Guitar for nerds

Fingerstyle acoustic guitarists Tom Boyer, KEV (Kevin Rones) and Jim Earp (all from San Diego) ventured up north to put on some accomplished guitar performances for a modest crowd (about 200) at Paradise’s Performing Arts Center. Consisting of a large percentage of “guitarheads” (proven by a show of hands), the crowd was presented with an evening of altered tunings and some tech and gear talk thrown in along the way. Earp, for instance, got into a rather detailed explanation, encouraged by the audience, of his “rig,” discussing the make, model and year of his guitar, his amp, compressor, etc.

The Chet Atkins- and Tommy Emmanuel-influenced Boyer showed his Missouri roots when he did a medley of gospel tunes, including the lovely “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.” The somewhat theatrical, pony-tailed KEV had a more robust playing style, and his presence brought to mind Canadian fingerstyle guitarist Don Ross.

Earp, mellow in his little brown hat and glasses, headlined the evening and produced a fine tone on his Martin acoustic, with crisp highs and warm lows. His "Borrego Medley" nicely evoked images of the SoCal desert. Local emcee John Denton admirably joined Earp on guitar for two tunes at the end of the show, which lasted just over three hours, which was a little long for those who might not have been guitarheads.