Robert Shafer, flat out pickin'

Please sit back and let me tell you a story about one remarkable musician.
Ladies and gentleman, this is Robert Shafer.
Folks, let me tell ya, Robert Shafer is truly one of those rare entities that come once in a lifetime...so I am glad to say that it is in our lifetime.
I first met Robert back in 1993 when I arrived here in Charleston and from the time that we met, we have been fast friends. Luckily for me as well he became my bandmate in The Carpenter Ants for a period.
On our regular Wednesday night gigs Shafe would wow our audiences with that flatpicking magic that is his trademark.
To this day, there are just some licks that he played that defy logic for me. It was enough for me to have Michael Lipton be the other guitarist, but watching him and Robert create solos was even better than going to music school.
Robert handles so many different styles of music with such ease, you wonder...was this guy born with a guitar in his crib? The answer, YES!!!
One of his musical heroes the late Danny Gaton would have been absolutely proud of all that Robert has accomplished. He has been several times the National Flatpicking Champion. He's won several contests at our Vandalia Gathering. He has recorded with many artists from Allison Kraus to Johnny Staats and The Carpenter Ants in between.
To be sure Robert has also been a recording artist in his own right.
One story that sticks out for me is a trip we (The Carpenter Ants...) took to play in southern Maryland. On the way to the gig we stopped by to view the home of Danny Gaton. As I said earlier, he was one of Robert's heroes, when we reached his home Robert was so moved just being in his presence that his eyes began to well up. That moment so moved me, that it cemented Robert's stature in my heart.
Aside from being a phenomenal musician, Robert is also one of the funniest guys I know, you don't want to get in his crosshairs with something funny, believe me.
In all, I just want to let you know about this man who just goes about life flat out pickin', and tell you that if you haven't had the opportunity to see him in action, make it your business to go and see him whereever you hear the sound of a guitar maestro at work,, you'll be glad you did.
Also,be sure to check out Robert in any of his entites such as his great disc "Hillbilly Fever," Johnny Staats and the Delivery Boys, The Carpenter Ants CD, "Long Live The Queen." and several Mountain Stage CD's
You can catch him on Facebook too!!!
One last add on...catch him on You Tube.
Support Live music today tomorrow and always.