First artist that got you hooked on acoustic guitar?

[DaveyO]

Only I would have to say it was America
I love that band since the early 70s
Also, I love the Beatles
But America was the band that was it for me
Who was it for you?

[old folky]

That were a few, but probably Gordon Lightfoot was the first.

[jazzereh]

Interesting topic.  I'll jump in early on this one.

Can't say for sure since it was so long ago but it would be a toss up between Bruce Cockburn, Tom Rush and Gordon Lightfoot.

First heard Cockburn at the Montreal Expo '67 when he played with 3's a Crowd. Learned Sunwheel Dance back then and still play it once in a while.

Tom Rush was a heavy influence on my guitar style and was the one who introduced me to Joni Mitchell when he recorded two of her songs on his 'Circle Game' LP.  Still play those two Joni songs to this day.

And Lightfoot, of course had so many great songs performed by him and others back in those days.  Played and still play many of his tunes. 

This would have all been in the 1960's.  Saw all of them live and still enjoy their music.

[B0WIE]

Initially, it was just another way to play guitar. Another instrument in the mix. Then, I started playing classical pieces on acoustic. Even now, I don't play a lot of things that were written for acoustic. But, if I ever had an acoustic influence I'd say it was Joni Mitchell.

[teh]

During my early teens age years, my key influences were Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce and John Denver. Gordon Lightfoot's chord progressions are both unique and fun to play. When I hit my early 20s, I lived in Northern Virginia and Philadelphia and broadened my horizons. The Main Point in Bryn Mawr, PA gave me access to a wide range of diverse musicians including Arlo Guthrie, Doc Watson, Norman Blake. Michael Cooney, David Bromberg, Roy Book Binder, John Prine, Harry Chapin and Leo Kottke to name a few. The Philadelphia Folk Festival, Tower Theatre and Robin Hood Dell West were three more great venues in SE PA.

[unclrob]

Old acoustic blues guys,the beatles,a video from PBS of people skiing down a slope with finger style music on 12 string I think it was Leo and peter Lange,the Nonkees, and a bunch more later on.

[Silence Dogood]

Even now, I don't play a lot of things that were written for acoustic.

This makes sense to me.  Many times I take songs mostly done electric and turn them into my own arrangements on acoustic. 

On topic...

I've had an acoustic guitar pretty much from the start of my guitar journey. I'd been playing (owning) an electric for a year or so and wanted an acoustic.  The rock band Tesla had an all-acoustic album out (before that was really "a thing") when I was in HS and I loved it. It made acoustic guitars cool to me for the first time. 

I got some money together and headed to GC.  I didn't know much at all about acoustic guitars but just wanted one that had "TAKAMINE" written on the headstock.  That was my only criteria.  I have no idea why I thought those were "the good ones."  I was 18.

About 25 years ago I was watching a documentary on Johnny Cash's American Recordings. I was unfamiliar with those recordings till then and had never been a Cash fan before.  I was struck by the simplicity of what he was doing with an acoustic guitar and vox. 

After I watched that documentary, I went and grabbed that same old Takamine from when I was 18 and somehow played it differently than I ever had before.  I also began to realize it wasn't a very good guitar around that same time period.  The search (that led me to Larrivee) began in earnest.

[StringPicker6]

I was 22 in the Army in Germany and a friend loved Jimmy Buffett and showed me some songs. Then I bought myself a Yamaha acoustic and started with Jimmy Buffett, then wanted to be like Neil Young and the Beatles. Later, got into acoustic blues with Stefan Grossman DVDs.

[fantex]

I always liked the MTV Unplugged series. I think an acoustic appeals to me because that is all you need. No amp, cables, pedals, board, effects, electricity. Can't remember the first fingerpicking song I learned but one of my favorites I still play is Guy Clark's Coat From the Cold.

[Myopic Squirrel]

A long long time ago - The Kingston Trio...(...did he ever return...)        

[Strings4Him]

John Denver—-then back into it because of Esteban 

[William2]

John Denver—-then back into it because of Esteban 

Esteban? Is this that guy who played quasi-flamenco in Las Vegas in the 80s and dressed in a black Zorro type outfit? My mom liked him and always sent me his CDs LOL!!! Well, Esteban does sound more Spanish the Steve. Didn't he come out with a cheap line of guitars under his name? Well, at least he was a guitarist and not a singer/ guitarist.

[Strings4Him]

Esteban? Is this that guy who played quasi-flamenco in Las Vegas in the 80 and dressed in a black Zorro type outfit? My mom liked him and always sent me his CDs LOL!!! Well, Esteban does sound more Spanish the Steve. Didn't he come out with a cheap line of guitars under his name? Well, at least he was a guitarist and not a singer/ guitarist.

Yes, that's the guy.  I saw him on HSN back in 2005 or so and bought one.  Not the best guitar at all, but it served the purpose in getting me back playing.

[jasonchamb]

I was a Dylan guy. A bit weird for a 14 year old in 1985, but whatever.

[DaveyO]

That were a few, but probably Gordon Lightfoot was the first.

Oh of course, yes
I've been listening to the song beautiful from Gordon Lightfoot for the last couple of weeks
Truly magical song

[StringPicker6]

You inspired me to play some of my Gordon Lightfoot albums. So fantastic.

[William2]

I came to the acoustic guitar as a recommendation by a friend who said I should try one. I liked the sustain and the fact you could get a decent instrument without spending a fortune as with a classical guitar. As a guitarist, I only listen to artists who primarily just play the guitar. I do like the work of John Renbourn and Duck Baker. And I do like the solo work of Lindsay Straw. When she isn't singing, her playing exhibits a clean, precise, technique coupled with a beautiful tone. Her videos of the Brouwer Studies display this. But even when she sings, her accompaniments are more involved than what I usually hear with a singer guitarist.

[Rockysdad]

Oh of course, yes
I've been listening to the song beautiful from Gordon Lightfoot for the last couple of weeks
Truly magical song

Big Lightfoot fan myself, Beautiful, Affair On Eighth Avenue, Don Quixote, A Winter Song, etc., all fun to play.

[teh]

One thing that sets Gordon Lightfoot's songs apart is his chord progressions in tunes like Restless, Shadows, 14 Karat Gold and Seven Island Suite.

[John in Charm City]

great thread.

A unusual influence for me - 1978(ish), Brian May playing '39 in Madison Square Garden.  The first concert I ever went to.  Queen is not a bad place to start (even if you may have fibbed a little to your parents).