times.

 

Phil Keaggy’s solo career has spanned more than 30 years, and has included over 50 solo albums, as well as eight releases with Glass Harp. He is a seven-time recipient of the GMA Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year, and was twice nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Gospel Album. He’s frequently been listed as one of the world’s top “finger-picking” guitarists by Guitar Player Magazine readers’ polls.