After decades of hard work, commitment, passion, and perseverance, there may come a time for a small handful of musicians when they’re called upon to perform by one of their lifelong musical heros. For master country guitarist and ArtistWorks instructor, Guthrie Trapp, this very experience just recently occurred.

“Every once in a while you get a phone call or an email that changes your life and reminds you why you're doing it, working hard and living in a town like Nashville,” Trapp explains. “A few weeks ago, I got one of those emails.”

A few short weeks ago, Trapp was invited, alongside the likes of country superstars Eric Church, Lucinda Williams, and Brad Paisley, to perform in a tribute show celebrating the life and career of legendary guitarist and one of the founding members of the iconic rock group ZZ Top, Billy F. Gibbons, who extended the invitation to join the concert lineup to Trapp personally.

“Billy Gibbons personally asked me to be a guest at his lifetime achievement award ceremony at the Grand Ole Opry,” explains Trapp. “Of course, I was absolutely flattered and totally surprised as we have only met one time.”

The concert and ceremony, “A Tribute to Billy Gibbons,” will be hosted at the world-renowned Grand Ole Opry theater and music venue in the heart of Nashville, TN on May 16, 2021. The performance will be hosted in front of a live, socially distanced audience, and concert donations will benefit first-responders and military nonprofit groups including the USO and ThanksUSA.

“When I talked with [Billy] on the phone for about 45 minutes last Sunday, he sure solidified the fact that he’s one of the coolest cats walking the planet,” Trapp expressed. “I can’t wait to play the show with him and hope that some of y'all can make it out!”

RELATED: Have you always wanted to learn how to play electric country guitar? Through our comprehensive online guitar lessons and Video Exchange Learning platform here at ArtistWorks, you can learn from internationally-renowned players, like Guthrie Trapp, and get personalized feedback on your playing.

Guthrie’s course starts with the basics and teaches everything from beginner guitar to advanced country performance techniques and tunes. So, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, all levels are welcome and all students will grow and improve their skills as guitarists and musicians!

Try out some free music lessons here and see what makes ArtistWorks courses some of the best online music lessons around!