John Fahey John Fahey was born on February 28, 1939 in Takoma Park, Maryland (a suburb of Washington, DC). In 1959, Fahey started his own record label, Takoma, and made his first “American Primitive” guitar album. The album did not generate great public interest, but it became legendary for introducing John's arrangement of the hymn “In Christ There Is No East or West,” which became a fingerpicker's standard. The album presented Fahey's personal blues-based style. Setting music aside for a time, Fahey studied philosophy in the late 50's and early 60's at the University of Maryland, American University, and U. C. Berkeley. The folk boom of the 1960's, though, drew him back into performing, and in 1963 the Takoma label was revived for a recording of Delta bluesman Booker T. Washington White. Following this, Fahey returned to the South with fellow blues enthusiasts Bill Barth and Henry Vestine in search of Skip James, whom they found and recorded. By 1964, Fahey was composing again, combining the influence of Skip James with his earlier exposure to symphonies and Gregorian Chant. By the early 1970's, Fahey had developed a respectable following. He recorded two of his most acclaimed albums, “Of Rivers and Religion” and “After the Ball” on the Reprise label. In 1972, John took an interest in the music and personality of Brazilian guitarist Bola Sete, which led him to pursue meditation and yoga as forms of enlightenment.  By the early 1980's, Fahey was again recording for Takoma. He recorded his first “live” album in Tasmania in 1981, the same year he moved to Oregon. The Takoma label disbanded, but Fahey continued to record for Rounder's Varrick label. After some health problems in the early 1990's, he made a strong comeback late in the decade. His style had changed, though, using electric guitar but still incorporating a wide variety of influences. At the same time, he retained an interest in American folk music. Several of his early recordings were reissued on a new label, Revenant, which he co-owned. Fahey's musical influence touched not only close associates such as Leo Kottke but also such rockers as Chris Stein. Fahey passed away on February 22, 2001 at the age of 61.

John Fahey - Christmas Songs & Holiday Melodies - DVD
In this DVD lesson, John explains and teaches 10 of his most beautiful Christmas and holiday solo guitar arrangements! Innovative fingerpicking styles are used as well as slide guitar techniques. Regular and Open G tunings are also featured. Tunes include: "Auld Lang Syne, The Bells Of St. Mary, The First Noel, Away In A Manger, Jesus Won't You Come By Here, Go Tell It On The Mountain, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, We Three Kings Of Orient Are, Greensleeves, Silent Night"
(57 min) Booklet included / Fingerstyle...................................Price  - $29.95

John Fahey - American Primitive Guitar - Book and 3 CDs
John Fahey teaches the following songs: "In Christ There Is No East Or West, Take A Look At That Baby, Some Summer Day, Indian Pacific Railroad Blues, The Last Steam Engine Train, When the Springtime Comes Again, The Approaching Of the Disco Void". CDs contain three full hours of note-by-note, phrase-by-phrase instruction.
Notation and tab........................................................................Price - $24.95

John Fahey - Fingerstyle & Slide Guitar in Open Tunings - Book and 3 CDs
John Fahey teaches the following songs: "On The Sunny Side of the Ocean, Spanish Two Step, It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, St. Louis Blues, The Union Pacific, Requiem For John Hurt, Auld Lang Syne, Steamboat Gwine 'Round The Bend, Silent Night Holy Night, Poor Boy A Long Way From Home". CDs contain three full hours of note-by-note, phrase-by-phrase instruction.
Notation and tab........................................................................Price - $24.95

John Fahey - In Concert - DVD
A concert experience with John Fahey (a.k.a. Blind Joe Death) is unique! He will perform his "hits" but he is not afraid to explore and extend his compositions to new areas and boundaries. Together with his audience he travels the musical highways that have influenced his playing and composing. Tunes include: "City Of Refuge, Mexico, Discarded, Guitar Rag, Who Will Rock The Cradle, 50's Medley: Blueberry Hill / Sea Of Love, Special Rider, On The Sunnyside Of The Ocean, St. Vitus Dance, Dorothy, Evening Not Night".
(72 min)........................................................................................Price - $24.95

John Fahey - The Guitar of John Fahey - Vol I - DVD
John Fahey is a key figure in the evolution of 20th century fingerstyle guitar technique and arranging concepts. This collection  exemplifies his genius. In this first DVD lesson John explains and teaches 7 of his best known solos. Regular and Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D) tuning are featured.  Tunes include: "In Christ There Is No East Or West, Claire, Some Summer Day, When Springtime Comes Again, Spanish Fandango, Spanish Two-Step and On The Sunny Side of the Ocean".
Booklet included. Fingerstyle..................................................Price - $29.95

 John Fahey - The Guitar of John Fahey - Vol II - DVD
In this second DVD lesson, John explains and teaches 8 of his best known instrumentals. Regular, Open G (D-G-D-G-B-D) and Open D (D-A-D-F#-A-D) tunings area featured.  Tunes include:  "Poor Boy Long Ways From Home, My Prayer, Marilyn, The Red Pony, Sunflower River Blues, Joy To The World, Steamboat Gwine Round De Bend and Steel Guitar Rag".
Booklet included. Fingerstyle..................................................Price - $29.95