Bio
- Promo Bio
- Personal Bio
Promo Bio
Internationally-acclaimed guitar virtuoso Trace Bundy must be seen, not just heard. His music is poetry in motion, using harmonics, looping, multiple capos, and his unique banter and stage presence to deliver an unforgettable live concert experience. Listening to his intricate arrangements is one thing, but seeing the fan-dubbed “Acoustic Ninja” play live confounds even the most accomplished music lovers as to how one person can do all that with just two hands and ten fingers.
Bundy’s unique career has brought him across the world, with concerts in 28 countries and counting – from high-tech performance halls in South Korea and Italy, to remote villages in Zimbabwe and Guatemala. He has independently sold over 150,000 albums on his record label, Honest Ninja Music. His video clips circulate virally at astonishing speed, with over 45 million YouTube views to date.
Trace was named “Most Promising New Talent” of 2008 by Acoustic Guitar Magazine, as well as winning third place in the magazine’s “Best Fingerstyle Guitarist” category the same year. Over his many years of touring, Trace has shared the stage with Brandi Carlile, Olivia Newton-John, Neko Case, Judy Collins, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Phil Keaggy, David Wilcox, David Knopfler (Dire Straits), Bill Nershi (String Cheese), Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney & Wings), Chris Hillman (the Byrds), and Stanley Jordan, among others.
Jimmy Leslie at Guitar Player Magazine blogs “It was easy to see why Bundy plays bigger venues on each tour. In his hands, the acoustic guitar is an imagination station, and there was no telling where he is going take the audience at any given turn. Thrilling stuff.”
Dave Kirby from the Boulder Weekly says “Possessing a staggering acoustic technique, on both right and left sides, Bundy has made his reputation as a next generation solo guitarist of serious repute.”
Audiocast Magazine from Austin, TX agrees: “Bundy’s live show is without a doubt an event that needs to be witnessed rather than told about. With such a jaw-dropping performance, Bundy’s live concert is a slap in the face that would leave a palm print on the memory of everyone in the audience.”
Take a minute to check him out and you’ll agree that Trace Bundy must be seen, not just heard.
Personal Biography
I was born in Austin, MN (you know, where SPAM is made) and moved to the small town of Buena Vista, CO. I first started playing guitar when I was about 11 or 12 years old when my brother Greg and I both chipped in $5 to buy a $10 acoustic guitar from a guy named Herbie. We didn’t know where to start so we picked up a guitar magazine and learned how to play a song by Metallica. Although I was not a fan of heavy metal, that was what I originally learned to play, on acoustic guitar of course. Shortly after, I learned how to play some chords and songs like Johnny B. Goode and various Def Leppard hits.
I could never afford lessons so everything I learned was on my own, learning other people’s songs, making up my own stuff, etc. I became very interested in why music sounds good and why different notes and chords seem to work together. This got me very interested in music theory. I started to figure out the patterns that exist in most music, and started to put names to my discoveries like “Trace’s 7 chord theory”, etc. (later in college I took a basic music theory class and found that all of my discoveries already existed and had big important sounding names). The more music theory I learned, the more I started writing my own songs, trying to incorporate my new discoveries into my music.
I met Jonah Werner (now an acoustic folk songwriter star) in high school and started playing with him at the (only) local coffee shop in Buena Vista – mostly Jackopierce and other various folky songs. I then hooked up with Tim Thornton and started playing old Dylan and Cat Stevens tunes. We all attended CU in Boulder, CO and still continue to play together from time to time. Meanwhile, my style of playing started gaining influence from a variety of musicians such as David Wilcox, Ani Difranco, and Phil Keaggy. I stopped using a pick when I realized I could play more complex music using all five of my fingers.
After teaching rock and ice climbing for 2 years, I decided to go back to grad school and get a Masters in Civil Engineering. I defended my thesis and was soon asked to teach 2 engineering courses at CU. During those two years as an adjunct professor, my musical style continued to rapidly change as I experimented with different musical ideas and guitar techniques. I then released my 3rd album “ADAPT” and soon after hit the road as a full-time musician.
It’s been such a great journey from the time when I first played that old acoustic guitar (thanks Herbie). I truly enjoy the guitar and look forward to the times throughout the day when I can pull it out and try out some new stuff. I have so much fun whenever I play and consider it a blessing to get to share my music with other people. I hope you enjoy!
