Performing Artists

Kimo Hussey

Kimo Hussey is one of the most respected ukulele players in the world, traveling internationally to share his love for the ukulele through performances and instructional seminars. He is the author of the award-winning Hawaiian songbook, He Mele Aloha which has sold millions of copies and has been translated into multiple languages. Too, as an advocate for the therapeutic benefits of music, Kimo gives generously of his time to outreach organizations.

Kimo’s solo style pays close attention to a song’s melody and he plays that melody strictly—eliciting both nostalgic and positive memories from his audience. Music for Kimo is not just about notes, but about emotion.

It is an honor and pleasure to collaborate with Kimo in an ongoing basis to design Lichty Ukuleles that evoke deep emotion and bring great pleasure to the player.

Geoff Achison

Geoff Achison is an Australian blues/roots musician whose self-taught style has won him fans and awards all over the world. He has been hailed as one of the finest blues players in Australia. To see Geoff live is a jaw-dropping experience. While he is best know for his insane skills on the guitar, he is also a brilliant singer and songwriter.

Geoff has a custom sapele OM Lichty guitar with an LR Baggs pick-up that he plays exclusively for his US tours.

“The Lichty OM Guitar is the first hand-crafted instrument I’ve ever owned and it’s changed my world! Playing and performing with the Lichty has made me to totally re-think what I expect from an acoustic guitar – wow!”

Noah

Noah (Guthrie) is a South Carolina singer/songwriter. While he is fairly new on the music scene, he is making a big splash fast. At last count his YouTube channel had over 37 million views! Tune in to any one song and you will immediately see why. The great news for Noah fans is that while he is making his mark doing his unique renditions of covers, he has a CD in the works of all original music and this guy can write!

Noah plays a Chechen OM Lichty guitar with an LR Baggs pick-up.

“I love my new Lichty guitar! Everything about it represents perfect craftsmanship, beauty, and unforgettable sound!”

Randall Bramblett

Randall Bramblett is a southern musician and singer-songwriter, whose career as a solo artist, session player, and touring musician, has spanned more than three decades. He has worked with such notable performers as Gregg Allman, Bonnie Raitt, Geoff Achison, Widespread Panic and more. Randall’s music blends of the best of blues, gospel and folk and the result is pure soul.
As a songwriter, Randall’s tunes have been played by the best; most recently Used to Rule the World was featured as the cover song for Bonnie Raitt’s latest CD.

Randall plays a custom Indian Rosewood Small Jumbo Lichty Guitar with a Fishman pick-up.

Tom Gossin

Tom Gossin contributes amazing vocals, guitar playing and songwriting skills to the critically acclaimed country music group Gloriana. Gloriana is Tom Gossin, brother Mike Gossin and Rachel Reinert. Group accolades include awards for the 2010 AMA Breakthrough Artist of the Year, 2010 AMC Top New Vocal Group, nominations for three 2012 AMA awards, several top ten singles and their latest release, A Thousand Miles Left Behind, debuted at #2 on the Billboard Country Music Chart.

Tom plays a custom cocobolo dreadnought Lichty guitar with a sinker redwood top and LR Baggs pick-up

“It’s absolutely amazing, fantastic, exquisite! It sounds awesome. For any serious guitar player this is out of control cool!”

Mike Gossin

Mike Gossin is known for his amazing guitar skills and he brings powerful songwriting and vocals to the table as well, as a member of one of the top country music bands – Gloriana. Accolades for Gloriana include awards for the 2010 AMA Breakthrough Artist of the Year, 2010 AMC Top New Vocal Group, nominations for three 2012 AMA awards, several top ten singles and their latest release, A Thousand Miles Left Behind, debuted at #2 on the Billboard Country Music Chart.

Mike plays a custom cocobolo dreadnought Lichty guitar that has been hand painted with original artwork by NC artist Clark Hipolito.

