Phil Keaggy

Phil Keaggy was the first professional player of national renown to perform with Jim's guitars. Phil commissioned and helped design the first cedar-topped SJ cutaway model back in the early 80s. He then obtained a second SJ that eventually was given to a fellow friend and contemporary Christian musician. In his 1992 Phil Keaggy Acoustic Guitar Style instructional video, Phil plays both of these guitars, and describes them as "two of the best guitars ever made." You will also find Phil's original Olson prominently displayed on his new "Live from Philly" DVD.

Phil's album Way Back Home was one of the first to prominently feature his Olson. That was soon followed by The Wind and The Wheat, a recording of acoustic and electric instrumentals in the jazz fusion/New Age genre. In 1991 Phil released Beyond Nature (brilliant acoustic instrumentals, many with strong Celtic or classical influences), See the Soundbites page for some examples of Phil's Olson playing drawn from these recordings. Beyond Nature in particular is an oft-cited favorite recording of Olson fans; you can read some comments from the recording engineer, jb, at our Beyond Nature Sessions page. In the years following, Phil released many wonderful vocal and instrumental albums of varied styles. In 1996 Acoustic Sketches was released. An award winning instrumental album again featuring his remarkable skills on the acoustic.

In 1997, Phil teamed up with fellow artists Scott Dente and Wes King (also Olson owners) to record Invention, an album of vocal and instrumental works featuring all three players on electric and acoustic guitars as well as vocals. Phil and Wes talk about their Olson guitars in the interview, Coffee Talk: Phil Keaggy and Wes King.

Phil is probably one of the most prolific recording artists you will ever encounter. You'll find lots of information about Phil and his recordings at three of main Keaggy web sites:

Phil Keaggy — The official PK page
Way Back Home — The first Phil Keaggy home page
PKFans.com — Links to tons of PK resources

For over 20 years the first cedar SJ traveled the world with Phil. Because of it's sentimental attachments and the fear of airline damage, Phil recently stopped taking it on the road. He still uses it in the studio and for his "local" gigs. For traveling it has now been replaced with a "newer" version Olson SJ with some different cosmetic appointments.

Phil's original Olson:

SJ with cedar top and rosewood back and sides
Cutaway
Abalone sound hole rosette
Herringbone top edge
Herringbone back center strip
Dove fretboard inlays (pointed toward the soundhole)
Gold Schaller tuners
Ebony tuner buttons
L. R. Baggs LB6 bridge pick up onboard Duet system

A few photos of Phil and his "original" Olson.

Phil's newest Olson:

SJ with cedar top and rosewood back and sides
Cutaway
Abalone sound hole rosette with Brazilian rosewood insert
Brazilian rosewood top edge
Brazilian rosewood back center strip
Dove fretboard inlays with Paua abalone insert (pointed toward peghead)
Olson "O" logo on peghead infilled with Paua abalone
Gotoh 510 tuner with "O" logo
Ebony tuner buttons
L. R. Baggs LB6 bridge pick up onboard Duet system

A few photos of Phil and his "new" Olson.

Jim Olson made a left-handed Olson SJ cutaway as a gift to Paul McCartney, to be delivered by Phil who has been a devoted admirer of "Macca's" music since his childhood. Phil presented the guitar to Paul when Phil played at the wedding of his friend Laura Eastman, who happened to be Linda McCartney's sister. The two of them got to jam together on mirror-image Olsons!

Jim's words about Phil

"Phil Keaggy is certainly one of the most amazing individuals I have ever met. His intergrity and faith are as inspirational as his music. He opened doors of opportunity for which I am forever greatful. I am so thankful and blessed to know him as a friend".