Merle Travis

Merle Travis was an influential American singer and guitarist known for developing a distinctive guitar style that blends fingerpicking techniques with a rhythmic, bass-driven approach called "Travis picking." This style creates a flowing, steady rhythm, allowing one person to simultaneously play melody and basslines, making it popular in folk, country, and blues music. Travis also contributed as a songwriter and recording artist, inspiring countless musicians. His innovative playing technique remains a fundamental element in acoustic guitar playing and has helped shape modern fingerstyle music.