“My Lichty guitar is absolutely incredible! It feels beautiful to play and sounds so balanced, so phenomenal. Honestly it is the coolest guitar I have ever seen or played. I wanted this guitar to represent who I am and what I bring to the table as a musician. Between Jay’s craftsmanship and Clark’s artwork – man, they nailed it!”

Jody Porter

Jody Porter: guitarist extraordinaire, solo artist and member of Fountains of Wayne. From their beginnings in 1996 FoW has received praise from critics. Their 1996 self-titled debut album was nominated for two Grammys and their hit single Stacy’s Mom was nominated for a Grammy in 2004.

Though Jody is best known for his masterful skill on electric guitar (solo album: Close to the Sun and Fountains of Wayne), he is truly talented on the acoustic front, as well.

Jody plays a Honduran mahogany dreadnought Lichty guitar.

“Lichty is destined to be one of those instruments that becomes a classic. What most excites me about Jay’s guitars are how well they sound on record. We have tons of options around the studio but when tracking acoustics everyone in the control room says go with the Lichty.”

Haley Dreis

Haley Dreis is a Nashville singer / songwriter. Her gift of writing intimate songs that both draw you in and have you tapping your toes at the same time is just a part of the appeal. She is a talented musician on guitar, violin, ukulele and piano. When this gal pulls out her loop station during solo performances – watch out! She has produced two CD’s (most recent release – Lady with a Rocket) and is currently touring the East Coast.

Haley plays a custom Honduran rosewood OM Lichty guitar with a K&K pick-up.

“For musicians, owning an instrument is an incredibly personal experience and a serious investment. It’s a source of pride and joy that affects your practicing and performance – and the final product. My Lichty Guitar is INCREDIBLE! Lichty makes a truly fine instrument; the custom-making experience was a treat.”

Shohei Toyoda

Shohei Toyoda is a Japanese guitarist, guitar instructor and the winner of Japan’s Finger-Picking Guitar Championship in 2012. He travels internationally and has a fan base that is growing across the globe.

Shohei plays a custom Cuban mahogany OM Lichty Guitar with an LR Baggs pick-up.

“I’ve always thought that it’s up to the player’s ability and technique to let the music speak from the guitar. That idea totally changed when I went into Jay’s studio and played his handmade guitars. All of them had unique colors to their sound and I totally forgot time when I was trying to mix and match those colors to the tunes in my repertoire. It sure was fun too!!! Jay’s guitars are so special because they add richness to the “sound-scape” that the player is trying to create and communicate to the audience.”

Doug Lancio

There are so many musicians whose work and talents make good music great. Doug Lancio is one of these. Though he may not be as well known as some of the folks he teams up, Doug Lancio is a brilliant guitarist and Nashville producer whose skills and sheer talent fuel the powerful vibe both in the studio and on stage of such greats as John Hiatt, Patty Griffin, Nancy Griffin and many others, for whom he plays lead guitar.

Doug plays a pau ferro OM Lichty guitar.

“I love this guitar and so does everyone who has picked it up and played it on the tour bus and in the studio. It’s amazing. This guitar holds its tuning better than any guitar I’ve known or played. Its stableness and dynamics continue to impress me. Whether I play soft or aggressive, the notes always ring with a rich warmth and clarity. I make my living with a guitar and I’ve got say, Jay Lichty may be new on the luthier scene, but based on my experience Lichty Guitars are among the best.”

Jonathan Gray

Jonathan Gray – multi-instrumentalist who has toured with Jump Little Children, Howie Day, William Fitzsimmons, Crowfield, Slow Runner and many others.

Jonathan plays a custom dreadnought Hormigo Lichty guitar.

“There is something very powerful about playing a custom-made Lichty Guitar. I know each piece of wood and each component was selected with me in mind. Knowing luthier Jay Lichty, there is a tremendous amount of heart and skill that went into every detail of my guitar. This guitar is a treasure! For me it gets even better, my custom Lichty was crafted right here in the Carolinas!”