17 Year Old Olathe, KS Native Nate Gregory

17 Year Old Olathe, KS Native Nate Gregory Crowned Top Guitarist Under the age of 20
Dallas, TX

17 Year Old Olathe, KS Native Nate Gregory Crowned Top Guitarist Under the age of 20
Dallas, TX – Sunday afternoon, Nate Gregory was crowned the best young guitarist under the age of 20
at the 44th annual Dallas International Guitar Festival (DIGF).
Each year, the DIGF, the largest and longest running guitar festival in the world, solicits auditions from
around the world to identify the 10 top young guitarists across all genres of music. The 10 finalists are
invited to perform in a showcase at the festival, where the top 3 are named, judged by some of the
industry and artist legends in attendance. Past competition finalists include country singer/songwriter
Maren Morris, vaunted blues artist Ally Venable, and American Idol top 5 contestant Cade Foehner.
The DIGF is a festival that includes performances and clinics by guitar legends as well as a swap meet for
new and vintage instruments, drawing vendors, musicians, collectors and enthusiasts from around the
world. Over 20,000 people attend the 3 day event. Featured artists this year include Redd Volkaert,
Paul Gilbert, John 5, Phillip Sayce, Greg Koch and many more.
At the age of 11, Nate saw an old guitar as his family was moving, and asked if he could play it. A few
days later, thanks to Youtube and some determination, he was playing the Jimi Hendrix version of the
National Anthem. He hasn’t put down the guitar since – spending countless hours honing his craft.
Today, he co-hosts weekly “jam sessions” in several locations, and plays with several bands around the
region, spanning genres from classic country and western swing to classic rock.
Judges complimented Nate for his clean, mature style and called his performance “a breath of fresh air”.
“I am extremely honored to get the chance to share the stage with some of the most talented young
musicians in the world, and I never expected to win. All of the finalists are great artists and should be
recognized for the hard work they put in to get here. I have many, many people to thank for their help
along the way but I do want to especially thank my parents for all their support” said Nate Gregory after
the competition.
The prizes for first place include a $10,000 College Scholarship provided by the Trey & Wendy Crim
Foundation, a Jimmy Wallace Signature Custom Guitar of your choosing (Nate worked with Jimmy to
choose the specifications and it’s being built now), a Heritage Guitar (a Les Paul style guitar made in the
original Gibson factory), Recording time at the Media Tech Dallas Studio, a set of Jimmy Wallace Custom
Guitar Pickups, Anatomy of Sound custom guitar picks, and tons of other accessories.
Nate would like to thank the Dallas International Guitar Festival, the Trey & Wendy Crim Foundation,
and Jimmy Wallace for their commitment to support and foster young guitarists.
Video of Nate’s winning performance is available here: